Thursday, January 3, 2013
The comet was discovered by two amateur astronomers in September.
Forget the Hunter's Moon in 2013, there is a new comet in town. Local skywatchers might get to see a spectacular Hunter's Comet — the newly discovered comet ISON. A NASA astronomer says ISON's fiery tail may be visible to those watching the night sky from October 2013 through January 2014. And the comet may hove into view without the help of a telescope. It all depends on whether the sun's heat vaporizes ices in the comet's body, scientists say in an article on the Huffington Post. Comet ISON will fly within 1.2 million miles from the sun's center on Nov. 28, 2013, astronomer Donald Yeomans, head of NASA's Near Earth Object Program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif, told the San Jose Mercury News. If the comet makes it …
The first meteor shower of 2013 peaks early Thursday.
Don't blink, you might miss the first meteor shower of the year. The high-powered Quadrantids meteor shower should peak just before dawn Thursday with a maximum number of meteors per hour of about 80. The meteor shower is expected to "last only a few hours," according to NASA.com. The meteors are believed to be a piece comet that broke apart centuries ago. The fragments will enter the Earth's atmosphere at 90,000 mph, burning up 50 miles above Earth's surface, according to NASA. If clouds don't obscure the meteor shower, the glowing moon may outshine it. The meteor shower is peaking while the moon is in its bright gibbous phase, according to Space.com. Viewing tips from NASA: Like most meteor showers, Quadrantids is named for the …
Sunday, December 23, 2012
NASA reassures the public that life will continue on after the so-called Mayan apocalypse.
- NEWS
-
Sunday, December 23, 2012
In another attempt to debunk widespread belief that the world is coming to an end on Dec. 21, 2012, NASA released a video intended to be aired on Dec. 22—confirming that life on Earth continues on. The four-minute video titled Why the World Didn't End Yesterday, labels the Dec. 21 Mayan apocalypse as a hoax and explains how the rumors began. Earlier this month, the U.S. Government responded to apocalyptic fears by posting a blog on the USA.gov website to help dispel the rumors. The post touches on how many have been left frightened, especially children, some of whom have contemplated committing suicide because of the doomsday predictions. NASA also published a section on its site that provides answers for commonly asked questions and …
Sunday, December 9, 2012
The most reliable meteor shower of the year, the Geminids, is on its way. Here are some tips for viewing the celestial show.
- NEWS
-
Sunday, December 9, 2012
The Geminid meteor shower 2012, the final major meteor shower of every year and likely to be the best, peaks overnight Dec. 13 and Dec. 14, and you may be able to see a great show on either side of those dates. If you liked the Perseids meteor shower 2012 in August, you should love this sky show. NASA reports that the Geminids are a relatively young meteor shower, with the first sightings occurring in the 1830s with rates of about 20 per hour. Over the decades the rates have increased, regularly spawning between 80 and 120 per hour at its peak on a clear evening. How spectacular is it? Just take a look at this video of the Geminid meteor shower. You can also look at some spectacular photos of the Geminids. Tips for best viewing Earthsky.…
Monday, November 12, 2012
Look to the skies for some stunning light displays this November and December.
- NEWS
-
Monday, November 12, 2012
As you do your Christmas shopping and plan feasts for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, cast your eyes upon the universe's natural fireworks. Astronomers anticipate three meteor showers this November and December. Nov. 12: Taurid Meteor Shower Nov. 17: Leonid Meteor Shower Dec. 13: Geminid Meteor Shower Be sure to schedule a night this season to bundle up, lay out some blankets (if it's dry) and enjoy the light show in the sky. Share your tips for photographing the showers. Tell us your favorite places to sneak off to view the skies.
Bryan Bentley
11:09 pm on Thursday, December 13, 2012
I saw two already tonight. Spent about ten minutes watching the eastern sky. more ›