Category Archives: Astronomy

Hubble Space Telescope 20 Years

Posted on April 24, 2010 by Mike

NASA launched the Hubble Space Telescope on April 24th, 1990. Since then we’ve discovered things that we never even imagined, and seen light from distant galaxies and stars billions of years old.
Named for groundbreaking astronomer Edwin Hubble, the Hubble Space Telescope has helped astronomers prove the existence of black holes, dark energy, and defined the age of the universe.
NASA celebrates 20 years of amazing astronomical discoveries with the Hubble Space Telescope with an interactive showcase of incredible images of our universe.
NASA has also announced the extension of the Hubble Space Telescope Science Operations Contract through April [...]

Posted in Astronomy, NASA | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Astrophotography by Anthony Ayiomamitis

Posted on January 11, 2010 by Mike

I recently discovered a beautiful site. Astrophotography by Anthony Ayiomamitis www.perseus.gr
It’s got a great collection of celestial objects captured in stunning detail; nebula, galaxies, star clusters, comets, plus images from our solar system. The author also talks in great detail about astrophotography and offers tips and advice for the best imaging.

www.perseus.gr

Posted in Astronomy | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

International Year of Astronomy ends January 10

Posted on January 8, 2010 by Mike

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) officially ends on January 10th.
The closing ceremony will be held in the Aula Magna of the University of Padova, where Galileo taught astronomy and physics, in Padova, Italy. It’s the final event of a year long global celebration of astronomy and its contribution to society and culture.

Official Website: www.astronomy2009.org/
IYA YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/astronomy2009
Follow Live Streaming Video on www.beyond2009.org

Posted in Astronomy, Earth, Video | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blue Moon

Posted on January 1, 2010 by Mike

Did you see the recent “blue moon?” The story was all over the news, but the term “blue moon” is actually misunderstood.
www.skyandtelescope.com/ offers an insightful and in depth definition of a blue moon.
The website for Astronomy Picture of the Day has a striking composite picture of the new year’s blue moon and a partial lunar eclipse.

Posted in Astronomy | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Orionid Meteor Shower 2009

Posted on October 20, 2009 by Mike

The Orionid meteor shower has been very active the past few years, and is expected to peak Wednesday morning around 6:00am.   Although the best time for viewing can be anywhere from 2:00 to 6:00 am.  Astronomers are saying this year’s show could be just as good or better than previous years because of an absence of moonlight.
More info at science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/19oct_orionids.htm
www.astronomy.com/
www.space.com/
www.earthsky.org/

Posted in Astronomy | Tagged | Leave a comment

Rocky Exoplanet CoRoT-7b Discovered

Posted on September 17, 2009 by Mike

Scientists at the European Southern Observatory have announced the discovery of a new exoplanet, CoRoT-7b, which has been described as a “super-earth” like planet.
Details at http://www.eso.org/public/outreach/press-rel/pr-2009/pr-33-09.html
Source: ESO, the European Southern Observatory, www.eso.org/public

Posted in Astronomy | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Perseid Meteor Shower 2009

Posted on August 11, 2009 by Mike

This year’s Perseid meteor shower should be a good one, putting on a great show for stargazers who stay up late to view the annual shooting stars.  The best time to watch is generally between midnight and dawn, when the earth’s rotation is moving into the sun, placing the meteor stream directly in the earth’s path.

For viewers in North America, premium viewing time will be between midnight and five a.m. on Wednesday, August 12, but the Perseids may also be visible late Tuesday night.
The Perseid meteor shower for 2009 will not be quite as spectacular as in the past, because [...]

Posted in Astronomy | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Atlantis repairs Hubble Space Telescope

Posted on May 19, 2009 by Mike

The repairs made by the Atlantis Space Shuttle crew in their historic eleven day mission will enable the Hubble Space Telescope to see farther into our universe than ever before.  It was quite a ride for STS-125.

Five spacewalks extended Hubble’s lifespan until at least the year 2014
Replaced gyroscopes, batteries and science data transmitter
Increased the space telescope’s power 10 x 70 times
Installed new instruments (like the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph) and thermal blankets
Repaired two existing instruments

Some of the astronauts were blogging from space.  Mission specialist Mike Massimino is on Twitter as astro_mike.
More shuttle news at www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/

Posted in Astronomy, NASA, Space Exploration | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Moon Venus Conjunction

Posted on February 28, 2009 by Mike

Did you see how close the planet Venus was to the moon last night?  Suspended in the night sky, the pair was strikingly beautiful.   It took my mind off the fact I couldn’t locate Comet Lulin, which was probably lost in the light pollution of the city lights.
spaceweather.com posted some great pictures of last night’s conjunction between Venus and the crescent moon.  The site also has a stunning photo of the green comet streaking by the blue star Regulus in the constellation Leo.

Posted in Astronomy | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Comet Lulin

Posted on February 27, 2009 by Mike

Comet Lulin
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/highlights/35992534.html
http://blogs.usatoday.com/sciencefair/2009/02/where-to-look-f.html

Posted in Astronomy | Tagged | Leave a comment