This date in science: Clyde Tombaugh discovers Pluto
Ninety years ago on this date, Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto. It was, until 2006, regarded as the ninth planet in our solar system.
Moon found orbiting near-Earth asteroid
Isn’t this cool? Scientists at the famous Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico made this rare find just days after resuming post-earthquake operations. It’s a moon orbiting the near-Earth asteroid 2020 BX12.
Moon occults Mars morning of February 18
If you’re on the right place on Earth’s surface, you can watch the moon occult (cover over) Mars on February 18, and then Jupiter on February 19. We elaborate in our post.
Meet the Reaper of Death, a new Canadian tyrannosaur
A new tyrannosaur species named Thanatotheristes, which means âreaper of death,â was the apex predator of its time, 79 million years ago in present day Alberta, Canada.
Itâs time to watch for the zodiacal light
The zodiacal light is an eerie light extending up from the horizon. This is a good time of year to see it in the evening, from the Northern Hemisphere. Southern Hemisphere, look before dawn!
Water in the shadows of boulders on Mars?
A new study from the Planetary Research Institute suggests that briny water could temporarily form on Mars’ surface in the shadows of boulders for just a few days each Martian year.
VLT sees surface of dim Betelgeuse
The European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope is in northern Chile. Astronomers used it to capture the unprecedented dimming of Betelgeuse, a red supergiant star in the constellation of Orion. The new images show how the apparent shape of this star is changing.
Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn before sunrise
Get up early on February 16 and 17, 2020, and let the waning crescent moon point out a parade of three bright planets adorning the east before sunup.
Today, 30th anniversary of the Pale Blue Dot
On February 14, 1990, the Voyager 1 spacecraft acquired one of the most iconic images ever taken from space, an image of our planet Earth seen from Saturn. The image is now known as the Pale Blue Dot.
Valentine Venus
Talk about an awesome Valentine’s Day activity! Go outside and show your sweetie Venus, the planet of love. Astronomer Guy Ottewell provides a chart and more.
Recent Comments