Unfortunately, during the 2019 peak of the Perseid meteor shower, the moon is nearly full and in the sky nearly all night. Still, you might catch a meteor in moonlight, or after moonset, shortly before dawn. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/peak-night-for-the-perseid-meteor-shower…
Tag: debris
How to watch the Perseids in moonlight
You can avoid the moon during the 2019 Perseid meteor shower by watching in the days before the peak, in the hours before dawn. Or … you can embrace the moon. Here’s how to enjoy the Perseids in moonlight. Source: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/how-to-minimize-moon-and-optimize-meteor-shower…
When our Milky Way merged with an ancient dwarf galaxy
Analysis of measurements via the Gaia space telescope – of star positions, brightnesses and distances – has let astronomers probe a merger 10 billion years ago between the primitive Milky Way and a dwarf galaxy called Gaia-Enceladus. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/gaia-enceladus-collision-milky-way…
Space travel might fry your brain, causing permanent learning and memory problems
During the course of a deep space mission, astronauts are routinely in various degrees of peril. Depending on which Hollywood sci-fi thrillers you choose, these intrepid explorers are at the mercy of malicious aliens, psychotic computers, or collisions with asteroids or space debris. While these might all be possible concerns, remote or otherwise, the greatest real danger to astronauts may in…
Marty the Grocery Store Robot Called ‘Ominous’, ‘Mostly Useless’
By the end of the year, Stop & Shop will have installed 500 “giant, gray, aisle-patrolling robots” in its chains of stores, reports Mashable, starting in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Jersey. “Attention shoppers: I’ve seen the future of grocery store technology, and let me tell you, we can do better.” Each of the robots weighs a massive 140-pounds and…
Top 10 tips for watching 2019’s Perseid meteors
The 2019 Perseid meteor shower will likely peak August 12-13, unfortunately under the light of a bright moon. But the shower is already rising to its peak. Tips here for getting the most from this year’s Perseid shower. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/perseid-shower-best-between-midnight-and-dawn…
How to find Delta Aquariid radiant point
How to spot the radiant point for the Delta Aquariid meteor shower, going on now. Plus … why meteors in annual showers have radiant points. Source: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/skat-radiant-for-delta-aquarid-meteors…
Space junk: A recycling station could be cleaning up in Earth orbit by 2050
There are about 22,000 large objects orbiting the Earth, including working and broken satellites and bits of old rocket from past space expeditions. If you include all the equipment dropped by astronauts while floating in space and the debris from colliding satellites down to around 1cm in size, there are about one million bits of space junk in Earth’s orbit. Source:…
Delta Aquariid meteors peak around now
This meteor shower doesn’t have a definite peak, but is spread out over many weeks. With little to no moonlight before dawn now, late July and early August are a good time to watch. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/delta-aquarid-meteors-peak-in-late-july…
Perseid meteors 2019: All you need to know
The Perseid meteor shower has already begun its slow and steady rise to its peak. In 2019, the peak mornings – around August 11, 12 and 13 – will be troubled by moonlight. Plan to watch for Perseid meteors in early August this year, then be prepared for moonlight at the peak. Source: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-perseid-meteor-shower…