A new timelapse from NASA’s SDO Observatory condenses an entire solar cycle into 1 hour. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/10-years-sun-solar-cycle-video…
Tag: observer
Want to see Saturn’s rings? Read me 1st
The best time of 2020 for seeing Saturn’s glorious rings is nearly upon us. You’ve seen the photos, but maybe you want to see the rings with your own eyes? Here are a few things to think about. Source: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/viewing-saturns-rings-tips-for-beginners…
Despite the full moon, comet Lemmon!
This faint comet – Comet C/2019 U6 (Lemmon) – is headed toward its perihelion, or closest point to the sun, on June 18. It’s currently visible from the Southern Hemisphere, via strong binoculars, with a dark sky. Source: https://earthsky.org/todays-image/photo-comet-c-2019-u6-lemmon-terry-lovejoy…
ALMA spots the twinkling heart of our Milky Way
Astronomers used the ALMA telescope in Chile to observe irregular flickers in millimeter-waves from the center of our Milky Way galaxy: the twinkling heart of the galaxy. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/alma-gaseous-disk-black-hole-milky-way…
Rainbow Six ‘Copy’ Lands Apple and Google In Copyright Court
Ubisoft is suing Apple and Google over a Chinese mobile game it says is “a near carbon copy” of one of its most popular games, Rainbow Six: Siege. The BBC reports: Area F2 is “designed to closely replicate… virtually every aspect” of the game, it alleges, in a 43-page document, complete with screenshots. It is also suing the developer, Ejoy, owned…
This isn’t a triple rainbow
It’s what’s called a reflection rainbow, which can be caused sunlight beaming upwards after reflecting from wet sand or calm water, in this case the water of Puget Sound. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/photo-this-isnt-a-triple-rainbow…
Large Chunks of a Chinese Rocket Missed NYC By About 15 Minutes
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: A week ago, China launched the newest version of its largest rocket, the Long March 5B, from its southernmost spaceport. The launch proceeded normally and represented another success for China as it seeks to build a robust human spaceflight program. Over the next few years, this rocket will launch components of a…
Whoa! Comet ATLAS got brighter this week
Comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) was getting brighter. Then, sadly, the Hubble Space Telescope caught it apparently disintegrating. Now … surprise. Veteran comet observer Terry Lovejoy reported earlier today that the comet is brightening again! Source: https://earthsky.org/todays-image/photo-comet-atlas-brightening-may-5-to-may-9-2020…
Last full supermoon of 2020
The May 2020 full moon presents the 3rd in a series of 3 full supermoons. It’s the 3rd-closest, 3rd-largest and 3rd-brightest full moon of this year. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/last-full-moon-supermoon-of-2020…
What’s a constellation? What’s an asterism?
Both constellations and asterisms are patterns of stars. What’s the difference? Source: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/definition-what-is-a-constellation-asterism…