When Apollo 17 launched in 1972, one of the commentators memorably announced: “it’s lighting up the sky!” A beautiful turn of phrase, but also something that many astronomers might have heard and muttered in response: “well… what isn’t?” Light pollution … Continue reading
The twenty-first of August is fast approaching and the excitement around the total solar eclipse is building rapidly both in scientific communities and the lay public. Touted as perhaps the biggest scientific event of the decade; millions of people in … Continue reading
The Internet of Things (IoT) has the potential to change our world immensely. It will present new opportunities, as well as new challenges. IoT refers to the idea of connecting virtually any electronic device to the Internet and connecting them … Continue reading
Jupiter is named after the king of the Roman gods, and with its massive size, it definitely holds the title of king of the Solar System. NASA’s Juno spacecraft entered orbit around the gas giant in July of 2016. Due … Continue reading
New space technology isn’t just for traveling into the cosmos — these innovations have applications on earth, as well. Here’s a sampling: Space shuttle astronauts use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to grow plants. A medical device that relieves muscle and joint … Continue reading
Two things set the Sun apart from all other stars in the Universe: it does not belong to any constellation, and it is close enough to Earth to be observed and studied in exquisite detail with nothing more than modest … Continue reading
Want to go to Mars? You’ll have to fly there on a monster. Fortunately, this monster is being designed to carry and care for humans, not eat them! A Space Launch System, or SLS, is actually not a new idea, … Continue reading
Amateur astronomy is not for everybody, just like golf or football is not for everybody, but if you are sure that you want to take up the hobby of gazing at the Universe (or at least some of it) in … Continue reading
On June 3 Saturn will be at opposition, which means it will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. This is the best time to view and photograph Saturn and its moons because it will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long. Continue reading
Early this month on the night of May 5 and 6 the Eta Aquarids meteor shower will peak. It is an above average shower, capable of producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak, however most of the activity will be seen in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, the rate can reach only about 30 meteors per hour. Continue reading
