While most of us slept on the morning of March 19, hours before the death of famed science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke was announced, a shot rang out in the Universe the likes of which are unknown in human history. By a preliminary analysis, this object was visible to the unaided human eye in […]
astronomical observing
What’s behind all this, an alien conspiracy? Is the government hiding something from us? Well, I think we all know what is going on. And if you don’t know, you need to get informed. For anyone who has observed the skies for more than a few years, it is obvious that stars are disappearing. And […]
Astronomy is not just for the sighted anymore.
Earth passed the December solstice more than a week ago, but another milestone comes tomorrow (Jan. 2). It’s not one you would normally notice, nor one that you would logically expect. As the Earth orbits the sun, its distance varies by up to 3 million miles. Tomorrow, earth is at perihelion, or its closest point […]
Astronomy started out as a purely visual science, but with today’s electronics and techniques, the visually impaired can enjoy and contribute. But that really isn’t what I am referring to as “listening to astronomy” here. It used to be that you to take classes, or else had to be in the right place at the […]
If you have never seen Venus in a daytime sky, Sunday morning offers a good opportunity. If it is clear where you live, go out about about a half hour before sunrise and find the waning crescent moon with Venus nearby in the eastern sky. This is good for all of us in the Northern […]
This year offers an excellent opportunity for the Perseid Meteor shower, peaking on the morning of Monday, August 13. We already have lots of information about viewing the shower, which you can see elsewhere on Earth & Sky. So I will say a few words here about history related to the shower.
Timelapse photo of the […]
That’s really not as easy a question to answer as you might think! What do you mean by noon? Do you define it by your clock or wristwatch? Or the gnawing in your stomach that says it’s time for lunch? Well, you may want to think again!
The first day of summer is tomorrow, Thursday, June […]
Do you have a right to a clear, dark, night-time sky? If you are an American, you have a constitutional right to many things, not the least of which is the "pursuit of happiness." If your idea of happiness is to be able to view, unhindered, the majesty of the heavens, is it "right" that […]
Wow, even after decades of observing Venus, I have to say that the old gal is still pretty impressive. The close approach with the moon last night had a less than auspicious beginning, as it was cloudy from late afternoon until nightfall here in Denver. But as the clouds cleared away, there they were, standing […]