Universe Today » Observing

Skies Sparkle For Both Hemispheres – The Annual Orionid Meteor Shower!

Tammy Plotner — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:12:58 +0000

It's not often that both hemispheres of the Earth get treated to an annual meteor shower, but in a matter of hours the complex Orionid stream is heading to dark sky your way! Where and when do you watch? Will it be as good as this year's Perseids as filmed by John Chumack above? Try even better! Follow me… (...)
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Request For Twilight Observations of U Scorpii

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:59:23 +0000

Further to AAVSO Alert Notice 367 and Special Notices 127 and 141, the AAVSO requests twilight observations of the recurrent nova U Scorpii prior to its solar conjunction in late 2009. These observations are in support of the long-term campaign by Dr. Bradley Schaefer (LSU) to catch this very fast nova during its rise. (...)
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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – October 16-18, 2009

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:11:47 +0000

Greetings, fellow Stargazers! Were you up early this morning? If so, you were greeted by an awesome scene, much like this one captured by Danilo Pivato. There's nothing more eyecatching the a close appearance of Venus and the Moon! With dark skies this weekend, it will be a good opportunity to broaden your astronomical horizons by chasing lesser known objects in both binoculars and telescopes. Of course there are challenges, too! Whenever you're ready, I'll see you in the back yard…. (...)
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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – October 9-11, 2009

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:57:38 +0000

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! It's a much darker weekend – and just in time for the Draconid Meteor Shower! If you haven't been watching the early morning trio of Venus, Mercury and Saturn, there's still time… Just as there is time to chase a couple of Caldwell Objects and a very challenging galaxy study for more practiced observers. But we're not forgetting small scopes and binoculars either as we take a look at "What was Charles Messier thinking when he recorded M73?" It's time to turn your eyes to the skies and I'll see you in the dark… (...)
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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – October 2-4, 2009

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:13:38 +0000

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! Are you ready to catch the planetary action? Then get thee out into the night, because right now is the perfect time of year to catch all of our solar system bodies in the same day! Be sure to be out on Saturday night, too… Because it's "Harvest Moon"! Need a little bit more of a challenge? Then fly off to Cygnus as we take a look at two of its most beautiful (and challenging) double stars! Whenever you're ready, I'll see you in the dark… (...)
Read the rest of Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – October 2-4, 2009 (932 words)

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Infrared Moonset

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:49:53 +0000

When it comes to the Moon, there are times when I feel like the "Queen of Selene". In just a few short weeks there will be a whole new style of lunar observing book out on the market, and just when I thought I'd heard it all and seen it all… along comes something new! While the header photograph on this article is absolutely spectacular, you're going to go about your day (and night) smiling if you stop to take a look at what's inside… (...)
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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – September 25-27, 2009

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:13:13 +0000

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! We're back and recovered from a star party – and what an awesome time! (I felt like Dorothy in the "Land of Oz"… Comets and meteors and galaxies… oh, my!) I am sure that many of you also enjoyed a great time and although the Moon is back on this weekend scene, why not celebrate it? Just how long has it been since you've kicked back and relaxed with a little lunacy in your scope? Pick up a sketchbook, or get creative with a camera! Lunatic fringe? I know you're out there. And I'll see you inside… (...)
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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – September 18-20, 2009

Tammy Plotner — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:19:12 +0000

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! It's an awesome weekend forecast for many of us attending Fall Star Parties, and all over the world we're looking forward to moonless nights and the fellowship with our brother and sister amateur astronomers. If you've never been to a star party, try the Goggle pages for information… you just might find one going on near you! In the meantime, let's have us a "Snowball" fight, chase some galaxies and ponder double stars! I'll see you in the night…(...)
Read the rest of Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – September 18-20, 2009 (747 words)

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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – September 11-13, 2009

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:41:21 +0000

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! Now that the Moon is backing off the early evening skies, it's time to enjoy some more elusive targets – like ones that are gone in the "blink" of an eye, or "veiled" in mystery… While you might think all of these are telescope-only domain, if you've got dark skies and eyes, you might be surprised! Why not take some time this weekend to get out your telescopes or binoculars and have some fun? There's some tasty summer treats waiting on you, and I'll see you in the backyard… (...)
Read the rest of Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – September 11-13, 2009 (881 words)

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Great Views of the ISS and Shuttle From Earth and Space

Nancy Atkinson — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:57:35 +0000

The ISS and Discovery on Sept. 1, 2009. Credit: Paolo Beltrame

Paolo Beltrame from Italy sent us this amazing montage of images he took of space shuttle Discovery docked to the ISS on September 1, 2009. See the incredible details visible of the space station and docked shuttle! Paolo is with the Circolo AStrofili Talmassons (Amateur Astronomers Club in Talmassons, or CAST) who have an impressive observatory (take a look at Paolo's website). He took these selected images from a 2-minute movie taken with a TourcamPro webcam. As impressive as Paolo's astrophotos are, however, he says his real passion is viewing the night sky with the naked eye. His motto is "Lasciate che i fotoni vengano a me!" (Let the photons come to me!) See a close up of Paolo's best shot of the ISS/shuttle below, as well as images from other astrophotographers of Tuesday evening's pass of the shuttle and ISS as they flew in tandem after Discovery undocked from the station on Tuesday afternoon. There's also video from the shuttle's flyaround.
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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast: September 4-6, 2009

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:57:05 +0000

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! Ah, yes… Full Moon. Are you ready to howl? If you didn't get a chance to watch the galiean moons do their dance last weekend, then be sure to catch the awesome video you'll find inside! In the meantime, keep your ears alert for the rise of tonight's "Full Corn Moon" and check out the Omicron gems. As the skies get darker, the Herschel challenges warm up – so dust off your optics and I'll see you in the backyard… (...)
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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast: August 28-30, 2009

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:20:09 +0000

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! Are you ready for a little lunacy this weekend? Yes, it's back – but there is no other distant world whose features we can study quite so clearly and as well as the Earth's companion – the Moon. If it's been awhile since you turned a telescope or binoculars its way, why not spend an evening or two enjoying some of its features before it becomes overwhelmingly bright? There are other bright objects we often take for granted as well, too… Such as colorful and challenging double stars. If that's not enough for you – then keep your eyes wide open – because some very cool things are about to happen with Jupiter's moons! Time to dust off your optics and I'll see you in the backyard… (...)
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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – August 21-23, 2009

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:58:35 +0000

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! Are you ready for the weekend? Then let's enjoy the nights ahead as we fly along the Milky Way on the wings of the Swan and hunt down some very different star clusters in the night with the Fox. Do you need a smile? Then you'll find one with with a delightful asterism called the "Coat Hanger"! How about a Herschel challenge? We've got that, too. In the mood to just stargaze? Then stick around – because the Perseid Meteor Shower hasn't ended just yet. (We've got something very special inside here to show you!) Time to get out your telescopes and binoculars and I'll see you outside… (...)
Read the rest of Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – August 21-23, 2009 (901 words)

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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – August 14-16, 2009

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:37:11 +0000

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! Have you had a wonderful week chasing the Perseid Meteor shower? Well, the show isn't over yet. Enjoy this weekend's darker skies and keep watching! While you're out, why not take a pair of binoculars with you and do a little cluster hunting? If you're feeling energetic – take out the telescope and resolve them. Who knows what you might learn if you listen to what's out there… Things like where to find chemically peculiar stars – or a runaway black hole! It's all waiting for you in the night…. (...)
Read the rest of Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – August 14-16, 2009 (853 words)

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Perseid Radio Astronomy from the Fourth Plinth With Chris Lintott

Tammy Plotner — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:14:54 +0000

Perseid Radio Fireball by Andy Smith - G7IZU

Within hours, the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower will begin. If you're worried you'll be clouded out, then let's take a look at a different way that you can observe the activity… without your eyes! (...)
Read the rest of Perseid Radio Astronomy from the Fourth Plinth With Chris Lintott (493 words)

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2009 Perseid Meteor Shower – Double Peaks This Year!

Tammy Plotner — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:58:50 +0000

Are you ready for this year's Perseid Meteor Shower? What will be the best place to watch and when will be the best date to see the most "shooting stars"? Follow along and let's find out… (...)
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Red Hot News… Possible Nova in Sagittarius!

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:55:16 +0000

According to AAVSO Special Notice #164 just sent, there is a possible nova candidate in Sagittarius. It was discovered by Koichi Nishiyama, Kurume, Fukuoka-ken, Japan, and Fujio Kabashima, Miyaki-cho, Saga-ken, Japan, at unfiltered magnitude 7.7 on two 60-second frames taken Aug. 6.494 and 6.495 UT. They confirmed the discovery on five frames taken around Aug. 6.494. (...)
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Chasing An Occultation

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 18:20:27 +0000

You've all heard me talk about watching the Moon occult a bright star. That's when we get a great example of stellar parallax from our Earthly viewpoint! But did you know that there are several other heavenly bodies that can cause an occultation that's easy to view through an amateur telescope if you just know when and where to look? Then let's take this opportunity to check it out… (...)
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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast: August 7-9, 2009

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 11:57:46 +0000

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! Have you been watching Jupiter and the Moon make a pass at each other in the early morning sky? What an incredible sight. With the slightly later rise of Selene during the weekend hours, we can take advantage of the earlier evening to do some deep sky studies. However, if you're just in the mood to kick back in a lawn chair and do a little stargazing, you'll probably spot some early Perseid meteors gracing the night. I'll give you a full report on the watching the Perseid Meteor shower just a little bit closer to the date so you won't forget! For now… Why not join me in the back yard? We've got a little history, a little mystery and a telescope waiting for you… (...)
Read the rest of Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast: August 7-9, 2009 (1,195 words)

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Orbiting Toolbag Will Enter Atmosphere Aug. 3

Nancy Atkinson — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:48:34 +0000

ISS Toolbag. Credit: NASA TV

The most famous toolbag in the world (and space) will soon be no more. The ISS Toolbag will enter Earth's atmosphere and completely burn up. Current estimates say the toolbag should become a fireball on August 3 around 1316 Universal Time. It should be visible over the Pacific Ocean west of Mexico (12.7° N, 257.1° E). Astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper dropped the backpack-sized kit on Nov. 18, 2008, while she was working outside the International Space Station. Since then the toolbag has circled Earth over 4,000 times, and has even been visible from the ground. Keep track of the toolbag at Heaven's Above or on SpaceWeather.com's Satellite Tracker.

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Top Five Celestial Objects Anyone Can See With a Small Telescope

Nancy Atkinson — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:34:56 +0000

Popular Mechanics has a great series of articles today on amateur astronomy, including Affordable Ways to Become an Amateur Astronomer, and How to Computerize Your Telescope. But my favorite is the Top Five Galactic Bodies Anyone Can See With a Cheap Telescope. Number one on the list is the Orion Nebula, above. Granted, with small telescopes, it won't look like this Hubble Space Telescope image, but The Great Nebula is even visible with the naked eye in the northern hemisphere, and looks pretty impressive in small telescope, too. To find it, those in the northern hemisphere will have to wait until cooler weather approaches. But look for Orion's belt, three bright stars in a row. Hanging south from the belt is Orion's sword, composed of three bright dots; the center dot is the great nebula.

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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast: July 31 – August 2, 2009

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:59:45 +0000

Heads up for our friends in Southeast Europe, Northeast Africa, South America! In a matter of hours Antares is going to be occulted by the Moon! See the IOTA pages for times and locations and get out and watch! This weekend is a great time to do some lunar explorations and catch up on some double star work, too. Have you been watching for the impact site on Jupiter? Even if you don't have a telescope, I've got another video in here to share with you that's gonna' blow your mind. Are you ready to do some observing? Then I'll see you in the back yard… (...)
Read the rest of Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast: July 31 – August 2, 2009 (1,109 words)

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Observe the Jupiter Impact Site!

Tammy Plotner — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:38:22 +0000

Have you stayed up late and observed the Jupiter impact site? Then don't be goofing around. Not since July 16-22, 1994 when comet Shoemaker-Levy crashed into Jupiter's southern hemisphere have amateur astronomers had the opportunity to witness history firsthand! What makes me think that you can do it? Because I have… (...)
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Viewing the Jupiter Impact With Your Telescope

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:48:39 +0000

Are you ready to stay up a little late and see if you can catch the new dark spot on Jupiter from what could have either been an asteroid or comet impact? It happened somewhere between July 17th and 19th and the scar is still fresh and visible. However, there is just a little bit you need to know to make your viewing the Jupiter impact through your telescope a success. (...)
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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast: July 24-26, 2009

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:03:53 +0000

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! Has everyone enjoyed the Apollo revival? I certainly have – and now the Moon is gently returning to evening sky and offering us great opportunities over the coming evenings to do a little bit of study with binoculars and telescopes. Look for its slender crescent just after sunset! This weekend we're going to try an open cluster you may never have seen that works well for small optics and a Herschel object with a real twist. Need more? Then we'll check out a beautifully colored double star, too… But not the one you expect! Grab your telescopes and binoculars and I'll see you in the back yard… (...)
Read the rest of Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast: July 24-26, 2009 (1,191 words)

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