Universe Today

NGC 7635 Parallel Vision by JP Metsavainio

Away in the constellation of Cassiopeia some 7,100 light-years from Earth, a star 40 times more massive than our Sun is blowing a giant bubble of its own material into space. Inside its magic blue sphere, the gigantic star burns at blue flame intensity – rendering a 6 light year wide envelope of hot gas around it that's expanding outward at a speed of 4 million miles per hour. Are you ready to open wide and step inside? Then welcome to a little dimensional magic…. Read more…

Filed under: Astronomy, Astrophotos | 6 Comments »

Sombrero Parallel by Jukka Metsavainio

Almost every amateur astronomer is familiar with the Sombrero Galaxy (also known as M104 or NGC 4594) – an unbarred spiral galaxy in the constellation Virgo. We've seen it in both small and large telescopes, picked up its ghostly signature in binoculars and dreamed over its structure in photographs. Now, for the first time ever, Jukka Metsavainio is giving us the opportunity to visualize what it might be like to approach this amazing galaxy from space and see it in dimension. Step inside and let's learn. Read more…

Filed under: Astrophotos | 37 Comments »

Greetings, fellow StarGeezers! It's Friiiii day… And another great weekend forecast. Does having all this Moon around get you down? It shouldn't. Where else could you find another world that you could so intimately study detail with even the most modest of telescopes or binoculars? Instead of cursing Luna's presence, get out your optics and enjoy! While we're at it, we'll take a look at some very interesting stars – both in the sky and from planet Earth. It's time to head out into the dark… Cuz' here's what's up! Read more…

Filed under: Observing | 4 Comments »

In the easternmost part of Switzerland near the Italian border, lies a pristine area of land ranging from 1,400 to 3,173 meters above sea level. It encompasses 172,400 hectares of forests, alpine grasslands and bare rocks or screes that are strictly protected and not inhabited. Each year, around 50 researchers from Switzerland and abroad carry out scientific studies in the area. A research committee is responsible for the coordination of the various projects, such as hydrology, meteorology, biodiversity, ecology. Now, another specialty is arriving in this area in form of a private endeavor – astronomy. Read more…

Filed under: Astrosphere | Comments Off

Sure. For those of us who hang around the night sky, we know the Pleiades and the Moon frequently venture near each other during the course of a year, but it's much less common for the Moon to be in a crescent phase when they visit. Because the light of the nearby Moon often overpowers the cool, blue star cluster M45, SkyWatchers rarely have the opportunity to see the Moon sedately cover its stars. Not this time… Read more…

Filed under: Astronomy | 1 Comment »