Skywatching Archives - Universe Today

Astro Challenge: Spotting 4 Vesta at its Best for Decades

6 Jun , 2018 by David Dickinson

Up for a challenge? Planetary action is certainly heating up this summer: Jupiter passed opposition last month, Saturn does so in June, and Mars reaches favorable viewing next month. And with dazzling Venus in the west and Mercury to joining it starting in late June, we’ll soon have all of the naked eye classical planets in the evening sky.

Now, I want to turn your attention towards a potential naked eye object, you’ve probably never seen: asteroid 4 Vesta.

Planets on Parade: Saturn at Opposition 2018

31 May , 2018 by David Dickinson

We’re in the midst of a parade of planets crossing the evening sky. Jupiter reached opposition on May 9th, and sits high to the east at dusk. Mars heads towards a fine opposition on July 27th, nearly as favorable as the historic opposition of 2003. And Venus rules the dusk sky in the west after the setting Sun for most of 2018.

June is Saturn’s turn, as the planet reaches opposition this year on June 27th, rising opposite to the setting Sun at dusk.

Are We Headed Towards Another Deep Solar Minimum?

22 May , 2018 by David Dickinson

Have you been keeping an eye on Sol lately? One of the top astronomy stories for 2018 may be what’s not happening, and how inactive our host star has become.

Recovered Asteroid 2010 WC9 Set to Buzz the Earth Tomorrow

14 May , 2018 by David Dickinson

Incoming: The Earth-Moon system has company tonight.

The Asteroid: Near Earth Asteroid 2010 WC9 is back. Discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey outside Tucson, Arizona on November 30th, 2010, 2010 WC9 was lost after a brief 10 day observation window, and was not recovered until earlier this month. About 71 meters in size, 2010 WC9 is one of the largest asteroids to pass us closer than the Earth-Moon distance.

By Jove: Jupiter at Opposition for 2018

30 Apr , 2018 by David Dickinson

It’s a question I’ve fielded lots this weekend leading up to last night’s April Pink Full Moon, and one I expect we’ll get again tonight: “What’s that bright star near the Moon?”

That bright “star” is actually a planet, the king of them all as far as our Solar System is concerned: Jupiter. May also ushers in Jupiter observing season, as the planet reaches opposition on May 9th, rising in the east opposite to the setting Sun to the west. Jupiter now joins Venus in the dusk sky, ending the planetary drought plaguing many an evening star party.

Asteroids Smack Jupiter More Often Than Astronomers Thought

26 Apr , 2018 by David Dickinson

Are you keeping a eye on Jupiter? The King of the Planets, Jove presents a swirling upper atmosphere full of action, a worthy object of telescopic study as it heads towards another fine opposition on May 9th, 2018.

Now, an interesting international study out of the School of Engineering in Bilbao, Spain, the Astronomical Society of France,the Meath Astronomical Group in Dublin Ireland, the Astronomical Society of Australia, and the Esteve Duran Observatory in Spain gives us a fascinating and encouraging possibly, and another reason to keep a sharp eye on old Jove: Jupiter may just get smacked with asteroids on a ore regular basis than previously thought.

See The Finest Sights Before You Die With “Wonders of the Night Sky”

12 Apr , 2018 by Bob King

Want to make sure you don’t kick the bucket before seeing the best the night sky has to offer? Then be sure to check out my new book: “Wonders of the Night Sky You Must See Before You Die.”

New Saturn Storm Emerging?

11 Apr , 2018 by David Dickinson

Astrophotographer Damian Peach raised the alarm on Twitter this past week, of a possible bright storm emerging of the planet Saturn. The spot was noticeable even with the naked eye and in the raw video Peach captured, a sure sign that the storm was a biggie.

Tiangong 1 Falls, Blue Moon Rises and Mars Takes Aim At Saturn

29 Mar , 2018 by Bob King

Skywatchers have a busy weekend ahead. The Chinese space station is expected to burn up in the atmosphere, the Moon is full and Mars and Saturn meet at dawn.

Venus Returns to the Dusk Sky

26 Feb , 2018 by David Dickinson

Where have all the planets gone? The end of February 2018 sees the three naked eye outer planets – Mars, Jupiter and Saturn– hiding in the dawn. It takes an extra effort to brave the chill of a February morning, for sure. The good news is, the two inner planets – Mercury and Venus – begin favorable dusk apparitions this week, putting on a fine sunset showing in March.

Universe TodaySpace and astronomy news