Skywatching Archives - Universe Today

Catch Comet 21/P Giacobini-Zinner at Its Best

16 Aug , 2018 by David Dickinson

A periodic comet may put on a fine show for northern hemisphere viewers over the next few months.

Comet 21/P Giacobini-Zinner is currently a fine binocular comet shining at +8th magnitude and cruising across the constellation Cassiopeia. This places it above the horizon for the entire night for observers north of the equator in August, transiting the local meridian at local dawn.

A Partial Solar Eclipse and the Perseids Round Out August

7 Aug , 2018 by David Dickinson

How about that Total Lunar Eclipse this past July 13th? It has been a busy year for astronomy for sure, with two total lunar eclipses, a comet fading out from an unexpected burst of glory and Saturn, Jupiter and Mars reaching opposition in quick succession.

Now, watch for a rare event, with the final eclipse for 2018 coming up on Saturday, August 11th, with a partial solar eclipse spanning northern Europe and the Arctic.

Catch Comet C/2017 S3 PanSTARRS in Outburst

30 Jul , 2018 by David Dickinson

Comets are one of those great question marks in observational astronomy. Though we can plot their orbits thanks to Newton and Kepler, just how bright they’ll be and whether or not they will fizzle or fade is always a big unknown, especially if they’re a dynamic newcomer from the outer solar system just visiting the inner solar system for the first time.

We had just such a surprise from a cosmic visitor over the past few weeks, as comet C/2017 S3 PanSTARRS erupted twice, brightening into binocular visibility.

Mars Meets the MiniMoon During the Longest Total Lunar Eclipse of the Century

25 Jul , 2018 by David Dickinson

One of the top astronomy events of 2018 occurs on the evening of Friday, July 27th, when the Moon enters the shadow of the Earth for a total lunar eclipse. In the vernacular that is the modern internet, this is what’s becoming popular as a “Blood Moon,” a time when the Moon reddens due to the refracted light of a thousand sunsets falling on it as the pass through the ruddy limb of the Earth.

A Partial Solar Eclipse Down Under

11 Jul , 2018 by David Dickinson

Eclipse season in nigh… though most of us won’t notice. The second eclipse season for 2018 commences with the arrival of New Moon and Brown Lunation number 1182 at 3:01 Universal Time on Friday, July 13th, 2018. This eclipse is a shallow partial, just skimming the southern hemisphere of the Earth between the Australian and Antarctic continents.

A Spectacular Grazing Occultation for Aldebaran at Dawn

5 Jul , 2018 by David Dickinson

An unusual celestial spectacle unfolds for observers around the Great Lakes region next Tuesday at dawn. The Moon has been faithfully occulting (passing in front of) the bright star Aldebaran for every lunation now since January 29th, 2015. This split second events have touched on nearly every farflung corner of the Earth. Now the United States and Canada get to see the penultimate event, as the waning crescent Moon occults Aldebaran one last time for North America.

Planetpalooza: All Bright Planets Visible in the July Dusk Sky

26 Jun , 2018 by David Dickinson

Missed the planets in the dusk sky in early 2018? This summer’s astronomical blockbuster sees the return of all the classical naked eye planets in the dusk sky, in a big way.

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.

Universe TodaySpace and astronomy news