Scientists may be getting warmer in the search for life in the cosmos. Research released on September 14, 2020 in the journal of Nature Astronomy suggests the discovery of phosphine gas in the atmosphere of Venus – a possible signature of microbial life on our planetary neighbor. While an exciting discovery, much is still unknown about… Continue reading
From H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds to Andy Weir’s The Martian, our culture’s fascination with the Red Planet is nothing new. However, the ability to explore this distant world is much more recent in our history. September 3rd marks the 44th anniversary of NASA’s successful landing of the Viking 2 spacecraft on the surface of Mars. Coming… Continue reading
On April 24, 2020, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope celebrated the 30th anniversary of its launch aboard Space Shuttle Discovery. The Saint Louis Science Center was selected as one of a limited number of locations across the nation to unveil the Hubble 30th anniversary photo to the public and is the only location in the state… Continue reading
April 24, 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope. Through a partnership with NASA and STScI, the Saint Louis Science Center will reveal a never-before-seen Hubble image! Enjoy this look back at several of Hubble’s “greatest hits” from the last 30 years as selected by local NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassadors Chris Heffner,… Continue reading
Tonight you can find the asteroid 4 Vesta in the constellation Taurus the Bull. Vesta was one of two objects visited by the Dawn spacecraft. The other was the dwarf planet Ceres. Please practice responsible social distancing when you go outside to observe.
For weekly updates on Comet ATLAS, please visit McDonnell Planetarium Night Sky Updates. After a two-decade drought of bright comets in the Northern Hemisphere, newly discovered Comet ATLAS stands a chance of brightening our sky – and our lives – this spring. Comets are frozen hunks of gas, ice, and dust that orbit our Sun… Continue reading
This is the Saint Louis Science Center’s NIGHT SKY UPDATE for the week of Friday, March 27, 2020. Information updated weekly or as needed. Times given as local St. Louis time (CDT). For definitions of terminology used in the night sky update, click the highlighted text. Our next star party scheduled for Friday, April 3,… Continue reading
