This is the Saint Louis Science Center’s NIGHT SKY UPDATE for the week of Friday, September 3, 2021. Information updated weekly or as needed. Times given as local St. Louis time, which is Central Daylight Time (CDT). For definitions of terminology used in the night sky update, click the highlighted text. If relying on times… Continue reading
September 4, 2021 Those traveling to dark locations can be on the lookout for Zodiacal Light. As we approach the Autumnal Equinox, about one hour before sunrise you may find a bright wedge of light appearing along the zodiac constellations in the east. This phenomenon is caused by sunlight reflecting off dust in our solar… Continue reading
September 3, 2021 Today in 1976, NASA’s Viking 2 lander successfully landed on the surface of Mars. From its high-inclination orbit, the Viking 2 orbiter was able to closely observe complex Martian polar regions. The Viking 2 mission was launched via a Titan-Centaur rocket in September 1975, and the orbiter was used until July 1978… Continue reading
This pineapple coral is a species of stony coral native to the Caribbean Sea and western Atlantic Ocean. The coral forms large colonies of rounded domes that can get up to 16 inches around. While typically found on reefs at a depth of 90 feet or less, they can be found up to 230 feet… Continue reading
September 1, 2021 Today in 2006, NASA selected Lockheed Martin as the prime contractor to design, develop, and build Orion, America’s spacecraft for a new generation of explorers. The Orion capsule is planned to launch on its maiden voyage later this year aboard the Artemis I mission. Learn more about Artemis here.
When we think of animals and ecosystems, we often think of vast savannas, rushing rivers or lush jungles. For many people, the ecosystem is a giant place where multitudes of plants, animals and other organisms live. But sometimes, an ecosystem can be very small, with much of the action taking place on just a few… Continue reading
August 31, 2021 Today in 1963, the Gemini Project Office (GPO) reported that it was investigating the use of a parasail and landing rocket system to enable the Gemini spacecraft to land on land. A declassified NASA report from the time, entitled “Gemini Land Landing System Development Program,” may be read and/or downloaded here . Gemini… Continue reading
August 30, 2021 Last quarter moon occurs today. Moonrise occurs a little after midnight. At the time of moonrise, the Moon will have an azimuth of 58.9° so look east northeast to find the Moon.
August 29, 2021 Today in 1965, Gemini V returned to Earth following an 8-day orbital mission. Due to a programming error in their navigational computer, the astronauts had to guide the spacecraft to its splashdown manually. Cape Kennedy and Kennedy Space Center seen during the Gemini V mission. Credit: NASA, Charles Conrad
This is the Saint Louis Science Center’s NIGHT SKY UPDATE for the week of Friday, August 27, 2021. Information updated weekly or as needed. Times given as local St. Louis time, which is Central Daylight Time (CDT). For definitions of terminology used in the night sky update, click the highlighted text. If relying on times… Continue reading
