Astronomy Fact of the Day: January 12, 2023

January 12, 2023 Ancient astronomers discovered planets were different from stars because they move independently from the background stars. Observing these behaviors led to the discovery of our solar system. Today, Mars appears stationary as it transitions back to prograde motion. This animation shows how the apparent motion of Mars will reverse as Earth passes… Continue reading

Science Center Supporters Enjoy a Special VIP Reception featuring Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr. Jane Goodall

Support science for our future. Make a gift to the Science Center’s Annual Fund to help support the Science Center’s education programs. Donors, supporters, and philanthropic partners of the Science Center gathered on Thursday, October 27, for a special VIP reception featuring the Science Center’s latest special exhibition, Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr. Jane… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: January 11, 2023

January 11, 2023 On this date in 1787 William Herschel discovered Titania, Uranus’s largest moon. Uranus is in the constellation Aries, but you will need a telescope to see it. Aries and Uranus can be found high in the east at 6 pm. A composite of Titania, made from Voyager 2 images taken in January… Continue reading

Bird of Paradise Hat

Bird of Paradise Hat, ca. 1890-1910s At the turn of the 20th century, ladies in the US and Europe went wild over hats, and not just any hats, hats with feathers and whole taxidermied birds on them! The beautiful birds of paradise, like the one adorning this hat, were most desirable because of their brilliant… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: January 10, 2023

January 10, 2023 Mercury has the shortest orbit around the sun. Mercury only takes 88 earth days to complete its trip around the sun. While Mercury’s year is short a day on Mercury is equal to 58 Earth days. This animation shows the orbital resonance of Mercury. As Mercury orbits the Sun once, it rotates… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: January 9, 2023

January 9, 2023 On this date in 1959, McDonnell Aircraft Corporation was selected as the primary contractor to produce the Mercury spacecraft. The St. Louis based corporation was responsible for developing and producing all the Mercury spacecraft. McDonnell would go on to produce the Gemini spacecraft as well. A McDonnell Douglas hangar located in St.… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: January 8, 2023

January 8, 2023 The Moon reached apogee early this morning at approximately 3 am CST. Apogee refers to the furthest point from Earth in the Moon’s orbit. At this point, the Moon is approximately 252,458 miles (406,458 km) away. Although the moon is farther away than its average distance of 238,900 miles (384,472 km), the… Continue reading

Night Sky Update: January 6 – 14, 2023

This is the Saint Louis Science Center’s NIGHT SKY UPDATE for the week of Friday, January 6, 2023. Information updated weekly or as needed. Times given as local St. Louis time which is Central Standard Time (CST). For definitions of terminology used in the night sky update, click the highlighted text. If relying on times… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: January 7, 2023

January 7, 2023 Surveyor 7, the last of the lunar Surveyor missions launched on this date in 1968. The Surveyor program ran from 1966 to 1968 sending robotic spacecraft to the Moon. Their primary mission was to demonstrate the feasibility of soft landings on the lunar surface. Photomosaic of a panorama recorded by Surveyor 7.… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: January 6, 2023

January 6, 2023 Full moon occurs today at 5:08 pm.  January’s full moon occurs a few days before apogee. When at apogee, the Moon will be roughly 252,561 miles from Earth. During full moon is a great time to learn and spot the lunar maria visible from Earth. Maria are the large dark patch visible… Continue reading