January 15, 2023 Today the Moon reached last quarter phase. This means the Moon rise after midnight tonight. Each day for the next week we will see thinner waning crescent phases each day as the Moon completes another synodic cycle on January 21, 2023. Unfortunately, this means the Moon will rise later each morning until… Continue reading
Night Sky Update: January 13 – 21, 2023
This is the Saint Louis Science Center’s NIGHT SKY UPDATE for the week of Friday, January 13, 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 14, 2023
January 14, 2023 Today is Shannon Lucid’s birthday. This American astronaut was the first woman to complete 5 trips into space. She also served aboard the Russian space station, Mir. Shannon Lucid’s official NASA portrait. Image credit: NASA
Astronomy Fact of the Day: January 13, 2023
January 13, 2023 Mercury reached inferior conjunction on January 7, 2023. This is when the planet passed between the Earth and Sun. Soon, Mercury will climb out of the Sun’s glare in the east before sunrise. This will be one of Mercury’s best apparitions this year so be on the lookout for Mercury in the… Continue reading
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