March 30, 2024 The moon is moving farther away from Earth, at a rate of about 1 in (2.54 cm) every year. The gravitational force the moon exerts on the Earth is pulling energy from the Earth’s motion, which slowly pushes the moon further from us. This transfer of energy is also causing both the… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: March 29, 2024
March 29, 2024 On this date in 1974, the unmanned probe Mariner 10 made its flyby of Mercury, passing at an altitude of 756 km. Photographs taken during the pass revealed an intensely cratered, Moon-like surface and a faint atmosphere made mostly of helium. Read a concise record of the Mariner 10 mission at NASA’s… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: March 28, 2024
March 28, 2024 Tonight at 8pm you will find the brightest star in the night sky due south. This star is called Sirius and is part of the constellation Canis Major. Hubble image of the bright star Sirius. This is the brightest star seen at night owing to its distance of roughly 8.6 light years.… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: March 27, 2024
March 27, 2024 For the next two weeks, northern hemisphere viewers have a chance to see the zodiacal light in the west after evening twilight. The zodiacal light is a wedge-shaped diffuse light that points up from the horizon. This light display is caused by sunlight reflecting off dust in the solar system. Recent studies… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: March 26, 2024
March 26, 2024 On this date in 1996, the comet Hyakutake made its closest approach to Earth, passing just 0.1 AU away. This comet was discovered on January 31, 1996, and passed by Earth only a few months later. One of the most surprising discoveries made during this approach was the emission of X-rays, which… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: March 25, 2024
March 25, 2024 On this date in 1655, Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens discovered Saturn’s moon Titan. It wasn’t until 1847 that this moon received its official name of Titan. It was named by John Herschel, who was the son of William Herschel – discoverer of Saturn’s moons Mimas and Enceladus. Titan image by the Cassini… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: March 24, 2024
March 24, 2024 A full moon occurs tonight. Additionally, we can experience a penumbral lunar eclipse. A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon enters the outer part of Earth’s shadow – the penumbra. The effect of a penumbral lunar eclipse is a very slight darkening of the Moon, which can be difficult to detect… Continue reading
Night Sky Update: March 23-31, 2024
This is the Saint Louis Science Center’s NIGHT SKY UPDATE for the week of Saturday, March 23, 2024. Information updated weekly or as needed. Times given as local St. Louis time this week will be in Central Daylight Time (CDT). For definitions of terminology used in the night sky update, click the highlighted text. If… Continue reading
Night Sky Update: March 16-24, 2024
This is the Saint Louis Science Center’s NIGHT SKY UPDATE for the week of Saturday, March 16, 2024. Information updated weekly or as needed. Times given as local St. Louis time this week will be in Central Daylight Time (CDT). For definitions of terminology used in the night sky update, click the highlighted text. If… Continue reading
Night Sky Update: March 9-17, 2024
This is the Saint Louis Science Center’s NIGHT SKY UPDATE for the week of Saturday, March 9, 2024. Information updated weekly or as needed. Times given as local St. Louis time this week changes from Central Standard Time (CST) to Central Daylight Time (CDT). For definitions of terminology used in the night sky update, click… Continue reading