June 28, 2022 On this date in 1911, the Nakhla meteorite fall occurred. The Nakhla meteorite is a Martian achondrite that fell in in Al Buhayrah, Egypt. It is only one of 5 Martian meteorites to be seen falling to Earth. At the time there were reports that the meteorite hit a dog as it… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: June 27, 2022
June 27, 2022 On this date in 2018, the Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa2 arrived at the asteroid Ryugu. Hayabusa2 deployed two rovers and a small lander to the surface of the asteroid in order to collect a sample. A small, artificial crater was blasted into the surface so that a sample could be collected from beneath… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: June 26, 2022
June 26, 2022 Tomorrow the June Bootids meteor shower will reach its peak. This variable meteor shower is active from June 22 to July 2 but is predicted to peak at 11 am on June 27. As the Sun is up during this time, the best options to observe will be tomorrow just before dawn,… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: June 25, 2022
June 25, 2022 Tomorrow morning at 4:45 am, just before sunrise, it will be possible to observe the Moon approximately 3° from Venus. The moon is nearing the end of its lunar cycle and will appear as a very thin waning crescent. The thin waning crescent moon will be visible very near Venus early tomorrow… Continue reading
Night Sky Update: June 24 – July 2, 2022
This is the Saint Louis Science Center’s NIGHT SKY UPDATE for the week of Friday, June 24, 2022. 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
Astronomy Fact of the Day: June 24, 2022
June 24, 2022 Currently there are several planets visible in the morning sky, just before sunrise. Planets appear in the sky as bright points of light and can be easily confused for stars. The easiest way to tell the difference between a planet and a star is by seeing if the object in question twinkles.… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: June 22, 2022
June 22, 2022 Twenty-one years ago today, the McDonnell Planetarium’s Zeiss Universarium Mark IX Star Projector shined its first stars for the public. One of only three of its kind in the United States, this marvel has dazzled millions of stargazers with its breathtaking recreation of a clear, dark night sky. Experience it for yourself… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: June 20, 2022
June 20, 2022 Tonight at 10 pm, the zodiacal constellation Libra is visible in the southern sky. Libra is a dim constellation and can be difficult to see, particularly from the city. The two brightest stars in Libra are called Zubenelgenubi and Zubeneschamali. They can be found approximately halfway between the bright stars of Antares… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: June 19, 2022
June 19, 2022 Tomorrow morning at 4:45 am, just before sunrise, the waning gibbous moon will appear in the southeastern sky. With a pair of binoculars, it will be possible to see the terminator, the line between day and night, bisect Mare Serenitatis. The Moon as it will appear tomorrow at 4:45am. Mare Serenitatis is… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: June 18, 2022
June 18, 2022 Tomorrow morning at 4:45 am, it is possible to see the waning gibbous moon visible in the south-southeastern sky. Although it is not visible to the naked eye, the asteroid Vesta is situated just over 1° from the Moon. Vesta is the second largest body in the asteroid belt and is named… Continue reading