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
Astronomy Fact of the Day: September 3, 2021
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
Astronomy Fact of the Day: September 1, 2021
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.
Astronomy Fact of the Day: August 31, 2021
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
Astronomy Fact of the Day: August 30, 2021
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.
Astronomy Fact of the Day: August 29, 2021
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
Night Sky Update: August 27 – September 4, 2021
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
Astronomy Fact of the Day: August 28, 2021
August 28, 2021 Tonight at 8:00 pm, you can find three planets in the sky. To the west, you will find Venus and to the southeast you will find Jupiter and Saturn. All three planets will be low at this time so you will need a clear view of the horizon.
Astronomy Fact of the Day: August 27, 2021
August 27, 2021 In 2003, the private spacecraft SpaceShipOne, built by Scaled Composites, performed its second glide test flight. SpaceShipOne would go on to win the Ansari X-Prize by becoming the first non-government organization to launch a reusable crewed spacecraft into space twice within two weeks. SpaceShipOne landing after its June 21, 2004, spaceflight. Image… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: August 26, 2021
August 26, 2021 Tonight at 9 pm, you can find the fifth brightest star we see at night directly overhead. This star is named Vega which will be the North Star in about 12,000 years due to precession.