August 16, 2021 At 10 pm, the constellation Pegasus will be flying high in the eastern. To find Pegasus, look for a large square shape of stars named the Great Square of Autumn. This famous asterism is a reminder that fall is approaching. Pegasus seen rising in the east at 10 pm. Images credit: Stellarium
Astronomy Fact of the Day: August 15, 2021
August 15, 2021 On this date in 1954, Wernher von Braun officially proposes the launch of Explorer I, which would become the first artificial satellite of the Earth launched by the United States. You may find more information about von Braun and Explorer I at NASA’s overview page here. Explorer I in spin test chamber… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: August 14, 2021
August 14, 2021 Tomorrow is first quarter moon which means tonight we will see a waxing crescent phase with 48.3% of the lunar disk illuminated. The landing site of Apollo 15 is straddling the terminator tonight at 8:30 p.m. By 4 am, the terminator will have shifted away from the Apollo 15 site, but this… Continue reading
Night Sky Update: August 13 – August 21, 2021
This is the Saint Louis Science Center’s NIGHT SKY UPDATE for the week of Friday, August 13, 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 13, 2021
August 13, 2021 In 1960 on this date, the U.S. Geological Survey announced the completion of the first known photogeological survey of the lunar surface. You can read about and download a digital version of the latest the Unified Geologic Map of the Moon here. View of the Moon on August 17, 2021, and the… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: August 12, 2021
August 12, 2021 Tonight the Moon will exhibit a waxing crescent phase with about 23% of the lunar disk illuminated. With binoculars, you will see four large dark patches close together. These are large basaltic plains that formed because of ancient volcanic eruptions. The lava that erupted to the lunar surface forming the maria, settled… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: August 11, 2021
August 11, 2021 On this date in 1962, the Soviet Union launched Vostok 3, with Cosmonaut Andriyan Nikolayev aboard, into Earth orbit. The next day, Vostok 4 was launched with Cosmonaut Pavel Popovich aboard. Although they had no maneuvering capability and therefore could not rendezvous or dock, the spacecraft did briefly see each other at… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: August 10, 2021
August 10, 2021 The peak of the annual Perseid Meteor Shower occurs tomorrow night on August 11/12. The Perseids are typically active from July 17 to August 26. You can start looking for meteors as early as 10 pm by looking northeast but, your best views will be from midnight to 4 am. During this… Continue reading
Night Sky Update: August 6 – August 14, 2021
This is the Saint Louis Science Center’s NIGHT SKY UPDATE for the week of Friday, August 6, 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 9, 2021
August 9, 2021 In 1973 on this date, the Soviet Union launched its Mars 7 probe. Instead of a soft landing on Mars, the probe missed the planet by 1,300 kilometers. A history of the Soviet space program may be found here. If Mars 7 was successful, I would have landed near Ritchey Crater south… Continue reading