On this date in 1963, the Soviet spacecraft Vostok 5 is rolled out to its launch pad, near Vostok 6. After final testing, both spacecraft are declared ready for launch of the very first mission to rendezvous two spacecraft. Vostok 5 is flown by cosmonaut Valeri Bykovsky, and Vostok 6 by Valentina Tereshkova — who… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: June 8, 2021
On June 10, 2021, an annular solar eclipse will be seen from parts of Canada, Greenland and Russia. Partial phases of the solar eclipse will be visible from the Great Lakes region and the northeast region of the US. The last time an annular solar eclipse was visible in St. Louis was on May 10,… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: June 7, 2021
In 1965 on this date, Gemini 4 splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean about 725 km east of Cape Kennedy – some 65 km from its planned landing point due to failure of its guidance computer. Not only did this flight include the first American spacewalk (by Ed White), but Gemini 4 was also the… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: June 6, 2021
At 9 pm, you can find Mars low in the west between the bright stars Procyon and Pollux. Mars will reach superior conjunction on October 7, 2021. As we approach this date in October, we will see less and less of Mars each night. Tonight, Mars will set at 11:11 pm.
Night Sky Update: June 4 – June 12, 2021
This is the Saint Louis Science Center’s NIGHT SKY UPDATE for the week of Friday, June 4, 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: June 5, 2021
On this day in 1979, the Defense Systems Acquisition Review council recommended that the Air Force be allowed to undertake full-scale development of the Global Positioning System (GPS).
Astronomy Fact of the Day: June 4, 2021
This month summer begins. If you look to the east around 10 pm you will find the asterism known as the Summer Triangle. Viewing this pattern at this time is a great indicator that summer is almost here.
Astronomy Fact of the Day: June 3, 2021
In 1965 on this date, Major Edward White II became the first American astronaut to conduct a spacewalk. He spent 20 minutes outside the Gemini 4 capsule while orbiting Earth at an altitude of 120 miles.
Astronomy Fact of the Day: June 2, 2021
Last quarter moon occurs today. The Moon will rise at 2:24 am tomorrow morning. If you are not fond of waking up this early, you can see the Moon in the daytime. If you prefer this, the Moon can be found in the west during morning hours.
Astronomy Fact of the Day: May 31, 2021
On this date in 1988, the Soviet space shuttle Buran is certified ‘ready for space-flight.’ Ultimately, Buran would fly only once in an unmanned test of its automated landing system. Following the fall of the Soviet Union in 1989, all three Buran airframes were abandoned or destroyed.