Astronomy Fact of the Day: January 15, 2024

January 15, 2024 On this date in 1908, Edward Teller, a Hungarian-American physicist, was born. He was part of the Manhattan Project – the United States’ push to develop the nuclear bomb during World War II. Known colloquially as the “Father of the H-Bomb,” he did not care for the title, considering it to be… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: January 14, 2024

January 14, 2024 Tonight at 8 pm look for the bright orange star, Aldebaran. Aldebaran is the brightest star in the constellation Taurus the Bull and typically represents his eye. This bright star will be nearly straight overhead at this time. The southern sky as it will look tonight at 8 pm. Aldebaran, the brightest… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: January 13, 2024

January 13, 2024 Tonight at 6 pm, it is possible to find the Moon just south of Saturn in the southwestern sky. The Moon exhibits a thin waxing crescent phase. As the Moon orbits Earth, it appears to move quickly in our sky relative to the stars and planets. By tomorrow night at 6 pm,… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: January 12, 2024

January 12, 2024 On this date in 1959, McDonnell Aircraft of St. Louis, Missouri, was selected as the prime contractor to develop and produce the Mercury spacecraft. A McDonnell Douglas hangar located in St. Louis. Image credit: SLSC/McDonnell Planetarium

Astronomy Fact of the Day: January 11, 2024

January 11, 2024 Tomorrow morning before sunrise, it is possible to find Mercury at its greatest western elongation, 24°. When Mercury is at its greatest elongation, it is at its greatest separation from the Sun. Mercury will be low in the southeast approximately 30 minutes before sunrise. The southeastern sky as it will look tomorrow… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: January 10, 2024

January 10, 2024 At any point throughout the year it is possible to find Polaris, or the North Star, in the same location in our northern sky. Unlike other stars, it does not appear to move through the sky throughout the night. Instead, other stars appear to revolve around Polaris while it remains stationary. This… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: January 9, 2024

January 9, 2024 Tomorrow morning at 6:15 am, it is possible to find both Mercury and Venus low in the southeastern sky. As these two planets are closer to the Sun than Earth, they are only ever visible just before sunrise or just after sunset. The southeastern sky as it will appear tomorrow morning at… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: January 8, 2024

January 8, 2024 This morning just before 8 am, the Moon appeared to pass in front of, or occult, the red star Antares. Unfortunately, the occultation was not visible as light from the Sun washes out even the brightest stars. The Moon exhibits a thin waning crescent phase. The south-southeastern sky as it appeared this… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: January 7, 2024

January 7, 2024 Tomorrow morning, Mercury will reach its highest point in the sky for the current apparition. At sunrise tomorrow, Mercury will appear 16° above the horizon in the constellation Ophiuchus. Venus and a waning crescent moon are also visible. The southeastern sky as it will look tomorrow morning at 6:30 am. The planets… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: January 6, 2024

January 6, 2024 The dark regions we see on the Moon were once thought to be seas by ancient astronomers. They are referred to as maria, which is Latin for seas. The dark material is solidified lava that once erupted to the surface of the Moon, filling large craters and impact basins. A waning crescent… Continue reading