November 16, 2022 Getting away from city lights is important to see the night sky at its best. From the equator an observer can see about 9,000 stars with the unaided eye. At mid-latitudes the number is only 6,800. Scientists think the Milky Way galaxy may have as many as 400 billion stars. While Missouri… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: November 15, 2022
November 15, 2022 On this date in 1630, German astronomer Johannes Kepler died. On the same date in 2018 – 388 years later – the Kepler Space Telescope was officially retired and deactivated with a “goodnight” command sent from the mission control. The telescope, which was named after the scientist, focused on discovering Earth-sized planets… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: November 14, 2022
November 14, 2022 On this date in 1930, American astronaut Edward ‘Ed’ Higgins White II was born. White served as an astronaut on both the Gemini and Apollo missions. He was the first American to walk in space, which he did during the Gemini 4 mission. White died in 1967 because of a fire during… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: November 13, 2022
November 13, 2022 Tonight it is possible to find the Moon approximately 1.7° south of the bright star Pollux. Pollux is the brightest star in the constellation Gemini the Twins. This star currently lies too far north of the ecliptic to be fully occulted by the Moon. The sky as it will appear tonight at… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: November 12, 2022
November 12, 2022 On this date in 2014, the Philae lander arrived on the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Philae accompanied the Rosetta spacecraft to the comet. The goal of Philae was to attach to the comet and transmit data about the composition of cometary material as well as physical properties of the surface material. Although… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: November 11, 2022
November 11, 2022 The Northern Taurids meteor shower peaks tomorrow at around noon. This shower is active from October 20 to December 10. The best displays will most likely be visible before dawn tomorrow morning and after dusk tomorrow evening. From St. Louis it is estimated that approximately 4 meteors per hour will be visible… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: November 10, 2022
November 10, 2022 Tomorrow morning at 5 am, it will be possible to find Mars and the Moon very close together high in the western sky. The pair will be positioned between the horns of Taurus the Bull. The Moon exhibits a waning gibbous phase. The western sky as it will appear at 5 am… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: November 9, 2022
November 9, 2022 On this date in 1967, the uncrewed Apollo 4 launched from the Cape Canaveral launch complex. This was the first time the Saturn V launch vehicle was used. A photo of the Apollo 4/Saturn V launch on November 9, 196. The rocket performed all requirements successfully and was used for the remainder… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: November 8, 2022
November 8, 2022 Early this morning there was a total lunar eclipse. Although there will be several partial lunar eclipses over the next few years, the next total lunar eclipse visible from St. Louis will not occur until March 13, 2025. The total lunar eclipse as seen in the early hours of this morning. Image… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: November 7, 2022
November 7, 2022 Tonight, a total lunar eclipse will occur. The eclipse begins after midnight at 2:02 am CST and ends at 7:56 am CST. Those viewing from St. Louis will not see the entire eclipse, but we will see all of totality. Unfortunately, the Moon sets during the second half of the partial eclipse… Continue reading