Type: Astronomy Fact of the Day

April 8, 2022 On this date, in 2024 a total solar eclipse will be visible from many parts of North America. The path of totality will pass through parts of Southeastern Missouri and Southern Illinois. Although St. Louis will not experience a total eclipse, areas like Cape Girardeau and Carbondale will. The average length of… Continue reading →

April 7, 2022 On this date in 1992, American science fiction writer Isaac Asimov passed away. He is most famous for his Foundation series which won the Hugo award for “Best All-Time Series” in 1966. Following the launch and orbit of the Soviet satellite Sputnik in 1957, there was a general fear of a science… Continue reading →

April 6, 2022 Tonight at 9 pm the waxing crescent moon is visible to the southwest in the constellation of Taurus the Bull. With a pair of binoculars, it is possible to see several large maria including the eastern limb of Mare Traquillitatis and Mare Nectaris. There are several distinctive craters surrounding Mare Nectaris such… Continue reading →

April 5, 2022 On this date in 1894, Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev was born.  He would become the leader of the Soviet Union from 1956 to 1964. While in power, Khrushchev focused on policies advancing rocket development. He also gave his personal support and approval for the Sputnik satellite, which launched on October 4, 1957. Soviet… Continue reading →

April 4, 2022 This morning just before sunrise, a conjunction of Mars and Saturn occurs above the eastern horizon. A conjunction is when two objects appear at their closest as they pass each other in the sky. This pairing of Mars and Saturn is a particularly close one, as these objects will appear less than… Continue reading →

April 3, 2022 The planet Uranus is 3° northwest of the crescent moon tonight. Although the moon is only about 3% illuminated, there will be enough moonlight to wash out dim Uranus for the naked eye. Uranus is visible to the naked eye if you have excellent vision and an extremely dark, moonless night. This… Continue reading →

April 2, 2022 Today Mercury is in superior conjunction. Superior conjunction occurs when a planet is on the opposite side of the Sun from the Earth. This means that the planet, in this case Mercury, will not be visible because it is behind the Sun. The major orbital points of the inferior planets. Tonight, Mercury… Continue reading →

April 1, 2022 On this day in 1899, American engineer James S. McDonnell was born. McDonnell was the president of the St. Louis based McDonnell Aircraft Corporation from 1939 to 1972. In addition to being one of the primary aircraft providers for the U.S. Military, McDonnell Aircraft was contracted to build the Mercury and Gemini… Continue reading →

March 31, 2022 On this date in 1966, the unmanned Soviet lunar probe Luna 10, was launched toward the Moon from an Earth-orbiting platform.  It later entered lunar orbit for 460 lunar orbits and 219 active data transmissions before radio signals were discontinued on May 30, 1966. A diagram showing the stages of the Luna… Continue reading →

March 30, 2022 Tonight at 9:30, the bright spring star Arcturus is rising above the eastern horizon. This star is the brightest in the constellation of Bootes the Herdsman, and it is red in color. To find Arcturus, follow the arc of the handle of the big dipper to the brightest red star above the… Continue reading →