Type: Astronomy Fact of the Day

August 7, 2021 In 1947 on this date, Charles “Chuck” Yeager flew the manned rocket plane X-1 on one of many flights leading up to his breaking of the sound barrier in October of that year. Yeager named the X-1 “Glamorous Glennis” in a tribute to his wife. Chuck Yeager in front of Bell X-1… Continue reading →

August 6, 2021 Jupiter rises today at 8:45 pm. Start looking for this giant world in the southeast by 10pm. The Juno Mission has been orbiting Jupiter since July 4, 2016. Image Data: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS. Image Processing: Kevin M. Gill, © CC BY

August 5, 2021 On this date in 1930, Neil Alden Armstrong was born. Flying to the moon along with Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Michael Collins aboard Apollo 11, Armstrong became the first person to step onto the Moon.  During his spaceflight career, he also flew to orbit on Gemini 8, becoming a member of the… Continue reading →

August 4, 2021 Saturn is currently in the constellation Capricornus the Sea Goat. Capricornus is one of the zodiac constellations. It will take Saturn roughly 29.5 years to cycle through all the zodiac constellations. Jupiter, Saturn and the Constellation Capricornus seen in the southeast tonight at 10 pm. Image Credit: Stellarium, EG

August 3, 2021 In 2004 on this date, the Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry and Ranging (MESSENGER) probe was launched, becoming the first spacecraft to orbit Mercury. Its primary goal was to study the geology, magnetic field, and chemical composition of the planet. Launch of the Messenger Mission on August 2, 2004; Artist Image of… Continue reading →

August 2, 2021 Saturn is at opposition today. This means the ringed planet will appear opposite the Sun in the sky. As a result, Saturn will appear its brightest for the year. Look for Saturn rising in the southeast after sunset. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

August 1, 2021 This day in 1980 marks the death of James S. McDonnell. An American engineer, he was the president of McDonnell Aircraft from 1939 to 1972. His innovative fighter designs, including the F-4 Phantom and F-15 Eagle, became the premier US fighters after 1960. McDonnell Aircraft, later McDonnell-Douglas, was also the prime contractor… Continue reading →

July 31, 2021 Looking to the southeast around 5 am you will see three stars in a row together. These stars form the belt of Orion the Hunter! Fans of Orion can rejoice, he is back in the sky. Image Credit: Stellarium

July 30, 2021 By 10:00pm, one of the gems of the Fall sky will be visible in the northeast. Messier 31, or the Andromeda Galaxy, will be high enough to see. Best viewed in the Fall, Messier 31 is the nearest major galaxy to our own Milky Way Galaxy. The “W” shape of Cassiopeia’s stars… Continue reading →

On this date in 1901, Florence Lowe “Pancho” Barnes was born. An American barnstormer, air racer and Hollywood stunt flier, she pioneered new air routes into Mexico. In the 1930s, she opened a desert flying dude ranch which later became a legendary watering hole for Edwards AFB test pilots.