Astronomy Fact of the Day: April 24, 2021

Rising in the southeast at midnight is the bright red super giant star Antares. This is the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius the Scorpion which is a sign that summer is approaching.

Astronomy Fact of the Day: April 23, 2021

In 1972 on this date, Apollo 16’s lunar module Orion touched down on the Moon, placing astronauts Charles Duke and John Young in the moon’s Descartes region, only about 230 meters northwest of the planned target area. Thomas K. Mattingly II remained in lunar orbit aboard their command module Casper.

Astronomy Fact of the Day: April 22, 2021

Look southeast around 9:30 pm for the bright star Spica in the constellation Virgo. Spica is a B-class star with a visual magnitude of 0.97. The easiest way to find Spica is to follow the curve of the Big Dipper’s handle to the red star Arcturus and continue to Spica.

Astronomy Fact of the Day: April 21, 2021

On this date in 1998, China announced plans to launch their first manned spacecraft into Earth orbit the following year. The project took longer than expected, but Shenzhou 5 was successfully launched on October 15, 2003.

Astronomy Fact of the Day: April 20, 2021

First quarter moon occurred today at 1:59 am. You will find the Moon high in the south tonight after sunset. Sunset occurs at 7:43 am. Tomorrow night into the next morning, the Lyrid Meteor Shower peaks. The Lyrid radiant rises in the east around 9:30 pm. The best views occur after midnight.

Astronomy Fact of the Day: April 19, 2021

In 1971 on this date, Salyut I, the first manned space station, was launched by the Soviet Union. It included several military and non-military experiments, was visited by cosmonauts from two Soyuz flights, and finally burned up on reentry on October 11.

Astronomy Fact of the Day: April 16, 2021

Tonight you will see the Moon west of the planet Mars. You can find the pair tonight in the west by 8: 15 pm. If you look for them again tomorrow night, the Moon will be found east of Mars.

Astronomy Fact of the Day: April 15, 2021

In 2003 on this date, Scaled Composite’s launching aircraft White Knight, carrying their spacecraft SpaceShip One, flew twice. Pilots William Binnie and Mike Melville practiced airshow maneuvers and made adjustments to upcoming planned demonstration flights.