September 3, 2023 On this date in 1976, the robotic spacecraft, Viking 2 landed on Mars. After a 333-day flight to the red planet, this robotic probe took over 16,000 pictures and examined the soil. The surface of Mars as seen by Viking 2. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Astronomy Fact of the Day: September 2, 2023
September 2, 2023 Tonight at 10 pm, The Summer Triangle can be seen directly overhead. This famous asterism contains the major constellations of Cygnus, Lyra, and Aquila. The minor constellations of Sagitta and Vulpecula can be found within the boundaries of the Summer Triangle. The sky overhead tonight looking south at 10 pm. The primary… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: September 1, 2023
September 1, 2023 Those traveling to dark locations can be on the lookout for Zodiacal Light. As we approach the Autumnal Equinox, about one hour before sunrise you may find a bright wedge of light appearing along the zodiac constellations in the east. This phenomenon is caused by sunlight reflecting off dust in our solar… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: August 31, 2023
August 31, 2023 The second full moon of the month – sometimes referred to as a blue moon – occurred early this morning. Not only is this the second full moon of August, but it is also the largest full moon of the year. Neptune is located very close to the Moon tonight; however, Neptune… Continue reading
Vaccine Therapy Booklet
Vaccine Therapy Booklet ca. early 1900s With a title like “Vaccine Therapy as Applied to Pyorrhea Alveolaris” you might wonder what disease this booklet is talking about. Would it surprise you to learn that this booklet is looking at vaccine treatments for gum disease? That’s right, pyorrhea alveolaris is a chronic periodontitis of the gums… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: August 30, 2023
August 30, 2023 Tonight by 9 pm it is possible to find both the Moon and Saturn close together in the southeastern sky. The Moon and Saturn are both found in the constellation Aquarius. The pair can be seen until approximately 5 am tomorrow morning when the Moon begins to set in the west-southwestern sky.… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: August 29, 2023
August 29, 2023 On this date in 1965, Gemini V returned to Earth following an 8-day orbital mission. Due to a programming error in their navigational computer, the astronauts had to guide the spacecraft to its splashdown manually. Gemini V astronauts Cooper (left) and Conrad (right) aboard the spacecraft prior to launch. Image credit: NASA
Astronomy Fact of the Day: August 28, 2023
August 28, 2023 On this date in 1789, William Herschel discovered Saturn’s sixth largest moon Enceladus. Herschel used his famous “Great Forty-Foot” telescope – with a 48-inch diameter – for the initial discovery. It wasn’t until the Voyager missions that humans were able to get a more detailed look at Enceladus. Recent studies show that… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: August 27, 2023
August 27, 2023 On this date in 2003, the private spacecraft SpaceShipOne, built by Burt Rutan’s company, Scaled Composites, performed its second glide test flight. SpaceShipOne would go on to win the Ansari X-Prize by becoming the first non-government organization to launch a reusable crewed spacecraft into space twice within two weeks. Burt Rutan standing… Continue reading
Night Sky Update: August 26-September 3, 2023
This is the Saint Louis Science Center’s NIGHT SKY UPDATE for the week of Saturday, August 26, 2023. Information updated weekly or as needed. Times given as local St. Louis time which is Central Daylight Time (CDT). For definitions of terminology used in the night sky update, click the highlighted text. If relying on times… Continue reading