Crux and Musca, with some cloud. Image Credit: Allen Versfeld (Canon EOS 1100D, f/5.6, 4sec, ISO800, 55mm) I went out tonight to try to capture Comet PANSTARRS one more time, but the clouds began rolling in (from the West, where the comet was, naturally) just as it began getting dark. Happily, though, as I was packing away the camera, I looked South and saw Crux poking through some clouds and looking very photogenic. So I took a picture, did some … Continue reading →
For only a few more days, Comet PANSTARRS (named for the sky-scanning survey which discovered it back in 2011) has been putting on a beautiful show for the Southern hemisphere, just above the western horizon at sunset. Auke Slotegraf has some excellent advice for those who’d like to try and see it themselves over at psychohistorian.org, along with some stunning photographs. My own efforts at capturing a comet are a little more modest – I’m new at this game but … Continue reading →
Urban Astronomer has long supported Globe At Night, with regular announcements of each campaign and reminders to our readers to please participate. This message landed in my inbox this morning, summarising their goals and methods, and I’ve decided to share it with you: Join the Worldwide GLOBE at Night 2013 Campaign What would it be like without stars at night? What is it we lose? Starry night skies have given us poetry, art, music and the wonder to explore. A … Continue reading →
Artistic impression of an active volcano on Venus. Copyright ESA/AOES Beautiful Venus, jewel of the skies, the evening star, is the closest place to hell in our Solar System. It’s atmospheric pressure crushes down with immense force, equivalent to a depth of 900 meters below our ocean’s surface – enough to kill a nuclear submarine. The atmospheric temperature is hot enough to melt lead. It rains sulphuric acid. And as if that weren’t enough, new data from the European Space … Continue reading →
This week’s Carnival of Space is hosted by Pamela Hoffman of Everyday Spacer. This week’s carnival features the usual selection of the internet’s best writing on space science and astronomy, but with a focus on the practicalities of funding and technology. Click here to visit the carnival and join the fun!
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