Stargazing Calendar for November 2023
November 2023 brings celestial spectacles: meteor showers, planetary oppositions, and captivating conjunctions. Don't miss these cosmic events!
Where Are Most Asteroids Found?
Asteroids, fascinating celestial objects, are primarily found in the Main Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter, as well as near-Earth and Trojan orbits.
The Fascinating World of Asteroid Davida
Discover the intriguing asteroid 511 Davida. Explore its origin, characteristics, and the scientific significance it holds for our understanding of the universe.
What Separates the Inner and Outer Solar System?
Explore the differences between the inner and outer solar system, from rocky planets to gas giants. Uncover their unique features and ongoing exploration.
Stargazing Calendar for October 2023
October's night sky is set to dazzle with celestial spectacles. From planetary alignments to meteor showers and eclipses, don't miss these captivating astronomical events.
Why Didn’t a Planet Form Where the Asteroid Belt Is Now Located?
The asteroid belt is an enormous region of space between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. It contains millions of rocky bodies ranging in size from small particles to large asteroids. For centuries, astronomers have been looking for planets there, sometimes mistaking large asteroids like Ceres, Vesta, and Pallas for planets. In the end, though, no real planet was ever discovered in this area.
Stargazing Calendar for August 2023
Get ready for a celestial spectacle in August! This month promises a series of exciting events in the night sky, including many conjunctions, meteor showers, and oppositions of asteroids and Saturn. Whether you're a seasoned stargazer or a curious observer, there's plenty to look forward to in the awe-inspiring cosmic events unfolding above us.
Stargazing Calendar for July 2023
Get ready for a month filled with celestial wonders! In July, Mercury transitions in the sky, Venus and Mars dance closely, and comets reach perihelion and perigee. Don't miss the supermoon, many conjunctions, asteroid 15 Eunomia and Pluto at opposition, three meteor showers, and other breathtaking events. Grab your telescope and prepare for a dazzling show in the night sky throughout the month of July.
Stargazing Calendar for April 2023
Hello fellow stargazers! This month the big event will be a rare hybrid solar eclipse, but unfortunately it will be visible to only a few small areas of the world. For the rest of us, we have two large objects at opposition: dwarf planet Haumea as well as large asteroid Iris. There will also be two meteor showers as well as many conjunctions.
A Good Time to Observe Dwarf Planet Ceres
On March 21, we have a great opportunity to observe the dwarf planet Ceres. It will be at opposition, which means it will reach the highest point in the sky at around midnight and opposite to the Sun. At the same time Ceres will be closest to the Earth (perigee) at a distance of 1.59 AU. At this time it will be the brightest, with an apparent magnitude of 6.9. Look in the constellation of Coma Berenices with binoculars or a telescope.
How NASA’s Dawn Asteroid Mission Works [Infographic]
Explore NASA's Dawn spacecraft mission in orbit around Vesta, with plans to study Ceres, shedding light on the asteroid belt's origins and solar system history.
Astronomy Picture of the Week – Vesta from Orbit by Dawn Spacecraft
Explore Vesta, the second largest asteroid in the belt, in this captivating photo by the Dawn spacecraft. Get ready for a year of intriguing discoveries!
