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This Week's Amazing Sky
The hunt for exoplanets that resemble Earth is today’s biggest astronomy obsession. We know that our galaxy is brimming with planets as researchers have found thousands of exoplanets. Enjoy Bob’s latest post on Earth twins!Recently, a supposed “Earth twin” was found orbiting a star 1400 light years away. But if we dig deeper, the true hidden allure in the search for Earth-like planets is the…
Long ago, everyone knew the odd mnemonic phrase, “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pancakes.” The first letter evokes each planet in order from the Sun. We also must now abandon the Pancakes! Learn more.In 2006, Pluto was demoted to a dwarf planet, not a regular one. So should we now say our mom “…Served Us Nothing” and stop there? Or, perhaps, “Served Us Nachos”? Let’s go with…
Looking back at the 2017 total solar eclipse gives us a taste of what’s to come during the even bigger, longer 2024 total solar eclipse. From totality’s eerie darkness to seeing the diamond ring effect, the eclipse makes for incredible memories.August 2017 brought the first total solar eclipse visible from the U.S. since 1979 and the first to cross the country in 99 years. One popular destination…
Space junk—we hear about it on the news occasionally. Is it a problem? Or nothing to be concerned about? What does space junk mean, anyway, and how much is floating around Earth? Read on for Bob Berman’s latest musings …I love watching my garbage hauled away. Maybe it’s a guy thing; I don’t know. Whatever the reason, I get a thrill when the weekly truck arrives. I watch them…
Now that the April 8 total solar eclipse is upon us, here are ten last-minute tips—and an eclipse day checklist if you’re headed out. 10 Eclipse Tips and MusingsFirst, remember that this event isn’t about astronomy as much as quality of life, meaning the chance to have the deepest experience in life. Many people weep from the emotional impact! Do not waste time trying to take…
Why is the April 8 total eclipse a big deal? Totality lasts over four minutes, and 32 million Americans will be on the path! Totality won’t happen again on U.S. soil for 20 years. See Bob Berman’s excellent guide with eclipse times and more information.Your next chance in the U.S. won’t happen until August 12, 2045. Learn how often solar eclipses occur.The 2024 Total Eclipse GuideTo me,…
Bob Berman presents his 10-minute countdown to the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. If you’re wondering exactly what to look for, here’s what you’ll see at 10 minutes, 5 minutes, 2 minutes, 1 minute, and totality!First things first. If you plan to see the total solar eclipse from beginning to end (as captured in the above photo), I assume by now that you know it’s essential to be 100%…
Can you safely view a solar eclipse? Solar eclipses are rare, so it’s truly incredible to experience this most wonderful of celestial spectacles. Find out if you can stare at the Sun and how to protect your eyes. Pull up a chair: there’s a lot of misinformation out there.Can You Look at a Solar Eclipse?The short answer for newbies is: No. You cannot safely look at the Sun. You…
If you’re a stargazer, discover the surprising world of stars. What are stars made of, and what color are they, really? Bob Berman shares five surprising facts about stars. How many do you know?As an almanac, we often share seasonal star facts. Like, if it’s summer and a single bright star hovers directly overhead, it’s Vega, which, despite its fame, is rarely correctly pronounced as VEE-guh…
Water shouldn’t really be wet! It shouldn’t be liquid. It should be a gas. After all, all other similar molecules are gases at room temperature. Bob explains why water—beyond its obvious life-giving properties—is truly astonishing. It’s hard not to appreciate water, despite it being the most common compound in the cosmos. Water usually takes the form of ice or…
Step outside anytime after 9 P.M. in winter, and it’s easy to spot Orion the Hunter, one of the season’s most easily recognizable constellations. Read Bob Berman’s post about Orion’s five bright stars and why this constellation is so special.Many of you can probably identify the Hunter’s Belt, those three stars in a row. But let’s find two even brighter stars of the Hunter (one red…
When you’re looking at a Moon that’s half-illuminated—like half a pie—why is it called a “quarter Moon” instead of a “half Moon”? Seems confusing, right? Astronomer Bob Berman explains this Moon phase, which he finds the most interesting of all!Why Do We Call It the Quarter Moon?We’ve all looked up at the night sky and seen half of the Moon’s disk illuminated. If you had two…