Space

Image via JAXA/Hinode
May 22, 2012 Blogs

Beautiful eclipse images from sun-watching Hinode satellite

The Hinode satellite had the same perspective as earthly skywatchers, but its equipment gave it an awesome view of the eclipse.

Photo credit:  SETI
May 22, 2012 Blogs Leave a comment

World-famous alien hunter Jill Tarter to step down as SETI director

After 35 years of searching the skies for signs of alien life, astronomer Jill Tarter – inspiration for Jodie Foster’s character in “Contact” – is stepping down

Image Credit: NASA TV
May 22, 2012 Blogs Leave a comment

Successful SpaceX launch sends craft on historic mission to ISS

The SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket successfully blasted off this morning and is now on its way to a history-making journey to the International Space Station.

Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA
May 22, 2012 Interviews 2 Comments

Carol Raymond on asteroid Vesta

Asteroid Vesta has revealed itself as colorful, diverse – and even older than Earth – in the first-ever orbit of an asteroid by a space probe.

From Marikina City, Philippines by Raven Yu
May 21, 2012 Blogs 8 Comments

Gallery: Partial and ring eclipse of May 20-21

Thank you to everyone in EarthSky’s Facebook community for sharing these amazing eclipse photos from May 20-21, 2012.

Astronomy Without Border eclipse glasses.  Image via Dionne Bunsha.
May 20, 2012 FAQs 9 Comments

What’s the best way to view a solar eclipse safely?

Want to view the annular or ring eclipse on May 20-21? There’s also a transit of Venus on June 5-6. You’ll need solar filters, or indirect viewing method.

Image copyright Fred Espenak.  Used with permission.
May 20, 2012 Blogs 1 Comment

May 20-21 eclipse of sun is part of a longer cycle

The solar eclipse of May 20-21, 2012 is part of a cycle – called the Saros cycle – that repeats about every 18 years and 10 days.

Image Credit: NASA
May 18, 2012 Blogs 1 Comment

Effects of May 17 solar flare expected May 19

Beautiful movie of another CME leaving the sun’s surface on May 17. Goodbye sunspot 1476!

Image Credit: Mikael Svalgaard
May 18, 2012 Blogs 1 Comment

The most amazing ring eclipse photo ever

This photo shows fine detail in the sun’s surface, surrounding the moon silhouette, during an annular or ring eclipse in 2010.

lunar_halo_300
May 17, 2012 FAQs 64 Comments

What makes a halo around the sun or moon?

Halos around the moon – or sun – are a sign of thin cirrus clouds drifting high above our heads.