The Cold Moon, the final full moon of 2024, will appear fullest on December 15th but will be visible for about three days. This year’s Cold Moon rises further north than usual, a phenomenon that happens every 18.6 years. In India, it’s known as Margashirsha Purnima, a significant day in Hindu traditions. No special equipment is needed to view this celestial event.
The Geminids meteor shower, peaking on December 13, 2024, offered a dazzling display despite the nearly full moon’s interference. Visible until December 21, it showcased meteors with a distinctive yellow glow. The Ursids meteor shower will peak on December 21-22, offering another chance to witness shooting stars, though the moon’s light may affect visibility. Dark skies and locations away from city lights are ideal for meteor shower viewing.
Scientists have finally pinpointed the source of mysterious, slowly repeating bursts of radio waves from space: a red dwarf star likely orbiting a white dwarf. This discovery challenges existing theories about pulsars and opens up new avenues of research into stellar interactions and radio wave emission.
Don’t miss the final full moon of 2024! Learn when and where to best view the Cold Moon, its fascinating names and cultural significance, and how to enhance your viewing experience with binoculars or a telescope. Plus, discover how its brightness might affect the Geminid meteor shower.
NASA astronaut Don Pettit, from aboard the ISS, captured a breathtaking long-exposure image of the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, two satellite galaxies of our Milky Way. This incredible photograph showcases the beauty and complexity of our galactic neighborhood, highlighting recent astronomical discoveries within these celestial neighbors.
How well do you know our solar system? This engaging quiz will test your knowledge of planets, moons, and more! From rocky inner planets to icy giants, see if you can ace this cosmic challenge. Plus, discover fascinating facts about our stellar neighborhood.
NASA unveils its December 2024 night sky guide, promising a dazzling display of planetary alignments, prominent constellations like Orion, and the peak of the Geminid meteor shower. Get ready for breathtaking celestial views!
NASA astronaut Don Pettit’s breathtaking photo from the ISS showcases Earth’s city lights and Starlink satellites, highlighting the increasing concerns of astronomers about the impact of these mega-constellations on ground-based observations.
Scientists have discovered the youngest exoplanet ever observed, a gas giant only 3 million years old, orbiting a misaligned protoplanetary disk. This unprecedented find, located 520 light-years from Earth, challenges existing theories of planetary formation and offers a unique glimpse into the early stages of planetary development.
Amazon’s Black Friday sale slashes $500 off the premium Vaonis Vespera Pro smart telescope, bringing its price down to an unprecedented low. This advanced telescope boasts a 12.5MP camera, long battery life, and user-friendly app control – making it a must-have for amateur astronomers. But hurry, limited stock remains!
