This image of the moon by Michael Watson of Toronto was taken 9 hours after it was full on February 22, 2016 – replicating how the May, 2020 full moon will appear on Thursday night. Note that the moon’s right-hand edge shows some shadowing – evidence that it is slightly past full. The many bright…
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This image of the International Space Station was imaged by Thomas Klemmer on March 18, 2016 through a telescope in his backyard. Artificial satellites are visible because they are high enough to be bathed in sunlight while the sun is below the horizon for earthbound observers. When the geometry is just right, brilliant beams of…
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On Sunday evening, April 26, the young crescent moon will sit beside the bright planet Venus in the western sky after sunset, as shown here at 9 pm local time. The sight will make a lovely photo opportunity. Hello, Moon and Venus Lovers! Here are your Astronomy Skylights for the week of April 26th, 2020…
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On Wednesday, April 29 from 5:32 to 5:38 am EDT, the International Space Station will fly high over the GTA in an extremely bright pass, exiting Earth’s shadow over the west-southwestern horizon and then setting in the northeast after sliding closely past Cassiopeia. Artificial satellites are visible because they are high enough to be bathed…
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This image taken by Ron Brecher of Guelph, Ontario on March 16, 2019 shows the bright, narrow appearance of the Whale Galaxy (or NGC 4631) at top left and the dimmer Hockey Stick or Crowbar Galaxy (or NGC 4656) at bottom right.These galaxies are about 25 and 30 million light years away from us, respectively.…
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Bill Longo of Toronto captured this amazing series of images on August 15, 2014. The International Space Station climbs the sky at left, while a Perseid meteor briefly streaks across the sky at right. Artificial satellites are visible because they are high enough to be bathed in sunlight while the sun is below the horizon…
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This simulated view of Venus shows the shape it will appear when viewed through a backyard telescope this month. Galileo was the first to note that Venus changed in apparent size and shape. Hello, April Stargazers! Here are your Astronomy Skylights for the week of April 12th, 2020 by Chris Vaughan. Feel free to send…
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The multiple star Castor in Gemini, as viewed in a telescope. While the moon is bright in the night sky, it’s still possible to view the brighter stars with your unaided eyes, and you’ll see even more through binoculars and backyard telescopes. Double stars are sets of two (or more) close-together stars. In many cases,…
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Welcome to Week Two, Stargazers and Space Enthusiasts! In partnership with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, AstroGeo is delivering hour-long live webcasts during the COVID-19 shelter-at-home period. Our intention is to provide family-friendly Astronomy and Space content on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:30 pm Eastern Daylight Time. Anyone can register for…
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This colour image of the full moon was taken in the UK by Simon Smith on August 31, 2012. It clearly shows the contrast between the dark lunar maria basalts, the white cratered highlands, and the ray systems extending from many recent impacts. Note the blue tint of titanium-enriched basalt in Mare Tranquilitatis (right of…
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