This terrific image of the Orion’s sword was taken on January 7, 2019 by Rick Foster of Markham, Ontario. Even binoculars will reveal that the central patch of light is the splendid Orion Nebula, also known as Messier 42. The grouping of bright stars at bottom right are “the Lost Jewel of Orion’s Sword”, particularly…
Read more
As shown above, on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 from 6:16 to 6:22 pm EST, the International Space Station will be visible flying high overhead of the GTA in an extremely bright pass, rising from the west-northwestern horizon, climbing through the Summer Triangle stars and then through the winter constellations before entering Earth’s shadow low in…
Read more
This image taken by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter shows the fascinating Aristarchus Plateau. The crater Aristarchus at lower right is very prominent, and can be seen even with unaided eyes as a very bright patch. To its left is the similar-sized, but darker crater Herodotus. Vallis Schröteri, the largest sinuous rille on the moon, starts…
Read more
As shown above, on Sunday, January 21, 2024 from 6:15 to 6:20 pm EST, the International Space Station will be visible flying past the GTA in a bright pass, rising from the western horizon, climbing through the Summer Triangle stars and then flying past Polaris before entering Earth’s shadow low in the northeastern sky. (courtesy:…
Read more
On Tuesday evening, January 16, the lunar terminator will fall to the west of three prominent craters Theophilus, Cyrillus, and Catharina and throw into stark relief many other craters in the lunar highlands. The features will be visible in quality binoculars and through any telescope. (from 2024 NASA Lunar Visualization tool) Hello, Mid-January Stargazers! Here…
Read more
As shown above, on Friday, January 19, 2024 from 6:13 to 6:18 pm EST, the International Space Station will be visible flying high over the GTA in an extremely bright pass, rising from the west-southwestern horizon and then flying between Polaris and Cassiopeia before entering Earth’s shadow low in the northeastern horizon. (courtesy: Heavens-above.com) Artificial…
Read more
Earthshine on the young crescent moon, captured by Michael watson on March 8, 2019. You can view more of Michael’s images on his Flickr page. Hello, Winter Stargazers! Here are your Astronomy Skylights for the week of January 7th, 2024 by Chris Vaughan. Feel free to pass this along to your friends and send me…
Read more