Rediscovered Astronomy

Category: Space

Space News, Space Exploration, Our Solar System

  • Comet C/2023 A3

    Comet C/2023 A3

    Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS

    The second date to remember is September 27, 2024 as this will be Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS closest approach to the Sun or perihelion. However, this is not the only date to keep in mind for this series of astronomical events that started with the partial Lunar Eclipse of last September 17-18, 2024. If you’re still here, keep reading ahead.

    Actual photo of C/2023 A3 taken in June of 2024

    Discovery

    Comet C/2023 A3 was discovered in 2023, it’s a long-period comet, which means it takes a really long time to orbit the Sun—think thousands of years! This one’s making headlines because of it may have a bright tail after its close approach to the Sun, and Earth.

    Comet C/2023 A3 was spotted by astronomers using advanced telescopes. Its orbit is fascinating, since it swings in from the Oort Cloud and heads back out into deep space. As it gets closer to the Sun, the heat causes it to release gas and dust, creating that stunning tail we may be able to see.

    Stargazing

    Now, for all you stargazers out there—when can you see it? C/2023 A3 is expected to make its closest approach to Earth on October 12 of 2024; however, it is expected to be the brightest on or around October 9, 2024. During this time, it could be visible with binoculars or even the naked eye in dark areas. Keep an eye on the sky, especially during early mornings or late evenings.

    Comets are more than just beautiful sights; they’re like time capsules from the early solar system. Studying them helps scientists understand the origins of our planetary system, and maybe even the building blocks of life.

    Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS the night of September 27, 2024 | Stellarium

    If you want to catch a glimpse of Comet C/2023 A3, here are some tips:

    • Grab a pair of binoculars or a telescope if you have one.
    • Find a dark location away from city lights.
    • Use a stargazing app to help you locate it in the sky.
    • Take some snacks—you might be out there for a while!

    That’s it for today’s cosmic adventure!

    Are you excited to see Comet C/2023 A3? Let us know!

    Comet C-2023 A3
    Comet C/2023 A3 the night of October 9, 2024 | Stellarium


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    Until next time, keep looking up!

    Sources: I.A.U. Minor Planet Center / NASA – JPL – CalTech Small Body Database

    © 2024 Rediscovered Astronomy

  • Lunar Eclipse September 17 – 18, 2024

    Lunar Eclipse September 17 – 18, 2024

    Today’s Lunar Eclipse will start a series of awe inspiring astronomical events that will span for months and which will culminate with a spectacular planetary alignment.

    But let’s focus on today’s event, a lunar eclipse happening on September 17 – 18, 2024, depending where you are in the world.

    So, what’s the big deal about this lunar eclipse? For starters, it’s going to be a partial lunar eclipse, which means the Earth will partly cover the Moon.

    This isn’t just any lunar eclipse, though. It’s going to be visible from a wide range of locations, including much of North and South America, Europe, and Africa. So, no matter where you are, you might just get a front-row seat to this cosmic show!

    Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect:

    The eclipse will begin with the partial phase around 5:41 pm PST [12:41 am UTC on Spetember 17 [18 UTC] where the Moon will start to slip into Earth’s shadow. The maximum eclipse will start around 7:44 p,m. PST [2:44 a.m. UTC on Septemner 18] and will last for approximately 30 minutes. The entire event will conclude with the partial eclipse ending around 9:47 p.m. PST on Spetember 17 [4:47 a.m. UTC on September 18].

    If you want to catch the best view, you’ll need to find a spot with a clear, unobstructed view of the sky. You don’t need any special equipment to see the eclipse—just your eyes will do. However, if you have a telescope or binoculars, you’ll get a fantastic close-up view of the Moon’s surface and the shadow play.

    Blood Moon 2019

    One of the most incredible parts of a lunar eclipse is seeing the Moon change colors. As the Earth’s shadow slowly moves across the Moon, you’ll notice it turn from a bright white to a deep red, with shades of orange and brown in between. This happens because of a phenomenon called Rayleigh scattering, which causes the shorter blue wavelengths of sunlight to scatter out of the Earth’s shadow while the longer red wavelengths pass through.

    For those of you who love stargazing or just want to witness something spectacular, this is definitely an event you won’t want to miss. It’s a beautiful reminder of the vastness and wonder of our solar system.

    A couple of quick tips: make sure you’re in a place with minimal light pollution, and consider bringing a blanket or chair to make your viewing more comfortable. And, of course, don’t forget your camera if you want to capture the moment!

    Thanks for stopping by, and see you next time!

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    Lunar Eclipse September 18-2024

    © 2024 Rediscovered Astronomy

  • Moon mysteries

    Moon mysteries

    From the enimga of its very creation to peculiar rock formations, many mysteries surround the Moon, Earth’s giant natural satellite.

    So pictures of the moon never get old. Here’s one picture of the moon when it starts to be overshadowed by Earth’s shape occurred during a lunar eclipse in 2019.

    Moon mysteries
    Rediscovered Astronomy | Photo: © J.J. Del Mar

    © Rediscovered Astronomy

  • Blood Moon

    Blood Moon

    Blood Moon – Photography taken of the past Lunar Eclipse in 2019 by J.J. Del Mar

    Blood Moon
    Blood Moon 2019

    Blood Moon

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    © Rediscovered Astronomy

  • Ice Age Killer

    Ice Age Killer

    Ice Age Killer Asteroid Impact Found

    Scientists have been wondering what caused the end of the last Ice Age.


    Impact crater found in Greenland. Is this the last Ice Age killer? Video and still: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Jefferson Beck

    There are at least a couple of peered-reviewed theories that have shed light into the end of the last Ice Age. These scientists had postulated that it was a collision caused by the impact of a large asteroid that brough the last Ice Age to its end. However, an impact crater had not been found until now…..

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    © Rediscovered Astronomy

  • 2017 Solar Eclipse USA

    2017 Solar Eclipse USA

    Total Solar Eclipse USA August 21, 2017

    It is two weeks before the Total Solar Eclipse event of the year here in the United States. The totality will happen around noon on August 21, 2017. Where are you going to be? The following animations and charts detail the path of the eclipse and where toatality will occur in the continental United States.

    Path Animation by Ernie Wright, NASA Visualization Studio

    eclipse usa | Path Animation Narrated by Ernie Wright, NASA Visualization Studio

    Path showing the umbra and penumbra over the U.S.

    NASA Visualization Studio | Goddard

    Safety Tips, NASA Goddard

    Images and animations: NASA Visualization Studio | Goddard

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    © Rediscovered Astronomy

  • Moon in May

    Moon in May

    Our Moon a night of April | Rediscovered Astronomy

    We captured our Moon, Luna on a splendid night in April. Here’s the image.

    Moon in May
    Luna

    Photo: © 2017 J.J. Del Mar

    © Rediscovered Astronomy

  • Mars With Clouds

    Mars With Clouds

    Planet Mars with Clouds Animation

     

    Everyone seems obsessed with Mars and how to get us there these days. How would the Red Planet look if it had clouds? Well, recently the Hubble Space Telescope team released a photograph of Mars with clouds. The image showed Mars in a more Earthly fashion than we have seen it before.

    The following is an animation of the red planet, Mars, with Earth-like clouds in its atmosphere. The global mapping was taken from Viking’s imagery and the clouds were adjusted from an image of Earth’s clouds by NASA.

    Animation by J.J. Del Mar

    © 2016 Rediscovered Astronomy

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  • Moon + Venus In October Sky

    Moon + Venus In October Sky

    STARGAZING OCTOBER 3, 2016

    The Moon and Venus in the October sky

    This week we see Venus in the western sky in apparent proximity to Luna on October the 3rd. Later in the week, on October 5th, the Moon will move to appear close to Saturn in the west.

    Here’s how it looked on October the 3rd.

    Photos: J.J. Del Mar

    © Rediscovered Astronomy

  • Mars Reigns In June

    Mars Reigns In June

    STARGAZING JUNE 23, 2016

    Mars is still the brightest “star” this June. If you have not looked at the South sky yet, you have the change of still admiring the red planet Mars.

    © 2016 Rediscovered Astronomy