All articles tagged with #celestial phenomena
New simulations suggest that the Jupiter-like free-floating objects (JuMBOs) discovered by JWST in the Orion Nebula may not be real planets but background noise or artifacts, as their fragility in stellar environments makes their long-term existence unlikely, prompting a re-evaluation of their nature and origin.
Residents in metro Phoenix reported seeing a green flash of light in the night sky, with the American Meteor Society receiving 80 reports of a "fireball" over the southwest United States, 52 of which were sighted in Arizona. Multiple videos captured the phenomenon, showing a flash of white, yellowish light transforming into a bright green as it falls before fading away. The Arizona Republic reached out to Lowell Observatory and ASU's School of Earth and Space Exploration for more information on the celestial event.
A suspected meteor streaked across the skies of Delmarva, with footage captured by residents in Delaware and Maryland. Meteorologists and the American Meteor Society confirmed the sighting, and reports were received from multiple states. The event occurred just before the expected Lyrids Meteor Shower, and researchers now believe the meteorite may have landed on the Delmarva Peninsula, prompting a search for the celestial rarity.
On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will be visible in 15 U.S. states, with the path of totality stretching from Mexico to Canada. Totality will last up to 4 minutes and 27 seconds in some areas. Those outside the path will still see a partial eclipse, with various ways to safely enjoy the event. Maps are available to help plan eclipse viewing and travel to locations within the path of totality.
On April 8, a total solar eclipse will be visible across Mexico, the US, and Canada, with 32 million people in the US along the path of totality. Spectators can also witness phenomena such as Baily's beads and the "diamond ring" during the eclipse. The corona, the sun's outer atmosphere, will be visible, and changes in animal behavior and temperature are expected. This event is a rare celestial occurrence due to the alignment of the moon, Earth, and sun, and won't be visible across the contiguous US again until 2044.
The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a telescope housed in a modified Boeing 747, captured a photo on the tarmac in New Zealand featuring the Moon, Venus, and Jupiter in the background. The airborne observatory, which operated from 2010 to 2022, provided unique observations of celestial magnetic fields, star-forming regions, and comets from a vantage point above much of the Earth's atmosphere.
Some white dwarfs may take longer to cool off than previously expected, indicating a way of generating energy after their "deaths" and defying the classical picture of them being inert dead stars. Researchers have discovered a population of white dwarfs that seem to have stopped cooling for billions of years and propose a mechanism involving the creation of solid crystals that float upon denser liquid, releasing gravitational energy and halting the cooling process. This discovery may redefine the way astronomers date stars and complicate age-dating and the use of white dwarfs to reconstruct the formation of our galaxy.
Sky-watchers can look forward to a series of stunning celestial events in 2024, including a total solar eclipse, meteor showers, dazzling auroras, and the appearance of two comets. Notable events include a pairing of Jupiter and the moon, a total solar eclipse crossing North America, the passing of a bright comet close to Earth, the peak of the Eta Aquarids meteor shower, the Perseids meteor shower, the arrival of Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), the alignment of the moon and Saturn, an annular eclipse, and the conjunction of Venus and a crescent moon.
Space scientist Dr. Suvendu Patnaik debunked misconceptions surrounding the upcoming lunar eclipse, clarifying that the moon's disk will only be about six percent covered and can be observed with the naked eye. He emphasized that there is no scientific basis for any restrictions during the eclipse and that people can carry on with their normal activities. Patnaik also mentioned that the next lunar eclipse visible from India is scheduled for September 7, 2025, and none of the four eclipses in 2024 will be visible from India.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich has announced the winners of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 15, with the top prize going to a stunning image of the Andromeda galaxy. The competition received over 4,000 submissions from 64 countries. Other winning photographs showcased auroras, the moon, the sun, people and space, planets and asteroids, skyscapes, and stars and nebulas. The winning images are currently on display at the National Maritime Museum in London.
August 2023 will feature two supermoons, including a rare blue moon. A supermoon occurs when a full moon aligns with its closest approach to Earth, making it appear larger and brighter. The first supermoon, known as the Sturgeon Moon, will occur on August 1, followed by a blue moon on August 30, which will be the closest full moon to Earth for the entire year. Supermoons are a result of the moon's elliptical orbit, and blue moons refer to the second full moon in a calendar month. These celestial events offer a unique opportunity for stargazers and astronomers to observe and appreciate the beauty of the night sky.