Tag: astronomy

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Longest lunar eclipse this century coming up in late July – an annotated infographic

E&T magazine

The longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st century – lasting one hour and 43 minutes – will be visible across wide swathes of the world, including Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, South America and the Middle East. The total phase of the Earth’s natural satellite will turn a spectacular red or ruddy-brown color. From start to finish, the entire celestial event will last nearly four hours. This lunar eclipse will be particularly long because the moon will be at its apogee – the furthest point from the earth – causing the moon to move slower, so the eclipse lasts longer. … Continue reading Longest lunar eclipse this century coming up in late July – an annotated infographic

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Fuels for life found on moon of Saturn – an annotated infographic

E&T magazine

Nasa’s Cassini spacecraft has discovered hydrogen and carbon dioxide erupting in plumes of vapour from Saturn’s moon Enceladus. These are the critical organic chemical ingredients that sustain microbial life in extreme environments on Earth. Click on the graphic for an expanded view. Continue reading Fuels for life found on moon of Saturn – an annotated infographic

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Earth-like planet #ProximaB found orbiting #ProximaCentauri – an annotated infographic

E&T magazine

Scientists have found clear evidence of an Earth-like planet around Proxima Centauri – the nearest star to our sun. The rocky world, named Proxima b, lies within its star’s habitable zone, meaning liquid water could exist on its surface, and it may also be the closest possible abode for life outside the solar system. E&T news reported the full details of the Proxima b discovery earlier this week. Click on the graphic for an expanded view. Continue reading Earth-like planet #ProximaB found orbiting #ProximaCentauri – an annotated infographic

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Transit of Mercury – tiny planet to cross the face of the Sun on 9 May – an annotated infographic

E&T magazine

Something yonder this way comes – the planet Mercury. The tiniest and innermostiest planet in our solar system (the one closest to the Sun and the one probably exclaiming every day, “Coo, it’s a bit hot again today, eh?”) will pass between Earth and the Sun on 9 May 2016. Eagle-eyed skywatchers can catch sight of our perspiring planetary friend by viewing it through a telescope. Mercury will appear as a tiny black dot moving across the face of the Sun. Click on the graphic for an expanded view. Continue reading Transit of Mercury – tiny planet to cross the face of the Sun on 9 May – an annotated infographic

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Hallowe’en asteroid spooks Earth on frighteningly close flyby – an annotated infographic

E&T magazine

Apparently, Asteroid 2015 TB145 – a big ol’ space rock measuring approximately 320 metres in diameter – passed by the Earth at about 1.3 lunar distances on the night of October 30-31, e.g. Hallowe’en. This was the closest flyby of a space rock since 2006. Did anyone notice this? E&T was naturally too busy prowling the dark October night streets while dressed as zombie Michael Faraday, pounding on strangers’ front doors and demanding highly sugared confectionery for free, to care. The Earth being pummelled by a giant errant space rock on Hallowe’en would have been quite the shocker, though. All … Continue reading Hallowe’en asteroid spooks Earth on frighteningly close flyby – an annotated infographic

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Book Review: Physics in a Mad World – M Shifman

E&T magazine

By Jade Fell “Physics is really nothing more than a search for ultimate simplicity, but so far all we have is a kind of elegant messiness.” ― Bill Bryson You should never judge a book by its cover, and the same is definitely true for size. While at first glance this book might come across as somewhat of a hefty and intimidating read, perhaps something a physics student might be assigned as weekend reading, the contents of the book is much more manageable. Split into three distinct sections, and interlaced with essays, letters, interviews and diary entries, Physics in a … Continue reading Book Review: Physics in a Mad World – M Shifman

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Nasa celebrates #Hubble25 as space telescope hits quarter-century mark – an annotated infographic

E&T magazine

Nasa has been celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope this week. For a quarter of a century, Hubble has peered deep into distant galaxies, revealing images of breathtaking beauty and rewriting our understanding of the cosmos. Scientists hope that Hubble will keep working for at least another five years. E&T magazine considers next-generation space telescopes in our latest issue online, as we look at the technology behind the James Webb Space Telescope. Continue reading Nasa celebrates #Hubble25 as space telescope hits quarter-century mark – an annotated infographic

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Keep watching the March night skies for #Comet #PanSTARRS – an annotated graphic

E&T magazine

Attention, budding astronomers and those of a general cosmic bent: over the next couple of weeks, the comet PanSTARRS should be visible to the naked eye in the northern hemisphere, being visible above the western horizon just after sunset. PanSTARRS is making her first visit to our inner solar system, so let’s make her feel right at home. Give her a wave as she passes overhead! Click on the graphic for an expanded view. Continue reading Keep watching the March night skies for #Comet #PanSTARRS – an annotated graphic

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Killer #asteroid threatening Planet Earth – an annotated graphic

E&T magazine

While we puny humans go about our days, worrying about trivial matters like shoes, the Oscars and the efficacy or otherwise of coalition governments, an asteroid with – so we’re told – the destructive power of an H-bomb is hurtling towards our favorite green and blue planet, Earth. And not for the first time, either. These pesky asteroids keep setting themselves on an inexorable collision course with Planet Earth like stone kamikaze pilots at regular intervals across the ages of Man. So far, their aim hasn’t been too good, mostly missing us altogether, but a couple of doozies have snuck through … Continue reading Killer #asteroid threatening Planet Earth – an annotated graphic

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NASA’s SOFIA airborne observatory takes flight – an annotated graphic

E&T magazine

Well, would you look at this – a flying observatory. Cool! NASA’s latest science wheeze is the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy – or SOFIA to her friends. A 15-tonne telescope mounted on a jumbo jet, this joint US-German venture (there are two countries you might not immediately put together) is beginning its first full cycle of science  flights. Question: how do stars form and evolve? No problem – SOFIA’s on it. Click on the graphic for an expanded view. Continue reading NASA’s SOFIA airborne observatory takes flight – an annotated graphic