An occultation of Venus is seen from L’Aquila, Italy, on November 9, 2023. (Photo by Lorenzo Di … [+] Cola/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto via Getty Images Venus disappeared behind a slim crescent moon this morning, with sky-watchers and photographers posting images across social media of the night sky’s two brightest objects. The rare sight—technically …
Atomic oxygen has been directly detected both on the dayside and nightside of Venus, reports … [+] a Nature Communications paper. getty New data from a retired NASA telescope suggests that there is atomic oxygen in the atmosphere of Venus. Although it’s been inferred before, this is the first direct detection on the planet’s day side. Revealed …
The phases of an annular solar eclipse, which will be visible from eight U.S. states on October 14, … [+] 2023. getty Each Monday I pick out the northern hemisphere’s celestial highlights (mid-northern latitudes) for the week ahead, but be sure to check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and …
An impression of the greenhouse planet, the third smallest planet in the Solar System (after Mars … [+] and Mercury). Venus is almost totally featureless seen from space, owing to its dense carbon-dioxide atmosphere. getty For decades, researchers have argued over whether the sulfuric acid-rich clouds of Venus could harbor microbial life. With extraordinarily high …
Venus embraces the Pleiades, and 444 light-years apart they meet every eight years. Beijing, China, … [+] April 3, 2020. Costfoto/Barcroft Media via Getty Images Barcroft Media via Getty Images If you’re wondering what the bright white “star” in the east is in the predawn sky this week then wonder no more—it’s Venus in its …
The comet was discovered on August 12, 2023 by Hideo Nishimura during 30-second exposures with a … [+] standard digital camera. Taken in Nerja, Málaga. Andalusia. South of Spain. getty The arrival of a naked-eye comet is exciting, but as usual reports about the visibility of Comet Nishimura need to be taken with a large …
Artist’s concept of Parker Solar Probe. NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center NASA’s Parker Solar Probe yesterday made a flyby of Venus as part of its mission to study the sun from closer than any other spacecraft. It was the sixth and penultimate time the car-sized spacecraft required a gravity assist from the second planet in …
Witness the captivating sight of the summer Milky Way over the serene prairie pond in southern Alberta. Universal Images Group via Getty Images Experience the rare appearance of the planet Mercury as it graces the post-sunset sky this week, delighting those who rarely have the opportunity to observe it. In a unique occurrence, Mercury will …
This week brings a unique opportunity—and a final opportunity—to observe the inner solar system using just your eyes … [+] as Venus, Mars and Mercury appear in Earth’s post-sunset twilight sky. Getty The solar system consists of eight planets and five dwarf planets, but the real action takes place in the inner solar system where …
An enchanting scene unfolded over Ankara, Turkiye on January 23, 2023, as a crescent moon made its dazzling appearance. Captured by photographer Mehmet Ali Ozcan, the image showcases the celestial wonder. Welcome to this week’s edition of celestial highlights for the northern hemisphere. While the nights are still short on darkness in mid-northern latitudes, there …