Bright Comet ISON to Make its Appearance Later This Year (2013)

Comet ISON (as named by Russian astronomers in 2012) has the potential to be the brightest comet to be seen in decades according to a recent report by NASA.  Around October 1st of this year (2013), this comet will pass within 6.7 million miles of Mars on its fall towards the sun.

This comet will make a close approach to the sun around November 28th, passing within 750,000 miles of the sun's visible surface and may be visible in the sky as its ice sublimates from the sun's heat.  Although some or most of the comet may erode, Comet ISON will likely continue its journey outward from the sun, passing by Earth in December.  It will continue to be visible at twilight throughout the month of December, 2013.

Source: NASA.com

Photo Courtesy of:  NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Axel Mellinger

Photo Courtesy of: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Axel Mellinger

Next Major Meteor Shower - Lyrids - April 22, 2013

Even though we're in a quiet period for shooting stars, it's never too early to get the next meteor shower on your calendar.  On April 22, 2013, we'll get to enjoy the Lyrid meteor shower!  This amazing show features beautiful bright meteors with tails.

You will usually see 10-20 meteors per hour at the peak, but Lyrid showers are sometimes known for unusual surges in the rate up to 100 per hour.  These surges are somewhat unpredictable though.

Best time to watch: After moonset or before dawn on April 22.

Source:  EarthSky.org

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

SpaceX Launch Scheduled for March 1st

According to the NASA website, NASA and its worldwide partners will be launching a resupply flight to the International Space Station (SpaceX) on March 1st.  This mission will be bringing 1,200 pounds of supplies for the crew and for the onboard laboratory.  The return trip will be returning 2,300 pounds of equipment and lab samples back to Earth.

Launch Time: 10:10am EST from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Photo: Courtesy of NASA.gov

Beautiful Cluster of Ancient Stars Taken by Hubble Telescope

Courtesy of the NASA/ESA Hubble telescope, this is a beautiful photo of the star cluster Messier 56, originally observed by Charles Messier in 1779.  Of course, the Hubble telescope is able to provide much more defined and detailed image than Messier would have seen in his time.  This cluster is estimated to be around 13 billion years old (wow!)

Enjoy!

Source:
http://www.NASA.com

Reserve the Date! International Observe the Moon Night, September 22, 2012

The 2012 International Observe the Moon Night will be on September 22, 2012.  Planetariums, libraries, local astronomy groups are gathering on this night to showcase and spotlight some of the great things about our moon.  Check out their website below for events and locations in your area!

International Observe the Moon Night:
http://observethemoonnight.org/

Look Outside! There's a Blue Moon Tonight!

Take a few minutes tonight and check out tonight's full moon.  It's not just any old full moon, but a Blue Moon.  What's a Blue Moon, you ask?  The term Blue Moon was coined by James Pruett in his 1946 article in Sky & Telescope magazine.  In his article, he declared that the second full moon in a calendar month is called a Blue Moon. On average, a Blue Moon only happens every 33 months (or every 2-3 years). February will never have a Blue Moon; months that have 31 days have a much better chance.

The next Blue Moon will occur on July 31, 2015.

Although the moon won't actually be the color blue tonight; make sure you take a peek at this rare phenomenon!