Astronomy Staff, Author at Astronomy.com https://www.astronomy.com/author/astronomystaff/ Astronomy news, photos, observing events, and space missions. Tue, 10 Dec 2024 16:25:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.4 https://www.astronomy.com/uploads/2024/10/cropped-favicon-32x32.jpg Astronomy Staff, Author at Astronomy.com https://www.astronomy.com/author/astronomystaff/ 32 32 The largest space merch retailer in the world opens its first brick-and-mortar retail store in downtown Chattanooga https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/the-largest-space-merch-retailer-in-the-world-opens-its-first-brick-and-mortar-retail-store-in-downtown-chattanooga/ Tue, 10 Dec 2024 16:25:15 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=155982// PRESS RELEASEFor immediate release Contact:Erik Spangenberg(203)-550-3196erik@firecrown.com CHATTANOOGA, TN — The Space Store, an e-commerce retailer specializing in space-themed merchandise, has opened its first physical retail space in downtown Chattanooga. The Space Store got its start in 1996, as one of the first e-commerce businesses on the internet. For the past 28 years, The Space StoreContinue reading "The largest space merch retailer in the world opens its first brick-and-mortar retail store in downtown Chattanooga"

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]]> A look ahead to the sky next year: Sky Guide 2025 https://www.astronomy.com/observing/sky-guide-2025/ Mon, 09 Dec 2024 21:30:00 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=155969// It’s back: Astronomy magazine’s free downloadable Sky Guide, your preview of everything happening in the sky next year.  Mars opens 2025 by reaching opposition the night of Jan. 15/16, when it shines brighter and appears larger through a telescope than at any time since December 2022. You’ll find it in Gemini, near the heads ofContinue reading "A look ahead to the sky next year: Sky Guide 2025"

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]]> Can you view Pluto in a backyard telescope? https://www.astronomy.com/observing/can-you-view-pluto-in-a-backyard-telescope/ Mon, 09 Dec 2024 19:00:00 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=155628// Is it possible to view Pluto from a backyard telescope? Ethan SpykerWadsworth, Ohio If I’m being honest, Pluto is difficult for an amateur astronomer to see. A standard 8-inch telescope just won’t do the trick. That’s because Pluto hasn’t been brighter than 14th magnitude since the fall of 2004. It reached perihelion (its closest approach toContinue reading "Can you view Pluto in a backyard telescope?"

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]]> Does dark matter affect our solar system? https://www.astronomy.com/science/does-dark-matter-affect-our-solar-system/ Mon, 02 Dec 2024 19:00:00 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=155623// Why do we not see effects of dark matter in our solar system and other nearby star systems? Curran RodeAmmannsville, Texas Dark matter refers to material that does not absorb, reflect, or emit any electromagnetic radiation. Astronomers have ascertained the existence of dark matter through the gravitational influence it exerts over visible matter. In fact,Continue reading "Does dark matter affect our solar system?"

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]]> Festive astronomy products for everyone on your list https://www.astronomy.com/observing/festive-new-products-for-everyone-on-your-list/ Sun, 01 Dec 2024 16:00:00 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=155350// Universal manual Penguin Random HouseNew York, NY The beauty and science of space combine in the book Smithsonian Atlas of Space. This 400-page hardback, created by NASA’s Chief Historian Roger D. Launius, features illustrations, maps, and images detailing humanity’s understanding of the universe from ancient times to modern day. It also includes profiles of someContinue reading "Festive astronomy products for everyone on your list"

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]]> How long would it take for an observer using binoculars to notice the Moon’s terminator moving? https://www.astronomy.com/observing/how-long-would-it-take-for-an-observer-using-binoculars-to-notice-the-moons-terminator-moving/ Mon, 25 Nov 2024 14:00:00 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=154312// With the Moon’s terminator moving almost 10 mph (16 km/h) across its equator, how long would it take for an observer using binoculars to notice a change in lunar features? Gary GarcharSan Jose, California The lunar terminator, the sunset/sunrise line that sweeps across the Moon’s surface as the Moon orbits Earth, travels at a rateContinue reading "How long would it take for an observer using binoculars to notice the Moon’s terminator moving?"

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]]> How big is Earth’s orbit around the Sun? https://www.astronomy.com/science/how-big-is-earths-orbit-around-the-sun/ Mon, 18 Nov 2024 16:00:00 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=154266// How big is the ellipse that our planet travels in a year around the Sun? J.J. MüdespacherMexico City, Mexico Earth’s orbit around the Sun is not circular, but an ellipse that is slightly elongated with an eccentricity of 0.017. (An eccentricity of 0 is a circle, while the dwarf planet Pluto has a relatively highContinue reading "How big is Earth’s orbit around the Sun?"

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]]> New astronomy products to be thankful for https://www.astronomy.com/observing/new-astronomy-products-to-be-thankful-for/ Tue, 12 Nov 2024 14:00:00 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=154351// Star struck Wisconsin Historical Society PressMadison, WI In Chasing the Stars, authors Kelly Tyrell and James Lattis discuss the astronomical achievements of Washburn Observatory at the University of Wisconsin. The book’s 256 pages feature many images and details the early days of stargazing in the region, as well as Washburn’s many modern discoveries in theContinue reading "New astronomy products to be thankful for"

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]]> What is the universe expanding into? https://www.astronomy.com/science/what-is-the-universe-expanding-into/ Mon, 11 Nov 2024 16:00:00 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=154260// What is the universe expanding into? Euan TobinEdinburgh, Scotland This excellent question forces us to confront a region beyond the bounds of our intuition, so please bear with me. When you inflate a balloon, the balloon’s membrane moves outward, closer to the boundaries of whatever room encloses it. You can easily visualize this expansion becauseContinue reading "What is the universe expanding into?"

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]]> How are long-exposure astrophotos made?  https://www.astronomy.com/observing/how-are-long-exposure-astrophotos-made/ Mon, 04 Nov 2024 16:00:00 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=154248// Many astrophotos feature exposures of 12 hours or more. Since nighttime darkness is only about this long, this implies multiple exposures on different nights. How does one set things up to get the exact same location, and avoid parallax error due to Earth’s rotation and orbit? Jose G. RieraSt. Augustine, Florida You are correct, manyContinue reading "How are long-exposure astrophotos made? "

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