The International Space Station (ISS) is a low-flying research facility jointly operated by the space agencies of the U.S., Russia, Canada, Japan, and eleven European countries. It was assembled piece by piece in space, starting with a Russian module put …[Continue]
Lunar Eclipse
On the evening of Saturday, March 3, 2007, a total eclipse of the Moon will be giving a show to Europe and Africa. Here in North America and South America , we will only be able to see part of …[Continue]
Space Shuttle
In its twenty-five-year history, NASA’s Space Shuttle program (officially called Space Transportation System or STS), has flown more than one hundred missions. It has enjoyed extraordinary success (such as the building of the International Space Station, and the servicing of …[Continue]
Pluto
On August 24, 2006, astronomers declared that Pluto is no longer a planet, thereby downsizing the solar system from nine planets to eight. After a week of debate, the International Astronomical Union stripped Pluto of planetary status because its orbit …[Continue]
Moon
The moon is our closest neighbor, and the only space object ever visited by man. In commemoration of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin’s first steps on the moon in 1969, July 20th is celebrated as Moon Day….[Continue]
Transit of Venus
On Tuesday, June 5-6, 2012, many of us will get to see a rare astronomical performance. Venus will pass between the Earth and the Sun, visible as a small black dot moving across the face of the Sun. Called a …[Continue]
Hubble Space Telescope
The Hubble Space Telescope, launched in 1990 by space shuttle Discovery, orbits the earth about 380 miles above us. It uses two cameras and two spectrographs to record images of space. Hubble’s pictures have delighted scientists and star gazers for …[Continue]
Mars Exploration
On January 3 2004, NASA landed Spirit, a six-wheeled robot, on Mars. Its identical twin, Opportunity, followed on January 24. The unmanned rovers, each weighing about 384 pounds, are robotic geologists. Their mission is to look for evidence of water. …[Continue]
Stargazing
Interested in astronomy? Backyard stargazing is a simple first step. Experts advise us to learn the sky with the naked eye before investing in a pair of binoculars (and don’t even think about a telescope yet!) More great advice can …[Continue]
Mars Opposition
During June, night sky observers will be treated to a Mars opposition. About every two years, the Earth passes between the Sun and Mars such that Mars and the Sun are on opposite sides of the Earth. During an opposition, …[Continue]
