The modern-day scientist is motivated by any number of human emotions. Chief among those is curiosity, an unquenchable desire to know how the world works. In the words of Einstein, “I want to know God’s thoughts.” These words from one…
Category: Sky Phenomena
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Far Encounter Remember the New Horizons spacecraft and its flyby of Pluto in July 2015? That previously little-known world presented us with what should now be expected—the unexpected, and new puzzles to solve. The spacecraft is still operating, sending back…
The Christmas Star
Often in the Christmas season, anyone with a reputation for knowing something about astronomy is asked about the Christmas star described in the Gospel of Matthew. What was it? Is there an astronomical explanation for it? What do YOU think…
The Great American Eclipse of 2017
Only two weeks away now! Rather than write a lengthy post, I’m just going to address the main questions I’ve been getting over the past few months. The sun is going to be 90% obscured at my home. Is it…
Tagged with: solar eclipse
Supermoon!!
A short post about something that is all over the news now. No, not the election. I’m talking about the latest “supermoon”. This is a term I don’t believe I had ever heard before about five years ago. I don’t…
Tagged with: Supermoon
Mars Opposition 2016
That increasingly bright and obviously red object rising in the southeast late at night (around 10:30 pm EDT from Lynchburg) is Mars. It will rise ever earlier as it moves into position exactly opposite the sun in our sky on…
Tagged with: Mars opposition 2016
What’s Up?
Two short-lived sky phenomena are on tap in the near future, one taking place only tens of miles above us, the other millions of miles away. Geminid meteor shower: Each December we are treated to one of the better meteor…
Planet Lineup
These beautifully clear fall mornings we’ve been experiencing have offered a rare opportunity to see four of the five naked-eye planets all lined up for our viewing pleasure. This morning at 6:45 am EDT, this was the view on Lynchburg’s…
Space Station Pass in Lynchburg Area
It looks as though Lynchburg area sky watchers will actually have clear skies for a celestial event! The International Space Station will be visible tonight in an especially bright and high-in-the-sky pass. It will appear low in the southwest at…
Tagged with: International Space Station
Venus, Jupiter…and Earth
Those of us of a certain age will remember these song lyrics: When the moon is in the seventh house And Jupiter aligns with Mars… Jupiter is about to align not with Mars, but with Venus, the ancient goddess of…
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