- 15 April 2016
We my take for granted the fact that women are now involved in all areas of the sciences, but many years ago the very notion of a female even wanting to enter into astronomy was laughable. Fortunately, history has recognized the brave ladies that broke the stereotypical mold and went against all odds to made some real contributions to the study of our stars.
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- 15 April 2016
Alnitak is 33 times larger than the Sun, 20 times its diameter and shines 10,000 times its luminosity. This star is estimated to be around six million years-old. Alnitak also has stellar winds that can reach speeds of 2,000 kilometers/second (1,240 miles/second)! In 1819 an amateur astronomer, George K. Kunowsky, discover Alnitak to be a double star.
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- 14 April 2016
Centaurus represents the Greek and Roman mythological beast that was half man, half horse (centaur) and also has two of the top ten brightest stars in the entire sky. This constellation can be found in the third quadrant of the Southern hemisphere and is located specifically between latitudes of +25° and -90°. Along with other constellations, Centaurus was first catalogued in the 2nd century by, Ptolemy, a Greek astronomer.
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- 8 April 2016
We all probably know the nursery rhyme; twinkle, twinkle little star, how we wonder what you are...
Well today we know the twinkling object in the night sky is indeed coming from a star and not a planet.
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- 8 April 2016
Algol is a triple-star system which dims on a regular basis and when at its brightest it shines three times that as when it’s dimming. This star represents the head of mythological monster, Medusa. In fact, its name is derived from the Arabic language (ra’s al-ghul) meaning, “the demon’s head.” It is also sometimes referred to as Beta Persei.
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- 7 April 2016
Andromeda is the 19th biggest constellation and was first listed about 2,000 years ago by Ptolemy, who was a Greco-Roman scientist. It can be viewed from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres but is actually located in the first quadrant of the Northern hemisphere at latitudes between +90° and -40°. This fascinating astronomical wonder is also part of the Perseus group of constellations which includes Cassiopeia and Pegasus.
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- 1 April 2016
Aldebaran is considered the “Fiery Eye of the Bull” in its home constellation. It’s a massive star spanning more than 44 times the diameter of the Sun and 425 times more luminous. It glows bright orangish-red and was thought to be used to predict the June Solstice. Aldebaran was also the name of one of the chariot horses in Ben Hur.
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- 30 March 2016
Jupiter is in prime position this month to be observed by professional and novice astronomers alike. But it wasn’t NASA that captured this amazing occurrence, but two amateur astronomers that were viewing the right place at the right time.
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- 25 March 2016
Alcyone is the third brightest star in its home constellation and also the brightest star of the Pleiades or Seven Sisters. In fact, it’s name means “the Central One.” In Greek mythology, Alcyone represents the Atlantid nymph who later became the mother of Hyrieus. Alcyone is a multi-star system consisting of four stars, together spanning 10 times the radius of the Sun.
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- 16 March 2016
Due to its extreme temperatures, Achernar is the 9th brightest star in the night sky and is 3,150 times more luminous than the Sun. Before the discovery of Achernar by early voyagers, the star we now call Acamar held the place of brightest star by the early Grecian. However, once Achernar was discovered to be the actual ‘end of the river’, it took its rightful name and place in the constellation of Eridanis.
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