- 1 July 2016
Camelopardalis is the 18th largest constellation covering 757 square degrees in the second quadrant of the Northern hemisphere. It can be viewed specifically at latitudes between +90° and -10°. Camelopardalis represents the giraffe, which was once known as a camel-leopard (it has a long neck like a camel and the spots of a leopard). For this reason it actually gets its name from the Latin derivative of the Greek word for giraffe; camel (Greek kamēlos) and leopard (pardalis).
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- 30 June 2016
Alpha Herculis has been given an ‘Alpha’ designation; however, it’s not the brightest star in its home constellation, it’s actually 129th brightest in the night sky. Its traditional name of Rasalgethi is derived from an Arabic phrase meaning, ‘the head of the Kneeler’. The ‘head’ comes from ancient times when the constellation was shown upside down on star maps.
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- 29 June 2016
Nebulae are super cool cosmic clouds. They are made up of all sorts of things like dust, helium, hydrogen, plasma and gas. They are also places where new stars are “born.”
Let’s explore 5 famous “space nurseries” that are beautiful, yet are weird in appearance.
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- 27 June 2016
On July 4th, Juno is set to fire it’s main engine for 35 minutes which will blast it directly into Jupiter’s orbit to embark on a 20 -month journey around the biggest planet in out solar system. But don’t think this unmanned trip is going to be easy. Jupiter’s atmosphere is rough, to say the least…
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- 24 June 2016
We can’t see the wind and we certainly can never catch it. But it can be fun when we have a new kite, want to play in the waves or even just need to cool off on a hot summer’s day.
Wind doesn’t only happen here on Earth. Did you know there are three other planets known for their super-powered wind storms? Check them out…just be careful not to get blown away.
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- 24 June 2016
Alpha Crucis is made up of two stars and is part of the Southern Cross in its home constellation. Historically, Amerigo Vespucci charted the stars in 1501, then an Italian explorer by the name of Andrea Corsali made a more accurate chart in 1515. This star appeared on celestial globes by both Petrus Plancius in 1598 and also Jodocus Hondius in 1600.
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- 23 June 2016
Bode, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Caelum is the eighth smallest constellation in the sky, occupying only 125 square degrees. It is located in the first quadrant of the Southern hemisphere and can be viewed specifically at latitudes between +40° and -90°. The crooked line of Caelum represents “the chisel” and derives its name from the Latin language.
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- 20 June 2016
For almost 100 years now, a quasi-satellite has been quietly following Earth around the Sun. Scientists predict it will continue to do so for many centuries to come.
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- 17 June 2016
Alpha Crucis is made up of two stars and is part of the Southern Cross in its home constellation. Historically, Amerigo Vespucci charted the stars in 1501, then an Italian explorer by the name of Andrea Corsali made a more accurate chart in 1515. This star appeared on celestial globes by both Petrus Plancius in 1598 and also Jodocus Hondius in 1600.
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- 17 June 2016
Bootes is the 13th biggest constellation in size and covers 907 square degrees. It can be viewed in the third quadrant of the Northern hemisphere and lies specifically at latitudes between +90° and -50°. To correctly say, Bootes, each “o” is pronounced separately, putting emphasis on the “tes.”
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