Latest news with #SpaceConnect
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Milky Way photos: Instagram-worthy images show our galaxy visible in the sky
Can you see the Milky Way galaxy from Earth? Yes! And as stargazers and skywatchers know, it's a stunning sight to see. Comprised of billions of stars, the Milky Way galaxy got its name because from our perspective on Earth, it appears as a faint band of light stretching across the entire sky. During 'Milky Way season,' the billions of stars comprising our home galaxy appear especially vibrant. The reason has much to do with the cycle of the moon, but it also has to do with how high in the sky the Milky Way should appear from our perspective here on Earth, specifically in the United States. While the Milky Way is generally always visible from Earth, certain times of year are better for stargazers to catch a glimpse. Below are photos of the Milky Way galaxy as seen from Earth and information on how to see the stunning natural phenomenon. The Milky Way is our home galaxy with a disc of stars that spans more than 100,000 light-years. "Milky Way season," when the galaxy's bright center becomes easier to see from Earth, typically runs from February to October, according to Milky Way photography website Capture the Atlas. However, the best time to see the Milky Way in the Northern Hemisphere is from March to September. Those who live in the Northern Hemisphere, which includes the entire continental United States, could have spectacular views of the Milky Way on clear nights with a new moon. Spectators will have the best luck on cloud-free nights and in locations away from city light pollution. DarkSky International maintains a website that lists all designated dark sky communities around the world, including 159 locations in the U.S. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@ This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Milky Way photos: Comprised of billions of stars and seen from Earth
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Milky Way photos: Instagram-worthy images show our galaxy visible in the sky
Can you see the Milky Way galaxy from Earth? Yes! And as stargazers and skywatchers know, it's a stunning sight to see. Comprised of billions of stars, the Milky Way galaxy got its name because from our perspective on Earth, it appears as a faint band of light stretching across the entire sky. During 'Milky Way season,' the billions of stars comprising our home galaxy appear especially vibrant. The reason has much to do with the cycle of the moon, but it also has to do with how high in the sky the Milky Way should appear from our perspective here on Earth, specifically in the United States. While the Milky Way is generally always visible from Earth, certain times of year are better for stargazers to catch a glimpse. Below are photos of the Milky Way galaxy as seen from Earth and information on how to see the stunning natural phenomenon. The Milky Way is our home galaxy with a disc of stars that spans more than 100,000 light-years. "Milky Way season," when the galaxy's bright center becomes easier to see from Earth, typically runs from February to October, according to Milky Way photography website Capture the Atlas. However, the best time to see the Milky Way in the Northern Hemisphere is from March to September. Those who live in the Northern Hemisphere, which includes the entire continental United States, could have spectacular views of the Milky Way on clear nights with a new moon. Spectators will have the best luck on cloud-free nights and in locations away from city light pollution. DarkSky International maintains a website that lists all designated dark sky communities around the world, including 159 locations in the U.S. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@ This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Milky Way photos: Comprised of billions of stars and seen from Earth
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Peak of ETA Aquarids comes to an end: When will the next meteor shower be visible?
Within the first five months of 2025, stargazers were treated to three dazzling meteor showers that sent "shooting stars" streaking across the night sky. The peak of the latest meteor shower, known as the ETA Aquarids, has now come and gone after becoming most active for two nights in early May. The bad news? Stargazers will have to wait a few months for the next observable meteor shower activity. But there's also good news: When the cosmic phenomenon resumes in July, spectators will be treated to a string of meteor showers – two of which will overlap during their peaks. Here's everything to know about this summer's meteor shower activity, which will hit a crescendo in August with the peak of the best meteor shower of the year: The Perseids. ETA Aquarids: Peak ends, but meteors still active The Aquarids, which first became active April 19, peaked between May 5 and May 6 as Earth passed through the densest part of the cosmic debris from the famous Halley's comet, according to the American Meteor Society. While the meteors won't be as bright or dazzling after the peak, stargazers could still catch some up until about May 28. When is the next meteor shower? 2 to peak at same time Up next, both Southern delta Aquarids and the alpha Capricornids are due to peak at the same time between July 29 and July 30, according to the American Meteor Society. The Capricornids begin their activity July 12, followed by the Southern delta Aquarids on July 18. Both meteor showers will remain active until Aug. 12. Unfortunately, neither shower is famed for being very strong. The Southern Delta Aquarids are faint meteors that are difficult enough to spot as it is. But if the moon is visible at all, it will be near impossible, according to NASA. Perseids, best meteor shower of the year, coming up In August, what is widely considered among stargazers and astronomers alike to be the best meteor shower of the year will hit its peak. The Perseid meteor shower gained its reputation for the plentiful whizzing meteors and blazing fireballs it reliably produces each year pretty much around the globe. Fireballs, large explosions of light and color, can persist even longer than an average meteor streak, NASA says. This year, the Perseids are expected to peak Aug. 12-13. But they'll be active even longer, July 17-Aug. 23. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@ This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Peak of ETA Aquarids comes to an end: When is the next meteor shower?
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
How about a meteor shower to start your work week? Here's when to head outside in Florida
What a difference just a day makes. The Eta Aquarids meteor shower will peak May 5-6 this year, just a day after Star Wars Day on May 4. The annual meteor shower, caused when Earth passes through the debris left behind by Halley's comet, overlapped the Lyrid meteor shower and have been active since mid April. If you miss the peak May 5 and May 6, you still may be able to spot them until May 28, although they won't be as bright. Here's what to know. The Eta Aquarids peak during early May each year. In 2025, the Eta Aquarids meteor shower have been active since April 20 and will continue to be visible until May 21, with the peak expected May 5-6, according to NASA. About 10 meteors will be visible per hour in the Northern Hemisphere. The best view is actually in the Southern Hemisphere. "Eta Aquarid meteors are known for their speed, with the meteors traveling at about 40.7 miles per second into Earth's atmosphere," NASA said. The Eta Aquarids meteors originated from Halley's comet, known officially as comet 1P/Halley, according to NASA. The last time comet Halley was seen by casual observers was in 1986. It will re-enter the inner solar system again in 2061. Trivia: The Earth will pass through Halley's path around the sun a second time in 2025 in October. This creates the Orionid meteor shower, which peaks around Oct. 20, according to timeanddate. The best time to see the Eta Aquarid meteor shower will be during the hours right before dawn, about 4 to 5 a.m. Look low on the horizon. It's best to lie on your back, with your feet facing east, NASA said. Look for an unobstructed view away from lights. It'll take about 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the darkness for you to be able to see the meteors. Conditions look to be favorable across Florida, with limited clouds expected to block your view of the meteors from Florida on May 5. Conditions look to be favorable for most locations on May 6, with limited clouds expected to block your view of the meteors. Timeanddate provides viewing conditions of the Eta Aquarid meteor shower each day. Factors considered include: radiant (where the meteor shower originates) weather sunrise moon rise and set ➤ Enter your city and date to see viewing conditions where you live Contribuing: Eric Lagatta, Space Connect reporter for USA Today Network This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Eta Aquarid meteor shower: Florida forecast, peak days May 5-6
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
NASA's Mars orbiter captures 1st photo of Curiosity and its winding tracks: Take a look
Though it has been scouring the Martian surface for more than a decade, NASA's Curiosity rover has never been imaged from above within the planet's atmosphere – until now. Far from being camera shy, Curiosity has been the subject of countless selfies and images taken from space. But for the first time, a NASA spacecraft recently captured a photo of the robotic rover from the vantage of Mars' own orbit. The U.S. space agency released the image April 24, which the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter snapped earlier this year. At the time, Curiosity was in the middle of a slow trek across the surface during its ongoing hunt for microbial life. The reconnaissance orbiter, which has been circling Mars from above since 2006, caught a glimpse of Curiosity on Feb. 28, along with the tracks the rover was leaving behind as it ascended a steep slope. The image, captured with the orbiter's HiRISE camera (High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment,) shows Curiosity as a dark speck with its tracks trailing behind it. The tracks, spanning about 1,050 feet, are likely to linger for months before wind erases them, according to NASA. The tracks lead to the base of a steep slope that the rover has since ascended on the way to its new destination: a region with potential boxwork formations, possibly made by groundwater billions of years ago. Curiosity is one of two rovers managed from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California that has spent years exploring the Mars surface for signs that the planet was once habitable. Scientists believe the geology of Mars may hold valuable clues about past ancient life, and so the robotic vehicles, controlled remotely from Earth, have slowly navigated the rocky terrain to scoop up and collect intriguing samples. The Curiosity rover began its voyage to Mars in November 2011 during a launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The rover landed in August 2012 in the Gale Crater on the boundary between Mars' cratered southern highlands and its smooth, northern plains. While exploring the crater, believed to have formed 3.7 billion years ago, Curiosity has collected 42 powderized rock samples with the drill on the end of its robotic arm. The Curiosity rover's primary destination is Mount Sharp, which rises from the floor of the crater. Perseverance then launched from the same location in July 2020, landing in February 2021 in the Jezero Crater, which scientists believe formed 3.9 billion years ago from a massive impact. The rover recently summitted the steep Jezero crater to begin the next leg of its journey exploring the crater's rim. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@ This article originally appeared on Florida Today: NASA reveals 1st photo of Curiosity rover seen from Mars' orbit
