Latest news with #VWPics
Forbes
10 hours ago
- Science
- Forbes
See A Marvelous Mars-Moon Conjunction: The Night Sky This Week
The galactic centre area of the Milky Way in Sagittarius behind the grand old barn near home in ... More southern Alberta, on June 30, 2019. (Photo by: Alan Dyer/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Each Monday, I pick out North America's celestial highlights for the week ahead (which also apply to mid-northern latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere). Check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more. The Night Sky This Week: June 23-29, 2025 With solstice out of the way, the evenings lengthen in the Northern Hemisphere. Not much, but just enough to allow some stargazing to be done. That is helped somewhat by the moon, which this week is a beautiful slim crescent in the pre-dawn sky, where it will dazzle with Venus. Meanwhile, in the quiet hours after midnight, the Milky Way begins to look its best. Here's everything you need to know about stargazing and astronomy this week: Monday, June 23: Crescent Moon And The Pleiades Monday, June 23: Crescent Moon And The Pleiades A spectacular sight awaits if you have the willpower to get up really early. Look east-northeast from around 3:30 a.m. local time for a slim waning crescent moon rising less than half a degree from the Pleiades open cluster of stars (also known as M45 and the Seven Sisters), with Venus shining brightly close by. Stunning! Thursday, June 26: Crescent Moon, Mercury And Gemini Thursday, June 26: Crescent Moon, Mercury And Gemini About 45 minutes after sunset, scan the west-northwest horizon to find a paper-thin waxing crescent Moon — just 3.4%-lit — alongside Mercury and Gemini's twin stars, Castor and Pollux. Each of the four objects will appear to be a couple of degrees apart. Friday, June 27: Crescent Moon And Mercury Friday, June 27: Crescent Moon And Mercury A slightly plumper crescent moon, now 9%-lit, will this evening shine to the upper-right of tiny Mercury, a planet that is rarely this simple to see. Earthshine — sunlight reflected from clouds and oceans — will be visible on the moon's shadowed side. Saturday, June 28: Moon, Regulus And Mars Saturday, June 28: Moon, Regulus And Mars Another post-sunset viewing of the crescent moon, now 16%-lit and climbing higher into the western sky, will also clock bright star Regulus and the planet Mars. They'll appear a couple of degrees from each other. Sunday, June 29: Moon And Mars In Conjunction Sunday, June 29: Moon And Mars In Conjunction Here's the week's celestial highlight — a very close conjunction of the moon and Mars. During the event, which will take place after sunset in the west, the two solar system objects will appear less than a fifth of a degree apart at their closest. Get everyone outside looking up at this rare and beautiful sight. The galactic core region of the Milky Way over Maskinonge Pond and Sofa Mountain at Waterton Lakes ... More National Park, Alberta on an early June night. (Photo by: Alan Dyer/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Object of the Week: June's Milky Way Though technically visible year-round, the Milky Way begins to impress in late June for Northern Hemisphere sky-watchers. Around midnight, the galaxy's core begins to rise in the south, its billions of stars visible to anyone with clear dark skies (ideally Bortle class 1–3) and the patience to allow their eyes to adapt to the dark (night vision takes at least 20–30 minutes). Ignore your smartphone, use a red flashlight and look — you'll be amazed at how clear it looks and how relaxed you'll become watching our galaxy arc across the night sky. The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums like Stellarium. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Science
- Forbes
NASA Urges Public To Leave The City As Milky Way Appears — 15 Places To Go
A panoramic image of the Milky Way over the fromations of the Garden of Eden in Arches National ... More Park, Moab, Utah. (Photo by: Jon G. Fuller/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) When and where is the best place to see the Milky Way? The bright core of the Milky Way — the biggest and best sight at night — becomes visible in June in the Northern Hemisphere. Since it rises right after dark, NASA is advising people to get away from light pollution to see it arc across the night sky. When To See The Milky Way In 2025 The Milky Way is visible from the Northern Hemisphere all year, but its bright core only emerges in the southern sky after dark in late May and June. This bright core — the center of the galaxy — is the brightest and most impressive part of the Milky Way. It's home to many nebulae and star clusters that look fabulous in binoculars. The season to see the core is generally June through September from north of the equator. That's when the constellations Sagittarius and Scorpius peek above the southern horizon, with the arc of the galaxy seen flowing into them from the Summer Triangle high in the southeast. With the solstice on June 20 this year, regions above about 50 degrees north — such as Canada and the U.K. — experience no absolute darkness, making July a better time to see the Milky Way. However, from anywhere south of that cut-off, such as the U.S. and Europe, late June is a great time to see it. However, whether you'll be able to see it at all is down to light pollution. the milky way over the grand canyon from the north rim Where To See The Milky Way In 2025 The collective brightness of up to 400 billion stars may seem easy to see, but the wonderous sight is blotted out by light pollution. The night sky's brightness increased by between 7% and 10% per year between 2011 and 2022, according to a study published in 2023. Hence this advice from NASA about seeing the Milky Way's core. "It is best observed from dark sky locations far from bright city lights and appears as a faint, cloud-like band arching across the sky toward the south," says Preston Dyches, Public engagement specialist at NASA, in a post. Imaging the Milky Way with a camera (or a newer smartphone, if it has "Night Mode") is a great way of seeing more. "Long-exposure photos make the Milky Way's bright stars and dark dust clouds even clearer," says Dyches. "However you observe it, getting out under the Milky Way in June is a truly remarkable way to connect with the cosmos." The Milky Way galaxy sets over Fajada Mesa at Chaco Canyon, New Mexico Best Places To See The Milky Way In June 2025 Dark rural skies are what you need, which you can find with the help of a light pollution map or by visiting a Dark Sky Place. Here are some of the best places to go in the U.S. and southern Europe: 1. Cherry Springs State Park International Dark Sky Park, Pennsylvania 2. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Maine 3. Gower National Landscape International Dark Sky Community, Wales 4. Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park International Dark Sky Park, Florida 5. Fremont Indian State Park International Dark Sky Park, Utah 6. Morvan Regional Park International Dark Sky Reserve, Saint-Brisson, France 7. Grand Canyon National Park International Dark Sky Park, Arizona 8. Medicine Rocks State Park International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Montana 9. Middle Fork River Forest Preserve International Dark Sky Park, Illinois 10. Chaco Culture National Historical Park International Dark Sky Park, New Mexico 11. Great Basin National Park International Dark Sky Park, California/Nevada 12. Anholt Island International Dark Sky Park, Anholt, Denmark 13. Devils River State Natural Area — Del Norte Unit International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Texas 14. Geauga Observatory Park International Dark Sky Park, Ohio 15. Obed Wild and Scenic River International Dark Sky Park, Tennessee Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
National Geographic
28-05-2025
- Science
- National Geographic
9 celestial events this June's, from a strawberry moon to interstellar clouds
The Milky Way and its core region in constellations Sagittarius and Scorpius, as seen from Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada. Composite Photograph by Alan Dyer, VW Pics/Science Photo Library Whether you're waking up early to spot Venus in the pre-dawn sky, staying up late to peep the Lagoon Nebula, or spending the whole night on the hunt for meteors, June's night sky has something for every stargazer. Here's what to keep an eye out for when you look up this month. (9 must-see night sky events to look forward to in 2025.) Venus at greatest western elongation—June 1 On June 1, Venus will reach its farthest distance west of the sun from the perspective of Earth—a point known as greatest western elongation. This is a particularly good time to get a glimpse at Earth's neighboring planet, as it won't be drowned out by sunlight. In some time zones, the exact timing of this event occurs on May 31, while in others, it's on June 1. But the best time to view Venus is just before dawn, when it rises in the eastern sky in the Northern Hemisphere, or the northeastern sky if you're in the Southern Hemisphere. A "well-placed" globular cluster—June 2 Missed seeing the "well-placed" globular clusters in May? The Great Hercules Cluster, or Messier 13, reaches its highest point in the night sky on June 2, putting it in a prime viewing position. Discovered in 1714 by English astronomer Edmond Halley, for whom the iconic Halley's Comet is named, the Great Hercules Cluster is a collection of more than 100,000 stars densely packed into a glittering, spheroidic shape. While it can be hard to discern with the naked eye, it's easily visible through binoculars. Daytime Arietids meteor shower peak—June 7 As its name implies, the prolific daytime Arietid meteor shower doesn't peak at night, but during the day. That, of course, makes most of the meteors nearly impossible to see. But there's still a chance of spotting shooting stars in the predawn hours on June 7, just before the estimated peak during the daylight hours. And if you want to "see" the daytime activity, visit the NASA Meteor Shower Portal and look for colored dots—those indicate meteors associated with the active meteor shower. The June full moon, known as the Strawberry Moon, rises over St Paul's Cathedral and The Shard in central London on June 22, 2024. Photograph by Peter Macdiarmid, eyevine/Redux The full Strawberry Moon rises behind the Empire State Building in New York City on June 21, 2024. Photograph by Gary Hershorn, Getty Images This month's full moon, known as the "Strawberry Moon," won't take on the red hue of its namesake fruit, but it is lovely nonetheless. The nickname, popularized by the Farmers' Almanac, is derived from Indigenous traditions in North America that link full moons to annual harvesting and hunting events. In June, that's the ripening of wild strawberries. (Learn about the lunar cycle and the origins of each month's full moon name.) Old European nicknames for the June full moon include the Mead or Honey Moon. According to NASA, this might be tied to the honey harvesting that happens during this month—and it could be the inspiration for the modern honeymoon, as ancient traditions called for June weddings. Mars and Regulus meet, and a "well-placed" Butterfly Cluster—June 16 Mars and the bright star Regulus—known for its colorful twinkling—will have a close encounter on June 16, with peak viewing occurring around 90 minutes after sunset. Regulus is a four-star system, as opposed to a single star, but only three of those four individual stars will be visible during this event through the eye of a telescope. Then, around midnight, the Butterfly Cluster will be "well-placed" in the night sky, reaching its highest point above the horizon. To see this butterfly-shaped open cluster of stars, grab a pair of binoculars. The summer Milky Way filling the night sky at Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada. The pink glow of the Lagoon Nebula can be seen above the horizon, in the Milky Way galaxy's core. Composite Photograph by Alan Dyer, VW Pics/UIG/Getty Images Star clusters aren't the only "well-placed" celestial objects this month. The Lagoon Nebula, or Messier 8, is a swirling cloud of interstellar gas where stars are born, located some 5,200 light years away. It reaches its highest point in the night sky around midnight on June 22. From mid-latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, the Lagoon Nebula can sometimes be seen with the naked eye under ideal viewing conditions. Otherwise, binoculars or a telescope is the best way to spot them. Prime stargazing conditions—June 25 On this night, there's a new moon lunar cycle, which means the sky will be plenty dark for stargazing. While brighter celestial objects like planets and stars are typically visible through the moon's light pollution, dimmer ones like distant galaxies and nebulae will be easier to see during the new moon, particularly through a telescope. (These are the best stargazing sites in North America.) If you're a photographer, this is the perfect time to try your hand at astrophotography. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Milky Way's galactic core rises high in the night sky throughout the summer, making it a prime focal point. A Bootid meteor seen photographed in June 2018. Photograph by Steve Dudrow, Getty Images The Bootids are a notoriously variable meteor shower, producing astonishing displays of hundreds of shooting stars some years, and just a few other years. If you're willing to try your luck, the meteor shower is expected to peak on June 27. And luck is already on your side—the moon will be barely illuminated as a waxing crescent, so it won't impede your view of fainter shooting stars. Close approach of the moon and Mars—June 30 To close out the month, the waxing crescent moon and Mars will put on a little show. Our celestial neighbors will pass within 1°16' of each other; if you hold your arm out fully toward the moon and stick your pinky finger up, your finger's width is about the distance between the pair, so you'll be able to see them simultaneously through binoculars. Keep an eye out for the "earthshine" phenomenon, where light reflected from Earth makes the unlit part of the crescent moon glow faintly. This most commonly happens just after sunset or right before sunrise.
National Geographic
28-05-2025
- National Geographic
These are the best stargazing sites in North America
Travelers are increasingly lifting their eyes to nighttime skies in search of impressive celestial phenomena and, perhaps, more. 'Looking up at the night sky is sort of what makes us human,' says Ruskin Hartley, the executive director of DarkSky International, a nonprofit group based in Tucson, Arizona. 'We have done it for millennia. Every single culture has told their first stories in the stars overhead, and they found meaning in the stars. Today, the vast majority of people are robbed of that.' On a clear night last November, I spent over two hours in a dome atop nearly 7,000-foot-tall Kitt Peak, an hour outside of Tucson, peering through one of their 20-plus telescopes. The moonless night along with the high and dry climate enabled our guide to share bright and clear highlights, including the Andromeda galaxy, the ringed planet Saturn with several of its moons, and a globular cluster. Outside the dome, we simply marveled at the stunning clarity of our galaxy home, the Milky Way. In the United States, 99 percent of us live in areas impacted by artificial light pollution. While dark skies are essential for many nocturnal creatures and ecosystems, recent studies have also touted the health benefits of darkness for humans. To help preserve and better connect us with this at-risk natural resource, DarkSky International has designated 155 dark sky places across the United States, six in Canada, and two in Mexico for stellar stargazing and efforts to preserve darkness. The Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is the first binational international Dark Sky Park. Photograph by Alan Dyer, VWPics/Alamy Stock Photo In search of the darkest sanctuaries Among the five categories of dark sky certification, sanctuaries meet the most stringent requirements, says Amber Harrison, DarkSky Places program manager, and many are in the western part of the continent in less populated areas. Designated in 2024, the world's largest international sanctuary—half the size of New Jersey—is in the high desert of the Oregon Outback. This 2.5-million-acre sanctuary includes broad and flat basins, mountain ranges with elevations from 4,700 to 8,000 feet, and alkali lakes, says Dawn Nilson, a DarkSky delegate who consulted on the process. 'With little or no light pollution, you see these celestial objects against an inky black, smooth canvas,' says Nilson. 'What's particularly special about the Outback is you get to see all those stars reflected on flat, calm, alkali lakes.' Nilson usually doesn't take her telescope along because there's no need. 'With your naked eye, you can see the many colors of the stars and star-making factories, like the Orion Nebula and the Lagoon Nebula.' In this pristine darkness, you might even spy your shadow cast by starlight. (9 must-see night sky events to look forward to in 2025) Astro adventurers should be experienced 'remote travelers,' cautions Nilson, because there may be no cell service or facilities nearby. 'Always bring more layers for warmth than you think are necessary,' she advises. Outfitters, such as Bend's Wanderlust Tours, offer guided excursions, and Rose City Astronomers (partnered with the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) hosts star parties. Oregon Astronomy will team you with telescopes and a NASA ambassador. Other U.S. sanctuaries include Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Maine's Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, the only one east of the Mississippi. Rainbow Bridge National Monument is one of Utah's 28 certified dark sky communities and parks. Photograph by Ralph Ehoff, Getty Images Southwest stargazing options In the southwest, the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve spreads 15,000 square miles across southwestern Texas and Mexico and is the largest Dark Sky reserve. You'll find a constellation of guided options, from public telescope viewing at the McDonald Observatory at the University of Texas at Austin to ranger-led night walks in Big Bend National Park to starry nights with DarkSky Texas. On any dark sky-focused adventures, we all carry 'a superpower,' says Nilson: The human capacity for night vision. However, that scotopic, or low-level light vision, takes at least 30 minutes to activate fully and can be negated by a white flashlight or a glance at an illuminated screen. Seasoned stargazers recommend using red-light flashlights and scheduling your excursion during the new moon phase for optimal darkness. (A practical guide to stargazing) With 28 certified dark sky communities and parks, Utah has the highest concentration of certified skygazing options in North America. That includes Rainbow Bridge National Monument, one of the world's largest natural bridges and also a sanctuary. The catch: Getting there requires a two-hour boat ride on Lake Powell followed by a one-hour hike. The site is considered sacred by many indigenous cultures, including the Pueblo of Zuni and the Hopi Tribe. The Pleiades star cluster and the other stars of Taurus rising above Mount Kerkeslin in Jasper National Park. Composite Photograph by Alan Dyer, VWPics/Redux Look to northern skies Straddling the Canadian border, the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is the first binational international Dark Sky Park and includes Montana's Glacier National Park and Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park. Known for its mountainous scenery and rich biodiversity, the area is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site, and both parks are UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. Dark Sky Guides in Waterton Lakes will maximize your viewing, and you can join Glacier's summertime ranger-led astronomy programs. In Quebec's Eastern Townships, guided astronomy activities abound at Parc National du Mont Mégantic, including an aurora borealis show in the AstroLab museum and guided stargazing with telescopes. (Activities are in French.) To achieve reserve status, local municipalities replaced 2,500 light fixtures and reduced local light pollution by 25 percent. In the park, you can hike to three mountain summits and explore diverse forest ecosystems. In Alberta, Jasper National Park is designated a Dark Sky Preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, one of 17 in the country. The town is actually within the preserve's limits. Every October the Jasper Dark Sky Festival takes place, and features a planetarium and telescope viewing, Indigenous music and storytelling, and guided night hikes. The night sky viewing program at Kitt Peak National Observatory. Photograph by Greg Dale, Nat Geo Image Collection The Milky Way over the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona. Photograph by Babak Tafreshi, Nat Geo Image Collection More easily accessed starry skies Lately, both urban and rural areas are darkening their skies to boost astrotourism. New Brunswick offers 'easy access to dark skies,' says Stéphane Picard of Cliff Valley Astronomy. 'Even in our cities, you're no more than 15 minutes away from a very dark sky.' The province has three dark-sky preserves designated by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, including Fundy National Park, known for the highest tides in the world. Other parks and towns are applying for designations to create a coastal stargazing corridor. 'When you're looking towards the Bay of Fundy from the New Brunswick coast, you're facing the southern half of the sky which is where mostly everything arises,' says Picard. 'We call that the rising tides and rising stars region.' The province hosts star parties with telescopes throughout the year. Several jurisdictions have designed stargazing trails, including Tucson's Astro Trail with 11 dark sky experiences and Montana's Trail to the Stars with 45 recommended sites. With 12 Dark Sky Parks and another dozen working toward certification, Colorado has a self-guided 'Experience the Night' itinerary, chock full of daytime activities and night-gazing sites, including Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Mexico's first urban night sky place, Joya-La Barreta Ecological Park, between Querétaro and San Miguel de Allende, focuses on educating the public about the value of darkness. (Why Tucson is one of the best places in the world to see the night sky) East Coast residents seeking closer options can head to Pennsylvania's Cherry Springs State Park, which is within the larger Susquehannock State Forest and has laser-guided night sky tours. West Virginia's Watoga State Park's name derives from the Cherokee name for 'starry waters,' and travelers may spy abundant constellations here. As stargazing gains in popularity, DarkSky International has developed its principles of responsible astrotourism, which emphasizes respect for local cultures and environmental health, along with sustainable growth. Hartley hopes that immersive dark sky experiences will inspire people to 'make some simple steps in and around your house and your neighborhood and your city to reclaim a little natural darkness.' (Big Sky, brighter stars: Why Montana is 2025's ultimate stargazing destination) Amy Brecount White is a Virginia-based writer with work seen in National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, National Parks Traveler, Sierra Magazine, and more. She focuses on travel, particularly immersive outdoor adventures and moments full of wonder. See more at -
Newsweek
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
White House Uses Viral Gorilla Debate to Boast About Trump's Deportations
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The White House has used the resurging viral "100 men and one gorilla debate" to publicize President Donald Trump's record on immigration. A White House-branded meme shared Thursday on its official X page featured an image of several immigrants boarding a plane, paired with a photo of the president in the foreground. It plays on the subject of a long-standing debate about whether a gorilla could be defeated by 100 men. "100 men vs 1 gorilla is still up for debate. Meanwhile, 142,000+ illegal alien criminals went up against 1 President Trump—They all got deported," the post reads. The official White House account shared a meme ((L) on X Thursday that featured an image of several immigrants boarding a plane, paired with a photo of the president looming over. File photo of Gorilla... The official White House account shared a meme ((L) on X Thursday that featured an image of several immigrants boarding a plane, paired with a photo of the president looming over. File photo of Gorilla (R). More Gerard Lacz / VWPics/The White House/VWPCS Why It Matters President Donald Trump has pledged to carry out large-scale deportations, and his administration is looking to remove from the country millions of immigrants who have no legal status. An estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants are living in the U.S, according to Pew Research Center. The White House said in the post that more than 142,000 migrants without legal status have been removed from the U.S. Newsweek has contacted the Department of Homeland Security for comment (DHS) for further comment to verify the claim. The apparent triumphalism of the meme will potentially offend Americans who might support the aims of Trump's immigration policy, but who are uncomfortable with the lack of due process in some cases. What To Know The Trump Administration has apprehended more than 158,000 immigrants without legal status in 2025, including more than 600 members of the Tren de Aragua gang, according to DHS. The online debate surrounding 100 unarmed men vs a gorilla regained traction after an X user initiated the conversation with a viral post. The user @DreamChasnMike wrote in a X post on April 25: "i think 100 n***** could beat 1 gorilla everybody just gotta be dedicated to the s***." The post has garnered over 290 million views as of May, sparking public debate on social media. YouTuber MrBeast joined the conversation by posting a mock video thumbnail titled "100 Men vs. a Gorilla," saying he needed "Need 100 men to test …" PETA has pushed back against MrBeast's proposal to bring the viral TikTok debate—'100 men vs. one gorilla'—into real life. The man vs. gorilla emerged on Reddit in 2020, in the subreddit r/whowouldwin, titled 100 men versus 1 silverback gorilla, according to Forbes. What People Are Saying MrBeast said in a post on X: Need 100 men to test this, any volunteers? PETA said in a post on X: 100 men vs. a gorilla? Maybe try 100 reasons to leave animals out of your content instead … GitHub Projects Community said in a post on X: "Showing the gorilla how to use No-as-a-Service (Naas) to politely decline Mr. Beast's next viral stunt: "100 men vs. a gorilla!" Because even gorillas deserve the right to say "No." X user @justky1018 said: "What if 100 men saw a therapist instead." What Happens Next The Trump administration will continue to focus on mass deportation policy and is expected to ramp up removals.
