October 2014 – Page 3 – Astronomy Now

Saturn’s moon Tethys ‘hangs like a droplet’ on the planet’s rings

18 October 2014 Astronomy Now

Like a drop of dew hanging on a leaf, Saturn’s moon Tethys appears to be stuck to the planet’s A and F rings in this view from the Cassini probe.

Observing the Moon: The Modern Astronomer’s Guide

18 October 2014 Astronomy Now

In this newly updated book, Gerald North gently walks the reader though the fascinating world that is our nearest neighbour in space.

Amateur astronomers have ringside seats for cometary close encounter

18 October 2014 Mark Armstrong

Amateur astronomers around the globe have a ringside seat as Comet 2013 A1 (Siding Spring) hurtles through space en route to an incredibly close encounter with the planet Mars on Sunday, 19 October.

Mars probes will hide from comet dust

17 October 2014 Keith Cooper

This Sunday, a comet will come closer to Mars than any other comet has ever been seen to approach a planet without actually hitting it, sending our assorted spacecraft orbiting the red planet running for cover.

Mars versus the comet

17 October 2014 Keith Cooper

A flotilla of spacecraft orbiting Mars will be turning their instruments in two directions – one towards Comet Siding Spring, and the other towards Mars itself, to find out what happens when a planetary atmosphere brushes against the fuzzy atmosphere of a comet.

Comet Siding Spring Animation

16 October 2014 Astronomy Now

This animation shows Comet Siding Spring’s path as it comes within 132,000 kilometres (82,000 miles) of Mars on 19 October 2014.

Rosetta captures a ‘selfie’ with comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko

15 October 2014 Astronomy Now

The camera on Rosetta’s Philae lander has snapped a ‘selfie’ with comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko in the distance about 16 km away. The image was taken on 7 October and also captures the side of the Rosetta spacecraft and one of the 14 metre-long solar wings. Two images with different exposure times were combined to bring out the faint details in this very high contrast situation. The comet’s active ‘neck’ region is clearly visible, with streams of dust and gas extending away from the surface. Image: ESA/Rosetta/Philae/CIVA.

Month: October 2014