April 2023 – Astronomy Now

ESA works to free jammed radar boom on Jupiter-bound Juice probe

29 April 2023 Astronomy Now

A stuck radar boom threatens a critical element of the Juice mission, but engineers optimistic about a fix.

The iconic Sombrero Galaxy in Virgo

24 April 2023 Steve Kelly

If you were to take a poll of the top galaxies that amateur astronomers can observe and image, I bet you wouldn’t need to look far to see the name of the magnificent and striking Sombrero Galaxy (Messier 104 in Virgo). Simply put, the Sombrero is one of the most stunning galaxy of all and is compulsory viewing for all deep-sky observers.

UAE’s ‘Hope’ probe begins close encounters with martian moon Deimos

24 April 2023 Astronomy Now

The United Arab Emirates “Hope” probe is now making repeated close flybys of the martian moon Deimos – and snapping spectacular pictures.

Balloon-borne telescope captures Tarantula Nebula in first research images

21 April 2023 Astronomy Now

A small telescope operating in the near-space environment brings sharp vision and a wide field of view to the search for subtle signs of dark matter.

Lyrids meteor shower makes a welcome return

17 April 2023 Mark Armstrong

The April Lyrids meteor shower makes its very welcome annual return this week, as always breaking the roughly 15-week hiatus since the maximum of the past significant shower, the Quadrantids back in January.

Meet monstrous Messier 87

17 April 2023 Mark Armstrong

Lurking close to the centre of the massive agglomeration of galaxies which straddle the boundary between Virgo and Coma Berenices lies a circular, ninth-magnitude spot of light seen through binoculars and a small telescope on the Virgo side of the border.

Month: April 2023

ESA works to free jammed radar boom on Jupiter-bound Juice probe

The iconic Sombrero Galaxy in Virgo

UAE’s ‘Hope’ probe begins close encounters with martian moon Deimos

Balloon-borne telescope captures Tarantula Nebula in first research images

Lyrids meteor shower makes a welcome return

Meet monstrous Messier 87

Webb takes a “deep field” look at the Pandora Cluster, a vast galactic smash up

ESA’s ‘JUICE’ spacecraft takes off on epic voyage to Jupiter

Webb provides a spectacular hint of future “Deep Field” images while probing the distant past

A sharper image of the massive black hole lurking at the heart of M87