Archive – Page 341 – Astronomy Now

Dark energy explained by relativistic time dilation?

5 January 2015 Astronomy Now

Dark energy is proposed to drive the accelerated expansion of the universe, but a new study suggests that changing how we think about time dilation in relation to gravity as predicted by Albert Einstein can provide an alternate explanation.

Elusive Mercury and dazzling Venus together as evening stars

2 January 2015 Mark Armstrong

Inner planets Mercury and Venus are currently approaching conjunction, low to the southwest horizon shortly after sunset. If you have an extra clear sky, then Mars completes the scene.

Jupiter’s moon events enthral observers

2 January 2015 Ade Ashford

The continued edgewise orbital aspect of Jupiter’s large moons Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto means that they still regularly eclipse and occult each other. Multiple shadow transits also continue throughout January.

Don’t miss the Quadrantid meteor shower

2 January 2015 Mark Armstrong

The first shooting stars of 2015 belong to the the Quadrantids, a shower that peaks on the night of 3rd/4th January. Despite the interference of a gibbous Moon, expect some bright, sometimes blue and yellow coloured meteors that may leave glowing trails.

Dawn begins final approach to dwarf planet Ceres

1 January 2015 Stephen Clark

NASA’s Dawn spacecraft has begun its final approach to the dwarf planet Ceres, the largest object in the asteroid belt, for an in-depth survey of the uncharted world.

Ten years ago Cassini imaged Saturn’s moon Iapetus

31 December 2014 Astronomy Now

A decade ago, the Cassini probe made a New Year’s Eve close approach to Saturn’s moon Iapetus and captured astonishing views of its remarkable surface.

Something nice for the wall

31 December 2014 Steve Ringwood

Do you feel that your current decor is a little drab? If so, give you room an out-of-this-world makeover with an astronomically-themed wallpaper mural!

Get ready for Comet Lovejoy!

29 December 2014 Ade Ashford

C/2014 Q2, better known as Comet Lovejoy, is brightening fast and rapidly heading into the Northern Hemisphere sky. Here’s our quick guide to viewing what will hopefully be the first naked-eye comet of 2015.

Polar scars on Saturn’s moon Mimas

29 December 2014 Astronomy Now

This image from the Cassini probe of Saturn’s moon Mimas shows the scars of numerous impacts near the north pole.

NASA spacecraft to get bonus time studying Mercury

29 December 2014 Stephen Clark

Running low on fuel after completing the first global survey of Mercury, NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft could get an extra month of time at the solar system’s innermost planet thanks to a crafty new way of using helium gas to temporarily forestall the mission’s end next year.