Weekly SkyWatcher's Forecast: July 30 - August 5, 2012

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! It's big. It's bright. There's no escaping it. This week the Moon will be our major point of study, but don't rule out some bright globular clusters and interesting stars! There's plenty of history and science to explore, too. Whenever you're ready, just meet me in the back yard...

Weekly SkyWatcher's Forecast: July 23-29, 2012

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! Are you ready for a week filled with alternative astronomical observing studies? If so, you'll enjoy looking at some unusual stars and star clusters. If you want to keep things cool, then come along as we mine for lunar ice. Feeling a bit more lazy? Then kick back and enjoy the Delta Aquarid meteor shower or just step out after sunset and enjoy a splendid conjunction! It's all here... Just head outside!

Titan's Seasons Do The Twist

"You should see my little Sis. She really knows how to rock. She knows how to twist!" And so does a vortex which has appeared at the southern pole of Saturn's moon, Titan. It's a sign that the seasons are changing! Thanks to images taken with NASA's Cassini spacecraft, we're able to join in the dance.

Weekly SkyWatcher's Forecast: July 16-22, 2012

Messier 19 - Credit: Doug Williams, REU Program/NOAO/AURA/NSF

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! My satellite dish and internet connection has now returned from the land of Oz. While it was great to have a span of days where no electric meant no annoying lights, it also meant creative cooking excursions on the gas grill in 100 degree weather. Ah, well... the things we do for dark skies! This is New Moon week, so get out there and enjoy the Milky Way! Whenever you're ready, meet me in the back yard...

Hubble Reveals Fifth Moon Of Pluto

Through the incredible eye of NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, a team of astronomers have announced the revelation of a another moon orbiting the icy dwarf planet Pluto. The moon is incredibly tiny - only about 6 to 15 miles in diameter - and irregularly shaped. It would appear to be in a 58,000 mile diameter orbit around Pluto and assumed to be co-planar with the other satellites in the system. This brings the known number of moons orbiting Pluto to five. How exciting is that?!