Archive for February 28, 2011
Astronomy Picture of the Day
Stephan's Quintet Image Data: Hubble Legacy Archive, ESA, NASA; Processing: Hunter Wilson Explanation: The first identified compact galaxy group, Stephan's Quintet is featured in this eye-catching image constructed with data drawn from the extensive Hubble Legacy Archive. About 300 million light-years away, only four galaxies of the group are actually locked in a cosmic dance of repeated close encounters. The odd man out is easy to spot, though. The ... Full Story
Sky Tonight—March 1, Moon still close to Venus
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science Visit EarthSky at www.EarthSky.org The thin crescent moon still shines near Venus, the sky’s brightest planet, at morning dawn on Wednesday, March 2. However, you will need a level and unobstructed horizon to catch the moon and Venus low in your east-southeast sky. Look for them over the horizon about 75 to 60 minutes before sunup. Venus, the 2nd planet outward from the sun, orbits the sun one step inward from Earth. Because Venus’ ... Full Story
Slices of Life
The great toothbrush takeover By Jill Pertler Something is awry around here. I believe my household slipped through a wormhole and the rules of the cosmic universe are no longer in effect. In other words, my life is spinning out of control and reality’s gone right along with it. Something’s fishy with the toothbrushes. My family possesses six sets of teeth (not counting the dog); therefore logic would dictate a total of six toothbrushes should reside in my ... Full Story
