Latest news with #EricLagatta
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Milky Way photos: Instagram-worthy images show our galaxy visible in the sky
Can you see the Milky Way galaxy from Earth? Yes! And as stargazers and skywatchers know, it's a stunning sight to see. Comprised of billions of stars, the Milky Way galaxy got its name because from our perspective on Earth, it appears as a faint band of light stretching across the entire sky. During 'Milky Way season,' the billions of stars comprising our home galaxy appear especially vibrant. The reason has much to do with the cycle of the moon, but it also has to do with how high in the sky the Milky Way should appear from our perspective here on Earth, specifically in the United States. While the Milky Way is generally always visible from Earth, certain times of year are better for stargazers to catch a glimpse. Below are photos of the Milky Way galaxy as seen from Earth and information on how to see the stunning natural phenomenon. The Milky Way is our home galaxy with a disc of stars that spans more than 100,000 light-years. "Milky Way season," when the galaxy's bright center becomes easier to see from Earth, typically runs from February to October, according to Milky Way photography website Capture the Atlas. However, the best time to see the Milky Way in the Northern Hemisphere is from March to September. Those who live in the Northern Hemisphere, which includes the entire continental United States, could have spectacular views of the Milky Way on clear nights with a new moon. Spectators will have the best luck on cloud-free nights and in locations away from city light pollution. DarkSky International maintains a website that lists all designated dark sky communities around the world, including 159 locations in the U.S. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@ This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Milky Way photos: Comprised of billions of stars and seen from Earth
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Will the flower moon be visible from Florida? What to know about 2025 May full moon
People in Florida will be able to step outside to catch the monthly full moon, which first appeared bright on Mother's Day and will remain visible for the next two nights. May's full moon, more commonly known as the flower moon, should be a welcome sight for stargazers who were most recently treated to back-to-back meteor showers. Here's everything to know about the full moon, including when to see it and how it got its nickname. A full moon occurs when Earth's celestial neighbor appears as a complete circle in the sky. From Earth, our natural satellite appears to be fully round because the whole side of the moon facing our planet is lit up by the sun's rays, according to Royal Museums Greenwich in east London. A full moon occurs nearly every 30 days as it completes one lunar phase cycle. Full moon names were an integral ancient method to track the changing months and seasons, and many that are still used today came from Colonial Americans adopting Native American names into their calendars. The Algonquin tribes of what is now the north-eastern United States called May's full moon "the flower moon due to the abundant flowers that bloom this time of year," according to the Almanac. Other nicknames for the full moon include the "corn moon" or "corn planting moon." The moon has also been referred to as the "milk moon." The moniker derives from the English and was apparently coined by a monk who claimed May is a month when cows could be milked three times a day, according to NASA. The full flower moon technically reaches its peak illumination in the middle of the day, at 12:55 p.m. ET Monday. But it will appear bright and full for two consecutive nights, including Tuesday, May 13, according to the website TimeAndDate. The celestial wonder should be visible from across the US, provided clouds don't obscure the view. Spectators are advised to find a spot with unobstructed views of the horizon. Look for the moon rising low in the southeast after sunset May 12 as it ascends to its highest point in the sky after midnight, according to EarthSky. The full moon is also a micromoon, meaning it will look a bit smaller and dimmer than usual. Micromoons occur when a full moon coincides with the point in its orbit when it's farthest from Earth, known as apogee. The next full moon will be the strawberry moon, which appears on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Contributing: Doyle Rice, USA TODAY Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@ This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Flower moon 2025: Will May 2025 full moon be visible from Florida?
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
What is the Flower moon? Here's when, how to see May's full moon, a micromoon, rise in the US
May's full moon, more commonly known as the flower moon, will rise for the next two nights. Named for the many blossoms of spring, the flower moon should delight stargazers eager for a celestial sight to see now that winter is behind us and summer is around the corner. Here's everything to know about the full moon, including when to see it and how it got its nickname. A full moon occurs when Earth's celestial neighbor appears as a complete circle in the sky. From Earth, our natural satellite appears to be fully round because the whole side of the moon facing our planet is lit up by the sun's rays, according to Royal Museums Greenwich in east London. A full moon occurs nearly every 30 days as it completes one lunar phase cycle. Full moon names were an integral ancient method to track the changing months and seasons, and many that are still used today came from Colonial Americans adopting Native American names into their calendars. The Algonquin tribes of what is now the north-eastern United States called May's full moon "the flower moon due to the abundant flowers that bloom this time of year," according to the Almanac. Other nicknames for the full moon include the "corn moon" or "corn planting moon." The moon has also been referred to as the "milk moon." The moniker derives from the English and was apparently coined by a monk who claimed May is a month when cows could be milked three times a day, according to NASA. The full flower moon technically reaches its peak illumination in the middle of the day, at 12:55 p.m. ET Monday. But it will appear bright and full for two consecutive nights, including Tuesday, May 13, according to the website TimeAndDate. The celestial wonder should be visible from across the US, provided clouds don't obscure the view. Spectators are advised to find a spot with unobstructed views of the horizon. Look for the moon rising low in the southeast after sunset May 12 as it ascends to its highest point in the sky after midnight, according to EarthSky. The full moon is also a micromoon, meaning it will look a bit smaller and dimmer than usual. Micromoons occur when a full moon coincides with the point in its orbit when it's farthest from Earth, known as apogee. After the flower moon sets, the next full moon will be the strawberry moon, which appears on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Contributing: Doyle Rice, USA TODAY Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@ This article originally appeared on Florida Today: May 2025 full moon: What time does Flower moon, a micromoon, rise?
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Peak of ETA Aquarids comes to an end: When will the next meteor shower be visible?
Within the first five months of 2025, stargazers were treated to three dazzling meteor showers that sent "shooting stars" streaking across the night sky. The peak of the latest meteor shower, known as the ETA Aquarids, has now come and gone after becoming most active for two nights in early May. The bad news? Stargazers will have to wait a few months for the next observable meteor shower activity. But there's also good news: When the cosmic phenomenon resumes in July, spectators will be treated to a string of meteor showers – two of which will overlap during their peaks. Here's everything to know about this summer's meteor shower activity, which will hit a crescendo in August with the peak of the best meteor shower of the year: The Perseids. ETA Aquarids: Peak ends, but meteors still active The Aquarids, which first became active April 19, peaked between May 5 and May 6 as Earth passed through the densest part of the cosmic debris from the famous Halley's comet, according to the American Meteor Society. While the meteors won't be as bright or dazzling after the peak, stargazers could still catch some up until about May 28. When is the next meteor shower? 2 to peak at same time Up next, both Southern delta Aquarids and the alpha Capricornids are due to peak at the same time between July 29 and July 30, according to the American Meteor Society. The Capricornids begin their activity July 12, followed by the Southern delta Aquarids on July 18. Both meteor showers will remain active until Aug. 12. Unfortunately, neither shower is famed for being very strong. The Southern Delta Aquarids are faint meteors that are difficult enough to spot as it is. But if the moon is visible at all, it will be near impossible, according to NASA. Perseids, best meteor shower of the year, coming up In August, what is widely considered among stargazers and astronomers alike to be the best meteor shower of the year will hit its peak. The Perseid meteor shower gained its reputation for the plentiful whizzing meteors and blazing fireballs it reliably produces each year pretty much around the globe. Fireballs, large explosions of light and color, can persist even longer than an average meteor streak, NASA says. This year, the Perseids are expected to peak Aug. 12-13. But they'll be active even longer, July 17-Aug. 23. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@ This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Peak of ETA Aquarids comes to an end: When is the next meteor shower?
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Is there a rocket launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, liftoff schedule from Vandenberg, California
Residents of the Golden State have a few rocket launches to look forward to in the weeks ahead. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has plans for at least two deliveries of Starlink satellites into orbit from Vandenberg, California. Meanwhile, Northrop Grumman, a launch service provider based in Virginia, is under contract for a U.S. Space Force launch there later this month. But it's important to keep in mind that rocket launches can be – and often are – scrubbed or delayed due to any number of factors, including poor weather conditions or unexpected issues with spacecraft. In Florida, rockets − including SpaceX Falcon 9 or Falcon Heavy or United Launch Alliance's Atlas V − launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station or nearby at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. In California, rockets launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Florida rocket launch schedule: Here's what's coming up for SpaceX, NASA rocket launches at Cape Canaveral Here's a look at the upcoming May 2025 launch schedule at Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California: California rocket launch, Friday, May 9, 2025: SpaceX Starlink 15-3 Mission : SpaceX will potentially launch a Falcon 9 rocket on a mission to deploy Starlink broadband satellites. Launch window : 5 p.m. PT (8 p.m. ET ) to 9 p.m. PT Friday, May 9, 2025. Rocket launch location: Space Launch Complex 4E from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Vandeberg, California California rocket launch in May 2025: SpaceX Starlink 15-4 Mission : SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 rocket on a mission to deploy Starlink broadband satellites. Launch window : To be announced Rocket launch location: Space Launch Complex 4E from Vandenberg Space Force Base. in Vandenberg, California California rocket launch in May 2025: Northrop Grumman Space Systems EWS OD-1 Mission : Northrop Grumman will launch a prototype weather satellite for the United States Space Force on its Minotaur IV rocket. The satellite, known as the Electro-Optical/Infrared Weather System (EWS), is due to remain in low-Earth orbit for about three years for a mission known as Operational Demonstration-1 (OD-1.) Launch window : To be announced Rocket launch location: Space Launch Complex 8 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Vandenberg, California A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch of 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base is viewed Dec. 28, 2024 from Encinitas, California. The image was taken following stage separation as the first stage returns to land on a droneship, in the Pacific Ocean. Stunning images! SpaceX, ULA rocket launches from Vandenberg, California, may be visible in Arizona, too Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@ This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: California rocket launch schedule: May SpaceX missions from Vandenberg
