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India.com
12-05-2025
- India.com
Know Few Of The Best Hidden Clifftop Views For Stargazing Near Goa
The fame of Goa as a beach destination combined with its active nighttime life and lush landscapes reduces because the region delivers spectacular clifftop vistas perfect for watching stars. You can witness the magnificent night sky with pure clarity at these isolated locations that lie beyond city lights. Astronomy fans together with star-gazing enthusiasts will find seven undiscovered cliff viewpoints near Goa to experience marvelous celestial observations. 1. Cabo de Rama Fort Cabo de Rama Fort sits approximately 30 kilometers from Goa City so visitors can admire splendid Arabian Sea views from its cliff position. A historic fort delivers daily panoramic scenery yet operates as an enchanting nighttime location to see stars in the sky. Light pollution remains minimal at this remote location because of the absence of artificial lights so viewers can experience clear observation of Orion and the Milky Way. The height of this fort presents spectacular conditions for viewing meteor showers when the Perseids or Geminids reach their peak. 2. Dudhsagar Viewpoint Visitors come to Dudhsagar Falls for its waterfalls but they discover the same enchantment at nighttime from the vantage point by the falls. The Western Ghats mountains at this elevation position create an ideal spot to catch the entire horizon. The thick forest canopy encircling this location minimizes all forms of lighting interference thus providing perfect visibility for astronomical observations. The stars at this vantage point become visible to observers equipped with telescopes because observation conditions remain unobstructed. 3. Colva Beach Cliffs Most people who visit Colva Beach stick to the visited areas although the secluded cliff areas remain empty. Growing up between the limited activity at the beachfront, you will find these tall rock formations that create superb conditions for star-watching. Settle into the peaceful atmosphere of the cliffs when most people have left after sunset to watch the stars in comfort. Winter air produces dry conditions which boost the visibility of stars including shooting stars because of its clear atmosphere. 4. Chapora Fort Science buffs unite with nature enthusiasts at Chapora Fort due to its popularity in Bollywood movies. The vantage position on a hill offers panoramic views of the Vagator coastline together with surrounding areas to all visitors. During nighttime the darkness produced by settlements distant from the area creates ideal conditions to observe the stars. When you stand in this specific location you will clearly see major celestial patterns along with occasional appearances of planets such as Venus and Jupiter. 5. Talpona River Estuary People searching for peaceful time alone can enjoy splendor and cosmic sightlines from cliffs located around the Talpona River estuarine region. The location gets its isolation from area mangroves and undeveloped land which blocks out artificial light sources. The combination of the peaceful river and broad night sky space produces a dreamscape atmosphere. The full moon creates a special sight because its light reflects across the water surface. 6. Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary exists as a biodiverse protected area which lies southeast of Goa City where it borders steep hills that meet extensive forest cover. The sanctuary provides a dual purpose as a wildlife reserve together with an area that attracts space watchers. Different heights throughout the sanctuary offer better sky visibility due to the surrounding vegetation which protects against nearby village lights. According to numerous visitors the spectacular astrophysical views should be experienced by spending at least one night under the stars. 7. Mormugao Headland Near Vasco da Gama stands Mormugao Headland which presents itself as a secret observation point for stargazing enthusiasts. This rough sea-facing area extends far into the ocean region with a complete view of the distant scenery. Minimal human traffic prevailing in the Mormugao Port Trust territory ensures there is limited disturbance there. For clear night conditions the headland offers a front-row viewing experience that displays stellar performances with both star twinkling and fireball meteor displays in the night sky. Tips for Stargazing Near Goa City These five practical guidelines will enhance your experience during stargazing: Obtain clear weather information because it ensures the best stargazing conditions. Planning your trip during June to September is not recommended because these months bring heavy cloud cover to the region. The journey to star-gazing requires basics including flexible blankets alongside nutritional snacks and water bottles and repellent against pests. The use of a red flashlight is essential because of its ability to maintain night vision preservation. You should utilize stargazing applications like SkyView and Stellarium which enable users to recognize celestial formations along with planets. The conservation of nature requires you to leave behind no signs of human presence. Generously dispose of waste properly together with maintaining a respectful distance from regional living organisms. Conclusion Goa possesses more than its well-known beachfront lifestyle and cultural richness because mysterious observation points appear that reveal the universe's wonders to visitors. Both Cabo de Rama Fort and Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary offer different star-gazing opportunities from their cliffside locations although they provide separate viewing experiences. The darkness of remote Goa features places that will make you sense an unearthly dimension. You should prepare your equipment together by throwing yourself into a celestial trip while relying on celestial navigation.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Why are meteor showers so unpredictable? The sun may be to blame
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Our sun is wobbling, and this has a huge impact upon the regularity of many of Earth's meteor showers, according to new research that discovers why streams of comet dust bob and weave in and out of Earth's orbit. Stargazers are familiar with half a dozen or so bright meteor showers that return with unerring regularity every year — April's Lyrids, August's Perseids, Decembers's Geminids and others. What most people don't realize is that Earth has approximately 500 distinct meteor showers. Many of these are seemingly unpredictable. But now astronomers think they know why. When comets come close enough to the sun, they begin to warm up, which causes ices to vaporize and pockets of gas beneath the surface to expand and burst out, carrying dust into space. Although we're familiar with dusty comet tails close to the sun, tail formation can begin while a comet is still beyond the orbit of Saturn. The streams of material they leave behind linger long after their parent comet has headed back out of the solar system on orbits lasting centuries or even millennia. Related: Meteor showers 2025: When, where and how to see the best 'shooting stars' of the year Stuart Pilorz and Peter Jenniskens of the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute in California wanted to track some of these meteoroid streams back to their parent comet. Meteoroids are how we refer to these small dust particles and pebbles when they are in space; once they enter the atmosphere as a shooting star we call them meteors, and if they manage to reach the ground, they are called meteorites. However, tracking the streams back to their parents is not easy, because the streams move, weaving in and out of Earth's orbit and spreading out over time. The regular meteor showers that we are most familiar with come from meteoroid streams that have dispersed quite widely; some of these familiar periodic meteor showers can last weeks as Earth moves through the wide stream. However, when a meteoroid stream is still relatively young, it is quite narrow and, as it moves around, sometimes the Earth will pass through it, sparking a meteor shower. Other times, Earth will miss it. Computer simulations were having trouble explaining this movement of the streams. Then Pilorz and Jenniskens realized something that in hindsight might seem obvious. "Contrary to popular conception, everything in the solar system does not orbit the sun," said Pilorz in a statement. "Rather, the sun and planets all orbit their common center of mass, known to scientists as the solar system barycenter." The sun appears to wobble as it moves around this barycenter, which is located just outside the sun — pretty close to it, because the sun contains the vast majority of mass in the solar system. The position of this barycenter shifts, matching the orbits of the planets, particularly the two most massive, Jupiter and Saturn. It's the same principle that allows astronomers to use radial velocity measurements to discover exoplanets based on how a star wobbles about the center of mass in its system. When Pilorz and Jenniskens introduced this fact to their simulations, they found it accurately described the movement and dispersal of the meteoroid streams as they loop around the sun. The meteoroids in a cometary dust stream gain a gravitational boost, or are braked, by interactions with the wobbling sun as they pass close to it. Pilorz compares it to the way spacecraft can be sped up in a gravitational slingshot effect, or slowed down, during planetary flybys. The duo also noticed that, while beyond the orbit of Jupiter, meteoroids in a stream orbit the solar system's barycenter. Their orbit is therefore referred to as barycentric. However, inside the orbit of Jupiter, the sun's gravity is great enough to make the meteoroids orbit the sun rather than the barycenter, hence they become heliocentric. "Long-period comets spend most of their lives so far away from the solar system that they feel the tug from the barycenter," said Pilorz. "But every few hundred years, they swoop inside Jupiter's orbit and come under the sun's influence." This subtle difference results in a step-change in the motion of the streams. "We found that the two jumps in the plane of motion, when the sun takes control as the comet approaches and then again when it hands control back to the barycenter as the comet heads away, kicked the inclination and node of the orbit by a small amount," said Pilorz. "Again, if we considered the sun fixed at the center, the reason for this change is not obvious." Related: Comets: Everything you need to know about the 'dirty snowballs' of space Related stories: — Lyrid meteor shower 2025 delights stargazers with the help of a dramatic fireball display (photos) — Meteor showers and shooting stars: Formation and history — Solar system planets, order and formation: The ultimate guide To test this model, Jenniskens made a prediction that one particular meteor shower would return when Jupiter and Saturn were in certain locations in their respective orbits, their gravity pulling the barycenter and the wobbling sun in a certain direction to nudge the stream so that it cut across Earth's path. "We traveled to Spain in an attempt to record one of these showers and saw what was described in the past as 'stars fall at midnight,'" said Jenniskens. "The whole shower lasted only 40 minutes, but there was a bright meteor every minute at the peak." The motion of Jupiter and Saturn in their orbits — which last 12 and 29 years, respectively — results in this particular meteor shower returning every 60 years, Jenniskens and Pilorz found. Over millennia or longer, these meteoroid streams will disperse like the others, becoming wider. This occurs because the meteoroid stream is long as it wraps around the sun, and different meteoroids receive a gravitational kick at different times, increasing the range of orbital motions within the stream, widening it. The research was published online April 13 in the journal Icarus.
India.com
22-04-2025
- India.com
Top 7 Secret Clifftop Spots Near Dehradun For Perfect Stargazing
The Himalayan foothills city of Dehradun gives residents breathtaking nighttime stargazing through its natural landscape surrounding the city. Beyond city illumination the clifftop locations surrounding Dehradun create wonderful conditions which make observing stars a delightful experience. Both casual observers of the stars and professional astronomers need to see the beautiful viewing points located in hidden areas. The following guide presents the top clifftop viewing spots for stargazing around Dehradun. 1. Robber's Cave (Guchhupani) Robber's Cave stands as a famous natural destination near Dehradun which attracts visitors because of its intriguing combination of limestone caves and subterranean river flow. It surprises many people to discover that Robber's Cave surrounds an excellent location suitable for star observations. From this elevation you can spot the stars in the dark sky because the area near the cave has very little artificial lighting. Under transparent night conditions you can observe the Milky Way reach from one horizon to another. Go to Robber's Cave when visitor volume is low so you can fully enjoy watching the night stars. 2. Malsi Deer Park Hills The attractive combination of wildlife and picturesque landscapes makes Malsi Deer Park stand out near Dehradun's edge. The park draws many tourists but the surrounding hill area next to it transforms into a peaceful environment after the sunset. Both elevations permit unhindered observations of space since they enjoy complete darkness. Because of its remote location the park stays dark which enables people to see Orion and Cassiopeia constellations clearly. A telescope or binoculars will improve your view of distant galaxies and nebulae when viewing the night sky. 3. Sahastradhara Cliffside Sahastradhara stands out because of its thousand-fold spring nature which includes sulphur springs and waterfalls. Beyond its daytime allure, the cliffside areas here offer spectacular panoramic views of the valley below and the starlit sky above. Due to its elevated position and wide-open area the Perseids and Geminids meteor showers become easily detectable. Viewing shooting stars is a fortunate experience you could encounter as they produce dazzling streaks that cross the sky. Warm clothing needs to be packed since evening temperatures descend substantially. 4. Forest Research Institute Ridge The Forest Research Institute (FRI) campus located in Dehradun is both nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status and functions as a sanctuary for nature enthusiasts. The ridge behind the institute offers visitors a private area to see the entire night sky in all its beauty. This spot is located within a heavily forested area which shields it from artificial light contamination. People who want to observe globular clusters and distant galaxies will find this location especially advantageous. When exploring distant territories you should always notify someone about your excursion since safety considerations dictate this practice. 5. Chakrata Viewpoints Chakrata exists at a greater distance from Dehradun with a journey spanning 90 kilometers but offers star watchers a perfect destination. Winding up at 2,000 meters elevation makes this hill station home to pure air together with unbeatable views of cosmic phenomena. Visitors can admire the powerful illumination of stars while standing at the Tiger Falls viewpoint among the nearby cliff areas. Because of its distance from other areas Chakrata reduces practically all outdoor light emissions so star-gazing enthusiasts can fully experience cosmic phenomena. 6. Kempty Falls Surroundings The stargazing enthusiast will find Kempty Falls approximately 15 kilometers from Mussoorie to be another impressive star-gazing destination. The cliff regions surrounding Kempty Falls gain enchanting qualities during nighttime although they're typically recognized for daytime picnics. Observing the planets Jupiter and Saturn becomes simpler because at this altitude and scarce human presence there is better visibility. Bring enough water, snacks and equipment to rely on since nighttime facilities might provide restricted amenities at Kempty Falls. 7. Dhanaulti Eco Park Overlook People consider Dhanaulti to be Mussoorie's quieter counterpart because it combines environmental tourism with stunning scenery. You can enjoy excellent stargazing at Dhanaulti Eco Park because its elevated location features quiet surroundings. Nights spent in this location allow you to embrace nature fully as you lose yourself in the sights of the heavens above the pine-covered hills. Due to limited solar activity you should seek auroras during those times but their manifestation is commonly scarce at your location. Tips for a Memorable Stargazing Experience The quality of nighttime observations requires completely clear skies. Websites and weather applications can assist you in making proper planning decisions. The best viewing experience under the stars becomes possible with an appropriate pair of binoculars or a portable telescope. You should bring both star map software together with pre-downloaded offline mapping programs to detect the arrangements of stars. Minimize exposure to cool temperatures which become more prevalent in Dehradun's hill regions during winter season when night falls. The combination of various clothing layers and additional blankets will ensure your comfort. Conserving night vision requires you to steer clear of directly using flashlights or mobile phones as well as using red-light filters during observation. Watch local laws at all times and completely remove any human traces from your presence. It is important to verify local regulations before planning any nighttime outdoor activities in a given area. Safety First: Inform friends or family about your whereabouts and expected return time. Maintain portable first aid equipment and consume sufficient fluids throughout the evening. Conclusion The proximity of Dehradun to Himalayan mountain ranges enables one to experience breathtaking stargazing vistas in their natural setting. Each location between Robber's Cave cliffs and Chakrata reaches different heights in the range to bring special astronomy experiences for enthusiasts. Due care in planning and environmental respect allows you to experience unforgettable starry nights. Obtain your equipment and visit these concealed cliff observation spots where you will be enthralled by cosmic wonders.
San Francisco Chronicle
21-04-2025
- Science
- San Francisco Chronicle
Want to see the Lyrid meteor shower? Here's how to have the best chance in the Bay Area
The Lyrid meteor shower peaks Monday night, providing Bay Area stargazers with an opportunity to spot meteors. Local weather conditions should generally cooperate, though coastal areas are more likely to be foggy. There may be a few passing high clouds along the bay shoreline and inland, but Chronicle meteorologists expect conditions to be clear before midnight. The moon also shouldn't be a problem, as it was in previous years. 'The light from the crescent moon will not interfere too much with the viewing, but it is best to look away from the moon, preferably placing it behind you,' said Bill Cooke, who leads NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office at the agency's Marshall Space Flight Center, in a statement. The best time for meteor showers is generally between midnight and dawn, said Andrew Fraknoi, an astronomy professor at the Fromm Institute at the University of San Francisco. Experts recommend that Bay Area residents seek out the darkest locations they can and give their eyes time to adjust to the darkness. And, importantly, be patient. 'It's not like fireworks,' Fraknoi said. The Lyrid meteor shower occurs every year, when the Earth passes through debris left in the wake of Comet Thatcher. The comet's orbit around the sun takes just over four centuries to complete. While the peak of the event is Monday night, meteors will be visible through April 26. Comets are mostly made up of ice, but they also contain dust and rocky material. 'It's really cosmic dirt,' Fraknoi said. 'These are leftover chunks from the beginning of the solar system.' As comets travel closer to the sun, ice vaporizes and debris is left behind. When Earth's orbit passes through the trail of cosmic dirt, particles fly through the planet's atmosphere and burn up. 'You see a streak of light,' said Gerald McKeegan, an adjunct astronomer at Chabot Space & Science Center. 'That is a meteor.' The Lyrid meteor shower doesn't tend to produce long, glowing trains as meteors streak through the night sky. But meteors can produce occasional bright flashes. Unlike the Perseids or the Geminids, 'this is kind of a modest meteor shower,' McKeegan said. 'You're only going to see 15 or 20 meteors in the course of an hour, and that's only if you're in a dark sky location.' That figure is based on rates during peaks of Lyrid meteor showers in previous years. Some years, however, the Lyrid has surprised watchers with as many as 100 meteors per hour. The Lyrid meteor shower is so named because meteors appear to originate from the vicinity of the constellation Lyra. But meteors can appear anywhere in the night sky. 'The more of the sky you can scan, the more likely you'll be to actually see a meteor,' Fraknoi said.
Forbes
14-04-2025
- Science
- Forbes
See Two Meteor Showers And A ‘Planet Parade:' The Night Sky This Week
Geminid Meteor Shower 2020 over pond and direct road in Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife ... More Management Area near Punta Gorda, Florida. The Geminids meteor shower is caused by the object 3200 Phaethon which is thought to be a Palladian asteroid with a "rock comet" orbit. Geminids were first observed in 1862. Each Monday, I pick out North America's celestial highlights for the week ahead (which also apply to mid-northern latitudes in the northern hemisphere). Check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more. With a full pink moon on the wane, this coming week will see our satellite rise later each night, eventually becoming a post-midnight object by the weekend. During that journey, sky-watchers will see the peak of a meteor shower and the return — albeit just before dawn — of a par ade of four planets, with Venus and Saturn impressing. Here's everything you need to know about stargazing and astronomy this week: A short annual meteor shower — the first since January — officially begins tonight and lasts through April 26. Although the peak night (when about 20 shooting stars per hour will be seen) won't occur until next week (in the early hours of Tuesday, April 22), if you go stargazing this week, you'll probably see one or two Lyrids. Although clear and dark skies are essential — the latter will be problematic before midnight this week — the Lyrids can produce occasional bright fireballs among its roughly 18 per hour at its peak. Saturday, April 19: Venus, Saturn And Mercury Rising Another planet parade? The media's obsession with March's display of four bright planets in the post-sunset sky ended when dim Saturn, then bright Venus, disappeared into the sun's glare. They've since re-emerged in the pre-dawn night sky. This morning, Mercury will join them, though it's a sight only for the precise observer who looks east about 45 minutes before sunrise. It's one of the best times in 2025 to see the 'swift planet,' though by far the easier target will be Venus. If you use binoculars, put them away before sunrise where you are to keep your eyes safe. The Lyrids aren't the only annual meteor shower to kick off this week. The result of rocks and dust left in Earth's orbital path by none other than Halley's Comet, the Eta Aquariid meteor shower — one of the longest-lasting of the year — begins tonight and continues through May 21. Its peak will come in the early hours of Sunday, May 4, when about 30 shooting stars per hour can be seen from north of the equator. South of the equator is more like 60 per hour. Today also sees the moon reach its last quarter phase, when it rises after midnight, clearing the evening hours of moonlight and making them ideal for stargazing. Relatively little known yet visible for much of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, the constellation of Boötes is easy to find. Use the stars of the Big Dipper's handle, now high in the northern sky, to come down in an 'arc to Arcturus,' a bright golden-looking red giant star above the east after dark. With Arcturus at the center, use its surrounding stars to shape a cocktail glass. Boötes is a herdsman, but hey, whatever works. The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums like Stellarium. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
