Latest news with #LaurelBlanchard
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Smiley face in space: When and how to see in Central Florida
The Brief This week, residents across Central Florida will have the opportunity to see a smiley face in space. Two planets and the moon will align just right above the horizon, creating what looks like two eyes and a mouth. About 30 minutes before the sun rises on Friday, April 25, will be the best time to see the smiley face in space. ORLANDO, Fla. - This week, the early morning sky will literally be smiling down at you in Central Florida as the planets and the moon align just right to create a celestial smiley face. Here's when and how you can see the space anomaly. What we know Two planets and the moon will align just right above the horizon, creating what looks like two eyes and a mouth. The moon will also be in its thin waning crescent phase, so it will look like a big happy smile. Dig deeper A planetary conjunction is when two or more astronomical objects appear to be very close together in the night sky. Venus and Saturn will look like they are right next together and measure about four degrees apart when looking at them in the night sky. This conveniently aligns with the moon, which will be just to the left of the Venus and Saturn conjunction, creating the celestial smiley face. Local perspective Yes, you will be able to see the smiley face in space in Florida. However, you will have to be up early in the morning and look to the horizon to see Venus, Saturn and the moon line up to look like a smiley face. Timeline About 30 minutes before the sun rises on Friday, April 25, will be the best time to see the smiley face in space. Look to the eastern sky just above the horizon, and you will be able to see a happy face to start your Friday morning. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by FOX 35 Storm Team Meteorologist Laurel Blanchard.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Lyrid Meteor Shower: When and how to watch in Central Florida
The Brief The Lyrid Meteor Shower has been a spectacle for star gazers during the month of April for the past 2,700 years. The meteor shower happens when the Earth passes by a cluster of space rock debris as it makes its way around the sun. This meteor shower will reach its peak at the beginning of next week, and we will be able to see it here in Central Florida. ORLANDO, Fla. - The Lyrid Meteor Shower has been a spectacle for star gazers during the month of April for the past 2,700 years. This meteor shower will reach its peak at the beginning of next week, and we will be able to see it here in Central Florida. The backstory The Lyrid Meteor Shower is an annual celestial event that happens throughout the month of April when the Earth passes by a cluster of space rock debris as it makes its way around the sun. When these particles interact with the Earth's atmosphere, they burn up, creating streaks of light across the sky. Local perspective Yes! We will be able to see the Lyrid Meteor Shower in Central Florida. The meteor shower will be in a prime position to see the Lyrid Meteors. Timeline The Lyrid Meteor Shower will reach its peak the night of Monday, April 21, and the morning of Tuesday, April 22. The best time to see the meteor shower will be after midnight. Between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Tuesday morning will be the best time to look outside before the sun starts to rise. What you can do Early Tuesday morning, between 1a.m. and 5 a.m., will be the best time to see the meteors streaking across the sky. You will want to get away from as much light pollution and try to find a wide open space to see as much of the night sky as possible. Look to the northeast sky, and allow your eyes to adjust for about 15 to 20 minutes. Be patient, and soon you should see some meteors with the naked eye. By the numbers Monday night into early Tuesday morning will be the peak of the meteor shower. Star gazers will have the chance to see up to 20 meteors per hour. You will have to keep your eyes peeled, though. These meteors will be zooming across the sky at about 30 miles per second. That's really, really fast! What To Expect Here in Central Florida, the forecast looks good for stargazers who are looking to go out and see the meteor shower. The skies will be mainly clear, and temperatures will be mild through the 60s. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information gathered by FOX 35 Storm Team Meteorologist Laurel Blanchard.
