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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
What does Milky Way galaxy look like when it's visible from Earth? When is Milky Way season?
What does the Milky Way look like? Sometimes, the billions of stars comprising our home galaxy appear especially vibrant during 'Milky Way season' as the band arcs across the night sky. 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. Here's everything to know about our Milky Way, including how (and when) 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. Because it appears as a rotating disc curving out from a dense central region, the Milky Way is known as a spiral galaxy. Our planet itself is located along one of the galaxy's spiral arms, about halfway from the center, according to NASA. The Milky Way sits in a cosmic neighborhood called the Local Group that includes more than 50 other galaxies. Those galaxies can be as small as a dwarf galaxy with up to only a few billion stars, or as large as Andromeda, our nearest large galactic neighbor. The Milky Way got its name because from our perspective on Earth, it appears as a faint band of light stretching across the entire sky. While the Milky Way is generally always visible from Earth, certain times of year are better for stargazers to catch a glimpse of the band of billions of stars comprising our galaxy. "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. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Milky Way rises in the southeast, travels across the southern sky and sets in the southwest, according to Typically, the sky is darkest between about midnight and 5 a.m., according to Capture the Atlas. Stargazers can observe the Milky Way galaxy by looking for the Summer Triangle, "a shape formed by three bright stars" that spans across the Milky Way, according to In Florida, the National Park Service recommends the Everglades: 'Each month around the time of the new moon, Everglades National Park offers superbly dark conditions that are ideal for viewing the Milky Way. On a dark night and in a dark place within the park, look to the south to find the Milky Way. 'In the Northern Hemisphere, the center of the Milky Way will be low in the southern sky, and the glowing band will sweep upward in an arch across the eastern sky to the northern horizon. Some parts of the faint silvery or milky cloud will be slightly mottled. The brighter spots are caused by star clouds, which are concentrations of millions of stars that are too faint to see as individual stars. The darker areas are caused by clouds of interstellar dust that block our view of the stars beyond. 'Viewing the Milky Way with a pair of binoculars will provide enough magnification to resolve the Milky Way into thousands of individual stars,' the section about Florida and the Milky Way on states. 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 season: How it got its name, when to see it in Florida sky
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
What is a Molotov cocktail, used in attack on pro-Israel activists in US?
Molotov cocktails were used in a 'targeted terror attack' on a pro-Israel demonstration in the United States on Monday. A suspect, identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, also used a makeshift flamethrower in the attack, reported the Associated Press. Six people were injured, with their wounds being consistent with burns. Also Read: Boulder attack: Witness says Molotov cocktail thrown at pro-Israel protestors, raising terrorism concerns Several videos have also emerged on social media showing the suspect holding Molotov cocktails in his hand. The 45-year-old suspect himself was also reportedly injured and was taken to the hospital for treatment. A Molotov cocktail is a makeshift flame-throwing device used to cause fires. The crude bomb is made of a bottle filled with a flammable liquid (such as gasoline) and usually fitted with a wick (such as a rag ) that is ignited just before the bottle is hurled at its target. According to the American historian William Trotter, the phrase comes from Finnish, where it is called "Molotovin koktaili." Also Read: 'Palestine is free': FBI investigates 'targeted terror attack' in Boulder, Colorado The history of the improvised incendiary device can be traced to Russian politician Vyacheslav Molotov, who was the foreign minister of the Soviet Union during World War II, as per a report from In 1939, during the Winter War, Russian foreign minister Molotov produced propaganda against their enemies in Finland, on Soviet radio, claiming that bombing missions over the country were 'airborne food deliveries' for their 'starving neighbours.' The bombs were sarcastically named by the Finnish people as 'Molotov bread baskets." Later, when the hand-held fire-throwing bottles were invented, they were named 'Molotov cocktails,' as a drink to go with the bombs (breadbaskets) being dropped by Russia. The outnumbered Finnish population developed the firebomb as a means to easily attack and destroy Soviet tanks, which were fueled by gasoline and were extremely flammable. Due to its simple ingredients - a bottle, gasoline and a wick - Finland managed to mass-produce the Molotov cocktails, with state liquor factories making vodka, manufacturing the devices instead. The Alko corporation in 1939, made 5,00,000 of the flamethrowing bottles which empowered the Finnish to push back Soviet forces despite their superior military strength. The Molotov cocktail also allowed the Finnish people, who were equipped with limited weaponry and armaments, to isolate large Soviet tanks from the infantry troops and attack them with the flamethrowers in a difficult terrain, where they could not manoeuvre away from the bomb. The Molotov cocktail became a key weapon in several civil uprisings and revolutions after its conception in the 1930s.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Why is it called Strawberry Moon? How to glimpse June's full moon in Michigan
June is nearly here and the Strawberry Moon is on its way, set to symbolize the season's early fruit harvests. Look up June 11 to catch a glimpse of the Strawberry Moon lighting up Michigan skies. Here's what to know about the Strawberry Moon. No, the Strawberry Moon is not a supermoon. The Strawberry Moon, June's full moon, will reach peak illumination June 11. The previous full moon was May's Flower Moon. The name Strawberry Moon comes from June-bearing strawberries ripening during this season, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. The moon is currently in its new moon phase, at 0% illumination, according to The moon's phases in June 2025 are: New Moon: May 27 First Quarter: June 3 Full Moon: June 11 Last Quarter: June 18 New Moon: June 25 Clear skies will ensure optimal viewing, so keep an eye on the weather forecast. The full moon will peak in the afternoon at 3:44 p.m. and appear full that night. The average distance between the Earth and the moon is 238,855 miles. At its farthest from the Earth, the moon is about 252,088 miles away and astronomers say it's at apogee. When the moon is at perigee, it's 225,623 miles away. You may have noticed the moon will occasionally take on a dramatic shade of orange or red in the night sky. That's because of how sunlight strikes the moon's surface after passing through the atmosphere. When the moon moves into the inner part of Earth's shadow, or umbra, according to NASA, some of the sunlight entering Earth's skies scatters before reaching the moon's surface. Colors with shorter wavelengths, such as blues and violets, scatter more easily than colors with longer wavelengths, which include red and orange. Here are all the full moons of 2025: More: Michigan lays claim to oldest rocks in US. Where you can find 3.6 billion-year-old stone Wolf Moon: January Snow Moon: February Worm Moon: March Pink Moon: April Flower Moon: May Strawberry Moon: June Buck Moon: July Sturgeon Moon: August Corn Moon: September Harvest Moon: October Beaver Moon: November Cold Moon: December The Buck Moon will peak July 11, 2025. 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. Typically, the sky is darkest between about midnight and 5 a.m., according to Capture the Atlas. Stargazers can observe the Milky Way galaxy by looking for the "Summer Triangle," "a shape formed by three bright stars" that spans across the Milky Way, according to In the northern hemisphere, the Milky Way rises in the southeast, travels across the southern sky and sets in the southwest, according to DarkSky International maintains a website that lists all designated dark sky communities around the world, including 159 locations in the U.S. and multiple sites in Michigan. Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: When to view Strawberry Moon. 10 things about moon, night sky
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Look up, Washington: Milky Way galaxy shines over Memorial Day weekend
The Milky Way could be coming to a sky near you. The billions of stars comprising our home galaxy should appear especially vibrant in late-May as the band arcs across the night sky. 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. Here's everything to know about our Milky Way, including 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. Because it appears as a rotating disc curving out from a dense central region, the Milky Way is known as a spiral galaxy. Our planet itself is located along one of the galaxy's spiral arms, about halfway from the center, according to NASA. The Milky Way sits in a cosmic neighborhood called the Local Group that includes more than 50 other galaxies. Those galaxies can be as small as a dwarf galaxy with up to only a few billion stars, or as large as Andromeda, our nearest large galactic neighbor. The Milky Way got its name because from our perspective on Earth, it appears as a faint band of light stretching across the entire sky. While the Milky Way is generally always visible from Earth, certain times of year are better for stargazers to catch a glimpse of the band of billions of stars comprising our galaxy. "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. And for several days in May, the Milky Way may be even more visible than usual. The peak days to view the Milky Way will be from Tuesday, May 20, to Friday, May 30, according to science news website LiveScience. That's the period between the last quarter moon and the new moon, when skies should be darker. 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. Typically, the sky is darkest between about midnight and 5 a.m., according to Capture the Atlas. Stargazers can observe the Milky Way galaxy by looking for the Summer Triangle, "a shape formed by three bright stars" that spans across the Milky Way, according to In the Northern Hemisphere, the Milky Way rises in the southeast, travels across the southern sky and sets in the southwest, according to 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. Timing up your viewing experience with a new moon phase will also help so that light reflected off our celestial neighbor doesn't drown out the billions of stars lighting up the Milky Way, astronomers say. Just like Earth, half of the moon is always illuminated by the sun, while the other half remains dark. A new moon represents the start of a new lunar cycle, when the illuminated side of Earth's natural satellite is facing away from our planet, rendering it effectively invisible to us. As the moon orbits around Earth and Earth orbits around the sun, the amount of sunlight that reflects off the moon and travels to our eyes changes every day until the moon appears as full. The next new moon is May 26, according to the website TimeAndDate. Cloud cover forecasts from the National Weather Service are a mixed bag for viewing the night sky on May 26, the day of the new moon. At 11 p.m. on May 26, cloud cover in central and eastern Washington is predicted to range from 18% to 31%, according to the NWS. The lower the percentage, the clearer the sky will be. These percentages are considered "good" viewing conditions by But the picture gets muddier moving west. In Seattle, cloud cover is predicted to be about 66%, which approaches the "poor" range for seeing the sky, according to The NWS shows improved cloud cover conditions across western Washington on May 27. This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Is Milky Way visible from Washington? How to watch on Memorial Day
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
When to see the Milky Way in Oregon on Memorial Day weekend
The Milky Way will be visible across the United States Memorial Day weekend, but will Oregonians be able to see it? The billions of stars comprising our home galaxy should appear especially vibrant in late-May as the band arcs across the night sky. 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. Here's everything to know about our Milky Way, including 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. Because it appears as a rotating disc curving out from a dense central region, the Milky Way is known as a spiral galaxy. Our planet itself is located along one of the galaxy's spiral arms, about halfway from the center, according to NASA. The Milky Way sits in a cosmic neighborhood called the Local Group that includes more than 50 other galaxies. Those galaxies can be as small as a dwarf galaxy with up to only a few billion stars, or as large as Andromeda, our nearest large galactic neighbor. The Milky Way got its name because from our perspective on Earth, it appears as a faint band of light stretching across the entire sky. While the Milky Way is generally always visible from Earth, certain times of year are better for stargazers to catch a glimpse of the band of billions of stars comprising our galaxy. "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. And for several days in May, the Milky Way may be even more visible than usual. The peak days to view the Milky Way are now to May 30, according to science news website LiveScience. That's the period between the last quarter moon and the new moon, when skies should be darker. 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. Typically, the sky is darkest between about midnight and 5 a.m., according to Capture the Atlas. Stargazers can observe the Milky Way galaxy by looking for the Summer Triangle, "a shape formed by three bright stars" that spans across the Milky Way, according to In the Northern Hemisphere, the Milky Way rises in the southeast, travels across the southern sky and sets in the southwest, according to Between May 23-25, Oregon is predicted to have mostly clear skies, with a 2-40% chance of cloud cover beginning at 11 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. 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. Oregon has a total of seven dark sky places that may provide the best visibility of the Milky Way galaxy, including: Oregon Outback, eastern Lake County - International Dark Sky Sanctuary Sisters - International Dark Sky Community Antelope - International Dark Sky Community Prineville Reservoir State Park - International Dark Sky Park Cottonwood Canyon State Park - International Dark Sky Park Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve: International Dark Sky Park Sunriver - International Dark Sky Development of Distinction The next new moon is May 26, according to the website TimeAndDate. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@ Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@ or on X at @GinnieSandoval. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can you see Milky Way in Oregon? How to watch on Memorial Day weekend
