Latest news with #SkyandTelescope
The Citizen
07-05-2025
- Science
- The Citizen
Planetary Defense Conference to focus' on Earth's safety
'While the goal of planetary defence is to prevent asteroids from reaching our planet, this gathering goes far beyond technical assessments.' There were robust discussions and increasing attention paid to near-Earth objects (NEOs), which are becoming more closely monitored due to their potential threats. South Africa is hosting the 9th International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) Planetary Defense Conference in Stellenbosch from 5 to 9 May 2025. The week-long conference brings together scientists, engineers, policymakers and industry leaders from around the globe to discuss the protection of the planet from hazardous near-Earth objects like asteroids or comets. Near-earth objects Last month, Earth was given the all-clear from a possible impact by the asteroid 2024 YR4 in 2032. However, a second target has been looming. With recent observations, the odds of this object hitting the Moon instead have climbed to about 3.8%—the highest odds ever for a lunar impact by any natural body, according to Sky and Telescope. ALSO READ: 'A meteor or bolide likely hit the Eastern Cape' – Expert [VIDEO] Earths defence Dr Sias Mostert, director at SCS Space, acting African Regional Secretary of the IAA and co-chair of the local organising committee for the conference, said the event is 'a unique intersection of disciplines – where space meets Earth, and where science, technology, and society converge'. 'While the goal of planetary defence is to prevent asteroids from reaching our planet, this gathering goes far beyond technical assessments … The Planetary Defense Conference is more than a scientific event. It reminds us that space safety is a shared global responsibility. 'The 2025 conference stands as a symbol of our collective commitment to ensuring that space remains accessible, safe and beneficial for all humankind,' Mostert said. SA contribution Delivering the opening remarks, Humbulani Mudau, CEO of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), an entity of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, underscored the four key pillars of planetary defence. This includes detection, coordinated international response, public awareness and preparedness, and effective mitigation strategies. Mudau recognised the roles played by the International Asteroid Warning Network and the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group. 'South Africa, and indeed the continent at large, has localised excellence in astronautics, and although we may have limited resources, we hope to contribute extensively to this global effort.' Local ecosystem Mostert praised the local ecosystem's evolution over the past 35 years and its growing footprint on global missions such as the European Space Agency's Rosetta mission and NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART). He mentioned the Gecko camera, developed in Stellenbosch, which captured the final image of the asteroid Dimorphos in 2022 before the historic DART impact. As the conference continues, the world watches with great interest as discussions unfold around planetary defence simulations, deflection technologies, policy coordination and public preparedness, highlighting the importance of cooperative action in the face of cosmic risks. ALSO READ: Anyone out there? Astronomers find signs of life on distant planet
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Buresh Blog: Average date for last freeze...January numbers...Severe weather awareness...Night skies
You can become a part of the First Alert Neighborhood Weather Network. Scan below &/or click * here *: After a very cold January, it's spring fever for the first couple of weeks of February. January was the 9th coldest on record for Jacksonville... & the 8th wettest. Which begs the question 'Is Winter Over??' The short answer is probably not. Though as of this writing, no cold air is in sight for NE Fl./SE Ga. through at least Valentine's Day. But if history is any indication - not to mention what looks to be the evolving weather pattern over the U.S. Lower 48 - don't get too eager to begin gardening. The average last freeze for most inland areas of NE Fl. & SE Ga. is Feb. 20th or later & is Feb. 25th for inland Duval Co. For Jacksonville since 2022, the first 80s occurred in January but temps. as cold as the 30s - including inland frost - occurred well into March. And the latest freeze on record at JIA is April 8, 2007 (31 degrees). The week of Feb. 3rd is 'Severe Weather Awareness Week' - more info. * here * from the Florida Division of Emergency Management. February night skies courtesy 'Sky and Telescope': Feb. 6 (evening): The Moon, one day past first quarter, is 5° above Jupiter, with Aldebaran anchoring a ragged line. Feb. 9 (dusk): Look east to see the waxing gibbous Moon, Mars, and Pollux forming a flat isosceles triangle in Gemini. Feb. 12 (evening): The full Moon and Regulus, Leo's brightest star, rise in the east with a mere 1½° between them. Feb. 17 (morning): Face south to see the waning gibbous Moon 1° right of Spica, Virgo's lucida. Feb. 21 (morning): The waning crescent Moon accompanies Antares, the fiery heart of the Scorpion, as they rise above the southeastern horizon separated by only 1°. Feb. 24 (dusk): Look low in the west 30 to 45 minutes after sunset to spot Mercury and Saturn less than 1½° apart. You'll need a clear, long view to the horizon. Feb. 28 (dusk): The thinnest sliver of the Moon, just past new, is 3° below Mercury low in the west-southwest. You'll need binoculars to spot the lunar crescent. Venus blazes above them. Moon Phases First Quarter February 5 3:02 a.m. EST Full Moon February 12 8:53 a.m. EST (Snow Moon) Last Quarter February 20 12:33 p.m. EST New Moon February 27 7:45 p.m. EST
