Latest news with #celestial
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Watch a brilliant 'fireball' meteor explode over China on May 28 (video)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Residents of Maoming, China were treated to a celestial light show earlier this week when a surprise fireball burst to life overhead, illuminating the city before disappearing in an intense flare of light. The fireball burned up over the southern Chinese province of Guangdong at 9:33 p.m. local time on May 28, according to multiple dashcam videos that have circulated online in the wake of the event. The videos show the meteor make a dramatic 5-second journey through the night sky, during which it changed color from a pale green-blue hue to an intense burst of orange-yellow light. This particular fireball may have been a bolide - a special meteor that breaks apart with a dramatic flash of light. A fireball is the name given when a relatively large meteor - over 1 millimeter in diameter - collides with Earth's atmosphere, triggering a fleeting flare of light that can outshine the planets themselves in the night sky. The color of a burning meteor is determined by a number of factors such as its speed, composition and how it compresses the air in its path, according to the American Meteor Society. Bright, reddish flashes of light can arise when fast-moving meteors strike the atmosphere at tens of thousands of miles per hour, compressing the air in front of them. This process causes them to glow brightly in the night sky and has the potential to force atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen atoms trapped in the meteor's path to release an abundance of reddish light, according to NASA. Meteors with a high sodium content also have a tendency to burn with an orange-yellow light. No major meteor showers were active on the night in question, so it's likely that the Maoming City fireball was born of a 'sporadic meteor' - a random piece of space debris left over from the creation of the solar system that happened to collide with Earth on May 28. Editor's Note: If you would like to share your astrophotography with readers, then please send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@
Forbes
26-05-2025
- Science
- Forbes
See A ‘Smiley Face' Above As A ‘Supermoon' Strikes: The Night Sky This Week
A crescent moon rises behind the skyline of lower Manhattan in New York City on January 14, 2018, as ... More seen from West Orange, New Jersey. (Photo by) 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. There's a lot going on in the night sky this week. It begins with a new moon, which may mean high tides and potential flooding in coastal areas. In its wake, a new orbit of the moon around Earth will begin in striking fashion, with several nights to see a beautiful waxing crescent moon close to Jupiter, then Mars. Here's everything you need to know about stargazing and the night sky this week. Today brings a new moon, when our natural satellite is roughly between the Earth and the sun, so completely invisible to us. That happens at precisely 10:02 p.m. EDT, and this month, it's rather special because it's also a 'supermoon.' Called a perigee moon by astronomers, it means a moon that is as close as possible in any given orbit. It occurs because the moon's orbit around Earth is elliptical, so it must have a farthest (apogee) and closest (perigee) point. This month's new moon is actually the third-closest new moon of the year at 223,720 miles (360,044 km) from Earth. More importantly, perhaps, a new moon means no moonlight, so perfect conditions for stargazing. Tuesday, May 27: Young Moon And Jupiter If skies are clear about 45 minutes after sunset, scan the northwestern horizon for a razor-thin crescent moon — just over 1%-lit — hanging delicately near brilliant Jupiter. Binoculars will likely be necessary to catch the moon's razor-thin crescent. Wednesday, May 28: Crescent Moon And Jupiter The waxing crescent moon will have moved slightly eastward in its orbit, growing to about 5%-lit and positioned slightly higher in the sky after sunset. Tonight, it will sit just above Jupiter in the west-northwest sky during twilight. Earthshine — the faint illumination of the moon's dark side by reflected sunlight from Earth — may be visible. Thursday, May 29: 'Smiley Face' Moon In Gemini Tonight, you'll see one of the most delightful lunar alignments of the year. About 45 minutes after sunset, look west for a 12%-illuminated crescent moon forming the 'smile' beneath two bright 'eyes' — the twin stars Castor and Pollux in Gemini. The moon will set shortly after twilight ends. Saturday, May 31: Moon, Mars And Regulus A 29%-lit crescent moon will meet Mars in the west shortly after sunset. Look just beyond the pair for Regulus, the bright blue-white star in the constellation Leo. Sunday, June 1: Crescent Moon And Regulus Now 39%-lit, the now very bright waxing crescent moon will be seen very close to Regulus high in the southwestern sky after sunset. From North America, the moon will appear to be much closer to Regulus than to Mars. 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.
Forbes
19-05-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Exactly When To See A ‘Planet Parade' In The Night Sky This Week
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. As the moon continues to wane from being full last week, the night skies darken enough to find faint stars and constellations. The Milky Way's luminous core returns before sunrise — as do a couple of planets, which the crescent moon will spectacularly pass. Here's everything you need to know about the night sky this week. Tuesday, May 20: Last Quarter Moon Stellarium The moon reaches its last quarter phase today, rising around midnight and setting around midday — the perfect time to see the moon in the morning. Though often overshadowed by full or new moons, this phase is a great time to point a telescope at the day-night line (what moon watchers call 'the terminator') for mountains and craters throwing shadows. Thursday, May 22: Moon Meets Saturn Stellarium About 45 minutes before sunrise, look low in the eastern sky for a lovely celestial scene: a 30%-lit waning crescent moon appearing just three degrees from the ringed planet, Saturn. Venus will glow near the horizon below them. This scene will be best viewed from a location with an unobstructed eastern view, such as a high floor of a rooftop. Friday, May 23: Moon Meets Venus Stellarium This morning, the crescent moon (just 20%-lit) appears about four degrees from brilliant Venus, with Saturn now to the upper right. Look for 'Earthshine' — that glow on the moon's dark side caused by sunlight reflected from Earth's surface. It's a soft and subtle light best seen through binoculars. Saturday, May 24: Planet Panorama Stellarium This is your last chance to catch the moon before disappearing into the sun's glare and becoming new. Only 11%-lit, it will be very low on the eastern horizon 45 minutes before sunrise, positioned just to the left of Venus. At this slender illumination, it's known as the 'old moon in the new moon's arms.' It forms part of a lovely panorama across the dawn sky — Saturn above, then Venus, then the moon hugging the horizon. The constellation Corvus in night sky. getty It doesn't look like a crow, and almost nobody ever talks about it, but Corvus 'The Crow' is an official constellation that is really easy to find. Use the curve of the Big Dipper's handle to go 'arc to Arcturus,' then from Arcturus, go 'spike to Spica.' That star-hop takes you to Corus, too, which this week is just to the right of Spica. 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.
News.com.au
12-05-2025
- Science
- News.com.au
Mysterious green flash lights up night sky
Early risers from Perth to the Goldfields have had the celestial show of a lifetime after a mysterious green light lit up the sky just before 6am yesterday. Experts from the Perth Observatory were able to capture the light through surveillance cameras and believe it was most likely a 'small meteor'. In a clip shared to social media a Kalgoorlie man captured the incredible sight while out prospecting in the outback. As he pans his camera around the bushland he can be heard saying, 'It's Mother's Day, we've got to start coming out here a bit later because it's 6am and it's dark.' Out of nowhere, he excitedly shouts 'Look, look, meteor' as a bright light burns through the sky. 'What a sight, wow,' he exclaims as the meteor leaves a spectacular green trail behind it. Matthew Woods from Perth Observatory told the ABC that it may have entered the atmosphere over the central wheatbelt but they're not entirely sure where it landed. 'It's most likely an iron meteor that's been orbiting within the inner solar system.' Mr Woods said the meteor would have heated up because of the friction caused when it came through the atmosphere. 'And that's where you're getting to see that lovely green, orange glow,' he said. He estimates the meteor to be anywhere between the size of a cricket ball to the size of a basketball. Stunned witnesses took to social media to report seeing a 'fireball' tear through the sky. 'I've never seen anything like it,' said one truck driver. 'I saw it in Mandurah looking east. A very vibrant green tail with an orange fireball which appeared to explode,' said one woman. 'I saw it from Mt Magnet WA at about 6am. It was so big and bright that I initially thought that it was the moon until it moved,' wrote another. Mr Woods said witnessing a fireball in the sky was rare because the Earth was 70 per cent ocean. 'Earth gets hit by about 100 tonnes of material each year, so most of these really bright ones happen over the ocean or while we sleep.' Experts are still looking to locate the site where it landed but said overall the event was 'a nice Mother's Day surprise.'
The Guardian
06-05-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
What is the best time to see the Eta Aquariids meteor shower? Where and how can I see it in Australia?
Stargazers and early risers are in for a stellar show this week, with one of the biggest meteor showers in the southern hemisphere due to light up the skies. The meteors — called the Eta Aquariids – pass through the atmosphere every year, but 2025 is due to be particularly luminous as the moon won't be visible when they arrive. Here's how to catch a view of the celestial delight. What is the best time to see the Eta Aquariids meteor shower? The good thing is this particular meteor shower not only happens every year, but spans multiple days. McElroy said Wednesday 7 May would be the 'best day' for stargazers, with around two dozen meteors expected to pass per hour. But if it happens to be cloudy that day, you won't blink and miss it. The shower will continue to have a strong showing on the days preceding and following 7 May, before tapering off at the end of the month. 'Often these things are quite short-lived … it'll peak this week but it will continue,' McElroy said. Unfortunately, though, the best viewing window is between 3am and 5am – 'not for the faint-hearted or those who feel the cold'. If you happen to find yourself awake in the early dawn, though, you're in luck. Where can I watch the Eta Aquarrids? The Eta Aquariids can be viewed anywhere in the world, but they are best seen from the southern hemisphere where the shower will rise in the pre-dawn, darkened sky. In Australia, every state and territory will be able to witness the display. But McElroy said areas with the lowest light pollution would have the greatest visibility – such as Uluru and remote parts of the Northern Territory. 'These things aren't enormously bright, so you want to get away from as much light pollution as you can,' McElroy said. 'If you're in the city, get into the suburbs and away from bright lights.' Australia is lucky. McElroy said the best skies she has seen have been in Australia and in Chile because they look towards the centre of the Milky Way. 'In the northern hemisphere, you spend most of the year looking to the outskirts, but our winter happens to have the Milky Way's centre up in sky, and parts of Australia are very dark with a lot of protected [areas], like national parks,' she said. What are the best stargazing tips for how to watch? After heading outside, McElroy said you should first 'check the weather … That's the most important part. If it's cloudy you're not going to see anything, which is the curse of astronomy.' Then, turn off any porch or external lights and look away from bright street lights or your phone – which resets our daytime vision. 'Our eyes have a high dynamic range, and it takes 10 to 20 minutes to adjust to the night sky,' McElroy said. 'Grab a blanket, have a lie down and stay out there for an hour.' The constellation of Aquarius, where the meteors will appear, are in the north-east of the sky. Apps such as Star Mapper or Stellarium can help display the correct spot – but make sure you keep your brightness down. Why does the meteor shower occur? The Eta Aquariids are caused by Earth passing through debris left behind by Halley's Comet hundreds of years ago. Dr Rebecca McElroy, an astrophysicist from the University of Southern Queensland, said Earth passes through the debris field every year. As the bits of rock and dust hit the atmosphere at high speeds, they burn up and create bright streaks – creating what we call meteors. 'Meteors tend to look like a bright streak going by, like a shooting star, but more,' McElroy said. 'Occasionally they happen just randomly – when something of a high density is in our path.' It is known as 'Eta Aquariids' because of the part of the sky in which the meteors appear – which is near the star Eta Aquarii in the constellation of Aquarius.
