Globular Cluster Omega CentauriGlobular star cluster Omega Centauri packs about 10 million stars much older than the Sun into a volume some 150 light-years in diameter. Also known as NGC 5139, at a distance of 15,000 light-years it’s the largest and brightest of 200 or so known globular clusters that roam the halo of our Milky Way galaxy. Though…Read More

Twelve Years of Kappa CygnidsMeteors from the Kappa Cygnid meteor shower are captured in this time-lapse composite skyscape. The minor meteor shower, with a radiant not far from its eponymous star Kappa Cygni, peaks in mid-August, almost at the same time as the much better-known and better-observed Perseid meteor shower. But, seen to have a peak…Read More

Titan Shadow Transitvery 15 years or so, Saturn’s rings are tilted edge-on to our line of sight. As the bright, beautiful ring system grows narrower and fainter it becomes increasingly difficult to see for denizens of planet Earth. But it does provide the opportunity to watch transits of Saturn’s moons and their dark shadows across the ringed gas…Read More

Fireball over Cape San BlasHave you ever seen a fireball? In astronomy, a fireball is a very bright meteor — one at least as bright as Venus and possibly brighter than even a full Moon. Fireballs are rare — if you see one you are likely to remember it for your whole life. Physically, a fireball is a small rock that originated from an asteroid…Read More

A Double Detonation SupernovaCan some supernovas explode twice? Yes, when the first explosion acts like a detonator for the second. This is a leading hypothesis for the cause of supernova remnant (SNR) 0509-67.5. In this two-star system, gravity causes the larger and fluffier star to give up mass to a smaller and denser white dwarf companion.…Read More