The moon's dark shadow will sweep across Mexico, the U.S. and Canada today. Join us on YouTube for a livestream of the big event beginning around noon CDT (17 UTC).
Where did our active sun go?!One of the cool things about the upcoming total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024 - tomorrow's eclipse - was that it's taking place when the sun is extremely active. But, like the clouds along the eclipse path, the sun seems to be conspiring against us! The sun has been extremely quiet in recent days. Over the past day, we saw only a single B flare, or minor flare. Weather permitting, 31 million+ people in the path of totality could have the opportunity to see the sun's corona, or outermost atmosphere. And many have hoped for significant sun activity during the eclipse, which would lead, for example, to visible prominences, some perhaps extending hundreds of Earth-diameters around the black moon at eclipse time. At the moment, a very active sun during the eclipse appears unlikely. But the sun can always surprise us! Read the sun news.
German artist Anton Raphael Mengs created this painting in 1765. It portrays Helios, the personification of the sun in Greek mythology. Learn how the ancients explained eclipses. Image via Wikimedia Commons. By the way, conspiracy theorists are having a field day imagining a connection between yesterday's 4.8-magnitude earthquake in the U.S., and Monday's solar eclipse. Because 4.8 plus 4-8 (April 8), right? The quake and the craziness, here.
The waning moon— now edging closer to the sun in our sky— will float near Mars and Saturn tomorrow morning. The lit portion of the moon will point toward the 2 planets. You should be able to see the planets with your eye alone. Your binoculars will enhance their color contrast, with Mars red and Saturn golden. Watch for these 2 on eclipse day, next to the eclipsed sun!  We have a chart showing that in our night sky guide.
US wants a standard moon timeThe White House has directed NASA to create a new unified time standard for the moon and other celestial bodies. In an exclusive report, Reuters said yesterday the US hopes to create an international standard as more nations and private companies engage in a new Space Race. Read about creating a unified standard moon time.
Just released! A corrected eclipse map. All other eclipse maps are essentially correct, but may have tiny errors (by 600 meters or so) along the edges. Why did our eclipse maps change?
Eggs laid, a big turtle made tracks back to the seaView at EarthSky Community Photos. | Richard Swieca spotted scientists investigating a mother sea turtle's nest yesterday at Hillsboro Beach in Florida. See the wide zig-zagging track from the mound, where the person is standing, to the water’s edge? Richard wrote: "Leatherback females lay eggs, typically at night, from March to June."Read about sea turtles here.
Here's the rule for Easter Sunday. It generally falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox. And so Easter is a movable feast. Its date is different from year to year. The 2024 equinox was March 19-20. It marked an unofficial beginning of spring for the Northern Hemisphere and autumn for the Southern Hemisphere. The first full moon after the March equinox was March 24-25. Voilà ! In 2024, Easter is today. Happy Easter to all who celebrate it!
Japanese moon lander SLIM survives 2nd lunar nightJapan's lunar lander SLIM set down on the moon's surface on January 20. The landing was less than ideal (SLIM was upside-down on the moon). But the craft was alive and communicating. Japan thus became the 5th earthly nation to reach the moon. SLIM wasn't designed to withstand the freezing cold of lunar night. But, as the moon rotated, carrying the craft into night and then back out again, it did withstand it, JAXA said on February 26. Now SLIM has emerged again, from its 2nd lunar night, JAXA said on March 27.
The Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore collapsed early yesterday, after a container ship, crippled by a power loss, struck it. The bridge crumpled and collapsed, carrying cars and construction workers into the icy water below. A mayday call was made ahead of the collapse, which enabled workers to stop cars from continuing onto the bridge. That rapid response saved lives, according to Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who commented: "These people are heroes." Recovery operations were suspended last night, but are beginning again as of this morning. As of last night, 6 people were presumed dead. What happened to cause the accident? There's a video explanation of events leading up to the strike, from a shipping expert - plus more images and videos - in this post about the bridge collapse.
In 2004, a zoo in South Africa made extensive upgrades to its chimpanzee space, giving the space a larger and more natural enclosure. Years later, when scientists studied the chimpanzees' behavior, they found the animals still hung out in their previous spaces in tight groups even with the enlarged and upgraded enclosure. Read about the chimpanzees' invisible cage.
From the American Astronomical Society, the largest American society of professional astronomers, headquartered in Washington, DC. ... "With the April 8 total solar eclipse approaching, counterfeit and fake eclipse glasses are polluting the marketplace. Here are some important things to note about proper eye protection and how to make sure you’re getting the right thing."Details, and how to test your existing eclipse glasses, here.
You can see a deep penumbral lunar eclipse tonight, assuming the moon is above your horizon when the eclipse takes place. North America is well situated to see it. See the map below for eclipse viewing locations. Greatest eclipse is at 7:12 UTC on March 25 (2:12 a.m. CDT Monday morning). At greatest eclipse, over 90% of the moon will lie inside Earth's penumbral shadow. But the penumbral shadow isn't the dark shadow of the Earth. It's the lighter part of the shadow. Some will look at the moon and swear the eclipse isn't happening. Other very observant people will notice and enjoy it the light shading on the moon's face.
Dark matter study in dwarf galaxies hints at a 'signal'Astronomers say there's 6 times more dark matter in our universe than ordinary matter. But dark matter has never been observed directly. The evidence for its existence lies in its gravitational pull. So astronomers are observing nearby, dark-matter-rich dwarf galaxies, searching for a "signal" from dark matter. They believe this "signal" should exist in the form of gamma rays, resulting from dark matter annihilations or decay. Their results place new constraints on the properties of dark matter and hint that a "signal" might be confirmed in the future.
Milky Way season is back! See photos hereYou have to get up early in the morning to see it, but the starry arc of the Milky Way is rising again in our sky. The EarthSky community of photographers has already captured some great images! Enjoy a gallery of recent Milky Way images here.Â
Penumbral lunar eclipse March 24-25Half of Earth – that is, in Japan, in the eastern half of Australia, in the Americas, in the western half of Africa and western Europe – and several oceans and parts of Antarctica will see a deep penumbral eclipse of the moon on March 24-25. This eclipse begins the eclipse season during which we'll also have the April 8 total solar eclipse ... shortly due to be seen by millions in North America. Read about the upcoming lunar eclipse. And read about the upcoming solar eclipse.
Woot! Springtime! The March equinox marks the sun's crossing above Earth's equator, moving from south to north. It brings spring and summer to the Northern Hemisphere and marks the beginning of autumn – and a shift toward winter – in the Southern Hemisphere. All you need to know about the March equinox, here.
The moon's dark shadow will sweep across Mexico, the U.S. and Canada today. Join us on YouTube for a livestream of the big event beginning around noon CDT (17 UTC).
Where did our active sun go?!One of the cool things about the upcoming total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024 - tomorrow's eclipse - was that it's taking place when the sun is extremely active. But, like the clouds along the eclipse path, the sun seems to be conspiring against us! The sun has been extremely quiet in recent days. Over the past day, we saw only a single B flare, or minor flare. Weather permitting, 31 million+ people in the path of totality could have the opportunity to see the sun's corona, or outermost atmosphere. And many have hoped for significant sun activity during the eclipse, which would lead, for example, to visible prominences, some perhaps extending hundreds of Earth-diameters around the black moon at eclipse time. At the moment, a very active sun during the eclipse appears unlikely. But the sun can always surprise us! Read the sun news.
German artist Anton Raphael Mengs created this painting in 1765. It portrays Helios, the personification of the sun in Greek mythology. Learn how the ancients explained eclipses. Image via Wikimedia Commons. By the way, conspiracy theorists are having a field day imagining a connection between yesterday's 4.8-magnitude earthquake in the U.S., and Monday's solar eclipse. Because 4.8 plus 4-8 (April 8), right? The quake and the craziness, here.
Massive dying stars explode in supernovas and emit large amounts of radiation. The radiation would be deadly to nearby planets with life. So what is the threat of supernovas to life on Earth? Image via NASA/ ESA/ Hubble SM4 ERO Team.
The waning moon— now edging closer to the sun in our sky— will float near Mars and Saturn tomorrow morning. The lit portion of the moon will point toward the 2 planets. You should be able to see the planets with your eye alone. Your binoculars will enhance their color contrast, with Mars red and Saturn golden. Watch for these 2 on eclipse day, next to the eclipsed sun!  We have a chart showing that in our night sky guide.
https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/visible-planets-tonight-mars-jupiter-venus-saturn-mercury/?mc_cid=25d221f26e&mc_eid=48afe7f699
US wants a standard moon timeThe White House has directed NASA to create a new unified time standard for the moon and other celestial bodies. In an exclusive report, Reuters said yesterday the US hopes to create an international standard as more nations and private companies engage in a new Space Race. Read about creating a unified standard moon time.
Just released! A corrected eclipse map. All other eclipse maps are essentially correct, but may have tiny errors (by 600 meters or so) along the edges. Why did our eclipse maps change?
Eggs laid, a big turtle made tracks back to the seaView at EarthSky Community Photos. | Richard Swieca spotted scientists investigating a mother sea turtle's nest yesterday at Hillsboro Beach in Florida. See the wide zig-zagging track from the mound, where the person is standing, to the water’s edge? Richard wrote: "Leatherback females lay eggs, typically at night, from March to June." Read about sea turtles here.
Why Easter is today
Here's the rule for Easter Sunday. It generally falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox. And so Easter is a movable feast. Its date is different from year to year. The 2024 equinox was March 19-20. It marked an unofficial beginning of spring for the Northern Hemisphere and autumn for the Southern Hemisphere. The first full moon after the March equinox was March 24-25. Voilà ! In 2024, Easter is today. Happy Easter to all who celebrate it!
Japanese moon lander SLIM survives 2nd lunar nightJapan's lunar lander SLIM set down on the moon's surface on January 20. The landing was less than ideal (SLIM was upside-down on the moon). But the craft was alive and communicating. Japan thus became the 5th earthly nation to reach the moon. SLIM wasn't designed to withstand the freezing cold of lunar night. But, as the moon rotated, carrying the craft into night and then back out again, it did withstand it, JAXA said on February 26. Now SLIM has emerged again, from its 2nd lunar night, JAXA said on March 27.
Top 5 tips for photographing the eclipse
Are you hoping to get some great pics of the April 8 total solar eclipse? Here are 5 tips from NASA to help you capture some memories of this memorable event. Eclipse photographers, click here.
Major bridge collapses in Baltimore
The Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore collapsed early yesterday, after a container ship, crippled by a power loss, struck it. The bridge crumpled and collapsed, carrying cars and construction workers into the icy water below. A mayday call was made ahead of the collapse, which enabled workers to stop cars from continuing onto the bridge. That rapid response saved lives, according to Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who commented: "These people are heroes." Recovery operations were suspended last night, but are beginning again as of this morning. As of last night, 6 people were presumed dead. What happened to cause the accident? There's a video explanation of events leading up to the strike, from a shipping expert - plus more images and videos - in this post about the bridge collapse.
After zoo upgrade, chimps stayed in ‘invisible cage’
In 2004, a zoo in South Africa made extensive upgrades to its chimpanzee space, giving the space a larger and more natural enclosure. Years later, when scientists studied the chimpanzees' behavior, they found the animals still hung out in their previous spaces in tight groups even with the enlarged and upgraded enclosure. Read about the chimpanzees' invisible cage.
Beware! There are fake eclipse glasses out there
From the American Astronomical Society, the largest American society of professional astronomers, headquartered in Washington, DC. ... "With the April 8 total solar eclipse approaching, counterfeit and fake eclipse glasses are polluting the marketplace. Here are some important things to note about proper eye protection and how to make sure you’re getting the right thing." Details, and how to test your existing eclipse glasses, here.
You can see a deep penumbral lunar eclipse tonight, assuming the moon is above your horizon when the eclipse takes place. North America is well situated to see it. See the map below for eclipse viewing locations. Greatest eclipse is at 7:12 UTC on March 25 (2:12 a.m. CDT Monday morning). At greatest eclipse, over 90% of the moon will lie inside Earth's penumbral shadow. But the penumbral shadow isn't the dark shadow of the Earth. It's the lighter part of the shadow. Some will look at the moon and swear the eclipse isn't happening. Other very observant people will notice and enjoy it the light shading on the moon's face.
Dark matter study in dwarf galaxies hints at a 'signal'Astronomers say there's 6 times more dark matter in our universe than ordinary matter. But dark matter has never been observed directly. The evidence for its existence lies in its gravitational pull. So astronomers are observing nearby, dark-matter-rich dwarf galaxies, searching for a "signal" from dark matter. They believe this "signal" should exist in the form of gamma rays, resulting from dark matter annihilations or decay. Their results place new constraints on the properties of dark matter and hint that a "signal" might be confirmed in the future.
Milky Way season is back! See photos hereYou have to get up early in the morning to see it, but the starry arc of the Milky Way is rising again in our sky. The EarthSky community of photographers has already captured some great images! Enjoy a gallery of recent Milky Way images here.Â
Penumbral lunar eclipse March 24-25Half of Earth – that is, in Japan, in the eastern half of Australia, in the Americas, in the western half of Africa and western Europe – and several oceans and parts of Antarctica will see a deep penumbral eclipse of the moon on March 24-25. This eclipse begins the eclipse season during which we'll also have the April 8 total solar eclipse ... shortly due to be seen by millions in North America. Read about the upcoming lunar eclipse. And read about the upcoming solar eclipse.
Woot! Springtime! The March equinox marks the sun's crossing above Earth's equator, moving from south to north. It brings spring and summer to the Northern Hemisphere and marks the beginning of autumn – and a shift toward winter – in the Southern Hemisphere. All you need to know about the March equinox, here.