Mark Thompson's Astronomy Blog
Follow my posts on all things Astronomy flavoured.
Halley’s Comet and a BIG Moon
May 4th, 2012 No Comments
This weekend gives sky watchers a chance to catch a glimpse of pieces of Halley’s Comet as the Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks. Unfortunately the largest full Moon of 2012 will be in attendance brightening the sky leaving many of the meteors hidden from view. Read more »
Relatives in space!
April 12th, 2012 No Comments
Fascinated to read that a recent study suggests not only might we find life out there in space but we might also find our distant relatives! The Sun formed around 4.5 billion years ago and its more than likely that it formed as part of a cluster with other stars. In the millenia that followed, the stars drifted apart to live solitary lives but not before possible asteroid impacts on the young Earth splattered the nearby young stars with the chemicals of life. Read more »
The Night of the Blood Red Moon
December 8th, 2011 No Comments
On the 10th December, an event will take place that in days gone by, filled society with dread. The eerie sight of the Moon turning a deep blood red would often be interpreted as a bad omen. Fortunately today, we understand the mechanism behind these strange events and can enjoy them in all their glory. Read more »
Lookout for the Leonids!
November 17th, 2011 No Comments
Every year around mid-November astronomers around the globe turn their attention to the annual Leonid meteor shower. This shower returns to our skies overnight on 17 Nov and is the result of the Earth sweeping up debris from comet Tempel-Tuttle as it orbits the Sun. Read more »
Possible Meteor Storm 8 October 2011
September 30th, 2011 No Comments
The little known October Draconid (or Giacobinid) meteor shower has produced spectacular displays in 1933 and 1946 where rates were greater than one meteor per second! Models run recently have predicted a possible reoccurence of the Giacobinid storm this year on 8 October between 18:00 and 22:00 GMT.
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