Astronomy Online

Astronomy today is a popular and enjoyable hobby as well as a vital science making new discoveries every day. From new space objects to new images, from new tools and techniques to new discoveries made with them, from new space missions to reviving and reviewing data from the old ones, keeping up with astronomy can certainly be a full time job. It’s a lot of fun too. So here are a few of the latest and greatest astronomy facts, figures and happenings.

On any day meteors are a key element of astronomy today for that day. The last half of 2008 was no different as meteors were certainly on the menu. In November the Taurids and Leonids were active in the night sky. The Gemenids had their peak in mid December, but unfortunately during a full moon phase that would make them difficult to see. But people need not worry. Meteor shower peaks may happen during full moons, but meteors are on display for up to two weeks both before and after the peaks. So there’s a lot of clear time to view these falling chunks of space debris.

In 2008 a return to the moon was on people’s minds very often in astronomy today.  This mission would be undertaken cooperatively by the entire world.  It may even result in a moon colony.  Think of it.  The old science-fiction show Space 1999 may soon come to life.

2008 was a year of a lot of astronomy news.  For much of the year many astronomy today columns were filled with news of some space garbage – a colling ammonia tank from the space station.  Its long orbit had finally decayed to the point it would fall to Earth.  There was some worry that large chunks would fall, or that some parts would strike in populated areas.  The good news is that it all fell into the ocean.

Now for perhaps the biggest news of Astronomy technology today in 2008, it’s all about the Hubble. First the telescope was damaged when some instrument control and data formatting modules failed in September. Those were brought back on line in October. Then the Hubble took the first ever visible light image of a planet orbiting another star. What a busy year for one piece of technology.

Astrology today isn’t hard to follow.  Keep up with everything on the Internet.