What are the Equinoxes?
The Earth orbits the Sun. However, the angle it is orbiting at is tilted. Think of it like a spinning top that is leaning over slightly. The tilt is actually 23.5 degrees and this is what gives the Earth its seasons. The tilt always stays at 23.5 degrees relative to the plane of the solarContinue reading “What are the Equinoxes?”
What Can I See in the Sky in September 2021?
Now that September is here, the nights are getting noticeably longer again. On 1st September, sunset is 20:16 and by 22:25 it is completely dark. The weather in September is usually still mild enough so that you can go out and observe comfortably, although the nights can get chilly so it’s time to start takingContinue reading “What Can I See in the Sky in September 2021?”
Perseid Meteor Shower 2021
This week sees the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. A meteor is also know as a shooting star and look like a star shooting quickly across the sky. They are caused when particles of matter from space strike the Earth’s atmosphere. The Earth moves through space very fast (approximately 110,000 kph). As the EarthContinue reading “Perseid Meteor Shower 2021”
What Can I See in the Sky in August 2021?
August is the month that darkness returns. For the sky to be completely dark, the Sun must get at least 18 degrees below the horizon. On 1st August this happens at 00:46 and lasts until 02:24, giving 1 hour 42 mins of darkness. By the end of August this has stretched to 5 hours 48Continue reading “What Can I See in the Sky in August 2021?”
The Moon
The Moon is our closest neighbour and only natural satellite. It is probably one of the most obvious astronomical objects when it is in the sky. The Moon has been very important in human culture through the years but is also vital to life on Earth. It remains the only body outside of Earth, whichContinue reading “The Moon”
What Can I See in the Sky in July 2021?
For the second month in a row, it doesn’t truly get dark during July. For the sky to be completely dark, the Sun must get at least 18 degrees below the horizon and this only happens on the last 2 days of July from Ireland. Jupiter and Saturn are both prominent in the sky thisContinue reading “What Can I See in the Sky in July 2021?”
Space Tourism
After months of being stuck at home, most of us would just be happy to get a sunny beach in Spain for a week or even to a European city for a weekend. How would you feel about planning your next holiday to space? Several companies are trying to make this possible, including Blue Origin.Continue reading “Space Tourism”
Solar Eclipse 10th June 2021
Warning- Never look at the sun directly with your eyes, optical equipment or camera without adequate filters. Every year the Earth orbits the Sun and every month the Moon orbits the Earth. Every now and then their paths through the sky appear to cross. When this happens, the Moon appears to pass in front ofContinue reading “Solar Eclipse 10th June 2021”
What Can I See in the Sky in June 2021?
It never truly gets dark this month. For the sky to be completely dark, the Sun must get at least 18 degrees below the horizon and this never happens in June from Ireland. The summer solstice occurs this year on 21st June. The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, in terms ofContinue reading “What Can I See in the Sky in June 2021?”
Sir Isaac Newton
You’ve probably heard the story of a scientist sitting under an apple tree. Suddenly an apple falls and whacks him in the head. Just then he formulates the theory of gravity. It may not have happened just like that, but the scientist featured in the story is Sir Isaac Newton. He was born on 4thContinue reading “Sir Isaac Newton”
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