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From our window in Isleworth, we see across a forested island in the Thames to another line of trees, beyond which Continue reading “The other royal observatory”
Category: astronomy
A quasi-conjunction
Mercury comes to a conjunction with Saturn – no, not quite. Continue reading “A quasi-conjunction”
Homage to Archimedes
The Antikythera device: you’ve probably heard of this marvel. Continue reading “Homage to Archimedes”
Black holes of cyberspace
Here is the sky scene for this evening, taken from page 15 of Astronomical Calendar 2022: Continue reading “Black holes of cyberspace”
Stones the size of goose eggs
May a happy year start for you tomorrow! And may no stones fall from the sky on your head!
Christmas evening sky
Mercury and Venus, and their father Jupiter and grandfather Saturn, beam down on you with their fervent wish that life on their fellow planet will brighten in the coming year. Continue reading “Christmas evening sky”
All Five again
We discussed on August 18 the spans of time when all five naked-eye planets are visible, or at least above the horizon.
It’s taken me all the time since then to master this topic, since it’s not simple. Continue reading “All Five again”
The Geminids and the son of the Sun
This is annual meteor shower is one of the most reliably strong. It will be at its peak in the night of December 13/14.
Ceres is at opposition
The first asteroid is hovering near the stars that form the face of the Bull constellation.
Continue reading “Ceres is at opposition”
Dream constellation
I woke from a dream with a jolt: Continue reading “Dream constellation”