Saturn’s new ring. Image credit: NASA/JPL/SSI
Click to enlarge

Cassini recently passed behind Saturn, so that the Ringed Planet completely obscured the Sun from view. This revealed intricate details in the planet’s environment, including a brand new ring. This newly discovered ring is outside Saturn’s main rings, but inside the G and E rings – the moons Janus and Epimetheus orbit within it. During its pass behind Saturn, Cassini also captured an image of the Earth, from a vantage of nearly 1.5 billion km (930 million miles) away..

Read the full story…

The rim of Victoria crater. Image credit: NASA/JPL
Click to enlarge

NASA’s Opportunity rover is close enough to spot the edge of the massive Victoria crater; its destination for almost 2 years. The crater is roughly 750 metres (.5 mile) across and up to 70 metres (230 feet) deep. Once the rover gets inside, it’ll be able to examine exposed rock on the crater walls. Scientists are still gathering evidence of past water conditions on the surface of Mars, and this view will be one of the best “opportunities” they’ve had so far.

Read the full story…

The famous face on Mars. Image credit: ESA
Click to enlarge

When NASA’s Viking 1 Orbiter sent its first pictures back from Mars in 1976, one feature caught the eye – the famous “Face on Mars” in the Cydonia region. Other NASA orbiters have returned higher resolution images showing that it’s just a naturally forming rock structure. And now ESA’s Mars Express has revealed even higher resolution images, showing a new perspective view of the face.

Read the full story…

Atlantis lands in Florida. Image credit: NASA
Click to enlarge

Atlantis and its astronaut crew returned safely back to Earth this morning after 12 days in space. The shuttle touched down at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 1021 GMT (6:21am EDT). During its mission, the shuttle and astronauts delivered and installed the P3/P4 truss segment to the International Space Station, dramatically increasing its solar panels and power generation.

Read the full story…

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Image credit: NASA/JPL
Click to enlarge

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has completed aerobraking and its primary science phase will soon begin in earnest. MRO’s Project Scientist and members of the Navigation Team discuss the intricacies and challenges of aerobraking in Mars’ ever-changing atmosphere.

Read the full story…

Artist impression of an extrasolar planet. Image credit: NASA/JPL
Click to enlarge

Look down at your feet. There… you’re looking at a planet. Now look into the night sky and you should be able to spot a few more. After that, spotting additional planets becomes really hard, especially when you’re trying to find them orbiting other stars. This week we discuss the techniques astronomers use to locate distant worlds.

Read the full story…

Centauri Dreams by Paul Gilster
Click to enlarge

I wanted to take a moment and point your browsers at a few websites that I really enjoy, and I think you will too. You’ve probably heard of the Bad Astronomer, but do you know of the Angry Astronomer? Jon Voisey is an astronomy major at the University of Kansas. Jon has recently been journaling the battle against intelligent design and antiscience movements, but if you dig a little deeper into his archives, you’ll see some great articles explaining concepts in astronomy.

A second site I really enjoy is called Centauri Dreams, written by Paul Gilster. Paul is the author of the similarly named book, which we reviewed here on Universe Today. Paul’s website supports his investigation into concepts for interstellar travel – realistic ways that we could actually get spacecraft from here to neighbouring stars. Roll through the archive, it’s absolutely fascinating reading.

Read the full story…

The NGC 7331 Group – Credit: R. Jay GaBany
Click to enlarge

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! As the week opens, we’re treated to several lovely views of the waning Moon and the bright winter objects just before dawn. Early evening dark skies mean an opportunity to galaxy hunt and study planetary nebulae. Mark your calendar to enjoy a weekend meteor shower, too! It’s time to dust off the scopes and head out, because…

Here’s what’s up!

Read the full story…