Month: January 2023

A time-lapse image of two major sunspot groups moving across the surface of the sun between Dec. 2 and Dec. 27, 2022, captured by Şenol Şanlı. (Image credit: Şenol Şanlı) A stunning new time-lapse photo shows two bands of shape-shifting sunspots moving across the sun‘s surface as our host star spins at the center of the solar system. When the mesmerizing image was captured, the total number of sunspots was at its highest in eight years, suggesting that solar activity is about to ramp up another notch.    Şenol Şanlı…

What takes over 20,000 engineers and hundreds of scientists to build? A space telescope — specifically, the James Webb Space Telescope.  Thankfully, the effort was well worthwhile, with a plethora of incredible results from NASA’s newest observatory in its first six months of science operations. But what comes next? John Mather, a Nobel-winning astronomer and a leading force behind the James Webb Space Telescope (Webb or JWST), shared his visions of what all those engineers and scientists may tackle next on Thursday (Jan. 12), the final day of the 241st…

On Saturday (Jan. 14) the face of the moon will be half-illuminated as it enters its third quarter or last quarter phase. According to In the Sky (opens in new tab) for observers in New York City, the last quarter moon will rise at 22:20 EST (0320 GMT) and will become visible soon after at around 00:18 on Sunday, Jan. 15 (0518 GMT). The last quarter moon will remain visible through sunset and until around 11:28 EST (1628 GMT). The last quarter moon is the point in the 29.5-day lunar…

2022 was one of the warmest years in recorded history despite cooling La Niña conditions governing the tropical Pacific Ocean.  What is worse, concentrations of warming greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere reached new highs last year, while polar regions continued warming at a breakneck pace, according to new data released by the world’s leading climate-monitoring agencies.  Earlier this week, NASA, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the European environment monitoring program Copernicus all released their respective assessments of climate change‘s progress during 2022, revealing an unabated rise…

The “Everyday Astronaut” turns out to be a not-so-everyday kind of person.  Talented Tim Dodd is the central spark plug behind the Internet-streamed show “Everyday Astronaut,” dedicated to “bring space down to Earth for everyday people.” Born in 1985, Dodd and his team provide video updates on space and captivating interviews with leading rocketeers, including Elon Musk and the SpaceX Starship program. Indeed, Dodd and Musk have proven to be a powerful duo in showcasing what goes on behind the scenes with Starship’s development.  Admittedly a late bloomer in recognizing…

Let’s be honest: When it comes to fictional villains in literature, art, comics, video games, and movies, few can hold a candle to Darth Vader.  Whether he’s Force-choking inept Imperial officers, relaxing helmet-less in his gloomy meditation chamber, or just imposing his evil attitude on pesky Rebels, Darth Vader does it all with a definite sense of style. To summon all the anger and acrimony embodied within Lord Vader’s signature black garb and iron lung, Marvel Comics is giving the iconic character a stark showcase with this April’s “Star Wars:…