Astronomy and space news summarized by Don Lynn from NASA and other sources
Betelgeuse, although long known to vary somewhat in brightness, is the dimmest it’s been in at least a century. Before these recent variations, it had been brighter than Rigel at its peak, but recently dimmed to the level of Bellatrix, dimmer than first magnitude.… Continue reading.
Astronomy and space news summarized by Don Lynn from NASA and other sources
Milky Way Disk – Astronomers have known for more than 20 years that the disk of our Milky Way galaxy consists of two distinct populations of stars, differing in age and composition with the “Thin Disk” embedded within the “Thick Disk.”… Continue reading.
Astronomy and space news summarized by Don Lynn from NASA and other sources
Neutron Star Found – In 1987, astronomers witnessed the nearest supernova in hundreds of years explode in the nearby dwarf galaxy known as the Large Magellanic Cloud. Being the first observed of the year, the astronomical event was named SN 1987A.… Continue reading.
By Donald S. Lynn
How To Build It
More than 30 years ago I was attending the Riverside Telescope Makers Conference and Celestron was selling scrapped telescope parts at their booth. They were probably cleaning out their factory of stuff that customers had broken and brought in to be repaired.… Continue reading.
Astronomy and space news summarized by Don Lynn from NASA and other sources
Physics Nobel Prize – Because the Nobel Prizes do not have a category strictly for astronomy, astronomers whose work merits the honor are awarded the Physics Nobel. Three astronomers received the 2019 Physics award.… Continue reading.
By Mark Laurin
Mark Laurin is an amateur astronomer, a member of the Denver Astronomical Society for more than 15 years and has been active in astronomy outreach in the communities around Summit County since 2014. Here he shares what got him started working with the public, and what keeps him going.… Continue reading.
By Naomi Pequette
Members of the Van Nattan-Hansen Scholarship Committee are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2019 VNH Scholarship are Ryan Webster of the University of Arizona, Anna Maxey of Red Rocks Community College, and Daniel Percuoco-Poras of the University of Colorado, Boulder.… Continue reading.
By Dena McClung
The Denver Astronomical Society is pleased to announce that it is partnering with Douglas County’s Open Space and Natural Resources department for a members-only program at Sandstone Ranch on Saturday, October 19. The event will show off the dark skies at the ranch, as well as help train and encourage members to get involved in future DAS public events.… Continue reading.
by Zachary Singer
My Friends,
It’s been four years since I came on as the Denver Observer’s editor and (soon after) writer of the “Monthly Skies” column. When I started, we were still putting out an eight-page PDF—it was accompanied by a printed black-and-white edition.… Continue reading.
by Jeff Kanipe
This month, we have a wonderful surprise for you—a tour of the southern sky, as seen from Chile, by Jeff Kanipe, author of the highly regarded series, Annals of the Deep Sky.… Continue reading.