Astronomy Today

Astronomy today is a serious science as well as a hobby enjoyed by many people.  From new space objects to new images, from new tools and techniques to new discoveries made with them, from new space missions to reviving and reviewing data from the old ones, keeping up with astronomy can certainly be a full time job.  It’s a lot of fun too.  So here are a few of the latest and greatest astronomy facts, figures and happenings.

Meteors may be a key element of astronomy today on any given day.  The last half of 2008 was no different as meteors were certainly on the menu.  Taurids in Leonids were featured in November.  The Gemenids had their peak in mid December, but unfortunately during a full moon phase that would make them difficult to see.  But people need not worry.  Meteor shower peaks may happen during full moons, but meteors are on display for up to two weeks both before and after the peaks.  People won’t miss these showers.

A moon return was often discussed for astronomy today in the year 2008.  This mission would be undertaken cooperatively by the entire world.  It may even result in a moon colony.  Imagine that.  Space 1999, a TV show from the 70s, may be about to become a reality.

2008 was a year of a lot of astronomy news.  For much of the year many astronomy today columns were filled with news of some space garbage – a colling ammonia tank from the space station.  It had been discarded into space where it orbited for many months.  But eventually its orbit decayed.  There was even worry that some of the pieces might strike people.  But it broke up into very small pieces which mostly fell into the ocean near Australia.

Hubble was probably the biggest news in astronomy today in 2008.  First the telescope was damaged when some instrument control and data formatting modules failed in September.  Those were brought back on line in October.  Hubble then took the first visible light images of a planet orbiting another star.  What a busy year for one piece of technology.

Astronomy today is an ever expanding subject.  The Internet is a great source for this information.