Ariane 44L rocket launched in 1992 creates fiery spectacle over Brazil

Ariane 44L rocket launched in 1992 creates fiery spectacle over Brazil

The body of Ariane 44L rocket launched in 1992 re-entered Earth's atmosphere over Brazil at around 21:46 UTC (18:46 LT) on March 16, 2021, two days after schedule. The event created spectacular fiery scenery above the Brazilian state of Para and was mistaken…

Great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on December 21

Great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on December 21

A rare great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn will take place at 18:11 UTC on December 21, with the two planets passing just 6.1 arcminutes (about one-fifth the apparent width of the moon) of each other, as seen from Earth. Coincidentally, the December solstice is…

2020 Geminid meteor shower to peak under a total solar eclipse on December 14

2020 Geminid meteor shower to peak under a total solar eclipse on December 14

The 2020 Geminid meteor shower is expected to peak around December 14 and is likely to put the best light show at around 01:00 UTC, when its radiant point is highest in the sky. Another celestial event is set to occur on the same day as a total eclipse will be…

Total solar eclipse of December 14, 2020

Total solar eclipse of December 14, 2020

A total solar eclipse will take place at 16:13 UTC on December 14, 2020, and be visible from the South Pacific, Chile, Argentina, and the South Atlantic. Observers from southern South America, the Pacific, and those currently in Antarctica will experience a partial…

Penumbral lunar eclipse of November 30, 2020

Penumbral lunar eclipse of November 30, 2020

A penumbral lunar eclipse will take place on November 30, 2020, and be visible from Asia, Australia, the Pacific Ocean, and the Americas. This lunar eclipse is followed two weeks later by a total solar eclipse on December 14, 2020. The instant of greatest eclipse…

2020 Perseid meteor shower peaks tonight

2020 Perseid meteor shower peaks tonight

The Perseid meteor shower — one of the best and brightest of the year — is set to peak in the late hours of Tuesday into Thursday, August 11 into 13. This is one of the most anticipated showers of the year, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere. This year,…

Powerful outburst from Comet C/2020 F8 (SWAN)

Powerful outburst from Comet C/2020 F8 (SWAN)

Astronomers monitoring Comet C/2020 F8 (SWAN) spotted a powerful outburst from the comet on May 5. Such outbursts usually indicate a fragmentation, but scientists are hopeful that this could just be a volatile comet. The comet is approaching Earth and the Sun– its…