Comet C/2020 F8 (SWAN) rapidly brightening, now visible to naked eye

Comet C/2020 F8 (SWAN) rapidly brightening, now visible to naked eye

Approaching Comet C/2020 F8 (SWAN) has become bright enough that it is already visible to the naked eye. As of 14:30 UTC on April 30, 2020, the comet is 115 million km (71 million miles) away from Earth, with a magnitude of 6.0. The comet appears like a bright fuzz…

Hubble telescope captures comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) crumbling into 25 pieces

Hubble telescope captures comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) crumbling into 25 pieces

The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has captured the sharpest view of Comet C/2019 Y4 ATLAS disintegrating into pieces. About 30 fragments were identified on April 20, but just three days later on April 23, the telescope spotted only 25. "Their appearance…

Comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) disintegrates, at least three fragments recorded

Comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) disintegrates, at least three fragments recorded

Newly-discovered comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) has broken up before its much-anticipated show, with at least three fragments observed on Saturday and Sunday, April 11 and 12, 2020. ATLAS was discovered on December 28, 2019, in the constellation of Ursa Major. Over the…

Night Sky Guide for April 2020

Night Sky Guide for April 2020

April 1 – Moon at First Quarter – 10:21 UTC. The Moon will be prominent in the evening sky. At this time in its monthly cycle of phases, it appears almost exactly half illuminated. April 2 – M104 well placed for observation. The sombrero galaxy (M104, NGC 4594) will…

Night Sky Guide for March 2020

Night Sky Guide for March 2020

March 2 – Moon at First Quarter – 19:58 UTC. The Moon will be prominent in the evening sky, setting around midnight. At this time in its monthly cycle of phases, it appears almost exactly half illuminated. Over the coming days, the Moon will set later each day,…

First Supermoon of the year – live show on February 8

First Supermoon of the year – live show on February 8

The Virtual Telescope Project will bring us live views of the first Supermoon of the year on February 8, 2020, as it rises above the unique skyline of Rome. The online, free session will start at 16:00 UTC. Supermoon is a popular term indicating a Full Moon or a New…