Articles
- Focal Plane (26)
- One Good Target (32)
- Rick's Picks (33)
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Focal Plane June 2025 Astronomy Fundamentals: NAA Welcomes You to Family Fun Night
Our June Fundamentals continues our annual tradition of providing a family night of science. Just because school is out for the summer (not forever),…
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Focal Plane June 2025 Wonders of Webb: Exploring the Universe with JWST
Following the successful launch and deployment of the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have explored new vistas and aspects of the Universe made possible…
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June ’25 – Rick’s Picks
All month: Mercury returns to the sunset sky as Jupiter departs, leaving Mars as the only planet on the evening stage, while the morning…
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A Globular Cluster in Hydra (M68)
May 2025 · With side trips to a red giant in Corvus and a couple nicely-colored double stars
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May ’25 — Rick’s Picks
All month: the planets continue their exodus from the evening sky this month. Uranus is now lost in the solar glare – it will…
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Astronomy Fundamentals: A Look at the History of Alvan Clark Telescopes
In the 19th century, Alvan Graham Clark was one of the premier lens makers for telescopes. His craftsmanship was sought after and many observatories…
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The Cosmologist’s Puzzle: The Age and Expansion Rate of the Universe.
We are confused about how old the Universe is. Until recently, astronomers estimated that the Big Bang occurred between 12 and 14 billion years…
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Two Galaxies in Canes Venatici (M94 & NGC 4244)
April 2025 · With side trips to a colorful double star and a nearby subdwarf
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April ’25 – Rick’s Picks
All month: the solar system balances morning and evening targets this month as Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Neptune move into the predawn sky, while…
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Astronomy Fundamentals: What We Can Learn from Impact Craters
Impact craters can be found throughout the solar system. NASA scientists use impact craters and volcanic activity to learn about the process throughout the…
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Exoplanet Atmospheres and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
Exoplanets orbit distant stars many lightyears away. The name comes from extrasolarplanets, which are planets orbiting outside of oursolar system. To date, astronomers have…