2025-06-23 06:00:56.069

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, named after the pioneering astronomer, has released its first test images, showcasing the light from millions of distant stars and galaxies on an unprecedented scale. These images, captured using the largest camera ever built, also revealed over 2,000 previously unseen asteroids, including seven near-Earth asteroids (none of which pose a threat). The observatory is expected to discover millions more asteroids in its first two years, and is considered the most effective tool for identifying interstellar comets and asteroids. The images, including a stunning mosaic of the Trifid and Lagoon nebulae, highlight the observatory's enormous field of view and rapid image capture rate. The observatory's decade-long mission, the Legacy Survey of Space and Time, aims to create an ultrawide, ultra-high-definition movie of the universe by scanning the entire sky every few nights. This will enable unprecedented observations of galaxies, stars, and solar system objects, contributing significantly to our understanding of dark matter and dark energy. The observatory, located in Chile, is nearly complete and is set to achieve "first light" on July 4th.

2025-05-13 06:03:37.865

May's full moon, nicknamed the flower moon, will shine brightly on Sunday and Monday evenings despite being a micromoon (when the moon is furthest from Earth). It officially peaks at 12:56 p.m. ET on Monday. This is the third and final micromoon of 2025; the moon will be 251,939 miles from Earth. Different indigenous tribes have varying names for this moon, including flower moon, mulberry moon, frog moon, and blossom moon. Seven more full moons will follow in 2025, including supermoons in October, November, and December. A total lunar eclipse (visible from Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, parts of eastern South America, Alaska, and Antarctica) will occur on September 7-8, and a partial solar eclipse will be visible in more remote areas of Australia, Antarctica, and the Pacific Ocean on September 21.

2025-05-12 18:01:21.163

May's full moon, also known as the Flower Moon, will be visible on Sunday and Monday evenings despite being a micromoon—when the moon is farthest from Earth. The moon will be 251,939 miles away from Earth. Different indigenous tribes have varying names for this moon, including the Mulberry Moon, Frog Moon, and Blossom Moon. After this final micromoon of the year, seven more full moons will follow in 2025, with supermoons in October, November, and December. A total lunar eclipse (potentially a 'blood moon') will be visible from various parts of the world on September 7 and 8. A partial solar eclipse will occur on September 21, visible from more remote areas.

2025-05-12 00:01:02.539

May's full moon, also known as the Flower Moon, will be visible on Sunday and Monday even though it is a micromoon (when the moon is furthest from Earth). The moon will be 251,939 miles away from Earth. Different indigenous tribes have varying names for this moon, including the Mulberry Moon, Frog Moon, and Blossom Moon. After this final micromoon of 2025, seven more full moons will occur, with supermoons in October, November, and December. A total lunar eclipse (potentially a 'blood moon') will be visible from various parts of the world on September 7th and 8th. A partial solar eclipse will also occur on September 21st, visible from more remote areas.

2025-03-09 06:00:41.517

A total lunar eclipse will turn the moon red on Thursday night into Friday morning, offering stunning views across the Western Hemisphere. North and South America will have the best viewing conditions, while parts of Africa and Europe might catch a glimpse. Lunar eclipses occur when the sun, Earth, and moon align, causing Earth's shadow to fall on the moon. During a total lunar eclipse, the moon turns a coppery red due to sunlight filtering through Earth's atmosphere. These events happen four to seven times a year. The upcoming eclipse will be visible for about an hour starting at 2:26 a.m. Eastern on Friday, with peak viewing around 3 a.m. Eastern. No special equipment is needed to view the eclipse; simply look up at a clear sky. While the eclipse will be best seen in the Americas, those in Europe and Africa may have difficulty viewing due to the moon's setting. Another total lunar eclipse will occur on September 7th, visible in Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe, with parts of the Americas experiencing one in March 2026. Historically, lunar eclipses have held cultural significance, with ancient civilizations interpreting them in various ways. Aristotle's observations of the Earth's curved shadow on the moon during an eclipse provided evidence of Earth's round shape. In ancient Mesopotamia, a blood-red moon was considered a bad omen for the king, leading to the practice of installing a substitute king during the eclipse.