Just A Typical Saturday In Our Courtyard Calling Ohio Using Morse Code.

NGC 7023, Ghost Nebula

Did you see what is on www.astrotidbits.com?  Loads of astronomy related stuff, including lots of pictures.

Researchers confirm that mysterious radio waves are actually coming from outer space

The truth is out there — somewhere. Researchers at the Australian National University’s Swinburne University of Technology have confirmed that short bursts of radio waves that had stumped astronomers since their discovery are actually coming from far, far beyond Earth.

The Fast Radio Bursts, or short, intense pulses of radio light, were first picked up at Australia’s Parkes Observatory nearly 10 years ago, according to a statement released Monday by the Swinburne University of Technology. 

According to researchers, the FRBs are “about a billion times more luminous” than anything that’s been observed within our own galaxy.But for a long time, scientists couldn’t determine from where, exactly, the bursts were originating. Read more. (4/4/2017 10:03 AM)

Comet lander Philae wakes up: How it happened and what’s next

By Lauren Raab

Philae, the first spacecraft to land on a comet, surprised and delighted scientists this weekend by waking up and reestablishing contact with Earth, seven months after running out of power. It “spoke” for more than a minute, according to the European Space Agency, and it’s expected to be able to continue gathering information and sending it home.

Here’s a look at what the lander has done so far and what will happen next.

Continue Reading.

How I Discovered Halley’s Comet, by Edmond Halley

On Monday, June 10, in the Evening, the Sky being very serene and calm, I was desirous to take a view of the disk of Mars (then very near the Earth, and appearing very glorious) to see if I could distinguish in my 24 Foot Telescope, the Spots said to be seen on him. Directing my Tube for the purpose, I accidentally fell upon a small whitish Appearance near the Planet, resembling in all respects such a Nebula … The Reverend Mr. Miles Williams, Mr. Alban Thomas, and myself contemplated this Appearance for above an Hour … and we could not be deceiv’d as to its Reality; but the slowness of its Motion made us at that time conclude that it had none, and that it was rather a Nebula than a Comet.

Read more. [Image: Wikimedia Commons]

Comet PanSTARRS

Gorgeous picture of Comet PanSTARRS taken by Carl Gruber on March 2, 2013 at a mountain lookout in Melbourne.

Hubble has been 27 years in space, being launched in April 24, 1990. The first image it shoot was the star cluster NGC 3532.

Jupiter’s swirling clouds around the Great Red Spot. NASA/JPL.