1.
Mars lingers amongst the stars of northern winter, Venus reappear in the evening sky, and a pleasant little meteor shower adds a little excitement to the night sky. Plus it's the 60th anniversary of a most momentous event. Here's what's going on in the Night Sky This Month.
2. This month,
a look at NGC 2419, the 'Intergalactic Wanderer', a globular cluster gravitationally bound to the Milky Way, yet farther away than some nearby galaxies. Well worth a look in a small telescope, or some carefully pondering on a cloudy night.
3. Speaking of globular clusters, I recently learned
of the passing, from complications from Covid-19, of an old professor who was an expert on these ancient collections of stars. She decided to be an astronomer at age 9, and she succeeded in a time when there were precious few women astronomers. Sad news.
5. As if the James Webb Space Telescope hasn't had enough problems. Due for launch later this year, this technological marvel must still reach its launch site in French Guiana. What else could go wrong?
Pirates!
6. One of my favorite astronomy writers, 'Uncle Rod' Mollise, doesn't post much these days.
In his latest article, he explains why. (Hint: None of us are getting any younger.)
7. Planetary science of sorts, but I'm sure you've never pondered this question, as I never have: if every person in the world sat in the ocean at the same time,
how much would sea level rise?
8. Recent research reveals evidence, from east Asian historical records, of a massive solar storm
way back in 1582.
10.
A Song for Stargazers: Just what every amateur astronomer wants at one time or other -
a Blue Telescope.
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Clear Skies!
Brian Ventrudo
Publisher
