Category Archives: Astronomy

Astronomers using NASAs Spitzer Space Telescope have identified three fastest-spinning ultracool dwarfs ever found: 2MASS J03480772-6022270, 2MASS J12195156+3128497, and 2MASS J04070752+1546457.

The faster a brown dwarf spins, the narrower the different-colored atmospheric bands on it likely become, as shown in this illustration. Some brown dwarfs glow in visible light, but they are typically brightest in infrared wavelengths, which are longer than what human eyes can see. Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech.

2MASS J03480772-6022270, 2MASS J12195156+3128497, and 2MASS J04070752+1546457 were first spotted by the ground-based Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS), which ran until 2001.

These brown dwarfs are all about the same diameter as Jupiter but between 40 and 70 times more massive.

They rotate once per 1.08, 1.14 and 1.23 hours, respectively, while the next-fastest known brown dwarfs rotate about once every 1.4 hours and Jupiter spins once every 10 hours.

Based on their size, that means the largest of the three brown dwarfs whips around at more than 100 km per second (60 miles per second).

We seem to have come across a speed limit on the rotation of brown dwarfs, said first author Megan Tannock, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Western Ontario.

Despite extensive searches, by our own team and others, no brown dwarfs have been found to rotate any faster. In fact, faster spins may lead to a brown dwarf tearing itself apart.

Tannock and her colleagues first identified the rapid rotation rates of the three brown dwarfs using data from Spitzer.

They then corroborated their unusual findings through observations with the ground-based Gemini North and Magellan telescopes.

They did this by measuring alterations in the objects light caused by the Doppler effect and using a computer model to match those alterations to spin rates.

Brown dwarfs, like planets with atmospheres, can have large weather storms that affect their visible brightness, said co-author Dr. Stanimir Metchev, an astronomer at the Institute for Earth and Space Exploration at Western University.

The observed brightness variations show how frequently the same storms are seen as the object spins, which reveals the brown dwarfs spin period.

A paper describing the results will be published in the Astronomical Journal.

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Megan E. Tannock et al. 2021. Weather on Other Worlds. V. The Three Most Rapidly Rotating Ultra-Cool Dwarfs. AJ, in press; arXiv: 2103.01990

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Spitzer Discovers Three Most Rapidly-Rotating Brown Dwarfs | Astronomy - Sci-News.com

According to the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) founded in 1988 and based in Tucson, Arizona light pollution is increasing at a rate two times that of population growth, and 83% of the global population lives under a light-polluted sky. Thats why the group has established an International Dark Sky Week, which in 2021 falls on April 5 to 12. Goals for the week include turning off unneeded exterior lights and considering leaving them off all year long. The group also hopes youll learn the stars and constellations, and teach them to others, and join the global dark sky movement to protect and celebrate our shared heritage. According the the IDA:

It may seem harmless, but light pollution has far-reaching consequences that are harmful to all living things. Effective outdoor lighting reduces light pollution, leading to a better quality of life for all. The dark sky movement is working to bring better lighting to communities around the world so that all life can thrive.

Looking for ways to celebrate International Dark Sky Week? Find International Dark Sky Week events all over the world, organized by astronomy clubs, schools, universities, communities and more. Visit EarthSkys Tonight page to see what you can view in the sky this week. Visit EarthSkys Best Places to Stargaze page to find a good dark-sky observing site close to home. Share your night sky photos at EarthSky Community Photos.

Paul Bogard has written extensively on the importance of darkness. His book is titled The End of Night. His TEDx Talk focuses on why we need darkness. Youll find his TEDx Talk here.

Use this poster to help spread the word: Its International Dark Sky Week! Celebrate April 5 to 12, 2021, by teaching others the night sky. Image via IDA.

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Jatinkumar Thakkar in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, captured this photo of the Milky Way on March 20, 2021. He wrote: Cape Cod has the darkest sky within the state. As the Milky Way season has begun, my friends and I decided to go to Cape Cod to take pictures of the Milky Way near the seashore. What a calm and clear night! We could see a clear reflection of the Milky Way in the water. Thank you, Jatinkumar!

Bottom line: The 2021 International Dark Sky Week runs from April 5 to April 12.

See the article here:

International Dark Sky Week is April 5 to 12 - EarthSky

To help keep readers plugged into Cincinnati life even as we continue to physically distance from each other due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, CityBeat is highlighting a series of local podcasts and their creators every week. Read previous installments about "When Pigs Fly," "West End Stories," "Cincinnati Zoo Tails," "Cincy Brewcast," "Nature Vs. Narcissism" and "Person of Interest."

The "Looking Up" podcast explores the cosmos.Photo: Greg Rakozy, Unsplash

Curiosity isnt just the name of NASAs Mars rover. Its also the driving force behind Cincinnati Public Radios Looking Up podcast.

Twice a month, co-hosts Dean Regas and Anna Hehman talk about all things astronomy from the red, dying star Betelgeuse (up in the sky, not the fictional poltergeist made famous by actor Michael Keaton) to the periodic alignment of Saturn and Jupiter to NASAs citizen scientists programs.

And if things veer into the pop-culture realm when Star Trek's William Shatner makes a guest appearance, it's all the better to get more Cincinnatians interested in space.

According to Regas and Hehman, the purpose of the podcast is to spark curiosity and conversation about science in a way that is accessible and exciting.

The thing that is important, and I think what hopefully people get from this podcast, is just because you don't have this knowledge, you can have an interest and genuine curiosity about the universe and cosmos, Hehman tells CityBeat.

While Regas is considered an expert on observational astronomy as the Cincinnati Observatorys renowned educator and astronomer, Hehmans background is devoid of anything astronomical. She says she learns alongside the listener, and her dynamic with Regas provides a light-hearted crash course on astronomy that is intriguing for all ages.

If it was just Dean kind of explaining things in a vacuum, it would be great, of course, but the back and forth is what makes it feel more relatable and really bring some of these topics, like we say, down to Earth, Hehman says.

In each 30-minute episode, Hehman and Regas also interview guests, including NASA astronauts, celebrities from classic sci-fi shows, space-related authors and astrophysicists.

Regas explains that a key role of astronomers is to be great communicators between the technical aspects of astronomy and the discoverys relation to the public. With these interviews, Regas says he tries to impart the pivotal work of each guest while also making it relevant to the average person.

I try to be kind of the intermediary between the people making these awesome, incredible discoveries and kind of relating it to people to say, What does this actually mean or what does this actually do for us? he says.

Notable guests have included Shatner (Star Treks Captain James Kirk), Paul Zaloom (who played the titular character onBeakman's World), Phil Plait (Twitter personality The Bad Astronomer and writer on Netflixs Bill Nye Saves the World)and Ann Druyan (writer/editor/producer of Cosmos: A Spacetime Odysseyand Carl Sagans widow).

In an upcoming episode, Hehman and Regas will interview a Cincinnati-born engineer that worked on NASAs latest Mars rover, Perseverance.

Hehman says she loves talking to the guests because of their palpable excitement for their work and space in general, which always enhances the key insights that they bring to the show.

In addition to the science-centric topics, Hehman and Regas like to add comedy and commentary. Each episode of Looking Up has a segment called The Crank File, in which Hehman and Regas look at astronomers theories from the 1800s to 1900s and try to debunk them with modern knowledge. Another segment has Regas answering space-related questions submitted by kindergarteners.

With a field as nebulous as astronomy, Regas and Hehman say they never have to fear running out of episode topics.

I think there's so many different topics to cover and so many new discoveries. I mean, I always like to say that astronomy stories are always like good news stories. Theyre always very positive, Regas says.

That ties into the podcasts title, Looking Up, both in the practicality of astronomy and as a philosophy on life.

That idea of the looking up is a little bit of a philosophy also, Regas says. Especially for this past year, we've been really trying to be very positive about things. That's actually kind of part of our thingwe're real positive about the future, were positive about things going on.

Looking Up is released twice per month. It can be accessed via Cincinnati Public Radio, Appleor wherever you listen to podcasts.

See the article here:

'Looking Up' Podcast Explores Cincinnati's Connection to Space, the Final Frontier - Cincinnati CityBeat

Meteor showers, pink supermoons, and zodiacal glows, oh my! A slew of astronomy events promise to dazzle people across the country this month, so be sure to mark your calendar and keep a pair of binoculars handy.

If you're searching for the best time to head outside or wondering how to catch these stunning phenomena in the sky, don't sweat itwe've got you covered. Sure it might require waking up at a few unusual times, but it'll surely be worth your while. First up: the zodiacal glow!

Thanks to a cloud of dust particles orbiting the sun, we can catch a glimpse of sunlight being reflected toward earth, which results in this experience, according to NASA. Those in search of the zodiacal glow should try to find a column of light extending from the horizon. Though it's still being researched, the zodiacal glow is said to be a result of mars!

Have a look at the Palatinate Forest near Bad Derkheim in Germany in March 2021. You'll be able to catch that faint column of light toward the left of the photograph. That's the zodiacal glow! At times, it can look like a pyramid.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Those in the northern hemisphere are expected to see the zodiacal glow from now until April 13.

The best time is after twilight. It is likely to appear in the west after sunset, according to EarthSky.

On average, these cool moons often appear roughly 15% brighter and 7% bigger, according to Farmer's Almanac.

Much like Chrissy Teigen's new hairdo, the moon sports a ros-colored tint. However, sometimes it could come across as golden or white-colored, according to Farmer's Almanac.

(Image credit: Chaiwat Subprasom/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The first pink supermoon of 2021 is happening on April 26! If you miss it, don't worry: It'll return a month later, on May 26. Talk about good timing!

The best time to see this spectacular event is at night. (Farmer's Almanac suggests after sunset.) The moon will reach peak illumination at 11:33pm EDTa bit late for the kiddos, but hopefully not for you! Space.com suggests arriving early, as it predicts the peak illumination will be two minutes earlier at 11:31pm.

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Following a months-long meteor drought, these space rocks will enter Earth's atmosphere as glowing hot air, according to NASA.

(Image credit: Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

These are shooting stars! You have to be on your toes to catch 'em! These were captured in Germany in April 2020.

We're expected to see them all over the world! Catch them from April 19 to the morning of April 23, according to EarthSky.

Take a look between moonset and dawn!

Link:

Here's how to catch a star-studded April thanks to these astronomy events - woman&home

Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest in the Solar System and is one of the gas giants. It is the third-brightest natural object in the night sky (after the moon and Venus) and is named after a Roman god. Jupiter has 79 known natural satellites (53 have been named and 26 are still waiting for official names) of these 60 are less than 10km wide. They can be classified into three different categories, Inner, Outer and Galilean.

The inner moons are those which orbit closest to Jupiter and they are sometimes known as the Amalthea group. This category includes moons such as Metis, Adrastea, Amalthea, and Thebe. The other moons are known as irregular moons due to their eccentric and distant orbit paths. These are the furthest from Jupiter and are considerably smaller objects. It is thought that many of these moons are captured asteroids pulled in by the gravitational forces of Jupiter.

The third classification of the moons of Jupiter are the Galilean moons which are the largest four moons of Jupiter; Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. These were discovered by Galileo in 1610 (hence where the name comes from). They each have a radius larger than any of the dwarf planets and they are some of the largest objects in the solar system outside of the eight planets.

Io is the most volcanically active body in the solar system and its surface is a colourful collaboration of different forms of sulphur. The immense gravitational pull of Jupiter causes gravity pulled tides on the surface of Io that can rise up to 100meters high that end up creating enough heat for the volcanic activity to drive off any water. The surface of Europa is covered in mostly water ice, with evidence of this suggesting that it may be covering an ocean of water/slushy ice. In-fact it is thought that there may be as mush as twice the amount of water on Europa compared to Earth. Ganymede is the largest moon within our solar system, indeed it actually is larger than the planet Mercury. The size of this moon means that it is large enough to actually generate its own magnetic field. Callisto is the second largest moon orbiting Jupiter and the third largest overall in the solar system.

Limerick Astronomy Club email limerickastronomyclub @gmail.com

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Limerick Astronomy Club: The Moons of Jupiter - Limerick Leader

An international team of astronomers have used ultra-sensitive radio images to reveal thousands of star-forming galaxies in the early universe.

The scientists compiled the images using the International Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) telescope, a trans-European network of radio antennas.

It works by combining the signals from more than 70,000 antenna, located in stations across the Netherlands and in partner European countries including the UK.

By observing the same regions of sky repeatedly and combining the data to make a single very-long exposure image, the team detected the faint radio glow of stars exploding as supernovae, in tens of thousands of galaxies out to the most distant parts of the universe.

To produce the images, more than four petabytes of raw data equivalent to about a million DVDs were taken and processed.

Philip Best from the University of Edinburgh, who led the deep survey, said: When we look at the sky with a radio telescope, the brightest objects we see are produced by massive black holes at the centre of galaxies.

However, our images are so deep that most of the objects in it are galaxies like our own Milky Way, which emit faint radio waves that trace their ongoing star-formation.

The combination of the high sensitivity of LOFAR and the wide area of sky covered by our survey about 300 times the size of the full moon has enabled us to detect tens of thousands of galaxies like the Milky Way, far out into the distant universe.

The light from these galaxies has been travelling for billions of years to reach the Earth this means that we see the galaxies as they were billions of years ago, back when they were forming most of their stars.

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Team member Isabella Prandoni, from the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics in Bologna, added: Star formation is usually enshrouded in dust, which obscures our view when we look with optical telescopes. But radio waves penetrate the dust, so with LOFAR we obtain a complete picture of their star-formation.

LOFAR is operated by ASTRON, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy.

The UK is a partner country in the project, alongside Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden.

Continued here:

International astronomy team reveal images of star-forming galaxies - Yahoo Eurosport UK

When Uncle Segar Passi watches the position of the setting Sun from his front patio, he notes its location and relates that to the time of year and changes in seasonal cycles.

What he sees translates into his artworks. They are visually stunning, a rich tapestry of colours jumping off the frame with a palate that easily rivals Vincent van Gogh. This is reflected in the many awards he has garnered over the years.

His artistic talent is matched only by the depth of his wisdom and cultural knowledge, which he teaches through his practice.

Turning 79 this year, Uncle Segar is a senior Meriam elder and a Dauareb man, meaning his community is originally from Dauar, the larger of the two small islands off the coast of Mer (the other being Waier) in the eastern Torres Strait.

The volcanic trio of islands are collectively known as the Murray Island group, and sit at the very tip of the Great Barrier Reef.

Professor Martin Nakata, a Torres Strait Islander and Pro-Vice Chancellor at James Cook University, brought me to Mer years ago to help the community document its star knowledge for education and community programs.

We stood on the beach near Uncle Segars house, watching the sunset near the double-hilled island of Dauar when he told me:

That place has powerful magic. If you want to learn about traditional star knowledge, you ask those elders. Theyre the big dogs.

Looking to the artworks on the wall in Uncle Segars workshop, I noticed a plethora of subtle characteristics encoded within each one.

I know his artistic style is unique and aesthetically gorgeous, but I also know that every colour, brushstroke, motif and design has meaning. I see a painting showing a crescent Moon with the cusps pointing up. Above it are puffy cumulus clouds and the moonlight reflected in the choppy waters.

Another painting, which looks nearly identical from a distance, shows the Moon tilted at an angle. The clouds above are cirrus, and the reflection of moonlight is clear and strong on the calm, still water.

In his characteristic soft voice, Uncle Segar explained the meaning behind this pair of paintings.

Every month there is a New Moon at a different angle. Did you ever notice this?

He explained how the New Moon (kerker meb) can tell you about the changing seasons if you look at the angle of its tilt. When the cusps are pointing up (Meb metalug em), it is the dry season, the Sager.

You will see large cumulus clouds in the evening sky and the water is choppy. When the cusps point at an angle (Meb uag em), the water is calm and you see cirrus clouds. This is the wet monsoon season, the Kuki. He pointed to the painting:

If the water looks rough and the Moon is pointed up, you know the winds will die down and the next day the water will be fine.

The paintings are a medium through which complex systems of knowledge are passed down. These systems are based on generations of collective observation, deduction and interconnection a longstanding system of science.

Read more: The Moon plays an important role in Indigenous culture and helped win a battle over sea rights

Uncle Segar is an expert on clouds and weather, the plants and animals, the sea, land, and the sky. His knowledge is as deep as his artworks are captivating.

The self-taught artist developed his style in the 1960s and has since won several major awards for his work, gaining an international profile through his raw talent, complex works and lovely personality. But his passion is for local community, both on Mer and across the Torres Strait.

Uncle Segars work has appeared in local school books and seasonal calendars about traditional knowledge. He has also worked closely with me and other academics over the years, sharing Meriam Star Knowledge and co-authoring several research papers.

These include publications about traditional ways of interpreting the twinkling stars, the role of astronomy in song and dance, and the relationship between bright meteors and death rites in the Torres Strait.

Uncle Segar is currently contributing to a major book on Indigenous astronomy for a global audience and has been featured in recent Indigenous astronomy articles in Cosmos magazine. His knowledge has even been written into the Australian National Curriculum for schools across the country.

This knowledge has found its way into films by some of the worlds most critically acclaimed directors. Members of the Mer community performed the Maier (Shooting Star) dance for the 2020 Werner Herzog and Clive Oppenheimer film Fireball: Visitors from Darker Worlds.

Maier is a term from the Meriam Mir language referring to fireballs (exceptionally bright meteors), which are seen as a celestial personification of a recently deceased persons spirit flying to Beig, the land of the dead.

The brightness, trajectory and sound of a Maier all have special meaning. If the Maier breaks into fragments and you see sparks fall (uir-uir), you know that person left behind a large family.

The trajectory of the Maier tells you where that person is from. And when you hear the booming sound (dum) as the fireball explodes, it tells you that person has arrived at their destination.

The Maier dance is originally from Mer but had not been performed on the island since 1969. In late 2019, the community approved Herzog and Oppenheimer to film the dance on Mer.

Led by Meriam elder Alo Tapim, four local dancers were taught the kab kar (sacred dance) and performed it on the beach at sunset just hours later, with cameras rolling. The segment you see at the end of the film is the first time the dance had been performed on Mer in 50 years.

In 2020, his lifetime of work and his contributions to astronomy were recognised when the International Astronomical Union renamed the asteroid 1979 MH4 as 7733 Segarpassi.

This is a 1.9km-wide asteroid in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It is 2.4 times farther from the Sun than Earth is, and takes 3.7 years to orbit the Sun.

Read more: From 7809 Marcialangton to 7630 Yidumduma: 5 asteroids named after Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Uncle Segars important contributions to culture and science are also encapsulated in the newly released commemorative coin The Shark in the Stars.

Released on March 4, 2021 by the Royal Australian Mint, this non-circulating coin features Uncle Segars artwork. It is the third and final instalment of the Star Dreaming series, and was so popular all 5,000 coins sold out within two hours.

The celestial shark is called Beizam, a Meriam constellation formed by the bright stars of the Big Dipper (part of the Western constellation Ursa Major, the Big Bear). It traces out the head, body, fins and tail of the shark.

The changing position of the shark in the northern skies throughout the year is a seasonal marker that notes shifting seasons, when to hunt turtle, when to harvest yams, and informs the observer about the behaviour of the shark itself.

Read more: New coins celebrate Indigenous astronomy, the stars, and the dark spaces between them

When the nose of Beizam touches the horizon at sunset, sharks are feeding on sardines that swim in tight ribbons close to the shore. This occurs during the Sager, which can be a dangerous time to go for a dip.

Later in the year, as the shark dives below the horizon at dusk, you will see the first lightning of the coming monsoon.

Meriam people teach that water rushes through Beizams gills as it dives into the sea on the horizon, casting water into the sky which falls as the rains of the wet season, the Kuki.

Uncle Segar Passi continues to share his knowledge with the world, benefiting his community and the next generation of Meriam scholars. And we are exceptionally lucky and honoured to continue learning from Elders like him.

Read more: A shark in the stars: astronomy and culture in the Torres Strait

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From fireballs in the sky to a shark in the stars: the astronomical artistry of Segar Passi - The Conversation AU

(Graphic illustration by Charlie Dillon | The Collegian)

Stargazing can be a new hobby to explore this spring as the evenings begin to warm up.

Colorado State Universitys Emily Hardegree-Ullman, assistant professor in the Colorado State University physics department and director of the on-campus Madison-Macdonald Observatory, offers some insight to this months celestial calendar.

Check out last months Written in the Stars for Fort Collins-specific beginner stargazing suggestions and to review some of the springtime constellations that are still visible.

According to in-the-sky.org, the moon will align with three different planets on the evenings of April 6, 7 and 17. The planets will be visible to the naked eye and in line with the moon. This month, Saturn will align with the moon on April 6, Jupiter on April 7 and Mars on April 17.

Following the meteor drought occurring from January to April, the Lyrid meteor shower will be best visible from the Northern Hemisphere on the nights of April 21 and 22 and into the morning of April 23, Hardegree-Ullman said.

They are going to be a little bit tricky (to see) because the moon will be pretty bright, Hardegree-Ullman said. She said the best time to spot them will be after the moon sets, in the wee hours after 4:30 in the morning. Hardegree-Ullman said the Lyrids would be most visible in the early mornings of April 22 and 23.

The Lyrids are going to be appearing to come from the direction of (the constellation) Lyra, Hardegree-Ullman said. She said stargazers can look toward the bright star, Vega, part of the constellation Lyra, in the east to try and spot the meteor shower.

This months full moon will appear up to 10% bigger than its smallest state, making it a supermoon, according to Hardegree-Ullman. Aprils full moon is always called the pink moon, named for some of the earliest flowers to bloom in spring. Hardegree-Ullman said the supermoons size may not be especially apparent, but it will be noticeably brighter than usual.

Students use this website to track International Space Station passes over a variety of locations. Hardegree-Ullman said that in Fort Collins, On April 2, 4 and 5, the ISS will be visible for multiple minutes and will be very bright.

According to Hardegree-Ullman, stargazers can look for the red giant Arcturus in the constellation Botes.

Arc to Arcturus; so if you find the Big Dipper handle, and follow it to a bright red star, youve found it, she said.

Hardegree-Ullman also said to look for the constellation Gemini and its colorful stars, Castor and Pollux. Cancer, a faint constellation, will also be visible, and its Beehive Cluster can be viewed with either binoculars or a telescope, according to Hardegree-Ullman.

Happy stargazing, Rams!

Noelle Mason can be reached atnews@collegian.comor on Twitter@noellemaso.

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Written in the Stars: April astronomy calendar The Rocky Mountain Collegian - Rocky Mountain Collegian

Artificial satellites and space junk orbiting the Earth can increase the brightness of the night sky, researchers have found, with experts warning such light pollution could hinder astronomers ability to make observations of our universe.

There are more than 9,200 tonnes of space objects in orbit around the Earth, ranging from defunct satellites to tiny fragments, according to the European Space Agency (ESA). Now it seems space junk not only poses a collision risk but, together with other space objects, is contributing to light pollution.

Writing in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, researchers describe how sunlight that is reflected and scattered from space objects can appear as streaks in observations made by ground-based telescopes.

Because the streaks are often comparable to or brighter than objects of astrophysical interest, their presence tends to compromise astronomical data and poses the threat of irretrievable loss of information, the team writes.

But for some instruments, the impact could be greater still. When imaged with high angular resolution and high sensitivity detectors, many of these objects appear as individual streaks in science images, they write. However, when observed with relatively low-sensitivity detectors like the unaided human eye, or with low-angular-resolution photometers, their combined effect is that of a diffuse night sky brightness component, much like the unresolved integrated starlight background of the Milky Way.

Calculations in the report suggest this glow could reach up to 10% of the natural night sky brightness a level of light pollution previously set by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) as being the limit that is acceptable at astronomical observatory sites.

While the researchers say the idea of a natural level of brightness has its own difficulties, they stress further research is necessary, adding that the situation could become worse as further satellites, including mega-constellations, are launched.

Greg Brown, a Royal Observatory astronomer who was not involved in the study, said light pollution was a big problem for astronomers.

Telescopes like the soon-to-be-operational Vera C Rubin Observatory are expecting vast contamination of their images from just the mega-constellations expected in the next few years, which will be difficult and costly to compensate for and do seriously risk scientists missing out on key scientific discoveries, he said.

While Brown said it was unclear whether the assumptions made in the study held true, given changes in satellite design and the difficulty of estimating small space debris, he said astronomical observations would be increasingly affected by such light pollution.

This is definitely the time to be concerned about the future of both professional and amateur astronomy, he said.

Prof Danny Steeghs of the University of Warwick said there was a balance to be struck between the benefits of satellites and their impact on our ability to study the night sky, but agreed light pollution was likely to be a growing, and escalating, problem.

We can, as astronomers, remove or reduce the direct impact on our data somewhat by employing image processing techniques, but of course it would be a lot better if they are not there for starters, he said.

Fabio Falchi, from the Light Pollution Science and Technology Institute in Italy, said the problem was global. The distribution of the space debris is fairly uniform around our planet, so the contamination is already present everywhere, he said, suggesting those responsible for the problem should help to solve it.

Maybe Elon Musk can put his engineers at work to find out a solution, at least to counterbalance a little the damage that his Starlink mega-constellation of satellites is going to make to the starry sky, he said.

While projects have recently begun to clean up space junk, Steeghs said one difficulty was that small fragments could be tricky to sweep up yet could nonetheless contribute to the light pollution.

Chris Lintott, a professor of astrophysics at the University of Oxford, also stressed the need for action. It does seem that simple efforts like building satellites out of darker materials might be very helpful, and I hope operators will take such steps as soon as possible, he said.

Excerpt from:

Light pollution from satellites 'poses threat' to astronomy - The Guardian

Astrotourism has travelers jaunting to dark skies around the globe specifically for stargazing and astronomical events. USA TODAY

When Valerie Stimacspotted Hale-Bopp, that was it. She was hooked.

That unusuallybright comet,which flew by earth in the mid-1990s,sparked, her lifelong fascination with the night sky. Add to that the fact that she grew up in Alaska watching the aurora borealis on a regularly basis, and its easy to see why she fell for starry nights early on. It also makes sense that her career now focuses on all things celestial.

As the founder of Space Tourism Guide and author of "Dark Skies: A Practical Guide to Astrotourism,"she loves getting others stoked on stellar encounters through astrotourism. Which begs the questions, what exactly is astrotourism?

It encompasses any travel related to astronomy experiences, she says, whether its a solar eclipse, meteor shower, rocket launch or even something more off-worldly like taking a zero-gravity flight or eventually going to space.

If you can, try to plan your trip around an astronomy events. In 2021, Stimac says to consider the lunar occultation of Mars in April, total lunar eclipse in May, lunar occultation of Venus in November and total solar eclipse over Antarctica in December.

The best astronomical phenomena in 2020 were ones we didn't necessarily know to plan for Comet NEOWISE was only discovered in March, she says. I'm also excited for what new wonders we'll discover this year.

Here are several resorts with a focus on astronomy.

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The Wyoming wilderness is dazzling by day, of course, but by night, well, its even better. That said, theres nothing quite like staying at HotelJackson, a four-star boutique property, for a bespoke, socially distanced stargazing experience. Wyoming Stargazing takes guests to Grand Teton National Park where they can bundle up in a blanket and cozy up in a camping chair while as astronomer guides them through the cosmic display. Back at the hotel youll have views of the Snow King and the Jackson Valley Mountains. Plan a day trip to nearby Yellowstone National Park to hit the slopes or go for a hike.

Stimac recommends paying attention to the moon phase and dressing in layers. The moon is astonishingly bright and can prevent you from seeing the stars in that area of the sky, she explains. "If you want to go stargazing without the moon, aim for nights near the new moon or plan to enjoy some moongazingduring the rest of the month.

Next, don't underestimate how cold it gets once the sun goes down, she says. It's better to pack too many layers than to have your stargazing session cut short because you get cold.

Getting there: Fly into Jackson Hole Airport, and the hotels luxury car will pick you up.

Maui meets all the requirements for epic stargazing: fantastic weather all year, barely any light pollution and impeccable star visibility. HyattRegencyMauiResort and Spais a seaside escape known for its focus on the stars. For two decades, EdwardMahoney has served as the director ofastronomyforthe hotels Tour of the Stars program.Needless to say, he can answer nearly any question you come up with. And, since Maui is just 20 degrees north of the equator, guests can gaze at 80 of the 88constellations. Choose from an 8 or 9 p.m. nightly astronomy session for your glimpse of the crystal-clear skies. Or book the romance tour at 10 p.m., which comes with sparkling wine and chocolate-covered strawberries.

Nearby, The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua has a stargazing program, where guests learn about the significant role the Polynesian voyagers played in the migration to Hawaii. Plus, telescopes are available upon request so you can spot constellations throughout your stay.When youre ready to venture outside of the five-star hotel, there are miles of hiking trails to choose from and six beaches to lounge on. Once youre out of energy, treat yourself to a deep-muscle massage, oxygen-renewal facial and a coconut-mango pedicure or a private cabana by the pool. If you are there from December to March, keep those eyes peeled for whales. Thousands of humpbacks visit Mauis shores to breed and give birth in the warm waters.

Getting there: Maui is open for tourism with some travel protocols and restrictions. Hawaiian Airlines has nonstop flights from several major cities.

Four Seasons Resort, Bora Bora

The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Tahiti might be overwater bungalows and stunning turquoise water. But stargazing should also top the list. Bora Bora happens to be one of the best places to view the Southern hemisphere sky.

For the ultimate stargazing getaway, make a beeline to the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, where the overwater bungalows make for the perfect spot to lounge and look up at the stars. Come nighttime, get cozy on your patio lounge chairs and gaze at the night sky with the sound of waves rolling below. With no light pollution and perfect clarity, its often possible to see the Milky Way and the Southern Cross.

Many of our guests are coming for an escape from the big cities, traffic, noise and stress, says Etienne Baldeschi, head concierge at the resort. The environment here is really about privacy, romance, peace and exploration, so stargazing fits right in and is enjoyed here by almost every guest to various degrees.

To learn more about the night sky, book a stargazing session with Vavau where guests take a sunset cruise to a motu (island) and learn about how ancient Polynesians used celestial navigation.

Getting there: Youll have to wait for tourism to reopen in French Polynesia before you visit. But once it does, book an Air Tahiti Nuidirect flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Tahiti. Find the latest travel restrictions here.

At Amangiri Resort, a 600-acre paradise near Page, Arizona, guests can sign up for a complimentary stargazing session with the in-house astronomer. Theres even an astrophotographymachine that allows up to 10 users to connect wirelessly and download astro-photos from the machine directly to their device. With Amangiri being super remote, the stargazing is spectacular.

Come nighttime, rest your head in a suite with a sky terrace (that makes stagazing quite simple). During the day, spend time trekking through the national parks and kicking back at Aman Spa for a healing Navajo-inspired treatment. During the daytime, explore nearby natural wonders like majestic Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Adventurous types will appreciate climbing the via ferrata route, exploring slot canyons or hot-air ballooning at sunrise.

Getting there: Page Municipal Airport is located 25 minutes from Amangiri and is the closest airport.

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Astrotourism: These resorts will have you seeing stars - USA TODAY