Astronomy Fact of the Day: March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024 On this date in 1974, the unmanned probe Mariner 10 made its flyby of Mercury, passing at an altitude of 756 km. Photographs taken during the pass revealed an intensely cratered, Moon-like surface and a faint atmosphere made mostly of helium.  Read a concise record of the Mariner 10 mission at NASA’s… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024 Tonight at 8pm you will find the brightest star in the night sky due south.  This star is called Sirius and is part of the constellation Canis Major. Hubble image of the bright star Sirius. This is the brightest star seen at night owing to its distance of roughly 8.6 light years.… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024 For the next two weeks, northern hemisphere viewers have a chance to see the zodiacal light in the west after evening twilight. The zodiacal light is a wedge-shaped diffuse light that points up from the horizon. This light display is caused by sunlight reflecting off dust in the solar system. Recent studies… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024 On this date in 1996, the comet Hyakutake made its closest approach to Earth, passing just 0.1 AU away. This comet was discovered on January 31, 1996, and passed by Earth only a few months later. One of the most surprising discoveries made during this approach was the emission of X-rays, which… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024 On this date in 1655, Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens discovered Saturn’s moon Titan. It wasn’t until 1847 that this moon received its official name of Titan. It was named by John Herschel, who was the son of William Herschel – discoverer of Saturn’s moons Mimas and Enceladus. Titan image by the Cassini… Continue reading

Astronomy Fact of the Day: March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024 A full moon occurs tonight. Additionally, we can experience a penumbral lunar eclipse. A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon enters the outer part of Earth’s shadow – the penumbra. The effect of a penumbral lunar eclipse is a very slight darkening of the Moon, which can be difficult to detect… Continue reading

Night Sky Update: March 23-31, 2024

This is the Saint Louis Science Center’s NIGHT SKY UPDATE for the week of Saturday, March 23, 2024. Information updated weekly or as needed. Times given as local St. Louis time this week will be in Central Daylight Time (CDT). For definitions of terminology used in the night sky update, click the highlighted text. If… Continue reading

Ceramic Figure

Ceramic Figure – ca. ?? Do you know how to spot a fake artifact? It can be extremely difficult!! For hundreds of years the art of forgery in antiquities has thrived and grown into a very sophisticated and lucrative business worldwide. Many high-profile and respected museums, galleries, auction houses, and collectors alike have been duped… Continue reading

Night Sky Update: March 16-24, 2024

This is the Saint Louis Science Center’s NIGHT SKY UPDATE for the week of Saturday, March 16, 2024. Information updated weekly or as needed. Times given as local St. Louis time this week will be in Central Daylight Time (CDT). For definitions of terminology used in the night sky update, click the highlighted text. If… Continue reading