(NASA RELEASE: 06-252) NASA engineers continue to examine the issues surrounding a problem related to the Advanced Camera for Surveys aboard the agency’s Hubble Space Telescope. Engineers received indications on Monday, June 19, that the power supply voltages were out of acceptable limits, causing the camera to stop functioning. The camera has been taken off [...]

Last Saturday’s star party at Park City’s Trailside Park was another success, where those with and without optics gathered to enjoy the wonders of summer’s night sky. Said one attendee from New York, "I can’t believe how many stars I can see." Certainly, parts of Utah boast some of America’s darkest skies, but this paradise [...]

The main camera on the Hubble Space Telescope failed on Monday. Engineers are working to remedy the
situation. Several possibilities are being explored (a couple of which can be resolved from Earth). Hubble is still able to do research as it has a few other
cameras to work with. However, the Advanced Camera for Surveys [...]

Due to the tilt of the earth’s axis relative to its orbit around the sun, we experience seasons, and today (this morning, actually) was the Summer Solstice, the point in the earth’s orbit when those of us in the northern hemisphere are smack dab in the middle of summer (of course, that means our friends [...]

The planet Jupiter is currently dominating the night sky. It is the
brightest star like object and can be seen high and towards the southeast shortly after sunset. Its great red spot has been studied for centuries. Recently, a second spot has entered
the scene and is now competing for attention. Dubbed, Red Jr. this [...]

The space shuttle, Discovery is scheduled for a July 1st launch. This will be the first launch in nearly a year and only the second since the Columbia disaster. Astronauts are looking forward to a 13 day mission that will include the delivery of supplies to The International Space Station as well as the testing [...]

Skywatchers are in for a treat next week at the 6th annual Bryce Canyon Star Party. Running 4 nights, from 6/21 through 6/24, the event features some of the darkest and clearest skies on the continent. Come on out to one of amateur astronomys premiere venues, with incredible red rock scenery by day and spectacular [...]

The planets Mars and Saturn can be seen here straddling the stars of The Beehive Cluster (M44), in this sweet shot by Tun

Checkout this sweet shot taken by Paco Bellido of Spain, it shows the planets Saturn and Mars entering conjunction. The pair will pull even closer tonight. How close? Close enough that you could cover both planets with one finger. That’s less than 1* of separation. While you’re out, if you have a clear view to [...]

Check the date. This is not an April Fools joke. On May 2nd, a meteor struck the surface of the moon’s Mare Nubium (Sea of Clouds). As if this wasn’t exciting enough.. it did so under the watchful eye of NASA. They were video taping the surface of the moon through a 10″ telescope when [...]