Just a few of my favorite things from 2023

I am too tired to go get the astronomy book off the shelf so everybody gets to make up their own fun space fact this week

The Geminids meteor showers are peaking Dec 13 & 14th in N. America. The Geminids are unusual as the shooting stars are caused by an asteroid, and not a comet. The y appear to emanate from the constellation Gemini in the southern sky.

 

The Existence of Dark matter in our universe has been confirmed by scientific observations, including recent pictures from the Webb telescope. However, no experimental observation of Dark matter has been reported.

Ensisheim is the oldest meteorite fall that can be positively dated. It was carefully preserved by being hung from the roof of the parish church in Ensisheim, Alsace.

Thanks to everyone who pledged during our fundraiser!

A Cosmic Fundraising Soundtrack

9,000 years ago a Milky Way star exploded in a supernova, leaving behind the Veil Nebula. This nebula is physically huge, containing one filament, NGC 6960, known as the Witch's Broom Nebula, and another, NGC 6995, known as The Bat Nebula.