The still point of the turning world
Polaris is important
Jun 17 2013 | Posted in Tom Burns | Read More »
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The Whirlpool Galaxy
Dear Kids, no, I haven’t seen it yet. In fact, I feel threatened by the new Star Trek movie and every special-effects spectacular ever filmed. Every XBox is my bane, ever insipid television sitcom my sworn enemy. I and others like me are fighting a battle for your hearts and minds, and we often feel like the most unprepared of starship captains facing the most war-hardened Klingons.
Jun 10 2013 | Posted in Tom Burns | Read More »
Once-fearsome dragon is still there
A scant 5,000 years ago, the constellation Draco, the Dragon, was in its prime.
Jun 2 2013 | Posted in Tom Burns | Read More »
Scorpius is a nasty constellation
And now, a beast fiercer than Godzilla, more terrifying than Jaws — ladies and gents, I give you … Claws. But you can’t see this monster in theatres or on the Internet. You’ll have to stay up until midnight or so to see this one among an odd tableau of constellations in the south.
May 27 2013 | Posted in Tom Burns | Read More »
Out in the suburbs of our galaxy
The sky includes star balls called globular clusters
May 17 2013 | Posted in Tom Burns | Read More »
An incredible sight: A grand conjunction
When two planets get close together in the nighttime sky, we call the event a conjunction. When three come together, especially when one of them is elusive Mercury, we call it a “get the heck out there and look” event.
May 12 2013 | Posted in Tom Burns | Read More »
The phases of Venus
Even the most casual sky watcher will notice the planet Venus at some time over the next few months. The second planet from the sun shines a brilliant white. Look for it low in the west during bright evening twilight.
May 8 2013 | Posted in Tom Burns | Read More »
Strange star in the Northern crown
Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown, sits high in the east just after dark right now. Look for the bright semi-circle of stars. This time of year, I always spend a moment glancing at the constellation’s interior. Under most circumstances, you won’t see a single star with the unaided eye. Binoculars generally reveal only two stars.
Apr 28 2013 | Posted in Tom Burns | Read More »