It's that time of the month again. Look up from your mobile device and see the stars!
SkyTips: October 2014
Mission scientists have chosen a landing spot for Philae, a small probe that's scheduled to land on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko on November 12. Marked by a cross on this image, it features a relatively smooth surface, which provides a safe landing spot. [ESA/Rosetta]
Stargazing Summary
October offers some of the best skywatching conditions of the year. The nights are getting longer, while the weather is cooler but not yet bitter. The evening sky offers such treats as Andromeda and several other constellations associated with her story, and the Pleiades and Hyades star clusters in Taurus. Jupiter is climbing higher into the morning sky, while Mars is getting ready to exit the evening sky.
More stargazing information »
More stargazing information »
Radio Program Highlights
If you want to start hearing the StarDate program in your area, you can request a station to carry our program by emailing the request to stations@stardate.org.
October 1-5: Lonely Star. A single bright star decorates the southeastern evening sky at this time of year. But there’s more to Fomalhaut than meets the eye, including a planet and two far-away stellar companions. Join us for Fomalhaut and more.
October 6-12: Fact and Fantasy. Black holes are among the most fascinating objects in the universe, and we’ll talk about three giant black holes in one system, the point of no return, and a common fallacy about black holes. Join us for this and more.
October 13-19: Mars Visitor. A comet is set to streak breathtakingly close to Mars this week, and we’ll have details, along with plans for watching the encounter. We’ll also talk about meteor showers on Mars and Earth. Join us for this and more.
October 20-26: A Stellar “Hiccup.” Despite its reputation, the North Star isn’t steady at all — it pulses in and out like a beating heart. And a half-century ago, it underwent a “hiccup.” Join us for the North Star, a solar eclipse, and much more.
October 27-31: Running in Place. The planet Mars is stuck for a while. Although it’s moving against the background of stars, it’s staying in the same spot in the evening sky. We’ll have details, plus some Halloween tales from the crypt.
October program schedule »
Hear StarDate every day on more than 300 radio stations nationwide. Find an affiliate »
October 1-5: Lonely Star. A single bright star decorates the southeastern evening sky at this time of year. But there’s more to Fomalhaut than meets the eye, including a planet and two far-away stellar companions. Join us for Fomalhaut and more.
October 6-12: Fact and Fantasy. Black holes are among the most fascinating objects in the universe, and we’ll talk about three giant black holes in one system, the point of no return, and a common fallacy about black holes. Join us for this and more.
October 13-19: Mars Visitor. A comet is set to streak breathtakingly close to Mars this week, and we’ll have details, along with plans for watching the encounter. We’ll also talk about meteor showers on Mars and Earth. Join us for this and more.
October 20-26: A Stellar “Hiccup.” Despite its reputation, the North Star isn’t steady at all — it pulses in and out like a beating heart. And a half-century ago, it underwent a “hiccup.” Join us for the North Star, a solar eclipse, and much more.
October 27-31: Running in Place. The planet Mars is stuck for a while. Although it’s moving against the background of stars, it’s staying in the same spot in the evening sky. We’ll have details, plus some Halloween tales from the crypt.
October program schedule »
Hear StarDate every day on more than 300 radio stations nationwide. Find an affiliate »
Coming Up in StarDate Magazine
In our November/December issue, read about the new category of dwarf planets in our solar system. For now, the group has less than a dozen official members, but several are awaiting the designation. We’ll also bring you a guide to great holiday gifts for astronomy enthusiasts of all ages.
Subscribe today
Subscribe today
News From the Observatory
Giant 1930s Telescope Model on View
Prior to building the observatory’s first telescope, the 82-inch reflector that today is known as the Otto Struve Telescope, Warner and Swasey Company of Cleveland, Ohio, built a detailed model. At four feet tall and about three feet in diameter at the base, the one-ton model is a bit larger than a washing machine. For three quarters of a century, this model has resided in Ohio in various museums. It is now on view at McDonald Observatory’s Frank N. Bash Visitors Center.
Prior to building the observatory’s first telescope, the 82-inch reflector that today is known as the Otto Struve Telescope, Warner and Swasey Company of Cleveland, Ohio, built a detailed model. At four feet tall and about three feet in diameter at the base, the one-ton model is a bit larger than a washing machine. For three quarters of a century, this model has resided in Ohio in various museums. It is now on view at McDonald Observatory’s Frank N. Bash Visitors Center.
McDonald Observatory: Brain Motor
A new 15-minute video narrated by StarDate’s Sandy Wood gives a thorough overview of McDonald Observatory, including both history and the cutting-edge science happening here today. View and share it from our YouTube channel, and leave comments to let us know what you think!
Watch on YouTube »
Watch on YouTube »
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About SkyTips
SkyTips is a monthly email newsletter for visitors to McDonald Observatory and StarDate Online. Each issue features stargazing highlights, upcoming StarDate radio program descriptions, and other news. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends and family.
SkyTips is a publication of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory Education and Outreach Office, 2609 University Ave. A2100, Austin, TX 78712. Reproduction of SkyTips content is permitted with proper credit given to McDonald Observatory.
SkyTips is a publication of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory Education and Outreach Office, 2609 University Ave. A2100, Austin, TX 78712. Reproduction of SkyTips content is permitted with proper credit given to McDonald Observatory.
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