For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.
-Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890)
SkyTips: November 2014
Stargazing Summary
November is a time of transition in the night sky. The signature star pattern of summer, the Summer Triangle, drops down the western sky during the evening hours, while some of the leading constellations of winter, including Orion and Canis Major, creep into view by mid- to late-evening. The zone between them is devoid of bright stars and constellations. It is dominated by the "celestial sea," a collection of relatively faint star patterns with a watery theme that stretches from Capricornus, the sea goat, to Cetus, the sea monster. Lonely Fomalhaut, in Pisces Austrinus, the southern fish, is the only bright spot in this watery stretch of stars.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.
November 3-9: Bright, Brighter, Brightest. We'll talk about a range of brilliant objects this week, from supergiant stars to exploding stars to cosmic particle beams. Join us for this plus the Moon and a couple of bright orange companions.
November 10-16: Cold Skies. The weather is getting cooler here in the northern hemisphere, but that's nothing compared to Saturn's moon Titan, where it's so cold that water is frozen as hard as granite. Join us for Titan and much more.
November 17-23: Discovering the Universe. A century ago, astronomers weren't sure whether there was anything beyond our own galaxy. But a couple of discoveries by Edwin Hubble settled the question. Join us for Hubble and more "universal" discoveries.
November 24-30: Mergers. Galaxies are giant agglomerations of stars that keep getting bigger by merging with other galaxies. We'll have details on merging galaxies, plus a couple of rare birds in the southern sky and much more.
November program schedule »
Hear StarDate every day on more than 300 radio stations nationwide. Find an affiliate »
November 3-9: Bright, Brighter, Brightest. We'll talk about a range of brilliant objects this week, from supergiant stars to exploding stars to cosmic particle beams. Join us for this plus the Moon and a couple of bright orange companions.
November 10-16: Cold Skies. The weather is getting cooler here in the northern hemisphere, but that's nothing compared to Saturn's moon Titan, where it's so cold that water is frozen as hard as granite. Join us for Titan and much more.
November 17-23: Discovering the Universe. A century ago, astronomers weren't sure whether there was anything beyond our own galaxy. But a couple of discoveries by Edwin Hubble settled the question. Join us for Hubble and more "universal" discoveries.
November 24-30: Mergers. Galaxies are giant agglomerations of stars that keep getting bigger by merging with other galaxies. We'll have details on merging galaxies, plus a couple of rare birds in the southern sky and much more.
November program schedule »
Hear StarDate every day on more than 300 radio stations nationwide. Find an affiliate »
This Month 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
McDonald Observatory Astronomers Advise National Research Council
Astronomers from McDonald Observatory are providing input to the National Research Council (NRC) on a variety of topics in response to a community-wide request from the council in late August. The NRC has a committee on optical and infrared astronomy that is seeking input on topics important to the future of the field in the United States in the era of the forthcoming Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST).
Eminent Engineer and Physicist Appointed to Lead Giant Magellan Telescope Project
The Board of Directors of the Giant Magellan Telescope Organization is pleased to announce the appointment of Edward I. Moses, Ph.D., as President of their organization. Moses, former Principal Associate Director of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, will lead the organization responsible for the development of the billion dollar, 25-meter Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). The University of Texas at Austin is a founding partner in the GMT project.
Astronomers from McDonald Observatory are providing input to the National Research Council (NRC) on a variety of topics in response to a community-wide request from the council in late August. The NRC has a committee on optical and infrared astronomy that is seeking input on topics important to the future of the field in the United States in the era of the forthcoming Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST).
Eminent Engineer and Physicist Appointed to Lead Giant Magellan Telescope Project
The Board of Directors of the Giant Magellan Telescope Organization is pleased to announce the appointment of Edward I. Moses, Ph.D., as President of their organization. Moses, former Principal Associate Director of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, will lead the organization responsible for the development of the billion dollar, 25-meter Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). The University of Texas at Austin is a founding partner in the GMT project.
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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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