Into Darkness
This illustration depicts laboratory experiments designed to simulate the interiors of giant planets. The National Ignition Facility, at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, conducts experiments in nuclear weapons, physics, astrophysics, and other fields. Part of the facility was used in the movie "Star Trek Into Darkness." [Damien Jemison/LLNL]
Stargazing Summary
The brilliant stars of winter reign on February nights, offering some beautiful skyscapes. Orion is in the south at nightfall, with Sirius, the night sky's brightest star, twinkling fiercely to its lower left. By late in the month, the stars of spring slide into better view. Leo clears the horizon by mid-evening, with Virgo behind him. The planet Venus is climbing higher into the evening sky, while slightly fainter Jupiter rules the sky for the rest of the night.
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.
February 2-8: Moon Meanderings. The Moon passes several bright nightlights this week, including the solar system’s largest planet and a star that’s associated with the autumn harvest. Join us every day for the Moon and much more.
February 9-15: The Unicorn. To the eye alone, the celestial unicorn is a bit disappointing. Through a telescope, though, it’s a wonderland of colorful nebulas, exploding stars, and much more. Join us for the unicorn and much more.
February 16-22: Galactic Arms. Spiral galaxies are some of the most beautiful sights in the cosmos, and we’ll tell you how their beautiful spiral arms take shape, and pinpoint our own spiral arm in the Milky Way. Join us for spiral galaxies and more.
February 23-March 1: A Bright Beacon. The second-brightest star in the night sky peeks into view for parts of the country at this time of year, and we’ll have details. We’ll also tell you how the star has helped guide explorers on Earth and out in space.
Program schedule »
Hear StarDate every day on more than 330 radio stations nationwide. Find an affiliate »
February 2-8: Moon Meanderings. The Moon passes several bright nightlights this week, including the solar system’s largest planet and a star that’s associated with the autumn harvest. Join us every day for the Moon and much more.
February 9-15: The Unicorn. To the eye alone, the celestial unicorn is a bit disappointing. Through a telescope, though, it’s a wonderland of colorful nebulas, exploding stars, and much more. Join us for the unicorn and much more.
February 16-22: Galactic Arms. Spiral galaxies are some of the most beautiful sights in the cosmos, and we’ll tell you how their beautiful spiral arms take shape, and pinpoint our own spiral arm in the Milky Way. Join us for spiral galaxies and more.
February 23-March 1: A Bright Beacon. The second-brightest star in the night sky peeks into view for parts of the country at this time of year, and we’ll have details. We’ll also tell you how the star has helped guide explorers on Earth and out in space.
Program schedule »
Hear StarDate every day on more than 330 radio stations nationwide. Find an affiliate »
Coming Up in StarDate Magazine
For more than a decade, astronomers studying Betelgeuse have found that the red supergiant star is shrinking. We'll introduce the scientists and find out what they think is causing the star to change. We'll also delve into history with a look at how World War II affected astronomers and observatories at home and abroad.
Subscribe today
Subscribe today
Teacher Professional Development Workshops
Announcing Teacher Professional Development Workshops for K-12 educators in the summer of 2015! McDonald Observatory offers a unique setting for teacher workshops: the Observatory and Visitors Center in the Davis Mountains of West Texas. Not only will K-12 educators do inquiry-based activities aligned with science and mathematics TEKS and STAAR, they will practice their new astronomy skills under the Observatory's dark skies, weather permitting, and partner with trained and nationally recognized astronomy educators. All workshops include the international Galileo Teacher Training Program and certification.
Hurry and apply today! Deadline for applications is February 6, 2015.
Hurry and apply today! Deadline for applications is February 6, 2015.
News From the Observatory
Black Hole Chokes on a Swallowed Star
A five-year analysis of an event captured by a tiny telescope at McDonald Observatory and followed up by telescopes on the ground and in space has led astronomers to believe they witnessed a giant black hole tear apart a star. The work is published in The Astrophysical Journal in January.
Craig Nance is New Superintendent of McDonald Observatory
Craig Nance began his tenure as Superintendent of McDonald Observatory in January. The Superintendent is the on-site manager of the Observatory. Nance said he will work with director Taft Armandroff on his three main goals, which include insuring the sustainability of McDonald Observatory, getting the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment (HETDEX) under way, and the Observatory's role in the forthcoming Giant Magellan Telescope.
A five-year analysis of an event captured by a tiny telescope at McDonald Observatory and followed up by telescopes on the ground and in space has led astronomers to believe they witnessed a giant black hole tear apart a star. The work is published in The Astrophysical Journal in January.
Craig Nance is New Superintendent of McDonald Observatory
Craig Nance began his tenure as Superintendent of McDonald Observatory in January. The Superintendent is the on-site manager of the Observatory. Nance said he will work with director Taft Armandroff on his three main goals, which include insuring the sustainability of McDonald Observatory, getting the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment (HETDEX) under way, and the Observatory's role in the forthcoming Giant Magellan Telescope.
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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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