In January we have Dogs, Cats, we look at our closest neigbours and learn how to enjoy “Gastronomy”. This time of the year, looking north we are gazing towards the edge of the galaxy. Janus was the Roman deity that gave the name to January.
The stars around Sirius make up the constellation of Canis Major which has some really nice open clusters to view through binoculars or a telescope.
This video shows how to find the open cluster, M41, in Canis Major. Visible to both Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Life needs CHNOPS, the six essential elements Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, and Sulphur. Curiosity found them on ancient Mars, but a new study shows Earth was born without them. Only a lucky impact with Theia made our world habitable. In contrast, Venus never stood a chance. Meet the three planetary siblings and discover why only Earth became a cradle for life.
Mars’s mantle contains ancient fragments up to 4km wide from its formation—preserved like geological fossils from the planet’s violent early history.
Cosmic rays are hitting the atmosphere constantly. One of the products of the collisions is muons, and we can detect muons on the surface of the Earth to learn about the cosmic rays.
NGC6025 is an beautiful open cluster close to Beta Trianguli Australis in Triangulum Australe. Visible with binoculars and great in a telescope, well worth a look.
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