Tag: Astronomy

Science

Rare Planetary Parade to Light Up the Sky on February 28, Visible for the First Time in Decades

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

February 28 will witness a rare and spectacular astronomical event as six planets—Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Venus, Mercury, and Neptune—become visible in a near-linear alignment, often referred to as a “planetary parade.” Such alignments are uncommon, making this a once-in-decades opportunity for skywatchers and astronomy enthusiasts.


While planets frequently align in smaller groups, seeing six planets line up simultaneously is exceptionally rare. Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will be relatively easy to spot with the naked eye, while Mercury will be visible near the horizon. Neptune, being much farther and fainter, may require binoculars or a telescope for clear observation.

Astronomers note that the alignment is a result of the planets’ orbits placing them on the same side of the Sun from Earth’s perspective, creating the illusion of a straight line across the sky. Weather conditions and light pollution will play a key role in visibility, and viewers are advised to look toward the horizon shortly after sunset or before sunrise, depending on their location.

This celestial event will not repeat in a similar formation for several decades, making February 28 a must-watch moment for anyone interested in space and the wonders of the universe.

Human Interest

Rare Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Makes Closest Approach to Earth on December 19

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS will make its closest approach to Earth on Friday, December 19, marking a significant moment in the journey of one of the rarest cosmic visitors ever observed in our solar system. The comet was discovered on July 1 by NASA-funded ATLAS telescopes in Chile and has since drawn global attention from astronomers and space agencies.

3I/ATLAS is only the third confirmed interstellar object known to have passed through our solar system, following 1I/’Oumuamua in 2017 and comet 2I/Borisov in 2019. Analysis of its trajectory shows that the comet originated from beyond the solar system and will eventually return to interstellar space after completing its passage through the inner regions around the sun.

At its closest approach, the comet will come no nearer than approximately 1.8 astronomical units from Earth, or about 168 million miles (270 million kilometers), according to the European Space Agency. This distance is nearly twice the average distance between the Earth and the sun, ensuring that the comet poses no threat to Earth or any other planet as it passes through the inner solar system.

Despite the safe distance, the flyby is of major scientific interest. Observing the comet near its closest approach allows astronomers to study the dust and gases released from its icy nucleus as it warms under the sun’s radiation. These observations provide rare insights into how comets and planetary materials form around stars beyond our own solar system.

In recent months, several observatories and space agencies have focused their instruments on 3I/ATLAS. New images captured by the Hubble Space Telescope and the JUICE Jupiter probe were released recently, showing the interstellar traveler speeding through the inner solar system. The comet’s passage is also being shared with the public through a free livestream hosted by Gianluca Masi at the Virtual Telescope Project, scheduled to begin at 11 p.m. EST on December 18, weather permitting.

As 3I/ATLAS continues its brief visit, scientists hope the data gathered will deepen our understanding of the building blocks of planetary systems beyond our own, making this fleeting encounter a valuable chapter in the study of interstellar objects.

Human Interest

November 2025 Skywatching Guide: Meteor Showers, Planet Highlights & a Moon–Star Dance

Tanisha Cardozo

November 2025 promises a month of spectacular sights for anyone looking up at the night sky. The month begins on November 5 with the waxing Beaver Moon rising in the evening, its warm glow lighting up early November skies and offering a perfect preview of the month’s celestial treats.

The next day, November 6, the Moon drifts past the Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters. This cluster of delicate blue-white stars appears close to the bright Moon in the early morning hours. Although the Moon’s glow may slightly outshine the stars, binoculars can reveal the cluster in all its splendor.

On November 12, the Northern Taurid meteor shower peaks. Known not for quantity but for quality, Taurids produce slow-moving, bright fireballs that linger in the sky, delighting observers with occasional dramatic streaks of light.

The Leonid meteor shower will follow on the night of November 17–18. With little moonlight to interfere, stargazers can expect 10 to 15 meteors per hour under dark skies. While usually moderate in activity, the Leonids have a history of impressive storms, offering graceful streaks across the night.

November 21 brings a dual celestial spectacle. Uranus reaches opposition, its closest and brightest appearance of the year, visible through binoculars or a small telescope as a tiny pale-blue disk. On the same night, the Alpha Monocerotid meteor shower may surprise observers with sudden, short-lived bursts of meteors, making it a wild-card shower to watch.

November 2025 is a reminder to pause and marvel at the night sky. From the early Beaver Moon to meteor showers, planetary highlights, and the Moon’s dance with the Pleiades, each evening offers the chance to witness the beauty and mystery of the cosmos unfold.

Human Interest

Natural Satellite Moon on its ‘Striking’ Eclipse Performance This Year!

Closed Account

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

2025 is proving to be an extraordinary year for skywatchers, with the Moon taking center stage in a series of awe-inspiring celestial events. The spectacle began on September 7 with a breathtaking Blood Moon Eclipse. As Earth’s shadow passed across the Moon, it was transformed into a glowing orb of deep reds and copper tones — a result of sunlight bending through our planet’s atmosphere, the same atmospheric scattering that paints fiery sunsets.

But the Moon’s performance doesn’t end there.

On October 7, the first Supermoon of the year will rise. At perigee — the point in its orbit where the Moon is closest to Earth — it will appear noticeably larger and brighter than usual. Its silvery radiance on the horizon will offer a spectacular view for anyone willing to look up.

Then comes the true showstopper on November 5: the biggest and brightest Moon of 2025. This particular Supermoon will be the closest full Moon of the year, making it appear up to 30% larger and casting a brilliant glow across the night sky. A perfect moment for photographers, astronomers, and dreamers alike.

Finally, the lunar calendar concludes with the December 4 Supermoon — the last of the year. Arriving with winter’s chill, this Moon will bring a cool, luminous light to the long nights, marking a peaceful and poetic finale to the Moon’s stunning 2025 run.

The Moon, our natural satellite, continues to inspire and astound. Whether casting an eerie red glow or shining in full brilliance, its presence in the night sky connects us to ancient rhythms and timeless wonder. With more striking events still to come, 2025 is truly a year to keep your eyes on the sky.

Human Interest

Voyager 1 Sends Signal After 48 Years in Space, Leaving NASA Speechless

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

America’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is known for pioneering space exploration, but even its most seasoned scientists were left speechless recently. The cause? A new signal from the legendary Voyager 1 spacecraft — still active and transmitting after 48 years in deep space.

Voyager 1 was launched in 1977 with a primary goal of exploring the giant planets in our solar system, particularly Jupiter and Saturn. It accomplished that mission with stunning success, capturing some of the most iconic images ever taken of those distant worlds. But the true legacy of Voyager 1 began not with what it photographed, but with where it went next.

After leaving the known planetary orbits, Voyager 1 continued on its path toward the unknown. It eventually crossed a critical boundary known as the heliopause — the outermost edge of our solar system where the Sun’s solar wind meets the interstellar medium. It was here that Voyager’s instruments picked up something unexpected: a rise in both temperature and particle density. This region, dubbed the “wall of fire,” is a turbulent frontier where the calm of our solar system collides with the chaos of deep space.

Despite being powered by less energy than a single LED light bulb — only about 4 watts per scientific instrument — Voyager 1 continues to function. Its radioactive plutonium core steadily depletes over time, but still provides just enough power to keep critical systems alive. Communicating with such a distant spacecraft is a monumental challenge. NASA relies on enormous 230-foot antennas scattered around the globe to receive Voyager’s incredibly weak signals.

The feat is even more impressive considering the craft is more than 15 billion miles from Earth. Every signal takes over 22 hours to reach us. The fact that Voyager is still “talking” at all is a testament to the engineering ingenuity behind it. NASA’s team continues to tweak its systems remotely, optimizing power usage and preserving key instruments so that the data stream can continue for as long as possible.

This latest signal — faint, delayed, yet profound — is another reminder that even decades-old machines can redefine human understanding. Voyager 1 may have started its journey with a camera pointed at Jupiter, but today, it peers into the uncharted vastness beyond, still pushing the boundaries of exploration.