Telescope Tuesdays
Every Tuesday, 10:00am – 3:00pm
There’s always a lot to do at the Ritchie observatory!
WHAT’S UP(COMING)! – Observation Calendar May-Jul 2025
Source for events and links are In-The-Sky.org, Dominic Ford, Editor. The links provide details for each event including a scale on how difficult they are to observe.
Vera Rubin Observatory: Astronomy’s New Workhorse
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, located on Cerro Pachón in northern Chile, is set to begin a significant 10-year sky survey aimed at mapping the universe in 3D and searching for transient phenomena. This 8.4-meter telescope will complement existing facilities in the area, including the Gemini South and SOAR telescopes. The observatory’s design minimizes air turbulence, and it features a coating plant for maintaining its giant mirrors. Despite delays caused by the Covid pandemic, the observatory is expected to achieve first light within the year.
With NASA’s Webb, Dying Star’s Energetic Display Comes into Full Focus
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has captured the most detailed image of planetary nebula NGC 1514, revealing intricate dust clumps and holes in its bright central region due to mid-infrared observations. This nebula, formed over 4,000 years, centers around a binary star system, one of which, a former massive star, expelled gas and dust during its evolution, now visible thanks to Webb’s advanced imaging capabilities. The findings represent a significant advancement in understanding the turbulent nature of such nebulae.
How Come We’ve Never Observed a Black Hole Decaying?
All throughout the Universe, ranging from just a few times our Sun’s mass all the way up to supermassive scales, black holes are found almost everywhere.
According to Stephen Hawking and the concept of Hawking radiation, black holes cannot remain stable forever, but must inevitably decay.
And yet, across the entire Universe for all the time we’ve been observing it, we’ve never once seen a black hole actually decay.
NASA’s Space Science Budget: Major Cuts Loom Large
The recent draft budget from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) indicates significant cuts to NASA’s space science budget, potentially affecting major projects like the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, the DAVINCI mission to Venus, and the Mars Sample Return mission. The American Astronomical Society expressed grave concerns about a nearly 50% reduction in funding for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, warning it could severely impact the nation’s leadership in space sciences.
Juno Mission Gets Under Jupiter’s and Io’s Surface
The Juno mission has provided new insights into Jupiter’s atmospheric phenomena and Io’s volcanic activity. Recent data has improved understanding of the gas giant’s jet streams and revealed Io’s subsurface temperature profile, shedding light on its inner structure. These findings were discussed during a news briefing at the European Geosciences Union General Assembly, highlighting the extreme characteristics of Jupiter and its moon, including powerful cyclones and intense volcanic activity.
Flares From Magnetized Stars Can Forge Planets’ Worth of Gold
Astronomers have identified a new source of heavy elements like gold and platinum, linked to giant flares from magnetars, a type of neutron star with extremely strong magnetic fields. These flares may account for up to 10% of the galaxy’s gold and other heavy elements. A notable event in December 2004 released energy equivalent to a million years of sunlight and produced heavy metals equivalent to a third of Earth’s mass.
The Future of Studying ExoVenuses Looks Bright
This article discusses the potential of studying Venus-like exoplanets, termed exoVenuses, to enhance our understanding of the solar system and the search for extraterrestrial life. It highlights a recent study presented at the 56th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, which emphasizes the challenges of characterizing these planets and the role of the planned Habitable Worlds Observatory in overcoming these challenges through direct imaging. The study aims to improve methods for identifying potentially habitable exoplanets, noting the importance of distinguishing between Venus and Earth analogs in the search for life.