Sept 25 - Sister World

September 25 Sister World by:

Artist's concept of an ancient planet Venus, with a shallow ocean. Image via NASA.

Was Venus ever habitable? At last week's meeting of astronomers in Geneva, Switzerland, scientists presented new insights about Venus, our sister world. Venus is super-hot. But scientists have long suspected it may once have had a stable climate and even liquid water. Recently, a team of researchers created 5 different computer simulations, all assuming some surface water for Venus. In all 5 models, Venus maintained moderate temperatures for around 3 billion years ... before a dramatic transformation began. Read more. Why we need to get back to Venus This hot neighbor, with its surface veiled by thick clouds, hasn't benefited from the attention showered on Mars and the moon. But Venus might offer insights into Earth's future. Read more. Venus to take center stage in October 2020 Launched in 2018, the BepiColombo mission will have the first of its 2 encounters with Venus - while on its way to Mercury - in October 2020. Coordinated observations at that time will involve 2 spacecraft and multiple ground-based telescopes. Read more.

EarthSky lunar calendars are back in stock We're guaranteed to sell out, get one while you can! Your support means the world to us and allows us to keep going. Purchase here.

Old moon, Regulus, rising times and more Watch for the waning crescent moon and star Regulus in the east before sunrise. Astronomers will call the waning crescent, visible at dawn, an old moon. Regulus is a bright star and the brightest light in the constellation Leo the Lion. Its name means little king. Read more.

Where is Venus now? Venus passed behind the sun from Earth in mid-August. Throughout September, it's been tough to spot without optical aid. Now - from Earth's Southern Hemisphere - Venus is coming back into view. Will you see it - with the planet Mercury and star Spica - on September 29? Maybe, from a Southern Hemisphere location, where the ecliptic – or path of the sun, moon and planets – tilts steeply with respect to the sunset horizon now. For Northern Hemisphere viewers, the ecliptic slants low after sunset, keeping Venus low in the sky. For us, it'll return to the evening sky sometime during October. Visit EarthSky's guide to the bright planets.  Submit your photo to EarthSky here! Did a friend forward EarthSkyNews to you? Click here to get your own subscription!

by:

update your profile | unsubscribe