Oct 7 - Milky Way Explosion

October 7 Milky Way Explosion by:

Artist’s concept of the massive bursts of ionizing radiation exploding from the center of our Milky Way and impacting the Magellanic Stream. Image via James Josephides/ASTRO 3D.

Not long ago, the center of our Milky Way galaxy exploded Remember the vast and mysterious Fermi bubbles, apparent remnants of a titanic explosion from the center of our Milky Way galaxy? They were widely discussed around the year 2010, noticeable in X-ray and gamma ray data from the Rosat and Fermi satellites. Astronomers said Sunday that they've uncovered more evidence relating the Fermi bubbles - gathered using Hubble Space Telescope data - in the form of two enormous bursts of ionizing radiation that must have zipped through the poles of our galaxy and out into deep space. One burst must have been powerful enough to reach 200,000 light-years into space, so that its impact struck the Magellanic Stream, a long trail of gas extending from the nearby Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. Read more. The Crab Nebula was an exploding star The Crab Nebula, about 6,500 light-years from Earth, is the scattered fragments of a supernova, or exploding star, observed by earthly skywatchers in the year 1054. Read more. A year with 13 Friday the 13ths? Should we ever adopt the International Fixed Calendar, we'd have 13 months in a year, with each month containing a Friday the 13th. Friggatriskaidekaphobia - aka fear of Friday the 13th - would be rampant! Or not. Read more about this calendar system.

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.

Next few evenings … Watch for Draconid meteors Draco the Dragon is now spitting out meteors, also known as shooting stars. This is one shower that's best to watch at nightfall or early evening, no matter where you are on Earth. The shower is active between October 6 and 10. The best evening to watch is likely Tuesday evening - October 8, but try Monday and Wednesday evenings also. This shower favors the Northern Hemisphere. Southern Hemisphere observers might catch some Draconids, too. Unfortunately, the large bright evening moon will hinder this year's Draconid shower. It'll likely drown all but the brightest meteors in its glare. Read more. Image above: Draconid meteor seen in 2011 by Frank Martin Ingilæ. Thank you, Frank!

Early Halloween decorations View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Boo! Steven Sweet in Ontario, Canada, told us that, in his neighborhood, many are already ready for Halloween. Thanks for sharing your photo with us, Steven! Submit your photo to EarthSky here! Did a friend forward EarthSkyNews to you? Click here to get your own subscription!

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