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March 16, 2025Radio: Today’s Episode
Cosmic Bar
A good place to open a cosmic bar
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Radio: Yesterday’s Episode
Moon and Spica
A case of the blues for a hot star
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Stargazing
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Steamy Center
The constellation Sagittarius is low in the south-southeast at dawn. Its brighter stars form the outline of a teapot. The center of the Milky Way Galaxy is immersed in the faint “steam” rising from the teapot’s spout.
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Moon and Spica
Spica, the brightest star of the constellation Virgo, rises below the Moon this evening, and the Moon will move closer to it during the night. Spica consists of two stars locked in orbit around each other. Both stars are bigger, brighter, and hotter than the Sun.
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Green Flash
Earth’s atmosphere bends and splits sunlight, creating rainbows and other displays, including the rarely seen “green flash.” Under clear, clean skies it appears with the first burst of sunlight before sunrise or the last glimpse at sunset.
Moon Phases
At the new Moon phase, the Moon is so close to the Sun in the sky that none of the side facing Earth is illuminated (position 1 in illustration). In other words, the Moon is between Earth and Sun. At first quarter, the half-lit Moon is highest in the sky at sunset, then sets about six hours later (3). At full Moon, the Moon is behind Earth in space with respect to the Sun. As the Sun sets, the Moon rises with the side that faces Earth fully exposed to sunlight (5).
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Where No Archaeologist Has Gone Before
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In this issue, we’ll tour some sites of cosmic violence—impact craters in the United States that are easily accessible. The issue also will offer Merlin’s answers to your questions, skywatching tips, exciting astronomy news, and more.
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