Astronomy

Messier 51, universally known as the Whirlpool Galaxy is one of the most photogenic galaxies of all The sheer magnificence of Messier 51 is apparent is this stunning image. Image: Bob Fera. Messier 51 (NGC 5194) in Canes Venatici is the archetypal face-on spiral galaxy. Aptly named and very well known as the Whirlpool Galaxy, this magnificent object has few rivals across the entire sky and, if the sheer volume of images received at Astronomy Now headquarters over recent years is any indicator, only mighty Messier 31 in Andromeda is as popular. The sheer magnificence of Messier 51 is apparent is this stunning image. Image: Bob Fera. The Whirlpool was discovered by Charles Messier in 1773 and the most famous observations of it were made by William Parsons, the Third Earl of Rosse, who was t...

A spectacular cosmic event is on the horizon: a rare nova explosion so bright that it will be visible to the naked eye. A red giant and a white dwarf orbiting each other in a nova similar to T Coronae Borealis. Astronomers have been closely monitoring a small constellation, eagerly awaiting the eruption of a nearby binary star system. The long wait may finally be over—recent calculations suggest the nova could explode as soon as Thursday, March 27. The Blaze Star’s Explosive Cycle T Coronae Borealis (T CrB), also known as the Blaze Star, is a binary system located 3,000 light-years from Earth. It undergoes recurring nova eruptions approximately every 79 years, and the next one is imminent. For the past decade, the Blaze Star has been exhibiting behavior eerily similar to the lead-up to it...

Welcome to our quick take on top celestial wonders to spot in the March night sky! Well we’ve certainly been spoiled for entertainment so far this year with the heavyweights of our Solar System -Earth’s planetary neighbours gathering together on the same side of the Sun to put on the first ever ‘Grand Parade’ of the planets – it would seem, primarily for our enjoyment! An amazing event that no doubt filled all able to witness it in the Northern hemisphere with awe and wonder. If you missed seeing all the big guns of the Solar System within the same skyscape last month – don’t worry as the brightest-looking planets: Mars, Venus, and Jupiter can still be spotted. Image Credit: TheSpaceway/Pixabay.com But what’s new for us to see this month? Well on the 23rd March we will be able to watch Sat...