The Dome News
News of Astronomy, Space, Science, & Technology
With links to background information
With links to background information
News About the Dome
Once again the Dome News will have regular updates. The site has a new look and is running on new software. Because of the remodeling, former members of the Dome of the Sky will have to register again.
Astronomy Picture of the Day
"[Today's picture is a] detailed image of the Sun's corona taken during the 2008 August total solar eclipse from Mongolia. Clearly visible are intricate layers and glowing caustics of an ever changing mixture of hot gas and magnetic fields.
NASA Image of the Day
"This image of the open star cluster NGC 7380, also known as the Wizard Nebula, is a mosaic of images from the WISE mission spanning an area on the sky of about 5 times the size of the full moon. "
Privatizing Spaceflight
"Orbital Sciences' new Cygnus space freighter and Taurus 2 rocket for space station cargo flights draw on a solid history of spaceflight experience."
"Astrobotic Technology will carry 240 lbs. (109 kg) to the Moon for researchers and marketers as part of its maiden expedition in 2012 to win the Google Lunar X Prize."
The Future in Space
"For more than 40 years, mission teams in the U.S. and elsewhere have gotten word on the status of their robotic emissaries using NASA's worldwide set of tracking dishes — collectively called the Deep Space Network."
Space Weather
"A solar wind stream is heading for Earth, and so is a coronal mass ejection (CME). Together, they add up to a geomagnetic storm alert for March 17th and 18th."
Mars
The Cosmos
A few Type Ia supernovae appear to be brighter than expected, even for the most massive white dwarf progenitor possible (the Chandrasekhar limit). Now researchers have evidence indicating that the progenitor star of one such explosion exceeded the limit.
"Astronomers have found that whole clusters of galaxies are moving in convoy towards a single point in the sky. This unexpected motion appears to be separate from the expansion of the universe and the researchers even suggest that a force beyond the visible universe is the culprit."
Criminal Justice: Technology and Science
"The communities of bacteria on your skin may transfer to your keyboard and mouse, creating a unique, living marker of your identity."
Learn the Constellations and Stars
Become familiar with the night-time constellations and brighter stars.
The interactive sky charts of the Dome of the Sky will help you.
Today's Moon
Age: 0.7 days
3rd Quarter: Mar 7
New: Mar 15
1st Quarter: Mar 23
Full: Mar 30
Today's Sun
The Sky Tonight
Upcoming Total/Annular Eclipses
Meteors
March Showers
Data compiled by Gary W. Kronk
Solar System Images
