Astro Photons
The Best James Webb Space Telescope Images
At last, we have it - the first published images from the James Webb Space Telescope! At a special press conference on July 11, 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden unveiled the first image from the James Webb Space Telescope: the SMACS 0723 galaxy cluster 4.6 billion light-years away. Here are the pictures if you are looking for the best Webb images.
Skywatching
See the "Summer Triangle" in the Night Sky this Month
The Summer Triangle is an annual feature of the northern summer sky and remains visible until December. The star pattern is particularly well placed through July and August as it shines directly overhead at around midnight.
If your skies are clear and dark enough, you'll be able to spot the Milky Way galaxy stretching between Vega and Altair through Deneb as the Summer Triangle travels across the night sky, finding itself high in the western sky at the break of dawn.
Astrophotography
The Final Shortlist for Astrophotographer of the Year 2022
We look forward to this every year! The Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition showcases and recognizes some of the most stunning views of the night sky and astronomical objects. The shortlisted images from this year’s competition have now been released, and they include awe-inspiring scenes of the Milky Way, colliding galaxies, stellar nurseries, planets, and more.
Choosing a Portable Power Station for Astrophotography
One of the most common questions I get is, “what portable power source do you use for astrophotography.” This is a hot topic in the astrophotography community, and there are many options to consider for powering your gear at night. When deciding on an off-grid power station, you need to consider battery life, power output, power input charging, and the number and types of output ports. There is no one-size-fits-all option, as budget and weight come into play as you explore the higher-end options.
Space Exploration
What's Next for the James Webb Space Telescope?
Now that the telescope is fully operational and the fanfare has concluded, real science can begin.
What is the Kardashev Scale?
In 1961, Russian-Soviet astrophysicist Nikolai Kardashev published a paper introducing the Kardashev Scale, classifying extraterrestrial civilizations based on how much energy they could harness.
What always amazes me on this scale is that we do not yet have any confirmation of the discovery of intelligent extraterrestrial life; however, we can correctly (?) classify it - including ourselves.
Earth
15 Stunning Places on Earth that Look Like They're from Another Planet
Earth is full of weird and wonderful places. Here are some of the most alien landscapes our planet has to offer.
Technology
How the Webb Telescope Team Built Those Startling Images
The world was stunned Monday and Tuesday by releasing the first science images from the James Webb Space Telescope, showing targets from nebulae to deep fields in glorious detail. But a telescope isn’t like a smartphone camera where you can point at an object and press a button to capture it. Taking data off Webb’s four imaging instruments and adapting it into a color image is part science, part art form.
