The Star of Bethlehem – Found once more!

In the western sky at dusk on June 17, 2 BCE, a strange, brilliant "star" dominates the Bethlehem horizon among the more familiar stars of Leo. (Chart from Starry Nights.)
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, [...]

Comet Holmes – even more a mystery

Remember Comet Holmes? If you are an amateur astronomer you undoubtedly do. It was putting on a great show through late October and most of November of last year. What’s more, it was really a freakish one that surprised astronomers. Holmes is one of those “regulars” in the comet world, a familiar periodic comet that [...]

Venus, Jupiter and Moon – why so different from Australia?

It was a stunning event and fortunately the clouds held off until we were done observing. Unfortunately, my camera battery died – I had forgotten to check – and I didn’t have a spare with me. So I only got a few shots of the early stages. Later it was a brilliant, awesome display and [...]

Life on a ball – so different, so good – take a look tonight!

Well, wherever you are on this wonderful ball, if you have clear skies when the sun drops below the western horizon, you’ll get a great show tonight! Actually, even if your skies aren’t clear tonight, take a look any time this week and you’ll get a good show. I plan to be out tonight [...]

Gerry Dyck: A steady friend to some very unsteady stars

This is about a steady friend to some very unsteady stars and to appreciate it requires a tad of background, so pleas ebear with me.
Certain stars change their light output dramatically – sometimes in a steady, predictable rhythm and sometimes in sudden, unpredictable outbursts. Keeping tabs on such stars is helpful for professional [...]

‘The View from the Center of the Universe’ – Introduction

“The View from the Center of the Universe: Discovering our Place in the Cosmos” by Joel R. Primac and Nancy Ellen Abrams – a book. Amazon | Book Website | Primack is a physicist who has done significant work in cosmology. He is married to Abrams, a lawyer and writer with wide-ranging interest [...]

Science and fantasy on a collision course – watch out for fireballs!

The New York Times included today this wonderful quote:
“Nobody really knows what’s going on,” said Gordon Kane, a theorist at the University of Michigan.
Where have I heard that before? Oh yeah – the economy. But this guy isn’t talking about the economy, he’s talking about the universe. Really, one of the reasons these are such [...]