With amazing things happening in our sky every day we have highlighted a few things to look out for in the next few days. (Remember to check the best time to see it in your area since times will vary).
May 18 (Evening):
About 1½ hours after sunset, look toward the west-northwest to find a thin crescent Moon very close to Venus. Jupiter appears higher up to the left, close to Pollux and Castor. This is one of the best visual groupings of the month, with the Moon and Venus low and Jupiter above them. All objects are easily visible to the naked eye, though binoculars can enhance the crescent Moon and surrounding stars.
May 21 (Evening): About one hour after sunset, look toward the western sky to follow the crescent Moon as it moves into Leo, appearing near the Beehive Cluster and heading toward Regulus over the next few nights. This is a great opportunity to track the Moon’s motion against the stars night by night. The Moon and Regulus are visible without optical aid, but binoculars will help you spot the Beehive Cluster more easily.
If you want to read more on these:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/michigan-s-night-sky-part-1
https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/skywatching/night-sky-network/gemini-constellation/
https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/skywatching/night-sky-network/celestial-wonders-in-leo/
Image description: The first Image contains the dates that this post is referencing. The following image contains snipping’s from the Abrams Planetarium Sky Calendar along with the planetarium logo and the events listed above, with graphics that correspond with each event.
With amazing things happening in our sky every day we have highlighted a few things to look out for in the next few days. (Remember to check the best time to see it in your area since times will vary).
May 13 (Evening):
About 40 minutes after sunset, look toward the west-northwest to find Venus shining in the constellation Taurus, near Aldebaran and the Bull’s horns (including Zeta Tauri). Below and to the left, Orion is setting, with Betelgeuse, Bellatrix, and Orion’s Belt still visible near the horizon. This creates a nice transition between the winter constellations and the bright evening planet. Venus and the brighter stars are easy to see with the naked eye, though binoculars can help bring out more detail in Taurus as it sets.
May 15 (Morning): About one hour before sunrise, look toward the east to find Saturn higher up, with Mars lower and to the right. The thin “old” crescent Moon sits even lower near the horizon. This creates a layered scene from low to high: Moon, Mars, then Saturn. The Moon is easy to see without aid, but binoculars will help you pick out Mars and Saturn more clearly in the twilight sky.
If you want to read more on these:
/advice/skills/orion-constellation-best-targets-observe
/17101-taurus-constellation.html
https://science.nasa.gov/venus/venus-facts/
https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/science/explore-the-night-sky/hubble-messier-catalog/messier-31/
/place/Andromeda-Galaxy
Image description: The first Image contains the dates that this post is referencing. The following image contains snipping’s from the Abrams Planetarium Sky Calendar along with the planetarium logo and the events listed above, with graphics that correspond with each event.
With amazing things happening in our sky every day we have highlighted a few things to look out for in the next few days. (Remember to check the best time to see it in your area since times will vary).
May 3 (Evening):
About three hours after sunset, look toward the southeast to find the Moon in Scorpius near the bright red star Antares. This pairing stands out nicely against the darker sky, with Antares marking the heart of the Scorpion. Both the Moon and Antares are easily visible to the unaided eye, so no binoculars or telescope are needed, but they can enhance the color contrast of Antares and the surrounding star field.
May 6 (Evening):
About two hours after sunset, look toward the west-northwest to find bright Venus low on the horizon. Just above and to the upper left, you’ll see Jupiter shining higher up. This creates a clear vertical pairing of the two brightest planets in the evening sky. Nearby, you can also spot Zeta Tauri and other stars of Taurus, with Orion setting lower in the west. Venus and Jupiter are both easily visible to the unaided eye, so no binoculars or telescope are needed, but they can help bring out the surrounding stars.
If you want to read more on these:
/16947-scorpius-constellation.html
/constellations/orion-the-hunter-most-recognizable/
/17101-taurus-constellation.html
Image description: The first Image contains the dates that this post is referencing. The following image contains snipping’s from the Abrams Planetarium Sky Calendar along with the planetarium logo and the events listed above, with graphics that correspond with each event.
Don't forget SYAC is this Saturday!
We will be learning about the overlap between astronomy and birding.
We hope to see you there!
Image Description: A colorful promotional graphic for
the Spartan Young Astronomers Club event titled
“Space Birds.” The background is a colorful galaxy
background with a bird astronaut floating above the earth.
Planetarium's 60th anniversary logo (1964–2024) is
displayed at the top. Below it, purple and light blue text
reads:
“Spartan Young Astronomers Club”
“Space Birds"
"May 2nd, 10 am – noon”
“$5/kid.”
Now Showing May 1st - May 31st
Supermassive Black Holes: Uncovering the Invisible
Every weekend, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 pm and on
Sundays at 4:00 pm.
Sensory friendly show on May 17th at 11:30am
Leading scientists in observational and theoretical studies of black holes and galaxies, industrial experts in cutting-edge big technologies, and professionals in science dissemination have been brought together to set up research projects which will combine the latest state-of-the-art observations, numerical simulations and innovative analytic tools to compare theory with observation, and shed light on the physics of black hole formation in the context of galaxy evolution. This planetarium show presents the environments of the black holes in an impressive and understandable way to the audience.
We Are Stars
Every weekend, Sundays at 2:30 pm
Sensory Friendly Show on May 17th at 1:00 pm
What are we made of? Where did it all come from? Explore the secrets of our cosmic chemistry, and our explosive origins. Connect life on Earth to the evolution of the Universe by following the formation of Hydrogen atoms to the synthesis of Carbon, and the molecules for life. Narrated by Andy Serkis.
Check out our bio for more information.
April 25th is statewide astronomy night!!
In honor of astronomy night here is a space fun fact:
All of the other planets could fit between the Earth and the Moon.
Throughout the state there will be quite a few events to celebrate including two right here on MSU's campus:
- Statewide Astronomy Night at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum
- Statewide Astronomy Night at the Belle Isle Nature Center
- Statewide Astronomy Night at the MSU Observatory
- Statewide Astronomy Night at the James C. Veen Observatory
- The Nucleus Factory: Changing the World with the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams at the Abrams Planetarium
We hope that everyone gets to join us in celebrating this night!
For more information on the events as well as addresses: https://sciencefestival.msu.edu/Event/Tagged/6
With amazing things happening in our sky every day we have highlighted a few things to look out for in the next few days. (Remember to check the best time to see it in your area since times will vary).
April 30 (Before Sunrise): About two hours before sunrise, look toward the southwest to find the Moon near Spica in Virgo. The two form a noticeable pairing, with Spica appearing just beside the Moon, making it an easy viewing for the naked eye or through binoculars.
May 1 (Evening): About 40 minutes after sunset, look low in the west-northwest to find bright Venus near Aldebaran and the Hyades in Taurus. The Pleiades lie nearby, and Uranus is also in the same region, creating a rich grouping of objects. You don’t need binoculars or a telescope to see Venus Aldebaran, Hyades, or Pleiades, but they will be helpful when looking for Uranus.
Image description: The first Image contains the dates that this post is referencing. The following image contains snipping’s from the Abrams Planetarium Sky Calendar along with the planetarium logo and the events listed above, with graphics that correspond with each event.
If you want to read more on these:
https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/science/explore-the-night-sky/hubble-messier-catalog/messier-45/
https://science.nasa.gov/venus/venus-facts/
https://science.nasa.gov/uranus/facts/
https://science.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/goddard/hubble-catches-jets-bubbles-bursts-of-light-in-taurus/
/17101-taurus-constellation.html
/17021-virgo-constellation.html
/22049-spica.html
/pleiades.html
Happy Earth Day from the Abrams Planetarium!
Earth Day began in 1970 as a response to growing concern about pollution, environmental damage, and public health in the United States. It was organized by Gaylord Nelson, who was inspired in part by the environmental awareness sparked by images of Earth from space, such as the famous Apollo 8 “Earthrise” photograph. On April 22, 1970, about 20 million Americans participated in demonstrations, teach-ins, and community events, making it one of the largest public movements in U.S. history.
Today, Earth Day is observed globally and serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting the environment. It highlights issues like climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, while encouraging individuals, communities, and governments to take action to preserve the planet for future generations.
To learn more about Earth Day and see how NASA celebrates it:
/history/
https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-day/
https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/apollo-8-earthrise/
Image Credit: NASA
With amazing things happening in our sky every day we have highlighted a few things to look out for in the next few days. (Remember to check the best time to see it in your area since times will vary).
April 23 (Evening): About one hour after sunset, the Moon passes near the Beehive Cluster in Cancer. Under dark skies, binoculars will help you see the cluster as a faint, hazy patch of stars just beside the crescent Moon. On the same night, a bright Venus lies very close to Uranus, just ¾° apart, use binoculars or a small telescope to spot Uranus. Venus also appears near the Pleiades, making this a great evening for multiple targets.
April 25 (Evening): About an hour after sunset, watch for the Moon near Regulus in Leo. In some parts of the U.S., the Moon will actually pass directly in front of Regulus, an event called an occultation. Even where the occultation isn’t visible, the close pairing is still striking to the eye or through binoculars.
If you want to read more on these:
/news.php?id=20260424_20_100
https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/science/explore-the-night-sky/hubble-messier-catalog/messier-44/
/pleiades.html
/astronomy-news/see-the-moon-hide-regulus-the-stellar-heart-of-the-lion/
Image description: The first Image contains the dates that this post is referencing. The following image contains snipping’s from the Abrams Planetarium Sky Calendar along with the planetarium logo and the events listed above, with graphics that correspond with each event.
During NASA’s Artemis II mission, astronauts set a new record for the farthest distance humans have traveled from Earth, reaching over 252,000 miles. While orbiting the Moon, the crew suggested naming two lunar craters: Integrity, after their spacecraft, and Carroll, in honor of Reid Wiseman’s late wife. These names are special because they represent both the mission itself and the personal human stories behind space exploration. The crew also captured detailed images of the Moon, observed parts of the far side never seen directly by humans, and gathered important data that will help support future missions and the development of a Moon base. The image here is from Artemis II astronauts when they were treated to a rare view as the moon eclipsed the sun from their perspective aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft. The astronauts saw the solar eclipse while making their historic lunar flyby April 6.
To read more on this:
https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasas-artemis-ii-crew-eclipses-record-for-farthest-human-spaceflight/
Image Source: NASA
NASA’s Artemis 2 mission is ending today (April 10) after a 10-day trip around the Moon, with a planned splashdown at 8:07 p.m. EDT off the coast of Southern California. Live coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. EDT, showing key events like the spacecraft separating from its service module and reentering Earth’s atmosphere. During reentry, the Orion capsule will experience extreme heat before parachutes deploy to safely slow it down for landing. The four astronauts traveled over 695,000 miles during the mission, testing systems critical for future lunar missions. This mission marks a major step toward returning humans to the Moon and eventually sending astronauts to Mars.
To read more on this:
/space-exploration/artemis/nasa-artemis-2-moon-mission-landing-what-time
Image Credit: Photo from August 8, containing Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen pose with their Orion spacecraft at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: Trevor Mahlmann
