Tag: Astronomer

Weekend stargazer wins supernova ‘cosmic lottery’

by Marlowe Hood Agence France-Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — To say that Victor Buso was in the right place at the right time may be the biggest understatement in the history of stargazing. By pure luck, the amateur astronomer from Rosario, Argentina snapped the first before-and-after images ever captured of a star as it explodes in a brilliant flash of light and morphs into a supernova. Astronomers call this pivotal moment “shock breakout,” and have […]

Astronomers stunned by star ‘nursery’ age find

PARIS, France (AFP) — Surprised astronomers have found stars of three different ages in a stellar “nursery” in the Milky Way, throwing into question the scientific consensus on how stars are formed. The European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Very Large Telescope in Chile spotted three distinct groups of baby stars in the Orion nebula — the closest star “factory” to Earth, a team reported Thursday. “Looking at the data for the first time was one of […]

There’s an ‘extra-super’ Moon on the rise

by Mariëtte Le Roux PARIS, France (AFP) — An unusually large and bright Moon will adorn the night sky next Monday — the closest “supermoon” to Earth in 68 years and a chance for dramatic photos and spectacular surf. Weather permitting, the phenomenon should appear at its most impressive at 1352 GMT, when it will be at its fullest just as night falls over Asia, astronomers said. Provided there are no clouds and not too much […]

Habitable planet found in solar system next door

PARIS, France (AFP) — Scientists Wednesday announced the discovery of an Earth-sized planet orbiting the star nearest our Sun, opening up the glittering prospect of a habitable world that may one day be explored by robots. Named Proxima b, the planet is in a “temperate” zone compatible with the presence of liquid water — a key ingredient for life. The findings, based on data collected over 16 years, were reported in the peer-reviewed journal Nature. […]