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V Sagittae Star System Predicted to End in Daytime Supernova Visible from Earth

V Sagittae Star System Predicted to End in Daytime Supernova Visible from Earth

The star system V Sagittae, located about 10,000 light-years away in the constellation Sagitta, is predicted to end in a spectacular supernova explosion visible from Earth even during the daytime. This system consists of a white dwarf and a more massive stellar companion, which are locked in a tight orbit, completing a cycle every 12.3 hours. The white dwarf is currently accreting material from its companion at an unprecedented rate, leading to a chaotic accretion process and extreme brightness. Researchers have confirmed that this process will eventually culminate in the two stars colliding, resulting in a supernova explosion. This event is expected to occur as early as 2067, according to a study by Louisiana State University.

Geminid Meteor Shower to Peak, Offering Spectacular Celestial Display

Geminid Meteor Shower to Peak, Offering Spectacular Celestial Display

The Geminid meteor shower is set to peak this weekend, providing a stunning display of meteors visible from Earth. Known for its bright and numerous meteors, the Geminid shower is considered one of the best annual meteor showers. Observers can start seeing meteors as soon as it gets dark, with activity intensifying around 10 p.m. and peaking at midnight. Under optimal conditions, viewers may see 120 to 150 meteors per hour. The American Meteor Society advises facing east to maximize viewing opportunities, although light pollution and obstructions may affect visibility.

NASA Observes Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS During December Sky Events

NASA Observes Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS During December Sky Events

NASA is closely observing the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it makes its closest approach to Earth on December 19, 2025. This comet is the third known object from outside our solar system to be discovered within it. Despite its proximity, the comet poses no threat to Earth, remaining about 170 million miles away. Skywatchers can potentially view the comet with a telescope of at least 30 centimeters in aperture. Additionally, the Geminid Meteor Shower is set to peak on December 13 and 14, offering a display of bright and colorful meteors. A conjunction between the Moon and Jupiter will also occur on December 7, providing another celestial event for observers.

California to Experience Spectacular Celestial Events in 2026

California to Experience Spectacular Celestial Events in 2026

In 2026, California will witness a series of remarkable celestial events, including a total lunar eclipse, two supermoons, and eleven meteor showers. The total lunar eclipse, occurring on March 3, will turn the moon a rusty red as it passes through Earth's shadow. The supermoons, set for November 24 and December 23, will appear larger and brighter due to the moon's proximity to Earth. Major meteor showers, such as the Perseids in August and the Geminids in December, promise to light up the night sky, offering spectacular views for stargazers.

Geminid Meteor Shower 2025: Peak Viewing Conditions and Expectations

Geminid Meteor Shower 2025: Peak Viewing Conditions and Expectations

The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most anticipated celestial events of 2025, is set to peak during the night of December 13 into the morning of December 14. This annual meteor shower is renowned for its reliability and is expected to produce up to 150 meteors per hour under optimal dark sky conditions. The Geminids are known for their slower, more graceful meteors compared to other showers, entering the Earth's atmosphere at 22 miles per second. The shower's radiant point is located near the star Castor in the constellation Gemini, which will be high in the sky by midnight, offering excellent viewing opportunities. The moon will be a waning crescent, rising only in the predawn hours, thus minimizing light interference during the peak viewing times.

NASA's Hubble Telescope Captures New Image of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS, Revealing Complex Features

NASA's Hubble Telescope Captures New Image of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS, Revealing Complex Features

NASA has released a new image of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, captured by the Hubble Space Telescope on November 30, 2025. The image, taken when the comet was approximately 286 million kilometers from Earth, shows the comet's nucleus and coma with background stars appearing as streaks due to Hubble's tracking. This comet, discovered on July 1, 2025, by the ATLAS survey telescope in Chile, is only the third known interstellar object to pass through our solar system. The comet's path is hyperbolic, indicating it is not bound by the Sun's gravity and will not return once it leaves. Hubble's observations reveal a bright central coma surrounded by a teardrop-shaped halo and a sunward-pointing 'anti-tail,' a streak of dust and gas extending toward the Sun. This phenomenon is attributed to perspective and the distribution of dust grains along the comet's orbit.

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Brightens December Skies with New Discoveries

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Brightens December Skies with New Discoveries

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, formally designated C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), is making a significant appearance in December 2025. Discovered on July 1, 2025, by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System telescope in Chile, this comet is only the third confirmed interstellar visitor to our Solar System. It is characterized by a hyperbolic orbit, indicating it is not gravitationally bound to the Sun and is merely passing through. Recent observations have revealed high levels of methanol and hydrogen cyanide, molecules associated with the origins and destruction of life. Despite speculative claims of alien origins, NASA and experts assert that 3I/ATLAS is a natural comet. The comet is currently moving away from the Sun and will make its closest approach to Earth on December 19, 2025, at a safe distance of 1.8 astronomical units.

Mercury Reaches Greatest Western Elongation, Offering Prime Viewing Opportunity

Mercury Reaches Greatest Western Elongation, Offering Prime Viewing Opportunity

On December 7, Mercury reaches its greatest western elongation from the Sun, making it a prominent feature in the predawn sky. This celestial event positions Mercury 21° west of the Sun, allowing it to be visible approximately two hours before sunrise. Observers can spot Mercury shining brightly at magnitude -0.4 in the eastern sky, near the constellation Libra. The planet appears as a 7-inch wide disk, 61 percent illuminated, offering a clear view through telescopes. This event coincides with other notable astronomical occurrences, such as Europa and its shadow transiting across Jupiter. The article provides detailed observational parameters, including local times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset, as well as the Moon's waning gibbous phase.

NASA's Hubble Telescope Captures Active Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

NASA's Hubble Telescope Captures Active Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has captured new images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, confirming its continued activity even after its close approach to the Sun. This comet, only the third interstellar object observed in our solar system, is providing scientists with valuable data on its path and behavior. The Hubble images reveal a bright core surrounded by a cloud of gas and dust, indicating ongoing activity. Observations from NASA's Psyche mission and the European Space Agency's JUICE spacecraft have also contributed to refining the comet's trajectory. The comet is currently moving away from the Sun and will be closest to Earth around December 19, although it is not visible to the naked eye.

Mercury's Greatest Western Elongation Offers Skywatchers a Celestial Treat

Mercury's Greatest Western Elongation Offers Skywatchers a Celestial Treat

Skywatchers are in for a treat as Mercury reaches its greatest western elongation, appearing as far away from the Sun in the sky as it will get during this orbital cycle. This astronomical event occurs when Mercury is positioned west of the Sun, making it visible in the morning sky. On Sunday, Mercury will be nearly one fist above the southeastern horizon at 6:45 a.m. Over the coming weeks, Mercury will gradually move closer to the Sun in the sky, transitioning to be visible in the evening by mid-February. This event is part of a series of celestial occurrences, including the bright star Capella being nearly overhead at midnight and Regulus appearing near the moon.

NASA Observes Comet 3I/ATLAS as It Makes Closest Approach to Earth

NASA Observes Comet 3I/ATLAS as It Makes Closest Approach to Earth

NASA is closely monitoring Comet 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar object making its closest approach to Earth on December 19, 2025. This comet is the third known object from outside our solar system to be discovered within it. Despite its proximity, the comet poses no threat to Earth, remaining about 170 million miles away at its nearest point. Skywatchers in the early pre-dawn hours can view the comet near the star Regulus in the constellation Leo. NASA continues to study the comet using various spacecraft and telescopes to gather as much information as possible while it remains in our solar neighborhood.

Salida Residents Captivate by December's Cold Moon Supermoon

Salida Residents Captivate by December's Cold Moon Supermoon

Residents of Salida, Colorado, were treated to a spectacular view of December's full moon, known as the 'Cold Moon.' This event marked the third in a series of supermoons, where the moon appears larger and brighter due to its proximity to Earth. On December 4, photographers and sky enthusiasts captured the moon as it rose above the eastern horizon, providing a stunning visual display. The Cold Moon, named for the chilly early-winter temperatures, was particularly notable for its size and brightness, appearing up to 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than a typical full moon.