The night sky of 2023 has offered many spectacular sights, from bright fiery comets to spectacular auroras, unexpected meteor moon impacts, newly discovered supernovae, and even a lost astronaut toolbox floating in space. Here are some of Space.com’s most memorable skygazing views this year.
New year, new comet
2023 started with a close approach Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF). This newly discovered comet made its closest approach to Earth. Soil It passes within 28 million miles (42 million kilometers) of our planet on February 1. This was the comet’s first approach in 50,000 years.
First discovered in March 2022, C/2022 E3 originated in the outer reaches of Earth. solar systeminside Oort Cloud. The comet’s bright green glow was easily visible to viewers using binoculars or a small telescope. But this way comet traveled throughout the inner solar system, orbit changed So much so that it is now orbiting outside the solar system, meaning it is its first and last visit close to Earth. Stargazers and astrophotographers captured spectacular images of the bright green comet during its visit between January and February. look here on Space.com.
New supernova caught in the act
Astronomers captured an image new supernova A face-on view of the Pinwheel Galaxy, also known as Messier 101 or M101 spiral galaxy There are 21 million light years from the world. A bright burst of light was observed in one of the arms of the galaxy; This indicates that a massive star has reached the end of its life and exploded in a stellar event called a supernova.
supernovaSN 2023ixf, named SN 2023ixf, was first detected in an image taken on May 19, 2023, by experienced supernova hunter Koichi Itagaki of Yamagata, Japan. When the supernova occurred 21 million years ago, light from the star explosion was passing through it. space and it recently came into view from Earth this year. SN 2023ixf represents one of the largest and brightest supernovae seen in the last decade. observed using a small telescope.
Supergiant star is on the verge of going supernova
Popular star visibly shines Betelgeuse observed this year, which suggests it could happen soon explode in supernova. Betelgeuse is a red supergiant star located 650 light-years from Earth. constellation OrionHe points to the hunter’s left shoulder.
Earlier this year, observers noticed that the star, usually ranked as the tenth brightest star in the night sky, was extraordinarily bright, shining at over 140% of its normal brightness, earning it the ranking of seventh brightest star. While Betelgeuse is known for periodically brightening and dimming, this unusual activity is a sign of the star may be reaching the life stage When it runs out of hydrogen and begins fusing helium in its core before exploding in a brilliant explosion known as a supernova.
Meteorite hitting the moon caught
a meteorite crashed into the moon On February 23, a Japanese astronomer captured the bright flash of the impact on camera. The meteorite hit the night side of the moon near the Ideler L crater, located slightly northwest of the Pitiscus crater.
Traveling at an average speed of 30,000 mph (48,280 km/h) or 8.3 miles per second (13.4 km/h), meteor Impacts create large surface craters that produce intense heat and produce a bright flash of light. Such an event can be seen by sky watchers when a meteor strikes a region of the Earth during the lunar night. moon Looking at the world. The impact crater created by this meteor impact (you can watch) a video on Space.com — is expected to be about a dozen meters (39 feet) in diameter.
Supercharged auroras surprise sky watchers
An extraordinarily powerful geomagnetic storm has been triggered beautiful auroras As far south as New Mexico and Arizona in March. Auroras When charged particles occur solar wind interacts with molecules earth atmosphere. In general, most aurora borealis are visible only at very high latitudes because Earth’s Magnetic field The lines direct solar particles towards the poles. But in some cases they are also called solar flares. coronal mass breakthroughs triggers auroras at lower latitudes.
A powerful solar flare occurred on March 23. severe G4 storm – Classified according to the 5-degree scale used by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – space weather Forecasters saw it coming. This storm illuminated night sky It offers skywatchers in many states the opportunity to capture incredible aurora photos.
August’s rare Super Blue Moon
August brought a rare event to skywatcherssuper blue moon” second and closest full moon ritual. Period “supermoon” is used to describe the full moon at perigee, or the point closest to Earth in its orbit, which makes it appear larger and brighter in the night sky. The full moon on August 30 was only 222,043 miles (357,343 kilometers) away, compared to the average distance of 238,855 miles (384,399 km), making it the closest of all supermoons this year. It was also the second full moon of the month (also referred to as full moon). blue Moon), literally earning the nickname “super blue moon.”
This special lunar event provided a viewing pleasure for sky watchers. While both a blue moon and a full moon are quite common on their own, both a blue moon and a supermoon are slightly rarer. The last such event occurred in December 2009, and the next event will not occur again until August 2037. beautiful pictures August’s super blue moon is on Space.com.
Newly discovered comet approaches the sun
recently discovered Comet NishimuraC/2023 P1, also known as C/2023 P1, survived a close encounter. Sunon September 17, when it passed within just 20.5 million miles (33 million km).
bright comet caught on camera by one of two Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) spacecraft — STEREO-A — While taking images of the sun’s outer atmosphere on September 19. images, comet It has remained intact, although heating by the sun may have long-term effects. The comet was recently discovered on August 12 by Japanese amateur astronomer Hideo Nishimura of Kakegawa City, Japan.
“Ring of Fire” annular solar eclipse
annular solar eclipse captivated the audience With the “ring of fire” around the moon in North, Central and South America on October 14.
during a annular solar eclipseThe Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun. However, since the Moon is at the farthest point of its orbit from Earth, it does not completely block the sun (this is called a total solar eclipse). Instead, the sun’s fiery light surrounds the moon’s shadow, creating what’s called a ring of fire.
annular solar eclipse The journey, which began in Oregon, traveled through eight U.S. states before heading to Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Brazil. This event, visible to millions of people, gave sky watchers the opportunity to photograph this rare event. You can check out Space.com’s best list 2023 annular solar eclipse photos Here.
Lost toolbox floating in space
November One spacewalk by two astronauts performing maintenance international space station resulted in (ISS) lost tool bag For now, it’s floating in space, about 258 miles (415 kilometers) above Earth. The bright white toolbox appeared in images taken by the Virtual Telescope Project on November 15.
orbit floating tool bagThis object, which looks like a sharp point of light when viewed through binoculars or a telescope, is not expected to collide with the orbiting laboratory. Instead, it will remain in space for several months before burning up safely in Earth’s atmosphere, far above the planet’s surface. This isn’t the first time spacewalkers have accidentally lost their equipment; because bulky spacesuit gloves can make it difficult for astronauts to hold their tools tightly while working in space.
‘The Devil’s Comet’ is approaching Earth
icy volcanic Comet 12P/Pons-BrooksThe comet, nicknamed the “Devil’s Comet,” is heading toward Earth and may brighten to be visible to the naked eye by March 2024. Discovered in 1812, Satan’s Comet is known for its violent explosions, where a powerful explosion of ice and gas creates a bright light. halo resembling devil horns. Fourth and biggest explosion However, this event occurred on November 14 and was photographed by amateur astronomer Eliot Herman, who witnessed the comet’s brightness increasing 100-fold.
The cryovolcanic comet, which has a heart of ice, gas and dust within an icy outer shell, is expected to reach its closest distance to Earth on June 2, 2024, traveling at a speed of 64,373 km/h (40,000 mph). Which time It will approach within 144 million miles (232 million km) of our planet.