By Dr. S.A. Mohan Krishna, Amateur Astronomer December, January and February of any year shall be best remembered as these months are meant for sky watching. Among all sky events, the best remembered is a ‘meteor’ or a ‘shooting star’. A ‘shooting star’ or ‘meteor’ is caused by a tiny particle of dust entering Earth’s…

It is a visual treat for the sky-gazers as a heavenly visitor comet ‘Leonard’ comes by this month. The brightest comet of the year will put up a great show in the sky of December. It shall be once in a lifetime experience as this comet won’t be seen ever again. This comet is traveling…

By Dr. S.A. Mohan Krishna, Amateur Astronomer In a celestial event termed ‘planetary conjunction,’ Mars and Venus are expected to be 0.5 degrees apart as observed from Earth, though they are truly further apart. Many astronomy and space-related organisations, observatories, planetariums, observational astronomers and astronomy connoisseurs/ aficionados have stated that the conjunction will also include…

By Dr. S.A. Mohan Krishna, Amateur Astronomer Tonight will be definitely memorable and remarkable for observational and amateur astronomers! In the history of Astronomy, today cannot be forgotten by any individual. Jupiter and Saturn will be exceptionally close in the recorded history and is referred to as ‘Great Conjunction – 2020’. Astronomy connoisseurs are in…

By Dr. S.A. Mohan Krishna, Amateur Astronomer A ‘shooting star’ or ‘meteor’ is caused by a tiny particle of dust entering Earth’s atmosphere. As it plunges downward, it experiences collision with air molecules and the friction generated causes the particle to glow and eventually burn up completely. Most meteors burn up at altitudes of around…

By Dr. S.A. Mohan Krishna Amateur Astronomer The sky-gazers and amateur astronomers can see the astounding Leonid Meteor Showers lighting up the night sky this month. A meteor, sometimes called a ‘shooting star,’ can be the brightest object in the night sky, yet meteoroids are the smallest bodies in the Solar System that can be…

By Dr. S.A. Mohan Krishna, Amateur Astronomer Mars, the most celebrated and debated planet, is impeccably detectable with the unaided eye. The features of Mars are encomiastic and have been explored in great detail by the Viking Space Mission. Mars reaches “opposition” on Oct. 13 and so it has its best conspicuousness for a few…