Messier 18
It looks like Messier 18 might very well be a binary cluster that is paired with NGC 6618. NGC 6618 located inside Messier 17. Messier 18 is a relatively dim open star cluster located in…
Laser Pointer Laws In The Pacific Northwest
Aside from being the typical cat toy and teaching aid, the laser pointer could be a helpful astronomy aid for some. It is common for some to use laser pointers to show different constellations and…
The Rings Of Saturn
The rings of Saturn are arguably one of the most recognizable features of a planet in the entire solar system, other than Jupiter’s Great Red Spot. Amateur astronomers are amazed at the first time that…
Messier 17 Omega Nebula
Messier 17 is the star-forming nebula that is more famously known by its nicknames as the Omega Nebula, Swan Nebula, Checkmark Nebula, or Horseshoe Nebula. Located in the Sagittarius constellation, M17 is a very beautiful nebula…
COVID-19: How Amateur Astronomy Clubs Are Responding
How have amateur astronomy clubs in the PNW adapted to COVID-19? Which clubs are providing remote meetings? Which of these clubs are posting these videos online and which clubs are making these meetings open to…
Sky Quality Meter
A sky quality meter, abbreviated as SQM, is an instrument used to measure the luminance of the night sky. In the case of astronomy, the It is used, typically by amateur astronomers, to quantify the…
55th Anniversary Of France’s First Satellite
On November 26th, 1965, the French Space Program, today known as CNES, launch its first satellite, named Asterix 1 from Hammaguir, Algeria. By launching Asterix 1, France became the third nation in history to launch…
Top 5 Exoplanet Detection Mechanisms
In a previous article, we discussed the different ways that scientists could utilize to detect and discover new exoplanets. In this article, we are going to discuss which are the Top 5 Exoplanet Detection Mechanisms!…
Messier 16 Eagle Nebula
Messier 16 the famous Eagle Nebula, is a star-forming nebula with a young open star cluster located in Serpens. Messier 16 is maybe most famous for the Hubble photo showing the Pillars Of Creation, which lies…
Blue Moon Future Dates
After learning about what a Blue Moon is, a common question is regarding when future blue moons would be visible. There are different types, with the seasonal and calendar blue moons, which differ based upon…