Artemis II Crew, Earth's Quasi-Moon, and Meet Elnath

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Read news from the world of astronomy for the week of April 7, 2023.

Earth may have a "quasi-moon." Plus, the James Webb Space Telescope has captured an image of Uranus. And NASA has officially announced the names of the crew for the Artemis 2 mission.

James Webb Space Telescope Captures Another Ringed Planet

Webb has returned an image of ringed Uranus, currently experiencing the dog days of northern hemisphere summer.

Does Earth Have a New Quasi-Moon?

Astronomers have discovered an asteroid that orbits the Sun with Earth, earning it the moniker “quasi-moon.”

Observing Highlights

This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 7 – 16

Mercury is now far to the lower right of Venus in late twilight. And once the sky is dark enough, spot the Pleiades above Venus. They're closing in on each other!

Meet Elnath in the Horn of the Bull

Elnath, the bright, blue-white star that marks one of the horns of Taurus, is a peculiar star in its own right.

Cosmic Coregulation

Connection to the night sky can ease stress and give us a feeling of security.

April: Mercury & Venus at Their Best

This month’s episode offers an easy-to-follow guide to finding the solar system’s two innermost planets after sunset.

Community

Spring Picnic Star Party

The Chiefland Spring Picnic Star Party is back at the Billy Dodd Memorial Field in the Chiefland Astronomy Village. This year it will take place on April 21 – 23.

The Northeast Astronomy Forum Is Back in 2023

The Northeast Astronomy Forum in Suffern, NY, welcomes visitors from across the world on April 15–16, and we’ll be there — will you?

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