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How old are Saturn's rings? Study suggests they could be 4.5 billion years old just like the planet
Read full article: How old are Saturn's rings? Study suggests they could be 4.5 billion years old just like the planetNew research suggests that Saturn's rings may be older than they look — possibly as old as the planet.
What is the Saturn app? Why student scheduler has parents, schools worried
Read full article: What is the Saturn app? Why student scheduler has parents, schools worriedThe Saturn app, which combines an online student calendar with social media functionality, has exploded in popularity ahead of a new year of school.
Lakeland woman dies after vehicle overturns, hits light pole in Polk County, deputies say
Read full article: Lakeland woman dies after vehicle overturns, hits light pole in Polk County, deputies sayA 27-year-old woman died after a crash when her vehicle overturned and struck a light pole outside Mulberry, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Here are the top 5 events for backyard astronomers in 2022
Read full article: Here are the top 5 events for backyard astronomers in 2022There are always noteworthy things to look up for on any given night, but these are the top events worth marking in your calendar as we venture through the new year.
Jupiter, Mercury to get up close and personal Friday morning
Read full article: Jupiter, Mercury to get up close and personal Friday morningORLANDO, Fla. – Skywatchers will want to set their alarms for this one as the largest planet in our solar system hangs out with the smallest. Similar to the Great Conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn in December, Jupiter and Mercury will form a conjunction of their own before sunrise Friday. Conjunction between Jupiter and MercuryMercury is typically difficult to see in the sky due to its proximity to the sun and its size. Jupiter and Mercury will rise above the eastern horizon around 5:30 a.m. Friday and gradually get higher in the sky. AdThe window to view the planets will be short as the sun rises a little more than an hour later.
Play among the solar system at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Read full article: Play among the solar system at Kennedy Space Center Visitor ComplexKennedy Space Center Visitor Complex now has an all-new experience for families to enjoy. AdInside the indoor area, children can take part in interactive games, map a constellation, climb a worm hole and learn about our vast solar system. Planet Play (Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex)“We are over the Moon to bring an offering to our visitors that will interest an even younger generation in space exploration and interplanetary travel,” said Therrin Protze, chief operating officer for Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Planet Play (Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex)The new experience is free with admission to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. AdThe visitor complex has a number of precautionary measures in place, including limited capacity, requiring face coverings, temperature screening for employees and guests and social distancing markers.
Backyard astronomers will not want to miss these 5 events in 2021
Read full article: Backyard astronomers will not want to miss these 5 events in 2021Total Lunar Eclipse (May 26)May’s total lunar eclipse will be the first total lunar eclipse in the Americas in more than two years. In a total lunar eclipse, the moon turns a red, rusty color, often referred to as a blood moon. In Central Florida, it will be a partial lunar eclipse as the Moon will set prior to totality. Partial lunar eclipse (Nov 19)November’s lunar eclipse will be partial, meaning the Earth’s shadow will never fully engulf the Moon, but it’s going to be close. In the pre-dawn hours of the 19th, Central Florida will actually see more of the Moon covered than in May’s total eclipse (partial for Central Florida).
Photos: Jupiter, Saturn conjunction put on a show forming ‘Christmas star’
Read full article: Photos: Jupiter, Saturn conjunction put on a show forming ‘Christmas star’Jupiter and Saturn during the Great Conjunction on Dec. 21, 2020 as seen above the Space Coast Lightfest in Melbourne, Florida. Central Florida lucked out with clear sky and cool weather prompting sky gazers to observe the Great Conjunction. Photographer Michael Seeley captured Jupiter and Saturn in the night sky above the Space Coast Lightfest in Melbourne at Wickham Park. Jupiter and Saturn during the Great Conjunction on Dec. 21, 2020 as seen above the Space Coast Lightfest in Melbourne, Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls) ((NASA/Bill Ingalls)\rFor copyright and restrictions refer to -�http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/guidelines/index.html)Their next Jupiter and Saturn Great Conjunction won’t happen again until March 15, 2080.
Clear skies allow Floridians to view rare ‘Christmas Star’
Read full article: Clear skies allow Floridians to view rare ‘Christmas Star’ORLANDO, Fla. – The rare Great Conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn took center stage Monday night. Great Conjunction through a telescopeAlso in that field of view will reside the biggest moons of the two bodies. Not every Great Conjunction, however, is created equal and that’s what makes the one occurring on the winter solstice so rare and special. This will set up the next Great Conjunction in 2040, although that one will not be as brilliant as 2020s. The Great Conjunction occurs because Jupiter has the inside track while orbiting the sun in our solar system.
‘Christmas Star:’ Jupiter, Saturn combine for rare Great Conjunction
Read full article: ‘Christmas Star:’ Jupiter, Saturn combine for rare Great ConjunctionThe Great Conjunction is rare. The Great Conjunction happens when Jupiter and Saturn get very close to each from our perspective. Not every Great Conjunction, however, is created equal and that’s what makes the one occurring on the winter solstice so rare and special. This will set up the next Great Conjunction in 2040, although that one will not be as brilliant as 2020′s. The Great Conjunction occurs because Jupiter has the inside track while orbiting the Sun in our solar system.
Jupiter, Saturn merging in night sky, closest in centuries
Read full article: Jupiter, Saturn merging in night sky, closest in centuries(Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP)CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Jupiter and Saturn will merge in the night sky Monday, appearing closer to one another than they have since Galileo’s time in the 17th century. Jupiter passes its neighbor Saturn in their respective laps around the sun every 20 years. Saturn and Jupiter have been drawing closer in the south-southwest sky for weeks. Despite appearances, Jupiter and Saturn will actually be more than 450 million miles (730 million kilometers) apart. A telescope will not only capture Jupiter and Saturn in the same field of view, but even some of their brightest moons.
Moon, planets putting on a show in the night sky
Read full article: Moon, planets putting on a show in the night skyORLANDO, Fla. – Jupiter and Saturn have been prominent fixtures in the evening sky over the past few months, but Wednesday, the waxing crescent moon joined in on the socially distant party. The moon will remain in close proximity to the two bright dots through Nov. 21. Look for the three in the southern sky as night falls. Cloud forecastJupiter and Saturn and will also continue to get closer and closer together in the night sky until the winter solstice on Dec. 21. It’s shaping up to be a good end to 2020 in the astronomy world.
Surveillance video helps police arrest woman in fatal drive-by shooting in Orlando
Read full article: Surveillance video helps police arrest woman in fatal drive-by shooting in OrlandoORLANDO, Fla. – A 10-page arrest warrant for a woman accused in a fatal drive-by shooting in July provides details as to how she was identified as a suspect, but it doesn’t shed any light on why shots were fired. Another witness said both Hamilton, who was the passenger, and the woman who was driving fired shots at Lebron. On July 24, records show police pulled over the Saturn and detained Hamilton and another woman who was not listed as a suspect in the shooting. Like Hamilton, police said that woman provided very little details about the events at the time of the shooting. [RELATED: ‘We want this to stop:’ Orlando family wants to see arrest made in fatal shooting | Arrest made in fatal shooting on Anderson Street in Orlando]Hamilton and the other woman were not arrested at that time.
Here are the top 3 astronomical events you should look up for in July
Read full article: Here are the top 3 astronomical events you should look up for in JulyPenumbral eclipseA penumbral lunar eclipse isn’t as exciting and definitely not as noticeable as a total lunar eclipse. When the moon completely moves through the earth’s shadow it is known a total lunar eclipse. The penumbral lunar eclipse starts at 11:07 p.m. and lasts until 1:52 a.m. Planets galoreThrough the middle of July, the planets will continue to put on a show in the morning sky. The evening star will now rise in the morning joining Jupiter, Saturn and Mars through the month.
Look up: Cluster of planets dazzle Thursday morning’s sky
Read full article: Look up: Cluster of planets dazzle Thursday morning’s skyStep outside one hour before sunrise Thursday and you’ll be treated to the sight of several planets bright in the morning sky. Look southeast and you’ll be able to spot the three bodies, Jupiter being the brightest. Mars will be in the middle of Jupiter, to the right and Saturn, to the left. Don’t worry, while the planets looks close together in the sky, they’re still practicing social distancing being extremely far apart in reality. There will be clouds moving in and out, especially along the coast which could prohibit viewing, but if you’re up early and we get a little lucky, space will put on a pretty awesome show before the sun takes over.
Early risers: Planetary alignment to provide early-morning treat Thursday
Read full article: Early risers: Planetary alignment to provide early-morning treat ThursdayORLANDO, Fla. – A few planets have been prominent in the early-morning sky recently and that will continue again Thursday. Saturn, Jupiter and Mars will be aligned and the crescent moon will come out to play. Look southeast an hour before sunrise and the four bodies will put on a show, depending on the weather. RPMClouds and even a few showers will be around Thursday morning, but if there are breaks in the clouds, look up!
Mark your calendars: Top astronomical events of 2020
Read full article: Mark your calendars: Top astronomical events of 2020ORLANDO, Fla- – The transit of Mercury highlighted the 2019 astronomical calendar and once again in 2020, planets will steal the show. The moon puts on a bright display first with the first supermoon of 2020. They will be joined by a crescent moon Dec. 16 and reach their closest point Dec. 21. The two planets won’t be this close again until 2040. The next total eclipse will be a lunar eclipse in 2022.
Bright planets take over Central Florida sky this weekend
Read full article: Bright planets take over Central Florida sky this weekendOrlando, Fla- – The two brightest planets in our sky will join together for a second time this year. Over the pasts several nights, Jupiter and Venus have been inching closer to each other and this weekend, will put on a show in the evening sky. After sunset, look southwest and the two brightest objects in the sky will quickly grab your attention. Saturn will also be in view over the weekend. Look up and to the left of Venus and Jupiter and you will find a dimmer Saturn in comparison.
Epcot's Spaceship Earth to transform into Death Star
Read full article: Epcot's Spaceship Earth to transform into Death StarORLANDO, Fla. – In honor of the upcoming release of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," Epcot’s iconic Spaceship Earth will be transformed into the Death Star. Fun fact: Saturn's moon, Mimas, looks very similar to "Star Wars" Death Star. The official "Star Wars" website has shared some details about the film that will make its way to theaters this month. According to the website, In "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," a group of heroes come together with plans to steal the Death Star, the Empire's most dangerous weapon. They've also announced that work is already underway to bring "Star Wars" attractions to Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disneyland park in Anaheim, California.