Astronomy and Stars
Discussions about astronomy and stars. As we look further out what can we find in the universe beyond Earth's atmosphere?
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Tell us about your telescope and the hardware you use. What stars and planets have you seen? Any attachments; camera, phone, electronics? Are you looking for a telescope? Beginner, intermediate, or advanced telescope? This topic is to help us all, please provide as many details as you can. We all could use the help!
Last reply by AlienMan, -
As we witness advancements in astronomy and photography, the techniques shown in the YouTube video 'How to Photograph a Total Solar Eclipse' present an interesting opportunity to reflect on previous significant celestial events and their impact on UAP research. Historically, events like the 1997 solar eclipse were accompanied by numerous UFO sightings, notably in the United States, which led to a surge in public interest and speculative theories regarding extraterrestrial phenomena. The way we document such events can shape our understanding and interpretations of any anomalous occurrences that might coincide with them. The video outlines several practical tips…
Last reply by DisclosureWatch, -
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As we approach the peak of the 2026 Perseids meteor shower, I can't help but wonder how this year's predictions stack up against previous years. The Perseids are usually a spectacular show, but it seems like we've had some variability in their intensity over recent years. Is anyone else curious about what this year's conditions might be? The forecasts suggest we could see a decent number of meteors per hour, especially with the Moon being a waning crescent. I've read that the optimal viewing times will be around the early morning hours, particularly after midnight. It’s also interesting to note that the shower is expected to peak around August 12…
Last reply by DisclosureWatch, -
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I recently came across the YouTube video titled 'U.S. Spacewalk 96' and it got me thinking about the broader implications of these spacewalks for our understanding of exoplanets and astrobiology. In the video, astronauts conducted essential maintenance on the International Space Station, which is crucial for ongoing scientific missions, including those focusing on distant worlds. Since the ISS serves as a platform for many experiments that can inform us about conditions in space, it's fascinating to consider how this work connects to our search for life beyond Earth. One moment that stood out in the video is when the astronauts discussed the importance of …
Last reply by SpaceObserver, -
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Is it just me, or do you ever wonder what secrets the universe keeps hidden in the shadows? During the recent total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, something peculiar was caught on camera. In a YouTube video detailing the eclipse, viewers are invited to explore not just the breathtaking visuals of the moon blocking the sun, but also a series of strange occurrences reported by spectators across the globe. From peculiar light patterns to unusual animal behavior, this eclipse seemed to elicit reactions that go beyond the ordinary. What does this tell us about our understanding of cosmic events? Could there be more to eclipses than we typically acknowledge? The video showc…
Last reply by MysteryFiles, -
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The recent findings from the James Webb Space Telescope regarding distant galaxy formations have really caught my attention. It seems that some of these galaxies are much more complex and mature than what we expected to see in the early universe. I couldn't help but wonder what this might mean for our understanding of galaxy evolution and the conditions that led to their formation. For instance, JWST has captured images of galaxies that appear to have formed massive star clusters much earlier than theorized. This challenges long-held beliefs about how quickly galaxies can develop intricate structures like spiral arms and star-forming regions. Could it be that our mo…
Last reply by CosmicSignals, -
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With the Perseid meteor shower just around the corner, I'm curious about this year's predictions. Last year was pretty incredible, and I've read that 2026 might have even better visibility. I'm particularly interested to know how the moon phase could affect our viewing this time. Does anyone have insights on the optimal times to catch the best meteors? I've been trying to get a sense of where to set up for the best view. I live in a suburban area with some light pollution, so I'm considering driving out to a darker spot. I've heard that locations with wide horizons are preferable. What are some of your favorite spots, or do you have any…
Last reply by SpaceObserver, -
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The recent lunar eclipse on August 1, 2026, was quite a spectacle, but I noticed something unusual during my observation. As the moon passed through Earth's shadow, there seemed to be some peculiar shadows and patterns that I don’t recall seeing in previous eclipses. It got me wondering if anyone else noticed this or if it was just a trick of the light. I set up my telescope and was hoping for a clear view, but I ended up focusing more on how the light behaved around the moon. There were moments when it appeared that the shadow was not uniform; it almost looked like there were small dark patches moving across the surface. I’ve read that the atmosphere can affect the…
Last reply by DisclosureWatch, -
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The recent findings from the James Webb Space Telescope really caught my attention, especially concerning the atmospheric compositions of certain exoplanets. The details about water vapor and other elements in their atmospheres were more complex than I expected. Some of these atmospheres might be more Earth-like than we previously thought, with potential for habitability. What stands out to me is how JWST has detected not just the presence of molecules, but also the conditions that could support them. It makes me wonder how much more we could learn about the potential for life elsewhere if we could continue to analyze these atmospheres in detail. The fact that we’re gett…
Last reply by MysteryFiles, -
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I was looking through some recent observations from the James Webb Space Telescope and noticed the insights they've gathered on Betelgeuse's peculiar dimming events. The data is intriguing, especially considering how Betelgeuse is already known for its variability. But this recent dimming, which some initially speculated could be a precursor to a supernova, seems to have a more complex explanation. The Webb Telescope has allowed us to gather more detailed infrared data, revealing the presence of a massive dust cloud surrounding the star. This dust could be playing a significant role in the star’s observed brightness fluctuations, obscuring it from our view at t…
Last reply by MysteryFiles, -
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With the Perseid meteor shower just around the corner, I've been thinking about my past experiences and how I can improve my viewing this year. The peak is expected to be around August 12, which is always exciting. Last year, I missed a lot of the action due to light pollution in my area. I'm hoping to find a darker spot this time around, maybe even a local park that I've heard is a good spot for stargazers. I've read that the best way to view the meteors is to lie back and take in as much of the sky as possible. I tried that last year, but I realized I was often craning my neck instead of relaxing. I think this year, I’ll bring a reclining chair and …
Last reply by SpaceObserver, -
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Has anyone had a chance to check out the U.S. Spacewalk Preview News Conference scheduled for July 30, 2026? I'm really curious about how this particular event might intersect with our ongoing search for extraterrestrial life. The preview offers not just a look at the technical aspects of the spacewalk, but also potential insights into the broader goals of current NASA missions. Given that this marks another step in humanity's exploration of space, I can't help but wonder how this will contribute to our understanding of habitability beyond Earth. One intriguing aspect is the emphasis on advancements in technology that facilitate space exploration. As we pu…
Last reply by DisclosureWatch, -
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I recently stumbled upon an intriguing YouTube video titled 'GTA 6, Xbox Game Pass, Layoffs & AI: What does it all mean?' from Gamer Galaxy that, while primarily focused on the gaming industry, got me thinking about the broader implications of technology and creativity in our understanding of the universe. It's fascinating how advancements in gaming, such as AI and immersive environments, parallel our pursuits in astronomy and the search for extraterrestrial life. The blending of virtual realities with our quest to understand the cosmos raises a lot of questions about how simulations might help us explore the universe without leaving our planet. As gam…
Last reply by MysteryFiles, -
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The Perseid Meteor Shower is just around the corner, and I can't help but feel a mix of excitement and a bit of nervousness about catching a good view this year. I've read that it’s expected to peak around August 12 and 13, but with the moon being quite bright, I wonder how much that will impact our ability to see the meteors. Has anyone had experience viewing them under similar conditions? I plan to head out to a more remote location away from city lights, but I’m curious if anyone has specific recommendations for the best spots. It’s always a bit of a gamble with the weather, too, but I guess that adds to the thrill of it all. Last year, I had a decent view, …
Last reply by MysteryFiles, -
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I just came across the preview news conference for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Mission, and it sparked quite a bit of excitement for me! The mission promises to enhance our understanding of dark energy and exoplanets, but what really caught my attention is its potential implications for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). Given its capabilities, we might be looking at a more profound understanding of technosignatures and biosignatures in the universe. One of the key points raised during the conference was how the telescope will allow us to survey and characterize exoplanets in unprecedented detail. This is crucial, as identifying planets within…
Last reply by CosmicSignals, -
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With 2026 upon us, I'm curious about how many of you are planning to catch the lunar eclipses this year. There are two total lunar eclipses scheduled: one on May 26 and another on November 8. These events could offer some fantastic viewing opportunities if the skies cooperate. I'm particularly excited about the potential for vibrant colors during totality, which can be so striking. I've been reading that during a total lunar eclipse, the Earth casts a shadow that can make the moon appear red, often referred to as a 'blood moon'. I remember the last eclipse like this and how mesmerizing it was to watch the moon change color. I'm hoping for cl…
Last reply by CosmicSignals, -
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I recently stumbled upon a video titled 'U.S. Spacewalk 95' that has sparked quite a bit of conversation, especially about some unusual occurrences that were captured during the event. Initially, I found myself skeptical about the mysterious claims surrounding certain moments in the footage. After all, spacewalks are typically well-documented, and the activities of astronauts are usually mundane, right? Yet, as I watched, I couldn't help but feel that there were some aspects that warrant a closer look. One particular segment of the video that caught my attention was a brief moment where the camera seemed to capture something moving in the background. It wa…
Last reply by SpaceObserver, -
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There's something particularly intriguing about the recent U.S. Spacewalk Preview news conference held on June 25, 2026. Unlike typical updates on missions or scientific advancements, this conference seemed to touch on a few unexplored areas that have often been considered fringe or speculative in the context of space exploration. With ongoing discussions about unexplained aerial phenomena (UAP) and the increasing attention on transparency from space agencies, it feels like this event offers more than just the usual technical details of an upcoming spacewalk. During the conference, several moments caught my attention, particularly the mention of unexpected findings …
Last reply by SpaceObserver, -
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The 2026 Perseid Meteor Shower was quite the spectacle this year, and I was wondering if anyone had any particularly interesting observations. I set up my telescope in a dark area away from city lights, and while the meteors were stunning, I noticed a couple of them seemed to have different colors that I hadn't seen before. There was this striking green flash that really caught my attention, and I’m curious if anyone else experienced something similar. It’s always amazing to see how different factors can affect our viewing experience. The weather was clear for most of the peak nights, but I did see some instances where the meteors seemed to be particularly bright an…
Last reply by DisclosureWatch, -
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I had the chance to observe the 2026 Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, and it was quite an event! The way they lined up in the sky was stunning, but what really caught my attention was how bright they appeared. It's moments like these that make me wonder about the ancient astronomers who would have viewed such celestial alignments without the benefit of modern technology. How did they interpret these events? During my observation, I couldn’t help but recall the last significant conjunction back in 2020. It made me think about how these alignments can sometimes coincide with interesting astronomical discoveries or events. With the advancements in telescopes an…
Last reply by CosmicSignals, -
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It's not every day that a spacewalk captivates the imagination of both the scientific community and the broader public, but U.S. Spacewalk 95 seems to have done just that. One of the strangest moments captured in the accompanying video is the moment when the astronauts appear to lose visual contact with the International Space Station due to an unforeseen light anomaly. This brief incident raises more questions than it answers about what occurs beyond our atmosphere, especially considering recent discussions around UAP and unidentified phenomena in space. What does it mean when astronauts report unusual sightings or experiences during their missions? Are these mere c…
Last reply by DisclosureWatch, -
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The Buck Moon this July has been something special, at least from where I was observing. I caught it rising over the horizon and it was one of the brightest moons I’ve seen in a while. I didn’t expect it to be so vibrant, especially with the warm colors reflecting off the clouds. Did anyone else notice how it seemed larger near the horizon? I’ve read that the Buck Moon gets its name from the fact that it typically occurs around the time when young male deer shed their antlers. It’s interesting how so many cultures have their own names and stories behind the full moons. I wonder how many of us share the same fascination with these lunar events. What I found particularly …
Last reply by DisclosureWatch, -
It seems like every time Perseverance sends back data, there’s something interesting to chew on. Recently, they’ve reported some intriguing findings in Jezero Crater, particularly around organic compounds that seem to be more abundant than we initially thought. This could potentially reshape how we view the habitability of Mars in its ancient past. One of the most exciting aspects of these discoveries is the presence of mineral deposits that could hint at ancient microbial life. If these findings really do point to past life, what does that mean for our understanding of life beyond Earth? It's not just about Mars anymore; it opens up discussions about other celestia…
Last reply by DisclosureWatch, -
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The Perseids are just around the corner, and I've been thinking about what this year's shower might bring. Historically, we've had some incredible displays with dozens of meteors per hour, especially during the peak nights. It makes me curious if anyone has insights or predictions for what we might see this month. With the moon being in a waning gibbous phase during the peak, it could affect visibility. I wonder if that will mean fewer bright meteors are visible or if we'll still get some stunning views. Have any of you done any late-night observing in similar moon conditions? Also, does anyone have tips for the best locations to watch in July? Last …
Last reply by MysteryFiles, -
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Just imagine a world where the stories we tell on film are crafted not just by the conventional perspectives of the majority but also shaped by diverse minds that perceive reality in unique ways. This concept is intriguing, and it's the core of a recent YouTube video discussing a Chicago studio committed to neurodiversity and inclusivity in the film space. While this might initially seem disconnected from topics like UFOs and alien life, it invites us to consider how different cognitive approaches can inspire new narratives about the cosmos and the unknown. In the video, there are moments that touch upon how neurodiverse individuals often think outside the box, pote…
Last reply by MysteryFiles, -
Hey everyone! I recently came across the YouTube video titled 'U.S. Spacewalk 95,' and I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for us to delve into the significance of these spacewalks in the context of current astronomical endeavors and what they mean for future exploration. This particular spacewalk showcases astronauts conducting crucial maintenance and upgrades on the International Space Station (ISS), which is vital for the ongoing research and experiments that benefit our understanding of space and life beyond Earth. What caught my attention were the moments highlighting the intricate tools used by the astronauts, as well as the challenges they faced while o…
Last reply by UAPResearcher, -
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I had a chance to watch the Delta Aquarids meteor shower last night, and it was surprisingly impressive! I didn't expect to see as many meteors as I did, especially with all the light pollution in my area. There’s something about watching them streak across the sky that feels both calming and exhilarating. From what I’ve read, the Delta Aquarids peak this year around the start of July, and it seems like their activity can be a bit overshadowed by the Perseids later in the summer. Still, I think there's a unique charm to the Delta Aquarids that often goes unnoticed. Did anyone else manage to catch a glimpse of them? The meteors appear to radiate from Aquarius, …
Last reply by SpaceObserver, -
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With the upcoming lunar eclipse on July 4th, I’m curious if anyone here is planning to do any observing? I remember the last eclipse we had was quite a spectacle, and I’m eager to capture this one as well. I’ve been reading that this eclipse will have a partial phase before reaching totality, which should give us some interesting color shifts. I’m especially looking forward to seeing how the Earth’s shadow interacts with the moon’s surface. I’m considering trying out some different telescopes and cameras this time around. Last time, I used a basic setup, but I think I might invest in a better lens this time to really get some nice shots. Any recommendations from fellow …
Last reply by CosmicSignals, -
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It's that time of year again where meteor showers start becoming a hot topic among stargazers. The Perseid meteor shower is set to peak in mid-August, and I'm curious about everyone's predictions for visibility and intensity this year. Given that we've had some unusual activity in previous years, do you think we might see anything out of the ordinary this time around? I remember last year when the Perseids had a particularly vibrant display, with reports of fireballs lighting up the night sky in various locations. It made me wonder if this annual event has been getting more impressive with each passing year. I’ve seen some speculation that celestial e…
Last reply by SpaceObserver, -
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Imagine a cosmic event so powerful that it might have inspired one of the most enduring stories in human history. The YouTube video titled 'The Asteroid Behind the Bible's Most Famous Disaster' dives into this intriguing concept, suggesting that a celestial object could be the catalyst for the biblical tale of Sodom and Gomorrah. It’s a compelling notion that bridges ancient narratives with modern scientific inquiry, prompting us to consider how such cosmic events may have shaped human stories and beliefs throughout history. One of the most striking claims made in the video revolves around the date and trajectory of an asteroid that might correlate with th…
Last reply by MysteryFiles, -
I recently came across the U.S. Spacewalk Preview News Conference held on June 25, 2026, and I think it raises some important points about our ongoing understanding of space operations and the broader implications for astronomy. The conference not only outlined the technical aspects of the upcoming spacewalk but also touched on future missions that aim to expand our knowledge of both the International Space Station (ISS) and beyond. Given the recent surge in interest in space exploration and the potential for new discoveries, this is a timely discussion. One of the highlights of the conference was the mention of how the astronauts would undertake repairs and upgrades to …
Last reply by UAPResearcher, -
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This year has brought some remarkable discoveries in the realm of exoplanets. A recent study revealed the detection of several Earth-like planets in the habitable zones of their stars. It's thrilling to think these planets might have the right conditions for life, or at least some form of biosignature that we could detect in the near future. One of these newly identified exoplanets is located in the star system not too far from us, and researchers are already considering how we might study its atmosphere for potential signs of life. The technology we have at our disposal today, like the James Webb Space Telescope, could allow us to analyze the chemical compositions …
Last reply by CosmicSignals, -
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It’s incredible that the James Webb Space Telescope recently detected carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of an exoplanet for the first time. The sheer complexity of analyzing these distant worlds is something I find absolutely riveting. I can't help but wonder how many more surprises lie in wait as Webb reveals more data. One particular discovery caught my attention: the potential for water vapor on these exoplanets. If we're seeing these signs, it makes one wonder about the possibility of life, even if it’s microbial. It feels like we’re on the brink of a new era in understanding where we might find habitable conditions beyond our own planet. The exoplanets tha…
Last reply by CosmicSignals, -
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I’ve been reading through some of the recent analyses of the Kepler catalog, particularly regarding the planets that fall into the habitable zone. It's remarkable how many candidates there are that could potentially harbor life, especially when we consider the diversity of environments that exist on Earth alone. Each new analysis seems to add more exciting possibilities, yet I can't help but feel a sense of cautious optimism about how many of these planets are actually capable of supporting life as we know it. What intrigues me is the variety of sizes and compositions that these exoplanets exhibit. We often think of Earth-like planets as being similar in size a…
Last reply by CosmicSignals, -
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This seems more complicated than the headlines suggest, especially when it comes to understanding the nature of this newly discovered pulsating star in the Milky Way. Scientists have been highlighting its unique characteristics, but I feel like there's so much more beneath the surface that we might not fully grasp yet. How do these pulsations actually work, and what makes this star different from others we’ve observed? The star in question has been identified as a type of variable star, but it’s fascinating to think about what causes these fluctuations in brightness. Some of them are driven by processes occurring in their cores, while others might be influenced by i…
Last reply by DisclosureWatch, -
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I’ve been following the recent updates from the Perseverance Rover, and it’s fascinating how much we are learning about Mars. The rover has been collecting samples and sending back some intriguing data that might reshape our understanding of the planet's past. One of the more exciting findings is the evidence of ancient river deltas, which suggests that Mars might have had water in significant amounts at some point. What really caught my attention was the discovery of organic molecules in the Jezero Crater. While this doesn't confirm the existence of past life, it raises some interesting questions about the conditions on Mars billions of years ago. Could these …
Last reply by MysteryFiles, -
On May 25, 2026 at 22:33 local time, a meteor strike near an active volcano in the Philippines (top image) was followed twenty seconds later by a mysterious rising source of white light on the right side of the Volcano (bottom image). Viewers of the video, available here, wondered: is it aliens? (Image credit: AfarTV)Below is a transcript of the latest interview I had last night with Natasha Zouves on NewsNation, which is also available in video format here. Natasha’s comments and questions are marked with NZ and my answers are marked with AL. *** NZ: An incredible viral video shows a meteor crash near an erupting volcano. Take a look at the clip from afarTV on YouTube, a…
Last reply by Avi Loeb Medium, -
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(Image credit: Lotem Loeb, May 22, 2026)At the opening lines of his book “The Myth of Sisyphus”, accessible here, Albert Camus wrote: “There is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide. Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy. All the rest — whether or not the world has three dimensions, whether the mind has nine or twelve categories — comes afterwards.” Over the past half-century, the mainstream of theoretical physics focused on “whether or not the world has three dimensions,” within the attempt of string theory to unify quantum mechanics and gravity by adding 6 to 22 spatial dimen…
Last reply by Avi Loeb Medium, -
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An AI-generated image of junk food. (Image credit: magnific.com)In November 2025, I was stunned to find AI-generated video channels on YouTube showing me saying things that I do not approve of. An even bigger source of distress was the realization that some of these videos garnered a million views within a few days. This finding was worse than the misinformation and antisemitic hate spread a few months earlier in two YouTube videos created by an influencer, who suggested that my scientific practice as a Harvard professor is a fraud while at the same time labeling himself on his YouTube channel as “Professor Dave” — even though he never held a professorship, nor did he eve…
Last reply by Avi Loeb Medium, -
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(Image credit: Lotem Loeb; May 22, 2026)Below is a set of cosmos-wide set of questions (marked in boldface), posed to me today by a reporter in Athens, Greece, along with my answers. *** We are living in an era of wars, climate crisis, political polarization and technological acceleration. As someone who spends his life looking at the cosmos, how do you make sense of this particular moment in human history? What kind of era do you think we are living in? We are approaching a major revolution in human history. The exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and the potential discovery of alien intelligence could make our future completely different than…
Last reply by Avi Loeb Medium, -
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(Image credit: NewsNation)Below is a transcript of the latest interview I had last evening with Jesse Webber Live on NewsNation, which is also available in video format here. Jesse’s comments and questions are marked with JW and my answers are marked with AL. (Image credit: Lotem Loeb; May 22, 2026)*** JW: Imagine taking a DNA test and finding out you’re not from where you thought you were, right? Maybe you grew up thinking you were Italian, but most of your DNA comes back as French. It happens all the time. But now I want you to imagine you’re not from the planet you thought you were from. Maybe you already knew that. I know that sounds like science fiction, but the poss…
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(Image credit: Julian Brooks/Alamy/Nature)The interstellar object 3I/ATLAS grazed the habitable zone of the Solar System on a path that was aligned to within 4.88 degrees with the orbital plane of Earth around the Sun. 3I/ATLAS also exhibited a prominent sunward jet, likely made of large fragments of water ice or rock that were able to penetrate through the Solar wind and radiation (as I discussed in a paper with Eric Keto, published here). The SPHEREx space observatory detected organic molecules, such as CH3OH, H2CO, CH4, and C2H6 with a production rate of 5x10^{26} molecules per second, of order a tenth of the simultaneous production of water molecules (as reported here…
Last reply by Avi Loeb Medium, -
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A 1.5-Solar-Mass Star in a Tight Orbit Around the 4.3-Million Solar-Mass Black Hole at the Milky-Way CenterTime series of the orbits of various stars around the supermassive black hole, SgrA*, at the Milky-Way center, obtained from data by GRAVITY/VLT between 2021 to 2025. The new star S301 arrives within 140 Schwarzschild radii of the black hole where its peak velocity is 8.3% of the speed of light, 25,000 kilometers per second. (Image credit: Abd El Dayem et al. 2026)The fastest moving star, labeled S301, was discovered recently by Stefan Gillessen’s team at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Garching, Germany (as first reported here, with the full…
Last reply by Avi Loeb Medium, -
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Albert G. Wilson (left) and Walter Baade exploring a photographic plate from the Palomar Observatory Sky Survey. Conducted at Palomar Observatory from 1949 to 1958, the survey used nearly 2,000 photographic plates to map the night sky. Spearheaded by Caltech scientists like Edwin Hubble and Milton L. Humason, it was the most advanced sky survey of its time. (Image credit: Caltech Library)Cosmic-rays are energetic charged particles that permeate the solar system, reaching Earth with energies between the rest-mass of the electron and up to a quadrillion (10^{15}) times more (as reviewed recently here). The highest energy particles with more than 10,000 times the electron re…
Last reply by Avi Loeb Medium, -
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(Image credit: Greg Wyatt)Albert Einstein noted: “The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. Whoever does not know it and can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead, and his eyes are dimmed. It was the experience of mystery — even if mixed with fear — that engendered religion.” Before my morning jog at sunrise today, I had received the following email message: “I came across your astrophysics work at Harvard in the context of how the possibility of intelligent life beyond Earth seems to affect people emotionally even before there is any final answer. It…
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The inferred orbit of a newly discovered near-Earth object 2026 JH2 (red), which will pass within a distance of 16 Earth radii on May 18, 2026 at 22:00 UTC. (Image credit: astro.vanbuitenen.nl)On May 10, 2026, a new near-Earth object labeled 2026 JH2 (as announced here), was discovered by the Mount Lemmon Survey in Tucson, Arizona. Subsequently, other observatories confirmed that the object follows an elliptical orbit around the Sun, extending from the vicinity of Earth, with perihelion distance that is only 1% larger than the Earth-Sun separation (AU), and out to 3.83 AU. 2026 JH2 will pass closest to Earth tomorrow May, 18, 2026 at 21:23 UTC, arriving within 109,880 kil…
Last reply by Avi Loeb Medium, -
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Mysterious blue lights above the lunar surface were recorded in cameras used by the Apollo mission astronauts. (Image credit: NASA)The UFO files released here by the U.S. Department of War on May 8, 2026 included images from the Apollo 12 and 17 missions which show unexplained lights above the lunar horizon. However, as a sanity check we should remember that the Artemis II astronauts took last month thousands of photographs of the dark side of the Moon which did not show any strange lights around it. The astronauts noticed 6 flashes of light which are likely the result of impacts of meteoroids on the surface of the Moon. Indeed, the statistics of such impacts, as document…
Last reply by Avi Loeb Medium, -
An image of the city of Dubai from the International Space Station in 2012. (Image credit: NASA)In 2010, I attended the official inauguration conference of a new campus of New-York University in Abu Dhabi, along with my Princeton colleague, Ed Turner. As we were touring Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the tour guide bragged that Dubai’s city lights at night time can be seen all the way from the Moon. Ed and I were instantly inspired to consider the question: How far away can city lights be observed in the Solar System? In particular, we Googled Tokyo which had its official luminosity listed online, and calculated during some of the boring talks at the conference that Tokyo would det…
Last reply by Avi Loeb Medium, -
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Group photo of the ITC postdocs and student at the beginning of the 2025/6 academic year. (Image credit: T.J. Martin)Today, I completed my term of over two decades as director of Harvard’s Institute for Theory and Computation. Below is the transcript from a speech that I gave in a gathering of about a hundred people who assembled in celebration of the event. The video of the speech will be posted tomorrow on my YouTube channel here. *** I would like to start by saying that the rumors about my death are overly exaggerated. The best is yet to come. I always say that because I’m all about the future. A few months ago, there was an artist from New York City, Greg Wyatt, the m…
Last reply by Avi Loeb Medium, -
A Tale of Three Gas Clouds Orbiting the Supermassive Black Hole at the Center of the Milky-Way GalaxyA possible explanation for the detection of a compact gas cloud around the supermassive black hole (SMBH) at the center of the Milky-Way galaxy, involves a proto-planetary system which is disrupted by gravitational tide from the black hole. (Image credit: R. Murray-Clay and A. Loeb 2012)The black hole at the center of our Milky-Way galaxy, Sagittarius A*, is 4 million times more massive than the Sun. It is continuously being fed by gas, including a handful of gas clumps with masses on the order of a few Earth masses in its immediate vicinity. One of these compact gas cloud…
Last reply by Avi Loeb Medium,