Astronomy Posts

Big Into – “The Jupiter Song”

Take a tour through the solar system with Iron Range natives Curtis Kraft Mattson and Jozef Conaway. Their nerd-rock band Big Into is releasing a music video every month for each new track off their upcoming EP. “The Jupiter Song” is the fifth video in the series.

Against Fundamentalisms

I’m enjoying reading Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial? I’ve got more thoughts to share, if you will let me.

Truth Cannot Contradict Truth

As a former Catholic, educated by Jesuits for eight years, I am thinking through the intellectual tradition that I have left behind as I prep for the supercool visit from Br. Guy Consolmagno, a Vatican astronomer who is coming to Duluth.

Whiteout Conditions in Antarctica

In late-mid April, Guy Consolmagno, a Vatican astronomer, will visit Duluth. (Some call him “the Pope’s Astronomer,” but there are a dozen Vatican Astronomers, that is, astronomers employed by the Vatican at the Vatican Observatory.)

In Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial, Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ, and his collaborator, Paul Mueller, talk about the research Consolmagno does into meteorites in Antarctica. It looks dangerous.

Religion, Science, under the Stars

In late-mid April, a Vatican astronomer will visit Duluth. (I used to refer to him as “the Vatican Astronomer,” but I have learned that there are a dozen Vatican astronomers, that is, astronomers employed by the Vatican at the Vatican Observatory.)

Northern Nights, Starry Skies

This PBS North documentary follows photographer Travis Novitsky as he explores the heavens as seen from Voyageurs National Park, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Quetico Provincial Park, which together comprise the world’s largest designated Dark Sky sanctuary.

Astrophotography on Observation Hill and Lake Superior

Astronomer and photographer Kyle Johnson spent three weeks on Observation Hill in Duluth and shares the wonders of the cosmos in cinematic fashion in the video above.

In a second video, below, he treks along the North Shore of Lake Superior — visiting the Temperance River, Oberg Mountain Trail and Grand Marais — shooting the North America Nebula in the constellation Cygnus.

Selective Focus: Full Wolf Moon

The January full moon is referred to as the Wolf Moon. Here are some local views of last night’s show.

Consider the Stars

Celestial photography by Duluth’s Dennis O’Hara, with a song performed by Deb O’Hara.

Meteorite Video via Pine County Sheriff’s Office

This dashcam video from the Pine County Sheriff’s Office shows a bright light streaking in the sky at about 6:50 a.m. on Dec. 16 in the vicinity of Denham, about 20 miles southwest of Duluth.

The Slice: Dark Skies Over the Boundary Waters

In August the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness became one of 13 places in the world designated as a “dark sky sanctuary” by the International Dark-Sky Association.

In its series The Slice, WDSE-TV presents short “slices of life” that capture the events and experiences that bring people together and speak to what it means to live up north.

Selective Focus: Comet Neowise

A collection of stunning comet Neowise photos from across northern Minnesota. Here’s a link to some info from Astrobob. The comet should be visible for one more night tonight.

Lunar Eclipse

In case you missed the lunar eclipse, here’s an abbreviated version with music.

Not-So-Perfect Duluth Comet

Finally. Clear skies after sunset allowing my first, eagerly anticipated view of Comet PANSTARRS over Duluth. Sigh. Unfortunately, PANSTARRS isn’t really delivering the goods. I took these pictures Saturday night about 45 minutes after sunset, looking due west over the UMD campus, and trust me, even though the comet was visible to the naked eye, the photos are better than what I could see, even with binoculars. Still, if you get a chance (and the weather Gods permit) I recommend checking this underachieving celestial visitor out.

Where do I buy celestial binoculars in Duluth?

Please don’t say Wal-Mart.

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