Observatories
Listening to the Universe from the Far Side of the Moon
Perhaps one of the best reasons to return to the Moon will be the boon to astronomy. Without an atmosphere,…
Real-Time Solar Storm Warning Now Operational, Protecting Astronauts and Satellites
Highly energetic solar particles are generated by solar flares and can be harmful to astronauts and sensitive satellite circuits. Solar…
Cautious Welcome for UK Research Council U-Turn on Gemini Observatory Funding
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) appear to have given UK astronomers a temporary reprieve over their access to…
Observatory Installed on the Coldest, Driest Place on Earth
If you can't afford to send a telescope to space, you'll want the next best thing; a location on Earth…
UK Astronomy Community “Deliberately Sabotaged” By Funding Cuts To Gemini Observatories
UK astronomers have been dealt a serious and unexpected blow. Funding cuts to space research has stopped the nation from…
Flying Telescope Passes Its First Stage of Tests
Telescopes on the ground – while having all sorts of good qualities – have the disadvantage of peering through the…
New Images from the Ground are Better Than Hubble
As telescopes go, Hubble isn't actually that large; it's only 2.4 metres. But it has a huge advantage over the…
The Clear Skies Above Paranal
If you ever wondered why telescopes are perched atop the highest mountains, with the clearest skies, just check out this…
Water Vapour Discovered in an Extrasolar Planet
Scientists have reported the first conclusive evidence of water vapour in the atmosphere of an extrasolar planet. Before we load…
New Rocket Could Launch Really Big Telescopes
If you've got a really big rocket, what should you use it for? If you're an astronomer, you'll want it…