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  • Halley’s Comet Debris: Eta Aquarids Light Up the Sky

    Halley’s Comet Debris: Eta Aquarids Light Up the Sky

    The Eta Aquarids meteor shower will light up the sky this weekend and it peaking from May 4 evening to May 5 early hours. Astronomers say we can see about 50 shooting stars per hour during this time. These shooting stars move really fast like around 66 kilometers per second. They also leave behind bright trails called persistent trains that last for a few seconds after the meteor disappears.

    Meteor

    The shower is named after its starting point in the sky near a bright star called Eta Aquarii in the Aquarius constellation. The best time to watch is between midnight and dawn. While everyone around the world can see it, it will be clearer in the Southern Hemisphere.

    The Eta Aquarids come from debris left behind by Halley’s Comet, which we can see every 76 years. The last time we saw it was in 1986 and it won’t be back until 2061. Halley’s Comet has been around for ages, but we only connected it to the Eta Aquarids in the 19th century. People have probably been watching this meteor shower for a long time but we only understood its connection to the comet recently.

    The comet is named after Edmond Halley who predicted its return in 1705. He did not find the comet but he figured out that sightings from 1531, 1607, and 1682 were of the same comet coming back regularly. Using Newton’s laws, Halley said the comet would return in 1758. He died before that, but the comet showed up right on time, proving him right.

    Halley’s Comet was the first comet we realized came back regularly, changing how we see comets from just being odd sky events to being objects that orbit the sun. Seeing the Eta Aquarids depends on the moon’s brightness. Luckily, this weekend, the moon will be just a thin crescent, making it perfect for meteor watching.

    For the best view, look southeast away from city lights. Lie down and look up at the sky, and after about 30 minutes, your eyes will adjust, and you’ll start seeing meteors. The show lasts until dawn, so there’s plenty of time to enjoy it.

  • Mysterious Green Sky: Phenomenon Baffles Dubai Residents

    Mysterious Green Sky: Phenomenon Baffles Dubai Residents

    Dubai, a desert nation in the Middle East, experienced an unusual event recently. The city witnessed two consecutive days of heavy rain, a rare occurrence for a place known for its dry climate. The downpour was so intense that authorities had to temporarily close Dubai Airport, one of the busiest and most advanced airports globally.

    Green Sky

    According to the Department of Meteorology, Dubai hadn’t seen such significant rainfall in the last 75 years. However, amidst the discussion about the flooding, another unusual phenomenon caught everyone’s attention: the sky turned a mysterious green color.

    A viral video on social media captured the moment when the sky gradually changed from black to green, surprising residents and sparking speculation about its cause. While some consider it a mysterious event, experts suggest that the sky can appear green before a storm.

    Authorities are conducting experiments to understand the reason behind the peculiar green hue of the sky. Although the authenticity of the video has been questioned by some, the Dubai Meteorological Department confirms the unprecedented amount of rainfall. The rainfall recorded in 24 hours equaled what Dubai typically receives in a year and a half.

    Dubai residents, accustomed to dry weather, found the scenes unfamiliar and unsettling. Despite the city’s history of introducing artificial rainfall, the sudden and excessive downpour remains a mystery. Environmentalists attribute the event to global warming, highlighting its potential impact on weather patterns.

  • The Colossal Mill V12 Helicopter: Russia’s Sky Behemoth

    The Colossal Mill V12 Helicopter: Russia’s Sky Behemoth

    Soviet Russia always aimed to have a strong military. They surprised the world with various military aircraft, from small fighter jets to cargo planes. However, one of their most astonishing creations was the colossal Mill V12 helicopter, which changed how people thought about helicopters.

    Mill V12

    This enormous helicopter was a true marvel, capable of carrying an incredible 105 tons of cargo. The development team was given the task of building a robust and powerful cargo helicopter specifically designed for transporting military equipment. This was essential due to Russia’s vast size and the need to access remote areas.

    Before the Mill V12, Russian factories produced several helicopter models between 1960 and 1985, including various prototypes. However, the Mill V12 was unmatched in size, earning it a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest helicopter globally. Its ability to carry heavy loads to precise locations without being detected by the enemy made it truly exceptional.

    Interestingly, despite its incredible capabilities, the Mill V12 was not officially added to the Soviet military fleet because they also required smaller helicopters. To address this need, the Mi 26 helicopter was introduced, capable of carrying up to twenty tons of cargo. One of the most crucial aspects of any helicopter is its balance.

    The Mill V12 showcased Soviet Russia’s ingenuity and its commitment to developing formidable military assets. While it didn’t become an official part of the military, its legacy lives on, and its impact on the world of helicopters is undeniable.

  • Mysterious Light Phenomenon in Moroccan Sky Raises Questions

    Mysterious Light Phenomenon in Moroccan Sky Raises Questions

    A few days following the earthquake in Morocco, a surprising event unfolded. A mysterious flash of light illuminated the Moroccan sky, shortly before another earthquake, measuring 6.8 in magnitude, struck the region.

    mysterious flash of light

    Local residents captured videos of the light flashing and snapped pictures on their mobile phones, which quickly spread on social media. Many were taken aback by these unusual occurrences, with some speculating that it might be an alien spacecraft.

    However, scientists have offered an alternative explanation, suggesting that it could be related to earthquake activity. During earthquakes, the shifting of tectonic plates generates electrical activity. The light observed in the sky may be a result of this phenomenon, distinct from regular lightning.

    Lightning typically originates from clouds and strikes the ground, whereas the light associated with earthquakes begins on the ground and ascends into the sky. Physicist Threadman has referred to this as an earthquake warning, as these flashes of light can occur during the energy transitions preceding an earthquake. Similar incidents have been reported in Canada and Italy in the past.

  • Capturing the Night Sky: Tips and Tricks from Award-Winning Astrophotographer Peter Baumgarten

    Capturing the Night Sky: Tips and Tricks from Award-Winning Astrophotographer Peter Baumgarten

    Peter Baumgarten is an award-winning nature photographer and educator based on Canada’s Manitoulin Island. He specializes in astrophotography and has over 40 years of experience using OM SYSTEM cameras. Baumgarten shared some valuable tips and tricks for capturing stunning night sky photos.

    Night Sky

    Understanding the Night Sky:
    – The best time to photograph the Milky Way’s photogenic core is in late winter and early spring. In the northern hemisphere, it rises in the east during this time, gradually moving south.
    – As spring turns to summer, the Milky Way appears more vertical in the night sky.
    – To plan Milky Way arc photos, use websites like Time and Date to determine moon phases and rise/set times, aiming for around two weeks with ideal shooting conditions each month.

    Fighting Light Pollution:
    – Avoid light pollution by photographing during the night’s true darkness, which starts about 90 minutes after sunset.
    – Use websites like Dark Site Finder to locate the darkest possible locations for your shoot.
    – Moonlight can enhance night images if captured at the right angle. Around a 30% moon can softly illuminate the foreground while preserving the Milky Way.

    Generating a Plan:
    – Use tools like Clear Outside and Zoom.earth to check cloud cover and weather conditions for your chosen location.
    – Apps like PhotoPills and The Photographer’s Ephemeris help plan your shots’ ideal time and position, using augmented reality features for precise planning.

    Camera Gear and Settings:
    – Pack light and know your equipment well to quickly start capturing images in the dark and cold night conditions.
    – Use fast and wide lenses (e.g., M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2.0 and M.Zuiko Digital ED 8mm F1.8 Fisheye PRO) to capture the Milky Way and stars with minimal noise and sharpness.
    – Set a wide-open aperture (f/1.8 or f/2) and use a shutter speed calculated using the 400 rule to avoid star trails.
    – Adjust ISO (e.g., starting at ISO 1600) to achieve well-exposed night images while managing noise.

    Setting Up and Focusing:
    – Arrive at your location early to set up and get familiar with manual mode and RAW shooting.
    – Focus manually using manual focus assist or focus peaking, aiming for sharp stars. Consider using OM SYSTEM’s Starry Sky AF feature for precise autofocusing on stars, particularly useful with telephoto lenses.

    These tips allow you to plan and capture breathtaking night sky photos like Peter Baumgarten’s stunning works. Remember to be patient and prepared to make the most of the dark sky conditions and capture the beauty of the Milky Way and stars. Happy astrophotography!