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T-Tauri stars represent a fleeting yet crucial phase in the life cycle of a star. They are young stellar objects, born from the gravitational collapse of dense clouds of gas and dust within molecular clouds. At this early stage, the proto-star is still accreting material from the surrounding protoplanetary disk, fueling its growth and illuminating […]

In the early days of the Universe, approximately 12 billion years ago, the cosmic environment was significantly different from what we observe today. The primordial gas clouds from which stars formed were metal-poor – meaning they were depleted in heavy elements, often referred to as “metals” by astronomers. These metals are typically formed within the […]

Messier 4 (NGC 6121) is a standout globular cluster, shining at a remarkable magnitude of +5.8 and spanning an impressive 26 arcminutes across the sky. This makes it one of the largest globular clusters visible in the Messier catalogue. Despite its grand appearance, Messier 4 is relatively close, situated at a distance of approximately 7,200 […]

Sunspots are temporary regions of intense magnetic disturbance on the Sun’s surface, where the energy from below is blocked by magnetic forces. This causes the area to cool down slightly compared to the surrounding surface, creating the dark sunspots visible to observers. When looking at a sunspot, you will notice two distinct parts: a nearly […]

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured a remarkable image of the Cassiopeia A (Cas A) supernova remnant, revealing its intricate and dynamic nature. This cosmic spectacle, located approximately 11,000 light-years away, is the aftermath of a massive star that exploded in the late 17th century, although its brilliance went unnoticed at the time. […]

Here is a detailed text for the section “Colorful Double Stars in Boötes” in a blog post format without headings, introduction, or conclusion: Boötes hosts a half-a-dozen or so fine double stars, but there’s no argument about which one is best; it is the wonderfully-named, by F.G.W Struve, Pulcherrima, Latin for ‘most beautiful’, or ‘loveliest’, […]

Messier 3 is located in the south-west corner of the constellation Canes Venatici (the Hunting Dogs), near the boundary with Bootes and Coma Berenices. In early May, it is about 90 minutes from culmination as nightfalls, riding high in the southern sky at an altitude of around 60°. It can be observed throughout May’s relatively […]

Amidst the myriad spring galaxies lies NGC 4361, a large and bright planetary nebula located in the southern constellation of Corvus, the Crow. Locating it means dipping low towards the murkier skies close to the horizon, but it’s well worth the extra effort to find and observe it. NGC 4361 forms the apex of an […]

Markarian’s Chain is a remarkable string of at least eight galaxies stretching across the boundary between the constellations Virgo and Coma Berenices. This celestial wonder spans approximately 1.5 degrees in length and is nestled within the heart of the illustrious Virgo Cluster of Galaxies. Visible to observers using telescopes as modest as 150mm (six inches) […]

Tracking down a young Moon early in its lunation is a popular observing adventure. On 9 April, there’s a chance to see the Moon when it is just over 24 hours old (1.02 days with a 1.37 per cent phase) following the new Moon of 8 April at 18:21 UT. At sunset from London and […]