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<ul><li><keyword id="13085220" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="skywatching-tips" source="Orion">Skywatching tips</keyword> for February include spotting Jupiter for the last time, Venus at its brightest and more.</li><li>This is also the last month to spot naked-eye planets in the night sky.</li><li>February is also the best month to spot the Great Nebula in Orion.</li></ul>2022 kicked off with the new moon and dark skies filled with stars, meteor showers and more. A new month has started with a lot more to look forward to for all skygazers. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/nasas-james-webb-telescope-ready-to-arrive-at-its-final-destination-l2/articleshow/89085024.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">NASA </a>has released <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/skywatching-space-events-in-january-2022-meteor-showers-stars/slidelist/88611445.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">skywatching tips</a> for the month of February and it includes some big ones to look out for, and also last chances to witness some.<br /><br />February is going to be the last month to spot Jupiter in the sky and it’s also the only bright planet left in our twilight skies. Jupiter can be spotted in the western sky after sunset in February. By mid-month, Jupiter will set only about an hour after the sun, NASA said in a blog post. And by the end of the month, it would have departed. Jupiter will then become a morning planet in April. <br /><br />The next few months will be dry for naked-eye planets and we’ll have to wait until August to see one. This is when we’ll get to see Saturn which will start rising in the east around sunset. But there is a chance to see Mercury in April and May when it pops briefly above the horizon. <br /><br />February is also special for Venus fans as the planet will be at its brightest for the year around mid-month. Venus rises early around 4 am and it is visible low in the southeast until sunrise. For those unaware, Venus is the brightest planet in our solar system.<br /><br />You can also spot a special trio of Venus along with the moon and Mars on the morning of February 26. <br /><br />This month is also the best time to observe the Great Nebula in Orion which is the nearest large-star forming region to our solar system. The constellation Orion will be bright and visible in the south around 8 or 9 pm. To spot it you should keep an eye out for “the three stars of the hunter's belt, and then find the stars that hang below it forming Orion's sword.” Here, you will find fuzzy stars in the centre of the line which is the nebula. You can easily see this with binoculars but a telescope will give an even better view.<br /><br /><strong>SEE ALSO:</strong><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/news/space-images-show-477-mile-lightning-megaflash-that-crossed-3-states-and-broke-a-world-record/articleshow/89285804.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Space images show 477-mile lightning 'megaflash' that crossed 3 states and broke a world record</a><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/research/news/iisc-scientist-develops-material-that-can-help-computers-mimic-brain-like-functions/articleshow/89263106.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">IISc scientist develops material that can help computers mimic brain-like functions</a><br />

Skywatching tips for February — Last month to see Jupiter, Venus at its brightest

<ul class="summary-list"><li><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/comet-heading-earth-bright-outshine-stars-scientists-c-2023-a32023-3">Comet A3, or Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS</a>, is visible in the Northern Hemisphere this October.</li><li>The comet takes 80,000 years to orbit the sun, so Neanderthals were among the last people to see it.</li></ul><p>A rare comet is gleaming in our skies this October, it's your only chance to ever see it, and it might be <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/saw-northern-lights-surprising-photos-misleading-2024-5">visible to<strong> </strong>the naked eye</a>.</p><p>Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, or Comet A3, is a dusty ball of ice from the Oort Cloud that takes about 80,000 years to orbit the sun. That means some of the last people to see it were <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/last-neanderthal-thorin-unique-dna-help-explain-species-extinction-2024-9">Neanderthals</a>.</p><p>This is the best opportunity in years, and possibly in a decade, to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/green-comet-ztf-viewing-where-when-how-see-2023-1">see a bright comet in the sky</a>. Experts are hopeful that Comet A3 will be "highly memorable" and "a real crowd pleaser," according to Dan Bartlett, an astrophotographer who tracks comets.</p><p>But you <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tried-see-green-comet-fail-2023-2">need to be prepared</a>.</p><p>"It's just hard to make the time to be in the right place, to have the right experience," Teddy Kareta, a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/astronomer-animations-reveal-solar-system-physics-2021-10">planetary scientist</a> who specializes in comets at the Lowell Observatory, told Business Insider.</p><p>When Kareta has talked to people who have <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/devil-comet-visible-during-total-solar-eclipse-how-see-2024-4">seen a truly great comet</a>, though, "there's just nothing like it," he said.</p><p>Here's everything you should know to be in the right place at the right time and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-when-to-see-green-comet-mars-together-night-sky-2023-2">spot the comet</a>.</p><h2 id="11d1e1ae-eb70-4e43-aa3a-ab5cb2a93f24">How bright is Comet A3?</h2><p id="11d1e1ae-eb70-4e43-aa3a-ab5cb2a93f24">Nobody is certain about how bright this comet will be, but Kareta says it has the potential to be the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-see-green-comet-nishimura-2023-9">brightest comet</a> in a decade.</p><p id="11d1e1ae-eb70-4e43-aa3a-ab5cb2a93f24">The last big, bold comet was <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/comet-neowise-surprise-appearance-earth-unprepared-for-asteroids-2020-7">NEOWISE in 2020</a>. It was visible to the naked eye and produced stunning photos like this:</p><div type="image" title="comet neowise belarus" height="1911" width="3000" msid="113849897" hostid="261" sizebytes="285386"></div><p id="11d1e1ae-eb70-4e43-aa3a-ab5cb2a93f24">Astronomers are divided about whether Comet A3 will shine as <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/comet-neowise-passing-close-to-earth-dazzling-photos-videos-2020-7">bright as Comet NEOWISE</a>.</p><p id="11d1e1ae-eb70-4e43-aa3a-ab5cb2a93f24">In recent weeks, A3 has at times been brighter than predicted and at other times matched predictions, according to the BBC's <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/space-science/beginners-guide-comet-c-2023-a3">Sky at Night Magazine</a> and Robert Massey, the deputy executive director of the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_mGtE7282Q&amp;ab_channel=RoyalAstronomicalSociety">Royal Astronomical Society</a>.</p><p id="11d1e1ae-eb70-4e43-aa3a-ab5cb2a93f24">From a dark-sky vantage point at Mono Lake, California — tucked into the Sierra Nevadas — Bartlett says he can see the comet with binoculars already.</p><p>But comets can change quickly, in a matter of hours. That's because their brightness depends on what type and amount of gas or dust they're emitting, and that can change on a dime.</p><p>For example, in 2007 Comet Holmes suddenly flared up and became 500,000 times brighter in just two days because a pocket of gas inside it had breached its surface, according to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.space.com/20347-comet-brightness-predictions-difficult.html">Space.com</a>.</p><p>"Sometimes people will say that <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/comet-everest-sky-how-to-see-it-12p-pons-brooks-2024-3">predicting comets</a> is kind of like playing the lottery," Kareta said.</p><h2 id="f9be457b-ee58-4abd-b650-c3903d50bfb8">When and where to see Comet A3</h2><p id="f9be457b-ee58-4abd-b650-c3903d50bfb8">Weather permitting,<strong> </strong>everyone in the Northern Hemisphere should be able to see Comet A3 in October.</p><p id="f9be457b-ee58-4abd-b650-c3903d50bfb8">There are two windows to catch it, one from now through October 2 and another from October 12 to 30, according to a press release from Massey.</p><p id="f9be457b-ee58-4abd-b650-c3903d50bfb8">During the first window, the comet appears above the eastern horizon during a 15-minute window that begins one hour before sunrise, according to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.space.com/comet-tsuchinshan-atlas-brightening-perihelion-how-to-see">Space.com</a>.</p><p id="f9be457b-ee58-4abd-b650-c3903d50bfb8">However, the best opportunity to see the comet, when it's <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/comet-tsuchinshan-atlas-may-soon-become-bright/">closest to Earth</a>, is during the second window. After sunset, it will shine in the west, just to the left of the Big Dipper's handle, making for a more schedule-friendly viewing time.</p><h2 id="f584376a-e5c8-4cf2-9b77-2d6434dabfc3">Where to go and what to bring</h2><p>For the best viewing, you should drive far from the city and gaze into a very dark sky. Check Business Insider's list of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/darkest-skies-by-state-watch-space-events-stargazing">dark-sky spots in each state</a>.</p><div type="image" title="night sky with meteors shooting stars bright white streaks and one extra bright fireball above a rocky hillside of evergreen trees" height="681" width="1024" msid="113849895" hostid="261" sizebytes="82586"></div><p>If that's not an option, though, find a relatively dark spot outside the worst of the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-dark-skies-look-like-how-many-more-stars-than-cities-suburbs">city lights</a> — maybe on a hill or just outside the city — where you can face away from any major light sources to look toward Comet A3.</p><p>"Even if you live in an area with lots and lots of street lights, lots of smog, lots of smoke, lots of whatever, you still ought to go for it," Kareta said.</p><p>Check the weather before you go. If it will be cloudy all night, for example, you may want to plan for another evening. Bring warm layers and a chair or blanket to lay back on. Without support, you might be surprised how quickly your neck gets tired of craning back to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-see-exploding-star-nova-nasa-says-expect-soon-2024-3">look at the stars</a>.</p><p>If you have binoculars or a telescope, bring them. There's no guarantee of naked-eye visibility. In some cities, you can check out binoculars or a telescope from your local library.</p><p>Especially if you're a beginner, you may want to download a skywatching app like Sky Safari ($4.99 in the App Store) or pull up a website like Stellarium (free) on your phone. Once you're on the ground, that will help you pinpoint where the comet is in the sky.</p><h2 id="b4523206-0dfd-4a5e-acaf-d6a8ee9de2a4">How to look for the comet</h2><p id="b4523206-0dfd-4a5e-acaf-d6a8ee9de2a4">Finding a comet in the sky is harder than you might think. You'll need to know a few tips and techniques.</p><p id="b4523206-0dfd-4a5e-acaf-d6a8ee9de2a4">Once you reach your comet-watching spot, it can help to open your skywatching app to identify exactly where the comet is in the sky, near a constellation you recognize — like the Big Dipper.</p><p>Then give your eyes at least 30 minutes to adjust to the dark. Try not to look at your phone. Even a small burst of blue light is enough to reset your eyes.</p><p>If the comet doesn't immediately jump out to you, try scanning around the area. Your peripheral vision is more sensitive to faint objects, so you might spot it in the corner of your eye.</p><p><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/green-comet-ztf-what-look-like-see-photos-2023-1">You're looking for</a> a smudge, slightly bigger than a star. It won't twinkle like the stars do, and it will look a bit blurrier, with less defined borders. It might appear elongated because of the comet's tail, which is dust and gas flowing off its icy body.</p><p>"If you look at it and it looks like it's behaving differently than some of the stars nearby, that's a really good sign that you've picked up on the right thing," Kareta said.</p><p>If you're still not sure, try taking a long-exposure photo with your phone. This is built into most phone cameras' nighttime settings. (Hint: Turn your brightness down to protect your eyes.)</p><p>The long exposure will provide a clearer image of the comet than your eyes can.</p><p id="b4523206-0dfd-4a5e-acaf-d6a8ee9de2a4">If you can't find Comet A3 at all, Kareta recommends trying again a few days later.</p><p>"Go one night out, and then take a night off, and go back out. You'll know better how to time it, how to get ready," he said.</p><h2 id="4dc3ee16-f7a1-4a12-9138-5ef798a3a762">How to photograph the comet</h2><p id="b4523206-0dfd-4a5e-acaf-d6a8ee9de2a4">If your phone isn't picking up the comet, a DSLR camera might do the trick. Massey recommends taking a series of exposures.</p><p id="b4523206-0dfd-4a5e-acaf-d6a8ee9de2a4">You can also hold your phone camera up to the lens of your binoculars or telescope to take a picture through it. That method can be tricky, so it helps to practice a bit in advance.</p><p id="b4523206-0dfd-4a5e-acaf-d6a8ee9de2a4">After this, Comet A3 won't return for tens of thousands of years. "See it now or lose your chance," Kareta said.</p>

How to see Comet A3, which could be the best comet in a decade. Neanderthals walked the Earth last time it flew by.

<keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> is set to mark a historic occasion on August 23 with the celebration of its first-ever <keyword id="22301946" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="National-Space-Day" source="keywords">National Space Day</keyword>. This day was declared by the Indian government to commemorate the anniversary of <keyword id="19915128" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chandrayaan-3" source="keywords">Chandrayaan-3</keyword>’s successful soft landing on the <keyword id="19899207" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Moon" source="keywords">Moon</keyword>'s south pole in 2023 — a momentous achievement that placed India among the elite group of nations capable of such a feat.<br /><br />With events and activities planned across the country, National Space Day is designed to foster public engagement in <keyword id="19929542" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="space-exploration" source="keywords">space exploration</keyword>. Whether you're a seasoned astronomer or a complete novice, this is the perfect time to delve into the fascinating world of <keyword id="21072131" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="astrophotography" source="keywords">astrophotography</keyword> and <keyword id="21808035" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sky-watching" source="keywords">sky watching</keyword>. This guide will help you get started, offering tips and insights to make the night sky more accessible and awe-inspiring than ever before.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112625183" title="India set to celebrate first National Space Day on August 23" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><h2>Getting started with astrophotography</h2>Astrophotography might sound intimidating, but with the right tools and knowledge, it can be a deeply rewarding experience. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you begin:<br /><h3>Basic Equipment</h3>Astrophotography might sound like an expensive hobby, but beginners can start with surprisingly simple equipment. The essential tools include a DSLR or mirrorless camera, a sturdy tripod, and a wide-angle lens. The camera allows you to control key settings like ISO, shutter speed, and aperture, which are critical for capturing faint celestial objects. If you're just starting out, even a smartphone with a good camera can be used, provided you download specialised apps such as StarTracker or SkyView, which help in aligning and tracking celestial objects.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="109921023" title="Here’s what falling inside a black hole would look like, according to a NASA supercomputer simulation" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>For those ready to invest a bit more, a wide-angle lens (14mm to 24mm) is ideal because it captures more of the sky in each shot. A sturdy tripod is non-negotiable; it keeps the camera steady during long exposure shots, preventing blurriness. As you advance, consider purchasing a star tracker, which compensates for the Earth's rotation, allowing for even longer exposures without star trails. This can be particularly helpful in locations with minimal light pollution, which are abundant in rural India<br /><h3>Choosing the Right Location</h3>In astrophotography, location is everything. The clearer and darker the sky, the better your shots will be. Light pollution from cities is the biggest enemy, as it washes out the stars and makes it difficult to capture the <keyword id="20080902" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Milky-Way" source="keywords">Milky Way</keyword> or faint celestial objects. India, however, offers some excellent locations that are relatively free from light pollution. Ladakh, Spiti Valley, and the deserts of Rajasthan are renowned for their crystal-clear skies. These places, far from urban centres, provide ideal conditions for both sky watching and astrophotography.<br /><br />However, if travelling to these remote areas isn’t feasible, consider venturing to the outskirts of your city or visiting a local hill station. Even areas just a couple of hours outside major cities like Bengaluru or Pune can offer much darker skies. Additionally, checking weather forecasts and moon phases is crucial before heading out. A clear night with no moon (New Moon phase) is perfect for capturing stars and other deep-sky objects<br /><h3>Perfect Timing</h3>Timing is crucial when it comes to astrophotography. The best time to photograph the night sky is during the new moon phase, when the absence of moonlight allows fainter stars and celestial objects to be visible. In India, the Milky Way is most visible between April and September, making this period ideal for astrophotography. The core of the Milky Way, which is the most photogenic part, is visible just after sunset during these months.<br /><br />Moreover, consider the time of night as well. The hours immediately after sunset and before sunrise are known as the "golden hours" in <keyword id="22383" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="photography" source="Orion">photography</keyword>. However, for capturing the night sky, "astronomical twilight" (the period when the sky is dark enough for all astronomical observations) is the best. You can use apps like Stellarium or SkySafari to find the exact times and positions of celestial objects based on your location<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112647806" title="Investments made in space program have benefited society, says ISRO Chairman Dr S Somnath" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><h3><keyword id="20890294" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="camera-settings" source="keywords">Camera Settings</keyword></h3>Getting the camera settings right is essential for capturing stunning astrophotographs. Start by setting your camera to manual mode, which allows you to control exposure settings independently. Use a wide aperture (f/2.8 or lower) to allow as much light as possible to hit the sensor. Set the ISO between 1600 and 3200; while higher ISOs make the sensor more sensitive to light, they can also introduce noise, so it's important to find a balance.<br /><br />Shutter speed is another critical setting. A good starting point is 15-30 seconds; longer exposures capture more light, but if you go beyond 30 seconds, the Earth's rotation will cause stars to appear as trails rather than points. To avoid blur from camera shake, use a remote shutter release or set a short timer on the camera. Finally, focus manually on a bright star, zoom in using the live view mode, and fine-tune the focus until the star appears as a sharp point of light<br /><h3>Post-Processing</h3>Post-processing is where your astrophotography truly comes to life. Even with perfect settings and conditions, raw images might look underwhelming straight out of the camera. This is where software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop comes in. Start by adjusting the exposure and contrast to bring out the details in the Milky Way or other celestial objects. Noise reduction is also crucial, especially if you use a high ISO setting. This helps to clean up the grainy appearance that can detract from the image’s clarity.<br /><br />You can also enhance the colours in your image by adjusting the white balance and saturation. Tweaking these settings can make the Milky Way pop against the dark sky. For those serious about astrophotography, stacking multiple images is a technique used to reduce noise and increase detail. There are free software options like DeepSkyStacker that allow you to combine several exposures into one high-quality image<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112569406" title="ISRO targets first Gaganyaan mission launch by December: Chairman" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><h2>Sky Watching: The Beginner’s Guide</h2>But if you’re more of an observer than a capturer, why not just sky watch? Sky watching is the more laid-back cousin of astrophotography and requires minimal equipment. Here’s how you can start:<br /><br /><ol><li>Know Your Sky: Begin by familiarising yourself with constellations and prominent stars. Mobile apps like SkySafari and Star Walk can help you identify celestial objects and track events like meteor showers.</li><li>Best Viewing Spots in India: Urban areas are often too bright for proper sky watching. Instead, head to rural areas or designated dark-sky parks. Popular spots include Coorg in Karnataka, Lonar Crater in Maharashtra, and Nubra Valley in Ladakh.</li><li>What to Look For: Start with easy targets like the Moon, planets (especially Jupiter and Saturn), and bright constellations. As you grow more confident, you can look for fainter objects like nebulae and galaxies using binoculars or a small telescope.</li><li>Join a Community: Connect with local astronomy clubs or online communities. This not only enhances your knowledge but also offers opportunities to participate in group sky-watching events and astrophotography workshops.</li></ol>Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or a curious beginner, National Space Day is the perfect time to look up and appreciate the vastness of our universe. With India's growing interest in space, there has never been a better time to start your journey into the night sky. So grab your camera or simply your eyes, and begin exploring the cosmos from your own backyard.<br />

National Space Day: Here’s the beginner’s guide to astrophotography and sky watching in India

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Skywatching tips for February — Last month to see Jupiter, Venus at its brightest

Marcia Sekhose

How to see Comet A3, which could be the best comet in a decade. Neanderthals walked the Earth last time it flew by.

Morgan McFall-Johnsen

National Space Day: Here’s the beginner’s guide to astrophotography and sky watching in India

Ankush Banerjee

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