The astronomers at Kopernik Observatory & Space Center say that we should be able to see a new comet this week. The comet, "PanSTARRS" was first detected in June 2011 and is believed to have originated in the Oort clout out beyond Pluto. With an orbital period of 100,000 years it's not going to be a frequent visitor.
The comet has been visible to the naked eye in the Southern Hemisphere for a few weeks; now people in the Northern Hemisphere will get a view. We should be able to see it through March 21 - look low in the west right after sunset.
Check out EarthSky for Everything You Need to Know about Comet PanSTARRS - including photos and a great video about how this comet formed.
And, as you look for PanSTARRS, keep in mind this advice from comet-hunter David Levy: Comets are like cats; they have tails and they do precisely what they want.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Friday, March 8, 2013
Checking in with the Red Tails
Last month Big Red and Ezra visited their nest to rearrange sticks and, maybe, get it ready for use this spring. The red-tailed hawk pair built a nest up above one of Cornell University's athletic fields, and the bird-cam allows us an up-close-and-personal view into their private lives. Mid-winter visits give the pair a chance to check out the nest and determine whether it's in good enough shape to use for another year.
Red tailed hawk pairs share the work of nest-building or, in this case, refurbishing. They might add new sticks until the next reaches 6 feet high and 3 feet across. Watch for them bringing bark strips, fresh foliage and dry vegetation to line the inner cup.
It's not to early to start keeping an eye on things. Last year Big Red laid her first egg on March 15. So drop by this week and click on the bird-cam button over there on the right and check out the action - or lack of action - over at Big Red's place.
Remember to turn off the computer and head outside to see what birds in your neighborhood are doing. This post is part of STEM Friday. Check out more science, technology, engineering and math resources here.
Red tailed hawk pairs share the work of nest-building or, in this case, refurbishing. They might add new sticks until the next reaches 6 feet high and 3 feet across. Watch for them bringing bark strips, fresh foliage and dry vegetation to line the inner cup.It's not to early to start keeping an eye on things. Last year Big Red laid her first egg on March 15. So drop by this week and click on the bird-cam button over there on the right and check out the action - or lack of action - over at Big Red's place.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
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