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CURRENT ISSUE

    Dave's Universe
    Dave Eicher, editor of Astronomy magazine and science popularizer, brings you thoughts about astronomy, cosmology, nature, the hobby of astronomy, the sometimes disturbingly pseudoscientific culture we live in, and more.
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    Time for Pluto Time

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    A new tool from NASA allows you to experience Pluto time anytime. This is really cool. Thanks to Alan Stern for letting me know about this. Check it out here.Just how dim is the sunlight on Pluto, some three billion miles away? While sunlight is much weaker than it is here on Earth, it isn’t as dark as you might expect. In fact, for just a moment during dawn and dusk each day, the illumination on Earth matches that of high noon on Pluto.We call this “Pluto Time.” If you go outs...
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    Join our friends at Astronomy Festival on the National Mall

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    Each year, astronomy professor Don Lubowich of Hofstra University has led an effort to host a great star party in Washington, D.C., on the National Mall. This year's event will take place on Friday evening, June 19th, with a rain night the following evening.This is one of the great public star party events in the United States and will draw thousands of people. Materials from Astronomy magazine will be on hand as giveaways, as people young and old view the Moon, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn — an...
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    Shout out to Celestron for the World Science Festival

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    You may have seen the coverage of the many activities that took place at the World Science Festival (WSF) in New York two weeks ago.Here’s a wonderful slice of local news coverage from CBS New York highlighting Celestron’s role in the Sunday street fair at the WSF.You can enjoy it here.Follow David J. Eicher on Twitter: www.twitter.com/deicherstar...
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    Publication date set for Eicher astrophysics book

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    My next book, The New Cosmos: Answering Astronomy’s Biggest Questions, will be published by Cambridge University Press on November 25, 2015. Last year, I spent much of my free time cloistered in my room cranking away on a new book about astrophysics, planetary science, and cosmology. You see, more than 30 years ago I was incredibly inspired by Cosmos, the TV series and book, and got to know Carl Sagan, who encouraged me onward. The inspiration led me to write my 21st book, which will be pu...
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    Astronomy Foundation launches Picture of the Week

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    The Astronomy Foundation, the telescope industry outreach group, has launched a new Picture of the Week feature on its website. You can see it here.The inaugural photo is by our good friend and Australian astroimager Jeanette Lamb, and shows the Lagoon Nebula in Sagittarius and the surrounding region, rich in stars, gas, and dust.Jeanette shot this with a Takahashi FS78 scope, a Canon CDS 1100D camera, and a composite of exposures.Find out more about the Astronomy Foundation.Follow David J. Eich...
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    A movie about the dark night sky

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    I urge you to take a couple minutes out of your day and watch this short film, "Bring Back the Stars." It was made by Yining Zhou and features footage of Audrey Fisher, president of the Chicago Astronomical Society and a light pollution activist, and others in the Chicago area.It is a short film that all astronomy enthusiasts should see.You can watch it below: cs_setInnerHtml('video_d715732d-41c1-442d-93e7-1d94cb6e2332',''); And keep the faith. Do what you can to bring the night sky back to thos...
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    World Science Festival events

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    The World Science Festival, held May 27–31 in New York City, was a great event. I previously blogged about one of the largest activities associated with the festival, Astronomy magazine’s star party held in conjunction with Celestron, Discover magazine, Scistarter, and the Science Cheerleaders. Many other events took place during the week. On the first night I arrived, Wednesday the 27th, I was struck with the opening event held in an auditorium at the John Jay College of Criminal Ju...
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    New Asteroid Day competition!

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    The folks at Discovery Science in England have produced a terrific new contest for Asteroid Day, on June 30, now less than a month away!Check it out here. And you can see their promo film about programming below. cs_setInnerHtml('video_213179b6-f59e-4475-a337-c2df2e56764a',''); Enjoy!Follow David J. Eicher on Twitter: www.twitter.com/deicherstar....
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    World Science Festival Stargaze in New York

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    What a terrific few days a number of us had in New York last week celebrating the World Science Festival, one of the great science events, that drew something like a quarter-million science enthusiasts to the Big Apple. Many events took place — I will report on the talks and sessions in the coming days. For now, let me tell you about the great star party Astronomy magazine held in conjunction with our associates at Celestron, Discover magazine, Scistarter, and the Science Cheerleaders. On ...
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    Greetings from the World Science Festival Star Party!

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    Celestron just sponsored a really big event in New York City, with several thousand people enjoying the night sky with Astronomy, Discover, Scistarter, and the Science Cheerleaders. It was a featured part of the World Science Festival that took place last Wednesday through Sunday, and it was a tremendous success. Thanks to all of you who attended and who we met there. It was incredible fun!What a joy to see so many kids (and adults!) going bananas after getting their first looks at the Moon, Sat...
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    A word on Starmus from Stephen Hawking

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    From Professor Hawking:I’m touched and honored that the third STARMUS in Tenerife, June 27 to July 2, 2016, is titled “Beyond the Horizon: A Tribute to Stephen Hawking.” — SHFollow David J. Eicher on Twitter: www.twitter.com/deicherstar...
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    Gearing up for the World Science Festival

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    Tomorrow morning I’ll leave for New York (once again!), this time to go to the World Science Festival. Astronomy and Discover magazines will be partnering with Scistarter, the citizen science group headed by Darlene Cavalier (who is also behind the Science Cheerleaders!). Discover Editor-in-Chief Steve George and I will be representing the two magazines. The World Science Festival will draw some 300,000 or more people over the next few days for talks, films, workshops, a star party, a huge...
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    A thought from my latest book ...

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    This will be published with about another 100,000 words in The New Cosmos: Answering Astronomy’s Big Questions, to be published by Cambridge University Press this coming October.Enjoy!Follow David J. Eicher on Twitter: www.twitter.com/deicherstar...
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    Sir Harold Kroto and David Eicher join Starmus Festival board

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    Tenerife, Canary Islands, May 20, 2015: Garik Israelian, director of the Starmus Festival, the international celebration of astronomy, allied sciences, music, and the arts, today announces two additions to the Starmus Festival board of directors. Both Sir Harold Kroto and David Eicher were speakers at the 2014 Starmus Festival in Tenerife, Canary Islands, and have continued to be active with the organization. Kroto is the Nobel Prize-winning, British-born Frances Eppes professor of chemistry at ...
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    Get ready for Asteroid Day festivities in London

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    The first ever Asteroid Day will raise awareness for near-Earth asteroid research, highlighting the danger space rocks pose to us. The commemoration will take place June 30, 2015, on the 107th anniversary of the Tunguska event, when an asteroid or cometary nucleus obliterated huge areas of forest in Siberia. Significant events are planned for Asteroid Day in London, England, at the Science Museum south of Hyde Park. Guests will be treated to a science panel discussion and then will watch an excl...
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    New Eicher book will deliver state of the cosmos message

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    Last year, I spent much of my free time cloistered in my room cranking away on a new book about astrophysics, planetary science, and cosmology. You see, more than 30 years ago I was incredibly inspired by Cosmos, the TV series and book, and got to know Carl Sagan, who encouraged me onward. The inspiration led me to write my 21st book, which will be published by Cambridge University Press this coming October. The Foreword is by a friend of many of ours, Alex Filippenko of the University of Califo...
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    Discovery Science joins Asteroid Day project

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    Great news!Please see the following release . . .DISCOVERY SCIENCE LAUNCHES “COUNTDOWN TO ASTEROID DAY” Do scientists know when an asteroid will strike? How much warning will you get if an asteroid is headed for your city? How frequently do asteroid impacts occur? To answer these questions and more, Discovery Science, the only global network dedicated entirely to the wonders of science, is partnering with Asteroid Day. Asteroid Day is a global awareness movement educating people on ...
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    Astronomy Night on the National Mall 2015

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    Don Lubowich of Hofstra University writes about his plans for the 2015 rendition of a popular Washington, D.C. event: Astronomy Night on the National Mall. If you are in the Washington area in mid-June, I urge you to join the large group of institutions that will participate in this massive outreach event. Astronomy magazine will support the efforts with magazines and brochures on hand, and Hofstra will host with multiple participating groups, including the American Geophysical Union, the Intern...
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    Galileoscope launches IYL 2015 programs

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    My good friend Rick Fienberg is a man of many talents. He is press officer and director of communications for the American Astronomical Society. He is former editor-in-chief of Sky & Telescope magazine. He is also involved with the educational outreach effort behind Galileoscopes, which delivers thousands of low-cost telescopes to classrooms around the world. Please check out the following press release just out. By supporting this, you can make a world of difference. Galileoscope Launches 2...
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    A Starmus video for your weekend enjoyment

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    This week saw the announcement of the 2016 Starmus Festival slated for June of next year in Tenerife. While you ponder travel plans for this incredible event, a tribute to Stephen Hawking, here’s a video of highlights from the 2014 Starmus to whet your appetite. cs_setInnerHtml('video_8aeb94fa-5d08-4589-a83a-6132c6539ca3',''); Credit: Starmus Festival...
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    Rusty Schweickart's new planetary defense blog posted!

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    More progress on the Asteroid Day front: Please check out Rusty Schweickart’s new planetary defense blog posted today. Here is a great story about what you can do to help!...
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    URGENT: Thirty Meter Telescope needs your help!

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    If you haven't heard, there is an ongoing situation with the building of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) on Mauna Kea. Protests have now endangered the project and threaten its existence. If you care about science, PLEASE GO TO THIS SURVEY AND LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!This Thursday, April 30, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) will hold a special meeting of the Board of Trustees to discuss Mauna Kea and the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). It is very likely that the board will take a vote that wi...
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    Reorganized Astronomy Foundation holds annual meeting

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    The Astronomy Foundation, the outreach group formed by telescope executives in 2010, has had a long year of dormancy. Seeking 501(c)3 nonprofit status, the group has received that designation now and recently held its annual board meeting in conjunction with the Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF) in Suffern, New York. The meeting, held April 18, 2015, consisted of President David Eicher, Vice President Karen Jennings, Secretary Scott Kardel, Treasurer Rick Hedrick, Executive Director Steve Cullen,...
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    Starmus Festival announced for summer 2016 in Tenerife

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    This morning in London, Garik Israelian, Brian May, Stephen Hawking, and Carlos Alonso announced the next Starmus Festival, which will take place June 27–July 2, 2016, in Tenerife and La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain. The conference will pay tribute to Stephen Hawking, with the theme being “Beyond the Horizon — Tribute to Stephen Hawking.” Among the speakers lined up thus far are Neil deGrasse Tyson, Chris Hadfield, Martin Rees, Adam Riess, Rusty Schweickart, Eric Bet...
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    Northeast Astro-Imaging Conference 2015

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    So much has happened in the last few days that I am still desperately trying to catch up after my return from New York. One of the great events I had the pleasure to attend was the annual Northeast Astro-Imaging Conference (NEAIC), a specialized pair of days dedicated to capturing the sky with cameras. This event, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Suffern, New York, April 16–17, 2015, showcased a wide variety of expert speakers on astrophotography. First, special thanks to Bob Moore, Mike ...
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    Alexei Leonov to speak in London on May 21

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    The legendary cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, the first human to walk in space, will give a rare public talk in London on May 21, 2015. The venue will be the IMAX Theatre at the great Science Museum in London, just south of Hyde Park. Here is press information from the British Interplanetary Society (BIS): Date:  May 21, 2015Start Time:  7 p.m. (doors open 6:30 p.m.)Finish Time:  8 p.m.; book signing 8–9 p.m.Venue:  IMAX Theatre, The Science Museum, Exhibition Road, South...
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    Odyssey of Knowledge set for tomorrow in Athens

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
     THE ODYSSEY OF KNOWLEDGE 1st International Conference of Science and ArtsCommemorative Tribute:Hypatia from Alexandria (A.D. 370-415)         SATURDAY, APRIL 25th       AUDITORIUM "ATHINA 9.84" TECHNOPOLIS OF MUNICIPALITY OF ATHENSConference Theme"Humans and their Path to Knowledge at Times to Self-sacrifice" Leading personalities of the global scientific community, such as    the world-class evolutionary...
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    Director Grigorij Richters launches 51 Degrees North feature film Kickstarter campaign

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    51 Degrees North is a new feature film project supported by the Asteroid Day Foundation and Films United. A 30-day Kickstarter campaign will launch today, Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, to support the film’s official release on June 30, 2015. Brian May, famed lead guitarist for Queen and astrophysicist, is among the first to support the campaign. May composed the central soundtrack of 51 Degrees North. He notes that, “This is a movie to change perspectives, and now th...
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    Northeast Astronomy Forum, part two

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    I spent April 9–20 in the New York City area. I spoke at the New York/New Jersey Mineral Show, spent a few days vacationing in the city, and then closed out the trip with covering the annual Northeast Astro-Imaging Conference and Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF) in Suffern, about an hour’s journey outside the city. More on all these events to come over the next few days. This serves as a second report on NEAF, the largest of the events, which draws some 2,000 or more people to Rockla...
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    Northeast Astronomy Forum, part one

    Posted 9 years ago by David Eicher
    Wow. I am utterly exhausted after spending April 9–20 in the New York City area. I spoke at the New York/New Jersey Mineral Show, spent a few days vacationing in the city, and then closed out the trip with covering the annual Northeast Astro-Imaging Conference and Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF) in Suffern, about an hour’s journey outside the city. More on all these events to come over the next few days. This serves as a first report on NEAF, the largest of the events, which draws s...
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