Taken on november 12

Bortle 4 zone, moon 84%

One of my all time favourite nebula 🥰

i am currently working on a python project where i use a dataset of stars to try to plot the shape of the galaxy. i am using the HYG dataset and have plotted the stars in 3D, however, the stars just look like a blob with no apparent shape. I have tried everything, from specifying the range of distances, to creating a weight that gets rid of closer stars, to plotting stars by temperature to look for patterns there, but nothing has worked. does anyone know if this task is even possible, and if so, how? sorry if this is not the right sub for a question like this! thanks !!!!

I've seen childrens toys/decorations that project fake stars and planets on the ceiling. I'm sure its possible to do the same but with ultra high definition ultra realistic projection of the actual milky way galaxy (the stars, not so much the bright core). At least the main constellations. It needs to have clear image and adjustable for the room size.

I've seen its possible to buy a home projector and set it up with some free software, but I'm not too handy with stuff like that. Anyone know a guide how to do this? Or a projector that comes with such a HD projection?

It needs to have clear image and adjustable for the room size. Please let me known if you can think of any other things I might want to consider as I continue my search for such a projector? Thanks in advance

Yesterday, I woke up in the middle of the night, and as I checked my window, I saw some white dots appear next to one specific star. The "dots" were brighter than the star they were around. They also disappeared quickly after appearing, though (the dots were there for about half a second before disappearing). I did search this up on Google, but nothing. I swear they were real, and not my eyes adjusting to the dark 😭 (or at least I hope so..)

For some reason, I didn't record it, as my tired ass thought it was normal or something (I fully regret not recording, as my friends and family think I'm going insane 😭). I never saw anything like this before. And no, they were not satellites (nor was I dreaming).

I know close to nothing about astronomy, so I'd appreciate anyone telling me what it could have been.

(as I said, no I'm not going insane, and neither was I dreaming)

Just wanna hear your thoughts on this, all "help" is going to be appreciated!! (my well-being is gonna appreciate it too, and if I AM going insane, please tell me 👍)

Edit: (representation made in paint of what it kinda looked like)

https://preview.redd.it/modmyg9o5h3e1.png?width=582&format=png&auto=webp&s=3ee6c57eb754dbc83ee8e4de47b3aab447c5b014

(do not bully me)

Can anyone fact check this? If this is accurate, I have some follow-up questions:

“Yes, there are times when the Moon passes through the constellation of Hercules, although it is relatively infrequent. The Moon’s apparent path across the sky, called the ecliptic, is inclined about 5 degrees to Earth’s orbital plane. This means the Moon can wander up to about 5 degrees north or south of the ecliptic.

Hercules is not one of the traditional zodiac constellations through which the ecliptic passes, but it is located near the northernmost point of the Moon’s path. Specifically, Hercules spans a declination range from about +12 degrees to +51 degrees. During periods called major lunar standstills—which occur roughly every 18.6 years—the Moon reaches its maximum northern and southern declinations, up to about +28.5 degrees and -28.5 degrees, respectively.

When the Moon is at its maximum northern declination, it can pass through the southern parts of Hercules. Therefore, although it’s not common, the Moon can indeed be observed within the boundaries of the constellation Hercules at certain times.

The last major lunar standstill was 2006, so 2025 should be the next opportunity! You will be able to see the moon cross Hercules once a month!”

Just a heads-up for the community; the ANUx Astrophysics courses on edX (Greatest Unsolved Mysteries of the Universe, Exoplanets, The Violent Universe, and Cosmology) are closing down. You can only enroll until 1st January 2025, and they’ll be gone for good on 2nd July 2025.

https://preview.redd.it/8uxp1z03uf3e1.png?width=1736&format=png&auto=webp&s=d4dab289636534e2bc8c51ba695c7ab7404b5186

These courses have been around for nearly a decade and have helped so many people (myself included) explore the universe. It’s a shame to see them go.

https://www.edx.org/xseries/australian-national-university-astrophysics

Just thought the community would want to know!

(Hopefully we can start a GitHub repo or something to store and host the content as an archive.)

Heard an Astronomer saying that we are in a rare position, in a patch of universe that is dark, allowing us to have an insight into the Big Bang.

How rare is it? Are we the only ones in the entire universe that have this vantage point?

Yesterday my dad asked me, and I almost panicked because I don't know?? I never really thought about it, but now I'm fascinated with the idea that people have different favorite stars. So, what is yours? It can be important for you for special or sentimental reasons, or just because you like its constellation, or any other reason!

Can anyone tell me why the dates change on the calendar? I’ll set it to a date in the past (May 3, 0001) then it jumps back to a few days past (May 1, 0001.) can anyone explain why this happens and how to stop it? TIA

I was reading about how TON 618 is some 18+ billion light years from Earth comoving distance wise. But the universe is only 13.7 billions years old. How can this be? Am I missing something.

Long story short, kid wants a star projector for Christmas. I do what I always do and start researching, discover the cheap ones are garbage. Was looking at the SEGA Homestar Flux, but CS seems to be bad, and the discs are $30 a pop. Dark Skys DS-1 seems to have similar issues and is twice the price, albeit better image.

Once I get up to the DS1 price, I just start wondering if I could get a portable projector and find some nice images that can be displayed. Then she could use the projector for other stuff too. Does anyone have experience with this or know where to ask? Thank you.