In January 2025, astrophysicist Dr. Becky Smethurst brings us the latest episode of Night Sky News, where she outlines celestial events to watch for in the upcoming weeks, highlights significant occurrences in space news, and discusses recent scientific findings.
This month’s night sky features two prominent planets: Venus and Saturn. Observers should look for them in the Western sky just after sunset. Their closest approach will occur on January 18, when they will be approximately two degrees apart. Venus will be the brighter object, while Saturn will appear as a fainter yellowish light. This spectacle is observable globally, making it an excellent opportunity for star watchers to break out their telescopes to view Saturn’s ring system and Venus’s phases.
As we transition into late January and early February, the moon will accompany this planetary duo. On January 31, the crescent moon will align near Saturn, providing an excellent point of reference. The moon will then move closer to Venus by February 1, helping to confirm which object is which for viewers.
Significantly, by February 6, the moon will appear as a half-moon positioned between Jupiter and the Pleiades star cluster. The moon's brightness will make tracking Mars on February 9 easier, as Mars will be visible as a small red dot nearby. However, those without telescopes or binoculars might struggle to see Mars due to the moon's illumination.
For those in the Southern Hemisphere, a meteor shower known as the Alpha Centaurids will peak around February 8 and 9. However, the near-full moon may wash out fainter meteors, making this meteor shower less impressive than usual. Dr. Smethurst advises not to prioritize this event due to poor visibility conditions.
One of the most exciting developments this month's space news is from NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, which set records on Christmas Eve 2024 by conducting the closest flyby of the Sun, just 6.1 million kilometers from its surface. The probe reached a staggering speed of 690,000 kilometers per hour to withstand the intense solar heat, with temperatures soaring between 980 to 1,400 degrees Celsius. Researchers eagerly awaited data transmission from the probe on New Year's Day, confirming successful operation amidst harsh conditions.
Meanwhile, the joint European Space Agency (ESA) and Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) mission BepiColombo completed its sixth flyby of Mercury on January 8. This maneuver is essential for the spacecraft to gain the energy required to eventually enter orbit around Mercury in 2026. Capturing photographs of Mercury’s surface at the Terminator line—where day meets night—provides valuable geological insights, including the prospect of ice in shadowed craters.
An intriguing topic capturing significant media attention is a recent study suggesting that dark energy may not exist. This claim revisits foundational beliefs about the universe's expansion rate, previously thought to accelerate due to dark energy. Dr. Smethurst notes that headlines like “dark energy doesn’t actually exist” are sensationalized interpretations of the study. The study asserts an alternate model called Timescape cosmology, which posits that the universe may not be homogeneous, challenging the validity of dark energy.
Historically, the concept of dark energy emerged in the late 1990s when researchers discovered that distant galaxies were moving away faster than expected. This perceived acceleration required a theoretical construct—dark energy—to explain it within the Lambda-CDM model, the prevailing cosmological framework.
The new papers claim that using databases of supernovae to test models suggests a preference for Timescape cosmology over Lambda-CDM. However, Dr. Smethurst cautions against over-interpretation of this claim. Many scholars remain skeptical, asserting that numerous existing observations align better with the established paradigm of dark energy.
Dr. Smethurst wraps up the episode by encouraging viewers to engage with the night sky and stay vigilant about new developments in space research. As the astrophysics community continues to grapple with emerging theories and counterclaims about the universe's structure, the journey for understanding is both exciting and complex. Stargazers are invited to share their experiences and observations as the month unfolds.
Remember, the universe remains a subject of wonder—happy stargazing!
Part 1/9:
Night Sky News: January 2025 Update
Introduction
In January 2025, astrophysicist Dr. Becky Smethurst brings us the latest episode of Night Sky News, where she outlines celestial events to watch for in the upcoming weeks, highlights significant occurrences in space news, and discusses recent scientific findings.
Upcoming Celestial Events
Part 2/9:
This month’s night sky features two prominent planets: Venus and Saturn. Observers should look for them in the Western sky just after sunset. Their closest approach will occur on January 18, when they will be approximately two degrees apart. Venus will be the brighter object, while Saturn will appear as a fainter yellowish light. This spectacle is observable globally, making it an excellent opportunity for star watchers to break out their telescopes to view Saturn’s ring system and Venus’s phases.
Part 3/9:
As we transition into late January and early February, the moon will accompany this planetary duo. On January 31, the crescent moon will align near Saturn, providing an excellent point of reference. The moon will then move closer to Venus by February 1, helping to confirm which object is which for viewers.
Significantly, by February 6, the moon will appear as a half-moon positioned between Jupiter and the Pleiades star cluster. The moon's brightness will make tracking Mars on February 9 easier, as Mars will be visible as a small red dot nearby. However, those without telescopes or binoculars might struggle to see Mars due to the moon's illumination.
Part 4/9:
For those in the Southern Hemisphere, a meteor shower known as the Alpha Centaurids will peak around February 8 and 9. However, the near-full moon may wash out fainter meteors, making this meteor shower less impressive than usual. Dr. Smethurst advises not to prioritize this event due to poor visibility conditions.
Space News Highlights
Parker Solar Probe Flyby
Part 5/9:
One of the most exciting developments this month's space news is from NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, which set records on Christmas Eve 2024 by conducting the closest flyby of the Sun, just 6.1 million kilometers from its surface. The probe reached a staggering speed of 690,000 kilometers per hour to withstand the intense solar heat, with temperatures soaring between 980 to 1,400 degrees Celsius. Researchers eagerly awaited data transmission from the probe on New Year's Day, confirming successful operation amidst harsh conditions.
BepiColombo’s Close Flyby of Mercury
Part 6/9:
Meanwhile, the joint European Space Agency (ESA) and Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) mission BepiColombo completed its sixth flyby of Mercury on January 8. This maneuver is essential for the spacecraft to gain the energy required to eventually enter orbit around Mercury in 2026. Capturing photographs of Mercury’s surface at the Terminator line—where day meets night—provides valuable geological insights, including the prospect of ice in shadowed craters.
Dark Energy Controversy
Part 7/9:
An intriguing topic capturing significant media attention is a recent study suggesting that dark energy may not exist. This claim revisits foundational beliefs about the universe's expansion rate, previously thought to accelerate due to dark energy. Dr. Smethurst notes that headlines like “dark energy doesn’t actually exist” are sensationalized interpretations of the study. The study asserts an alternate model called Timescape cosmology, which posits that the universe may not be homogeneous, challenging the validity of dark energy.
Part 8/9:
Historically, the concept of dark energy emerged in the late 1990s when researchers discovered that distant galaxies were moving away faster than expected. This perceived acceleration required a theoretical construct—dark energy—to explain it within the Lambda-CDM model, the prevailing cosmological framework.
The new papers claim that using databases of supernovae to test models suggests a preference for Timescape cosmology over Lambda-CDM. However, Dr. Smethurst cautions against over-interpretation of this claim. Many scholars remain skeptical, asserting that numerous existing observations align better with the established paradigm of dark energy.
Conclusion
Part 9/9:
Dr. Smethurst wraps up the episode by encouraging viewers to engage with the night sky and stay vigilant about new developments in space research. As the astrophysics community continues to grapple with emerging theories and counterclaims about the universe's structure, the journey for understanding is both exciting and complex. Stargazers are invited to share their experiences and observations as the month unfolds.
Remember, the universe remains a subject of wonder—happy stargazing!