Happy Space Science Saturday!
The Bubble Nebula, shown in this image, is also known as NGC 7635. It is approximately 7 light years across and the star forming this nebula is about 45 times more massive than the Sun. The bubble’s surface is expanding outward and meets with cold gas on one side which causes an asymmetry that makes the star appear off-centre.
#BubbleNebula #NGC7635 #SpaceExploration #Space #Astronomer #Planets #Stars #Science #Physics #Toronto #YorkUObservatory #AICO #YorkU #SpaceScienceSaturday #Telescope #Astronomy #AllanICarswellObservatory #Research #ScienceOutreach

Happy Space Science Saturday!
The Lyrids meteor shower peaks on the night of April 22–23, bringing up to 18 meteors per hour! One of the oldest recorded meteor showers, the Lyrids come from debris left behind by Comet Thatcher. While the radiant is in the constellation Lyra, meteors can appear anywhere in the sky. So find a dark spot, give your eyes time to adjust, and look up.
For the best views in Toronto, head out after midnight when the sky is darker and the radiant is higher.
#Lyra #CometThatcher #MeteorShower #Lyrids #SpaceExploration #Space #Astronomer #Planets #Stars #Science #Physics #Toronto #YorkUObservatory #AICO #YorkU #SpaceScienceSaturday #Telescope #Astronomy #AllanICarswellObservatory #Research #ScienceOutreach

Happy Space Science Saturday!
As part of NASA’s Artemis program, Artemis II recently completed its historic crewed lunar flyby, the first since the Apollo era, sending astronauts around the Moon and back to Earth. This mission is testing critical systems needed for future lunar landings, including Artemis III.
#Flyby #Moon #Lunar #Astronaut #DarkSideOfTheMoon #ArtemisII #SpaceExploration #Space #Astronomer #Planets #Stars #Science #Physics #Toronto #YorkUObservatory #AICO #YorkU #SpaceScienceSaturday #Telescope #Astronomy #AllanICarswellObservatory #Research #ScienceOutreach

Happy Space Science Saturday! The Cat's Eye Nebula, also known as NGC 6543, was one of the first, and one of the most complex, planetary nebulae ever discovered! It is estimated to be 1,000 years old. Planetary nebulae are named for their round shape, which made them appear to look like planets when viewed through early telescopes, but they are actually expanding gas thrown off by stars in their final stages of evolution.
#CatsEyeNebula #NGC6543 #Nebulae #SpaceExploration #Space #Astronomer #Planets #Stars #Science #Physics #Toronto #YorkUObservatory #AICO #YorkU #SpaceScienceSaturday #Telescope #Astronomy #AllanICarswellObservatory #Research #ScienceOutreach

Happy Space Science Saturday!
On April 3, 2026, Mercury will reach its greatest elongation west, appearing at its farthest apparent distance from the Sun in the morning sky. This is one of the best opportunities to spot the innermost planet, which is usually lost in the Sun’s glare.
You can start looking now through early April. Mercury will be visible low in the eastern sky shortly before sunrise and will continue to improve as it approaches elongation over the next week.
Because Mercury stays so close to the Sun, it can be tricky to observe, but this upcoming window offers one of the best morning viewing chances of the year.
Safety first: Never point binoculars or a telescope anywhere near the Sun, and do not try to observe Mercury while any part of the Sun is above the horizon.
#Mercury #GreatestElongationWest #SpaceExploration #Space #Astronomer #Planets #Stars #Science #Physics #Toronto #YorkUObservatory #AICO #YorkU #SpaceScienceSaturday #Telescope #Astronomy #AllanICarswellObservatory #Research #ScienceOutreach

Happy Space Science Saturday!
The Whirlpool Galaxy, NGC 5194, shown in this image, is located 31 million light-years away. Researchers believe the prominence of its arms are due to its interaction with its companion galaxy, NGC 5195, also seen in this image. It can be spotted with a small telescope and is most visible in May.
#M51 #Messier #NG5194 #NGC5195 #WhirlpoolGalaxy #SpaceExploration #Space #Astronomer #Planets #Stars #Science #Physics #Toronto #YorkUObservatory #AICO #YorkU #SpaceScienceSaturday #Telescope #Astronomy #AllanICarswellObservatory #Research #ScienceOutreach

Happy Space Science Sunday!
This week we’re highlighting the March Equinox, the moment when the Sun shines directly above Earth’s equator, giving nearly equal amounts of daylight and darkness across the planet. In 2026, the March Equinox occurs on March 20. For the Northern Hemisphere, it marks the first day of spring, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it signals the first day of autumn. Equinox comes from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night), referring to the nearly equal length of day and night experienced around the world at this time.
#MarchEquinox #Spring #SpaceExploration #Space #Astronomer #Planets #Stars #Science #Physics #Toronto #YorkUObservatory #AICO #YorkU #SpaceScienceSaturday #Telescope #Astronomy #AllanICarswellObservatory #Research #ScienceOutreach

Happy Space Science Saturday! This glowing orb of gas, officially known as NGC 7662, is a planetary nebula formed when a Sun-like star shed its outer layers near the end of its life. The intense blue colour comes from ionized oxygen glowing under ultraviolet radiation from the hot stellar core left behind.
Located ~5,600 light-years away in the constellation Andromeda, this compact nebula is a favourite target for both professional and amateur astronomers.
#Nebula #PlanetaryNebula #BlueSnowballNebula #NGC7662 #Andromeda #SpaceExploration #Space #Astronomer #Planets #Stars #Science #Physics #Toronto #YorkUObservatory #AICO #YorkU #SpaceScienceSaturday #Telescope #Astronomy #AllanICarswellObservatory #Research #ScienceOutreach

On Thursday, February 19, Mercury reaches its longest elongation east!
This makes this week a great time to try spotting the planet in the evening sky! At its longest elongation, Mercury appears furthest from the Sun in our sky, meaning less interference from sunlight and a better chance to observe the planet shortly after sunset, low on the western horizon.
Clear skies and happy observing!
Image Credit: NASA
#Mercury #Observing #NightSky #Stargazing #SolarSystem #SpaceScienceSaturday #YorkUObservatory #Astronomer #Telescope #AICO #Physics #Astronomy #AllanICarswellObservatory #Science #SpaceExploration #Research #ScienceOutreach

Happy Space Science Saturday! Did you know that molecular clouds are the cold, dense birthplaces of stars?
The stunning region seen in this image, the Rho Ophiuchi molecular cloud, lies just a few hundred light-years away and gives us insight into how stars, including our Sun, form.
#MolecularCloud #RhoOphiuchi #SpaceScienceSaturday #YorkUObservatory #Astronomer #Telescope #AICO #Physics #Astronomy #AllanICarswellObservatory #Science #SpaceExploration #Research #ScienceOutreach