astronomy Archives

The Sirens of Mars Image Penguin Random House, Background Image NASA

Mars Month: ‘The Sirens of Mars’ by Sarah Stewart Johnson

July 6, 2020July 5, 2020Sophie Brown

‘The Sirens of Mars’ is a part memoir, part historical narrative of the exploration of one of our nearest planetary neighbors.

Mars Month: Welcome to Mars Month at GeekMom!

July 1, 2020June 30, 2020Sophie Brown

Welcome to Mars Month at GeekMom! We are celebrating the planned launch of Perseverance on July 20th with a month full of Mars content.

From Star Stuff to Life: ALMA’s Groundbreaking Discovery in Astronomy

January 15, 2020January 14, 2020Melanie Meadors

As Carl Sagan famously said, “We’re made of star stuff.” Astronomers are now one step closer to understanding how.

Visiting the National Space Centre, Image: Sophie Brown

Apollo 50th: Our Visit to the National Space Centre

July 4, 2019July 4, 2019Sophie Brown

The National Space Centre in Leicester, UK, is an interactive museum dedicated to the past, present, and future of space exploration.

Review: ‘Space Match’

March 9, 2016December 15, 2017Shiri Sondheimer

The kids think ‘Space Match’ is better than TV. Which in and of itself makes it worthy.

‘Earth+Space’: The Coffee Table Book That’s Out of This World

October 2, 2015December 4, 2017Jenny Bristol

Other than the attractive but questionable title (which sometimes wreaks havoc on precise search engine searches), I love this book. I mean, you’ve got space. You’ve got photography. And I’m pretty sure there are very few people out there who do astrophotography better than NASA.

Happy 25th Anniversary, Hubble!

April 24, 2015December 2, 2017Patricia Vollmer

GeekMom joins in celebrating the Hubble Space Telescope’s 25th anniversary.

Start Your Day With a…Lunar Eclipse?

October 7, 2014November 23, 2017Melanie Meadors

If you’re in the mood to wake up a bit early tomorrow morning (October 8, 2014), you’ll get a pretty awesome lunar treat. That’s right, it’s total lunar eclipse time!

Hobby or Career?

June 4, 2014November 23, 2017Rebecca Angel6

Trying to foster interests into possible career options for my high school son, but exploring astronomy turned out to be more of a hobby. Better to find out now?

Snag the Starlight App for Free Over Memorial Day Weekend

May 25, 2014November 23, 2017Sarah Pinault2

The great stargazing app, Starlight HD, is free for Memorial Day weekend.

GeekMom Video Playlist

January 31, 2014December 16, 2017Rebecca Angel

Take a break, sit back, and enjoy some videos.
Crazy photoshopping, and a sky all aglow…

Geeky States of America: Maine’s Scale Model of Planet Earth

January 23, 2014November 24, 2017Sarah Pinault

Explore the Earth in Maine, from a view that can’t be beat: DeLorme’s large scale replica of our planet.

Geekmom Video Playlist

November 30, 2013December 16, 2017Rebecca Angel

What is cute, silly, educational, fun, magical, and leaves you wanting more? All the videos rounded up for your viewing pleasure!

Friday's Lunar Eclipse – Best Viewing Conditions

October 19, 2013November 24, 2017Fran Wilde

Parts of Canada, the Eastern United States, and Northern Africa will be able to see the last lunar eclipse of 2013

Perseid Meteor Shower Viewing Sunday and Monday Nights

August 10, 2013November 24, 2017Kay Moore

The Perseid meteor shower will be visible Sunday and Monday nights, August 11 and 12. GeekMom offers some tips for comfortable and high-probability meteor viewing.

Meet Grace from Outer Space

July 11, 2013November 24, 2017Kelly Knox

This Kickstarter campaign to create a book to “get young girls interested in astronomy, science, and technology” has just a few days left for funding.

Astronomical Society Meeting Open to Public for First Time Monday, Tuesday, June 3-4

June 2, 2013November 24, 2017Kay Moore

The AAS Astronomical Society meeting in Indianapolis opens its doors to amateurs on June 3 and 4 (registration fee required) and hosts evening programs for all public attendees on those evenings (no fee). More info at aas.org/aas-222nd-meeting/one-day-program-amateur-astronomers-public/

Meteor Shower Sunday Night: View Live or via NASA Webcast

May 5, 2013November 26, 2017Kay Moore

During the night of Sunday, May 5, you can view the Eta Aquaarid meteor shower as our planet travels through the orbit of Halley’s comet. Go out to view it yourself, or stay inside to catch NASA’s webcast of the livestream with chat.

The Solar Eclipse Marathon … and Other Ways to Make Running More Interesting

July 16, 2012Patricia Vollmer

What better way to endure a grueling 26.2 mile race than with the excitement of a total solar eclipse in the sky above? That’s what the city of Port Douglas in Queensland, Australia is planning with the first-ever Solar Eclipse Marathon. The next total solar eclipse will occur on 13-14 November 2012, with the event crossing the International Date Line such that those in Australia will see it on very early on the 14th, while those in Chile will see a partial eclipse near sunset on the 13th. There is a very narrow strip on the planet that will be under a total eclipse. Of that very narrow strip, only a very small percentage will be on land, including Port Douglas.

Don’t Miss Your Last Chance Ever to See a Venus Transit!

June 5, 2012Helene McLaughlin

Tonight is the last time that any of us will be able to view the transit of Venus across the solar plane. The planets won’t be in such perfect alignment for another 105 years, so head outside and carefully watch the celestial bodies dance before your eyes.