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This image of the Crab Nebula combines data from NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) in magenta and NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory in dark purple.

Historic nebula seen like never before with Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explore

Slim Boom. Credit: Phil Drury, University of Sheffield

Scientists observe flattest explosion ever seen in space

This illustration shows the ingredients of a long gamma-ray burst, the most common type. The core of a massive star (left) has collapsed, forming a black hole that sends a jet of particles moving through the collapsing star and out into space at nearly the speed of light. Radiation across the spectrum arises from hot ionized gas (plasma) in the vicinity of the newborn black hole, collisions among shells of fast-moving gas within the jet (internal shock waves), and from the leading edge of the jet as it sweeps up and interacts with its surroundings (external shock). Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Brightest gamma-ray burst ever observed reveals new mysteries of cosmic explosions

SKAO and partners advance support for protection of astronomy at UN

Astronomers just discovered a comet that could be brighter than most stars when we see it next year. Or will it?

The Hermanus Astronomy Centre covers the whole of the Overstrand from Rooi Els to Gans Baai, although anybody from elsewhere is welcome to join.

Monthly meetings are held on the third Monday of each month on Zoom (login from 18:15). Other monthly meetings, also on Zoom (login from 18:15), include the Cosmology Group (on the first Monday) and the Astrophotography Group (second Monday) and the Study Group (last Monday). For Sidewalk astronomy sessions, kindly refer to the website calendar.

The website calendar should be checked for variations, for example “Moon-Gazing would be held after the New Moon.” Other stargazing sessions are presented on request.