1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:12,040 Howdy Stargazers and welcome to this episode of Star Trails. 2 00:00:12,040 --> 00:00:17,360 I'm Drew and I'll be your guide to the night sky for the week starting January 5th through 3 00:00:17,360 --> 00:00:19,280 the 11th. 4 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:23,880 It seems like it's been ages since we last met under the stars. 5 00:00:23,880 --> 00:00:29,160 We took a little break for the month of December to recharge, travel, and spend time with family 6 00:00:29,160 --> 00:00:30,160 and friends. 7 00:00:30,160 --> 00:00:33,800 I hope everyone had a great holiday break. 8 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:39,480 If you may be found a new telescope under the tree or a pair of binoculars in your mantel 9 00:00:39,480 --> 00:00:45,920 stocking or just stumbled on the show out of a curiosity for astronomy, you're in luck 10 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:51,400 because this episode is aimed at new backyard astronomers. 11 00:00:51,400 --> 00:00:56,280 In the first part of the episode, we're going on a guided tour through notable planets, 12 00:00:56,280 --> 00:01:00,680 constellations, and objects visible into night's sky. 13 00:01:00,680 --> 00:01:05,640 I'll share some tips for using telescopes and binoculars, and later in the show we'll 14 00:01:05,640 --> 00:01:12,800 cruise out to one of my favorite spots in the solar system, the enigmatic asteroid belt, 15 00:01:12,800 --> 00:01:16,040 home to the Dwarf Planet series. 16 00:01:16,040 --> 00:01:24,720 So grab a jacket if it's cold, find a comfortable spot under the night sky, and let's get started. 17 00:01:24,720 --> 00:01:30,280 Before we get oriented, be sure to go ahead and bring your scope or binoculars outside 18 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:34,320 and let them acclimate to the temperature outdoors. 19 00:01:34,320 --> 00:01:39,960 Optics can expand and contract with temperature fluctuations, so letting them cool down to 20 00:01:39,960 --> 00:01:43,280 the ambient temperature will improve your visibility. 21 00:01:43,280 --> 00:01:47,920 Also, take a moment to let your eyes become used to the darkness. 22 00:01:47,920 --> 00:01:54,480 Try to avoid bright lights if you can, and don't ruin your night vision with your smartphone. 23 00:01:54,480 --> 00:01:58,160 Get it in dark mode and turn the screen brightness down. 24 00:01:58,160 --> 00:02:01,440 A red flashlight will also be useful. 25 00:02:01,440 --> 00:02:06,280 You won't need anything special for this observation, but in case you'd like a smartphone 26 00:02:06,280 --> 00:02:12,920 app to help you locate objects, go back and check out episode 37, where I shared my top 27 00:02:12,920 --> 00:02:15,440 picks for stargazing apps. 28 00:02:15,440 --> 00:02:18,520 I prefer the app Stellarium. 29 00:02:18,520 --> 00:02:23,240 One thing to keep in mind is that we'll occasionally refer to objects being a number 30 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:26,240 of degrees above the horizon. 31 00:02:26,240 --> 00:02:31,520 An easy way to eyeball this measurement is by holding your fist at arm's length to the 32 00:02:31,520 --> 00:02:32,680 sky. 33 00:02:32,680 --> 00:02:36,800 Your fist will measure about 10 degrees from top to bottom. 34 00:02:36,800 --> 00:02:42,400 Be aware that some of the times and locations will vary depending on your latitude, so a 35 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:45,800 smartphone app is going to come in handy. 36 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:50,840 When we talk about finding objects in the night sky, it helps to have a reference point. 37 00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:56,680 For most of us in the Northern Hemisphere, that point is Polaris, the North Star. 38 00:02:56,680 --> 00:03:01,320 If you're just stepping outside, figure out which direction is North. 39 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:07,920 It's easy to find West by facing the sunset, then make a quarter turn right to face North. 40 00:03:07,920 --> 00:03:11,480 A compass or a compass app can also help. 41 00:03:11,480 --> 00:03:17,560 Typically we'd use the Big Dipper or Ursa Major to help us locate Polaris. 42 00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:24,280 Currently, the Big Dipper is low on the horizon for North American observers just after dusk, 43 00:03:24,280 --> 00:03:30,640 but it will rotate into view later in the evening, becoming fully visible by midnight. 44 00:03:30,640 --> 00:03:37,800 When it's up, the two stars at the end of its bowl will point you directly to Polaris. 45 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:43,000 You can also approximate the location of Polaris if you know your latitude. 46 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:50,200 For example, if you're at a latitude of 34, as I am, Polaris will be about 34 degrees 47 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:53,360 above the North horizon. 48 00:03:53,360 --> 00:03:57,920 When you see Polaris, you've found the sky's version of home base. 49 00:03:57,920 --> 00:04:02,440 It doesn't move through the night, so it's a good starting point. 50 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:08,160 If you have a telescope with an equatorial mount, you'll often hear about polar alignment. 51 00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:13,640 This means aligning your mount so its axis points towards Polaris. 52 00:04:13,640 --> 00:04:19,080 While that's essential for astrophotography or tracking objects for long periods, don't 53 00:04:19,080 --> 00:04:22,200 let it intimidate you if you're just starting out. 54 00:04:22,200 --> 00:04:26,960 A rough alignment is often enough for casual observing. 55 00:04:26,960 --> 00:04:32,840 Check your scope's manual for the exact procedure, as all mounts are slightly different. 56 00:04:32,840 --> 00:04:35,240 So let's begin the tour. 57 00:04:35,240 --> 00:04:41,960 If you happen to be outside at twilight, just after sunset, look west and up at about a 30 58 00:04:41,960 --> 00:04:46,760 degree angle to spot the brightest star in the sky right now. 59 00:04:46,760 --> 00:04:49,400 That's actually the planet Venus. 60 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:54,360 It's not much to look at in a telescope, but because it's between the Earth and Sun, it 61 00:04:54,360 --> 00:04:57,600 goes through phases like our moon. 62 00:04:57,600 --> 00:05:03,280 So you may see it in a crescent or gibbous phase, depending on the time of year. 63 00:05:03,280 --> 00:05:09,040 Its brightness is alluring, and I just enjoy looking at it with my naked eye. 64 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:14,000 Just like the Sun, planets rise in the east and set in the west. 65 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:20,600 Venus, having made its way across the sky during the day, will be setting around 8 p.m., 66 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:23,400 so catch it while you can. 67 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:30,720 Now let's turn towards the east and about 40 degrees up, where we find Jupiter rising. 68 00:05:30,720 --> 00:05:34,960 It will be the brightest star in that area of the sky. 69 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:39,120 Through a telescope, it kind of resembles a small solar system. 70 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:46,240 You can see its four largest moons, Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto, lined up around the 71 00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:47,480 planet. 72 00:05:47,480 --> 00:05:53,120 In a good telescope, you may even discern cloud bands on Jupiter's surface, or its 73 00:05:53,120 --> 00:05:57,200 raging storm, the great red spot. 74 00:05:57,200 --> 00:06:03,120 Now look back toward the west, gaze about a fist's width above and slightly to the 75 00:06:03,120 --> 00:06:05,000 left of Venus. 76 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:09,400 You should be able to locate another relatively bright star here. 77 00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:12,320 That's Saturn, the ringed planet. 78 00:06:12,320 --> 00:06:18,480 Known for its gorgeous ring system, Saturn usually appears a bit fainter than Jupiter. 79 00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:24,040 If you can spot it, aim your telescope and prepare to have your breath taken away. 80 00:06:24,040 --> 00:06:30,440 Even at lower magnification, Saturn's rings are a jaw-dropping sight, and observing them 81 00:06:30,440 --> 00:06:32,520 never gets old. 82 00:06:32,520 --> 00:06:38,640 Some scopes may even resolve the gap in the rings, called the Cassini division. 83 00:06:38,640 --> 00:06:43,760 Looking south and higher in the sky, you can spot the moon around its first quarter this 84 00:06:43,760 --> 00:06:47,760 week, waxing towards next week's full moon. 85 00:06:47,760 --> 00:06:51,800 This is a great period for examining the moon's terminator. 86 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:57,000 That's the dividing line between night and day on the lunar surface. 87 00:06:57,000 --> 00:07:02,080 In a telescope, you can see 3D-like relief where the light meets shadow. 88 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:10,000 A fun fact, these dark patches you're seeing on the surface are maria, ancient lava planes. 89 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:15,760 Imagine volcanic eruptions billions of years ago, shaping the face of our moon. 90 00:07:15,760 --> 00:07:21,040 The moon is an excellent first target for new telescope owners, and a great way to get 91 00:07:21,040 --> 00:07:23,520 acquainted with your instrument. 92 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:34,120 When you're comfortable viewing the moon, move on to Jupiter and Saturn. 93 00:07:34,120 --> 00:07:38,000 Now let's check out some key constellations. 94 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:43,920 Look south to southeast to spot one of the most recognizable constellations in the sky, 95 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:45,960 Orion the Hunter. 96 00:07:45,960 --> 00:07:53,320 Orion is easily identified by his famous belt, three bright stars almost evenly spaced in 97 00:07:53,320 --> 00:07:54,560 a row. 98 00:07:54,560 --> 00:07:58,880 If you see those three stars, you found Orion. 99 00:07:58,880 --> 00:08:05,840 Above the belt, you'll notice a bright, ruddy star called Betelgeuse, a massive red supergiant 100 00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:08,280 nearing the end of its life. 101 00:08:08,280 --> 00:08:13,880 Below the belt, there's a bright blue-white star called Rigel, one of the most luminous 102 00:08:13,880 --> 00:08:16,480 stars we can see. 103 00:08:16,480 --> 00:08:20,720 Just below Orion's belt is a small, hazy patch. 104 00:08:20,720 --> 00:08:25,080 If you look at it with the naked eye, it appears like a fuzzy star. 105 00:08:25,080 --> 00:08:30,240 Aim your telescope or binoculars there, and you'll see the glowing gas and dust of the 106 00:08:30,240 --> 00:08:37,600 Orion nebula, one of the most spectacular deep sky objects you can see from your backyard. 107 00:08:37,600 --> 00:08:44,280 Even a modest telescope at low magnification reveals swirling gray-green or blueish clouds 108 00:08:44,280 --> 00:08:46,080 in the nebula. 109 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:51,680 Just to the northwest of Orion, you'll find another majestic constellation, Taurus the 110 00:08:51,680 --> 00:08:52,920 Bull. 111 00:08:52,920 --> 00:08:59,200 The brightest star in Taurus is Aldebaran, a red giant that forms the fiery eye of the 112 00:08:59,200 --> 00:09:00,640 bull. 113 00:09:00,640 --> 00:09:06,440 You'll notice that Aldebaran is embedded in a loose cluster of stars known as the Hyades, 114 00:09:06,440 --> 00:09:11,000 this V-shaped cluster outlines the face of Taurus. 115 00:09:11,000 --> 00:09:16,120 A little higher in the sky and a bit to the right, if you're scanning from Orion, look 116 00:09:16,120 --> 00:09:21,360 for a tighter, dazzling cluster of stars known as the Pleiades. 117 00:09:21,360 --> 00:09:28,000 Also called the Seven Sisters, or M45, it's one of the easiest star clusters to spot with 118 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:29,400 the naked eye. 119 00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:33,960 To many, it looks like a tiny version of the Big Dipper. 120 00:09:33,960 --> 00:09:39,480 Through binoculars or a wide-field telescope eyepiece, the Pleiades fills your view with 121 00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:42,520 luminous blueish-white stars. 122 00:09:42,520 --> 00:09:47,800 You might catch a hint of the reflection nebula around the brightest members, especially under 123 00:09:47,800 --> 00:09:49,640 dark skies. 124 00:09:49,640 --> 00:09:55,800 This cluster is young, only about a hundred million years old, practically newborns in 125 00:09:55,800 --> 00:09:57,800 cosmic terms. 126 00:09:57,800 --> 00:10:02,840 Back to the north and northeast, if you look high above Polaris, you'll see a distinct 127 00:10:02,840 --> 00:10:05,520 W-shape in the sky. 128 00:10:05,520 --> 00:10:07,440 That's Cassiopeia. 129 00:10:07,440 --> 00:10:12,960 It's an excellent landmark constellation that stands opposite the Big Dipper, helping frame 130 00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:15,480 Polaris between them. 131 00:10:15,480 --> 00:10:22,680 From Cassiopeia, you can star-hop toward the Andromeda Galaxy, M31, the nearest major 132 00:10:22,680 --> 00:10:26,600 galaxy to our own Milky Way. 133 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:31,240 Star-hopping is a navigational technique in which you start from a bright, easily recognizable 134 00:10:31,240 --> 00:10:37,320 star and hop from one star to another using a chart or your memory. 135 00:10:37,320 --> 00:10:41,440 Think of it like following stepping stones across the sky. 136 00:10:41,440 --> 00:10:46,840 Each known star helps guide you closer to your target, whether it's a faint nebula or 137 00:10:46,840 --> 00:10:49,080 distant galaxy. 138 00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:55,400 I like to imagine the large triangle formed by Cassiopeia's top three stars as a giant 139 00:10:55,400 --> 00:10:59,160 arrow pointing the way to M31. 140 00:10:59,160 --> 00:11:04,840 Look about 15 degrees away from the arrow's pointer star to find M31. 141 00:11:04,840 --> 00:11:07,960 It's nearly directly overhead right now. 142 00:11:07,960 --> 00:11:11,600 M31 can be challenging to see with the naked eye. 143 00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:17,240 Under very dark skies, it can appear as a faint, fuzzy patch to the naked eye. 144 00:11:17,240 --> 00:11:22,000 But with binoculars or a small telescope, you'll see a brighter core surrounded by a 145 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:24,560 delicate halo of light. 146 00:11:24,560 --> 00:11:28,800 If you've managed to locate the bright core of Andromeda in your telescope, you might 147 00:11:28,800 --> 00:11:37,800 even catch glimpses of its satellite galaxies, M32 and M110, depending on how dark your location 148 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:39,320 is. 149 00:11:39,320 --> 00:11:43,320 Don't be disappointed if you can't see much detail. 150 00:11:43,320 --> 00:11:48,200 Galaxies are faint, extended objects, so it helps to let your eyes adapt to the dark 151 00:11:48,200 --> 00:11:50,600 and use averted vision. 152 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:55,760 That's looking slightly away from the target to capture more detail. 153 00:11:55,760 --> 00:12:02,520 At 9 p.m., look back to the east to find another planet rising, Mars. 154 00:12:02,520 --> 00:12:05,920 Mars may appear as a bright, ruddy point of light. 155 00:12:05,920 --> 00:12:11,280 It doesn't show as many details as Jupiter or Saturn in a small telescope, but the color 156 00:12:11,280 --> 00:12:13,040 is unmistakable. 157 00:12:13,040 --> 00:12:18,920 Occasionally, you can make out bright polar caps or dark surface markings when Mars is 158 00:12:18,920 --> 00:12:25,920 closest to the Earth. 159 00:12:25,920 --> 00:12:30,760 No matter which of these objects you decide to explore first, here are some tips to make 160 00:12:30,760 --> 00:12:35,040 your stargazing experience more enjoyable. 161 00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:38,040 Use lower magnification first. 162 00:12:38,040 --> 00:12:41,640 Start with your telescope's lowest power eyepiece. 163 00:12:41,640 --> 00:12:47,240 This gives you a wider field of view, making it easier to find and center objects. 164 00:12:47,240 --> 00:12:53,400 Once you've acquired your target, you can swap to higher magnifications. 165 00:12:53,400 --> 00:12:55,520 Stabilize your scope. 166 00:12:55,520 --> 00:13:00,680 Telescopes can be wobbly, especially cheaper models, and even the slightest touch can knock 167 00:13:00,680 --> 00:13:06,320 an object out of your field of view, particularly at high magnifications. 168 00:13:06,320 --> 00:13:11,360 Make sure your telescope is on level ground and your mount is properly adjusted and locked 169 00:13:11,360 --> 00:13:12,720 down. 170 00:13:12,720 --> 00:13:16,240 Even a slight wobble can make focusing difficult. 171 00:13:16,240 --> 00:13:21,600 If you have a Dobsonian mount, try placing it on a perfectly flat surface. 172 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:26,520 Be careful of bumping the scope when you look through the eyepiece. 173 00:13:26,520 --> 00:13:31,200 Unless you have a computerized scope that finds targets automatically, you're going 174 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:36,080 to spend a good bit of time simply placing your target in the field of view. 175 00:13:36,080 --> 00:13:40,960 Your first night with a new scope is probably going to be frustrating, but once you get 176 00:13:40,960 --> 00:13:45,200 the hang of it, you'll be sliding around the sky with ease. 177 00:13:45,200 --> 00:13:51,320 Aligning your finder scope, or red dot finder, in daylight on a distant tree or telephone 178 00:13:51,320 --> 00:13:54,320 pole is a huge time saver. 179 00:13:54,320 --> 00:14:00,280 This helps you accurately aim at celestial targets when the sky is dark. 180 00:14:00,280 --> 00:14:05,880 Keep a little notebook or use a voice recorder to jot down your observations, sketches, or 181 00:14:05,880 --> 00:14:08,560 anything interesting you notice. 182 00:14:08,560 --> 00:14:14,240 Over time, this will help you track your progress and build your skills as an observer. 183 00:14:14,240 --> 00:14:19,640 Saturn, Jupiter, and the Moon are all very dynamic targets that change from night to 184 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:23,800 night, so it pays to revisit them often. 185 00:14:23,800 --> 00:14:28,840 If you live in an urban or suburban area, you might struggle with light pollution. 186 00:14:28,840 --> 00:14:34,040 Street lights, car headlights, and the glow from nearby buildings can wash out fainter 187 00:14:34,040 --> 00:14:36,880 stars and deep sky objects. 188 00:14:36,880 --> 00:14:42,480 If you can, plan a trip to a darker location, maybe a local park or campsite away from 189 00:14:42,480 --> 00:14:44,080 city lights. 190 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:47,680 You'll be amazed at how many more stars you can see. 191 00:14:47,680 --> 00:14:50,360 And one last note, be patient. 192 00:14:50,360 --> 00:14:54,800 And I say this as someone who is very impatient. 193 00:14:54,800 --> 00:15:00,560 Telescopes, especially for beginners, require a bit of practice before that wow moment. 194 00:15:00,560 --> 00:15:05,760 The more you use it, the better you'll get at finding objects quickly, focusing and picking 195 00:15:05,760 --> 00:15:08,480 out faint details. 196 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:14,560 Journey is a lifetime hobby, and the night sky offers endless discoveries. 197 00:15:14,560 --> 00:15:19,240 If you can't find what you want to see tonight, there's always tomorrow. 198 00:15:19,240 --> 00:15:24,220 As the year progresses, I'll make note of night sky objects to keep an eye out for. 199 00:15:24,220 --> 00:15:29,320 You may even want to go back and check out some of the episodes in the back catalog. 200 00:15:29,320 --> 00:15:35,800 The winter is one of the best times for stargazing, owing to longer nights and clearer skies. 201 00:15:35,800 --> 00:15:46,640 So if you've just started your journey, you're coming in at a very good time. 202 00:15:46,640 --> 00:15:52,800 Today we're focusing on a fascinating region of the solar system, the asteroid belt. 203 00:15:52,800 --> 00:15:58,800 This expanse of rocky bodies has captivated astronomers for centuries, and in it lies 204 00:15:58,800 --> 00:16:04,920 the dwarf planet Ceres, a world that's rewriting what we know about these ancient remnants 205 00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:07,960 of planetary formation. 206 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:14,480 The asteroid belt is a vast region of space located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. 207 00:16:14,480 --> 00:16:20,440 Unlike the chaotic obstacle courses often depicted in movies, such as the asteroid sequence 208 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:26,880 in Empire Strikes Back, the asteroid belt itself is mostly empty. 209 00:16:26,880 --> 00:16:31,320 Although it contains millions of objects, these are spread out across a region spanning 210 00:16:31,320 --> 00:16:35,200 more than 140 million miles. 211 00:16:35,200 --> 00:16:41,720 The combined mass of the entire belt is only about 3% of our moon's mass. 212 00:16:41,720 --> 00:16:47,520 This region is home to objects of all shapes and sizes, from dust grains to large bodies 213 00:16:47,520 --> 00:16:54,240 like Ceres, which alone accounts for 40% of the belt's total mass. 214 00:16:54,240 --> 00:16:58,160 These objects date back to the early days of the solar system. 215 00:16:58,160 --> 00:17:03,120 They're often described as failed planets or leftovers that couldn't form a larger 216 00:17:03,120 --> 00:17:09,360 body owing to the disruptive gravitational influence of Jupiter, whose immense gravity 217 00:17:09,360 --> 00:17:13,440 is responsible for shaping the asteroid belt. 218 00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:19,560 Jupiter's influence has created gaps in the belt known as Kirkwood gaps, areas cleared 219 00:17:19,560 --> 00:17:24,920 of asteroids by orbital resonances with the gas giant. 220 00:17:24,920 --> 00:17:30,400 This dynamic prevents the asteroid belt from becoming a static graveyard of rocks. 221 00:17:30,400 --> 00:17:34,800 It's a constantly evolving part of the solar system. 222 00:17:34,800 --> 00:17:37,920 Ceres is the largest object in the asteroid belt. 223 00:17:37,920 --> 00:17:44,900 It was discovered in 1801 by Giuseppe Piazzi, who originally classified it as a planet. 224 00:17:44,900 --> 00:17:50,760 As more objects were found in the belt, Ceres was reclassified as an asteroid. 225 00:17:50,760 --> 00:17:57,520 In 2006, it was promoted to dwarf planet status, alongside Pluto. 226 00:17:57,520 --> 00:18:03,320 Interestingly, Ceres was considered a planet for a little more than 50 years. 227 00:18:03,320 --> 00:18:09,480 Pluto had that distinction for a little while longer, at 76 years. 228 00:18:09,480 --> 00:18:16,760 Ceres is about 590 miles in diameter, roughly the size of Texas, and it's made up of rock 229 00:18:16,760 --> 00:18:18,680 and water ice. 230 00:18:18,680 --> 00:18:25,160 Its density suggests it has a layered structure, a rocky core surrounded by a mantle rich in 231 00:18:25,160 --> 00:18:26,160 water. 232 00:18:26,160 --> 00:18:33,080 In fact, Ceres is thought to contain more water than all of Earth's fresh water combined. 233 00:18:33,080 --> 00:18:39,680 Most of it likely locked beneath its surface as ice or even liquid in a subsurface ocean. 234 00:18:39,680 --> 00:18:46,320 One of the most striking features is Ahuna Mons, a cryovolcano that towers about 4 kilometers 235 00:18:46,320 --> 00:18:47,920 high. 236 00:18:47,920 --> 00:18:54,320 Like the lava spewing volcanoes on Earth, Ahuna Mons erupts icy slush. 237 00:18:54,320 --> 00:19:00,400 This indicates that Ceres has been geologically active in the recent past, possibly within 238 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:03,600 the last few hundred million years. 239 00:19:03,600 --> 00:19:10,760 In 2015, NASA's Dawn spacecraft became the first mission to orbit a dwarf planet. 240 00:19:10,760 --> 00:19:17,680 After visiting the asteroid Vesta, Dawn arrived at Ceres and began sending back data that transformed 241 00:19:17,680 --> 00:19:21,000 our understanding of this small world. 242 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:26,880 One of its most surprising discoveries were the bright spots in the Akator crater. 243 00:19:26,880 --> 00:19:32,240 These spots, visible even from a distance, turned out to be deposits of sodium carbonate, 244 00:19:32,240 --> 00:19:34,600 a type of salt. 245 00:19:34,600 --> 00:19:39,480 Scientists believe these salts were left behind when briny water from Ceres's interior 246 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:45,200 seeped to the surface and sublimated, leaving the salt behind. 247 00:19:45,200 --> 00:19:52,640 These discoveries suggest that Ceres has or had a subsurface reservoir of liquid water. 248 00:19:52,640 --> 00:19:56,800 The mission also found evidence of organic molecules. 249 00:19:56,800 --> 00:20:02,040 Combined with the presence of water, this raises the tantalizing possibility that Ceres 250 00:20:02,040 --> 00:20:08,280 might once have supported prebiotic chemistry, the early steps toward life. 251 00:20:08,280 --> 00:20:13,120 While there's no evidence of life itself, these findings make Ceres a compelling target 252 00:20:13,120 --> 00:20:17,680 for future astrobiological studies. 253 00:20:17,680 --> 00:20:22,480 Ceres formed about four and a half billion years ago, around the same time as the rest 254 00:20:22,480 --> 00:20:24,200 of the solar system. 255 00:20:24,200 --> 00:20:29,200 So by studying it, scientists can learn more about the conditions that existed during those 256 00:20:29,200 --> 00:20:33,120 early turbulent days when planets were forming. 257 00:20:33,120 --> 00:20:38,040 Ceres also offers practical opportunities for the future of space exploration. 258 00:20:38,040 --> 00:20:42,880 Its water ice could be harvested to provide drinking water for astronauts or converted 259 00:20:42,880 --> 00:20:46,320 into hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel. 260 00:20:46,320 --> 00:20:51,760 If humanity ever ventures into the outer solar system, places like Ceres could become vital 261 00:20:51,760 --> 00:20:53,960 refueling stations. 262 00:20:53,960 --> 00:20:59,520 Finally, Ceres challenges us to rethink our assumptions about what an asteroid world looks 263 00:20:59,520 --> 00:21:00,520 like. 264 00:21:00,520 --> 00:21:05,880 Its geology, chemistry, and even its thin atmosphere all point to a body that has been 265 00:21:05,880 --> 00:21:09,160 far more active and dynamic than we once imagined. 266 00:21:09,160 --> 00:21:12,360 It isn't simply a rock floating in space. 267 00:21:12,360 --> 00:21:18,160 So, you might be wondering, can you see Ceres from your backyard? 268 00:21:18,160 --> 00:21:22,920 The answer is yes, with a keen eye and some planning. 269 00:21:22,920 --> 00:21:28,640 Ceres is visible in a good pair of binoculars or a small telescope when it's at opposition, 270 00:21:28,640 --> 00:21:32,200 the point when it's closest to Earth in its orbit. 271 00:21:32,200 --> 00:21:38,120 This year, Ceres reaches opposition in October when it's estimated to be around a magnitude 272 00:21:38,120 --> 00:21:40,120 of 7.6. 273 00:21:40,120 --> 00:21:46,480 A stargazing app can help you locate it as it slowly moves through the constellations. 274 00:21:46,480 --> 00:21:50,640 While it won't look like more than just a faint dot, knowing you're observing the 275 00:21:50,640 --> 00:21:56,920 largest object in the asteroid belt and the dwarf planet closest to Earth is an awe-inspiring 276 00:21:56,920 --> 00:22:01,840 experience. 277 00:22:01,840 --> 00:22:06,520 If you found this episode helpful, let me know and feel free to send in your questions 278 00:22:06,520 --> 00:22:08,240 and observations. 279 00:22:08,240 --> 00:22:14,480 The easiest way to do that is by visiting our website, startrails.show. 280 00:22:14,480 --> 00:22:18,400 This is also a great way to share the show with your friends. 281 00:22:18,400 --> 00:22:22,480 Until next time, keep looking up and exploring the night sky. 282 00:22:22,480 --> 00:22:38,560 Clear skies, everyone!