We’re Open Today
10:00am to 5:00pm

Comet

Comet NEOWISE in our Skies!

Comet NEOWISE Rising over the Adriatic Sea. Image Credit & Copyright: Paolo Girotti

By Dr. Lisa Will, Resident Astronomer at the Fleet Science Center

There is a naked eye comet in our evening sky right now, Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE). Comets are small, mostly icy objects that orbit the Sun in highly eccentric orbits. When they near the Sun, they sublimate, meaning some of their ice is heated into vapor, causing the tails that distinguish comets in our minds.

The Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks December 13 and 14

Geminid Meteor Shower

By Dr. Lisa Will, Resident Astronomer of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

The peak of the Geminid meteor shower occurs this weekend on the nights of December 13 and 14. The Geminids are one of the most consistent meteor showers year after year. This year there will be no bright moon to compete with so the show should be particularly good.

Mars To Encounter Comet Siding Spring

By Dr. Lisa Will
 
This Sunday, October 19, Mars will have a close encounter with Comet Siding Spring.
 
And by close, I mean close!
 
Comet Siding Spring, also known as C/2013 A1, will be approximately 82,000 miles away from Mars at its closest approach. That might not seem like much, but to give you a sense of scale that is equivalent to about one-third the distance between the Earth and the Moon!
 

Get the News About Comet ISON

A comet streaks through the sky

By Dr. Lisa Will, Fleet Astronomer

Comet ISON is getting brighter in the sky, and it should hopefully become visible to the naked eye soon. If you want to know where to locate it in the sky or learn more about Comet ISON, some useful resources are listed below. 

Plus, the Fleet is hosting a Coffee & Comets event on Tuesday, November 26, early in the morning (because the comet can be viewed before sunrise). Visit our Events page for more information.

Sign Up for a Newsletter

Train Time Campaign

Visit Us

1875 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 238-1233

FacebookTwitterYouTubeLInkedIn

 

 

 

Thank You

to our generous sponsors

City of San Diego

 

A rounded corner rectangle. The left side is bright blue and says 'Proud Partner'. The right side is white with the StemEcosystem logo.

Copyright © 2022 Fleet Science Center. All Rights Reserved.