Sky Lights: Remote-Control Astronomy

View the cosmos on your computer.

By Bob Berman
May 29, 2006 5:00 AMNov 12, 2019 6:36 AM

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

These days anyone can download Italian art films, play doo-wop music with a partner in China, or take online lessons in Swahili, but that kind of global reach pales next to the latest innovation in connectivity: using the Internet to explore the far reaches of the cosmos.

Web entrepreneur Michael Paolucci came up with the idea of turning the Web into a tool for stargazing in 1992, when he was an undergrad at Cornell University. His concept was simple: Build an automated observatory on a dark mountaintop, hook it up to a broadband Internet connection, then find enthusiasts willing to pay a subscription fee to take personal command of a near professional quality telescope.

The Sky This Month

May 3 The crescent moon meets Saturn in the constellation Cancer; they are highest at dusk.

May 4 Jupiter is at its closest point of the year, brighter than every star and visible all night long.

May 13 The full moon skirts past Jupiter, making a brilliant pair.

May 31 Mars and Saturn are near the Beehive, a loosely gathered cluster of stars. The view looks best through binoculars.

All month Venus dominates the predawn sky. Early birds need to get out quickly: The planet rises less than two hours before the sun.

1 free article left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

1 free articleSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2024 Kalmbach Media Co.