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Astronomy@250: Anniversary Stars Inspire Observing
For the Astronomy@250 conference I embrace Anniversary Stars as a launchpad to get people to explore the night sky. My poster invites readers to pair a signature star with a milestone event, citing Spica as the US Semiquincentennial Star at 250 light years away. Related content encourages preserving the night sky that inspired stars on the US flag, as resolved by the Second Continental Congress in the country's inaugural year. It also encourages the public to use their cell
Aug 202 min read
Astro@250 Kickoff Features Women of Astronomy
Acclaimed women of astronomy are featured in the Astronomy@250 conference, which explores the role of astronomy during the US Semiquincentennial. The kickoff event on August 27, 2026, at 5pm PT/8pm EDT is a panel celebrating the life and legacy of Nancy Grace Roman, NASA's first chief astronomer whose namesake Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is preparing for an August 2026 launch. The panel, which is free and open to the public, will detail Dr. Nancy Grace Roman's scient
Aug 151 min read
Fireworks Prelude
The night of July fireworks, as the crowd gathers and darkness settles in, eyes are looking skyward in anticipation of a spectacle. Appropriately, America’s Semiquincentennial Star is among the first to appear in the deepening twilight. The day our founders were signing the Declaration of Independence, light left the star Spica in the constellation Virgo. Traveling at 186,000 miles per second, those photons are just now striking our retinas, for Spica is 250 light years a
Jun 222 min read
Use the Moon to Find America's Semiquincentennial Star
While stars and stripes will be prominent during America's 250th Anniversary celebration, one star in the night sky has special significance. Shining brightly at 250 light years away, Spica is America's Semiquincentennial Star . Light that left Spica in 1776--traveling at 186,000 miles per second --is just now reaching our eyes. For a visceral Semiquincentennial experience in 2026, find Spica, then contemplate your and America's place in the firmament. To find Spica, follo
Mar 72 min read
Celestial Fireworks for Fourth of July
For a Fourth of July holiday highlight you can use the moon to prepare for next year's Semiquincentennial party. As fireworks celebrate Independence Day in 2025, the star Spica is just a few degrees away from the moon. In 2026, at 250 light years away the star Spica is America's Semiquincentennial Star . Light that left Spica in 1776 at the founding of the nation, traveling at 186,000 miles per second, will just be reaching our eyes in 2026! On July 3, 2025, find the star
Jun 27, 20252 min read
Dipper Scoops Ice Cream For Cone And Cup
For a summer vacation pursuit, launch a star watch to witness a rare visible nova . In the midst of summer ice cream, a new star may...
Jun 2, 20252 min read
