Eadsy Astronomy Newsletter April 12th to April 18th, 2026

 

Full Newsletter Video 

This video highlights portions of the weekly newsletter. To read the full article head over to Eadsy Astronomy and consider becoming a member! LINK

I am also making shorter videos on each segement in case you prefer to look at the Newsletter that way: 

Lunar Focus 

Planetary Focus 

Deep Sky Objects for Smaller Telescopes 

Deep Sky Objects for Telescopes 10" or more 

Comet C/2025 R3 (Panstarrs) Update

 

Well, Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS) didn't survive as I've shared. But we do have another active comet out there, Comet C/2025 R3 (Panstarrs). This is an active, long-period comet currently approaching the Sun, with bright, likely naked-eye or easy binocular visibility expected throughout mid-to-late April 2026. It reaches perihelion on April 19-20, 2026, at ~0.5 AU, likely peaking around magnitude +2 to +3, offering a strong morning show for the Northern Hemisphere.

Full article and links to the Finderchart and the best site for info on this comet over at Eadsy Astronomy at this LINK.  IF you find what I have posted on the blog here useful over the years, please consider joining Eadsy Astronomy. Memberships are free, or IF you find value consider becoming a subscribing member at $3.00 or $5.00 a month. The money goes to help cover time and materials to create the content and is deeply appreciated. 

Astronomer of the Week: Charles Messier

This week, we’re tipping our hats to the "Comet Ferret" himself, Charles Messier. While modern observers use his catalog as a "bucket list" of the universe’s most beautiful deep-sky treasures, Messier himself viewed these 110 objects as nothing more than a nuisance—celestial "potholes" to be avoided while hunting for his true passion: comets. 

For the full article please head over to Eadsy Astonomy at this LINK.  If you find value in the content of this blog please consider becoming a member of Eadsy Astronomy. Membership levels are free or you can show your appreciation for the content by becoming a contributing member at the $3.00 or $5.00 monthly level.  All proceeds go for the time and materials used to create the content here and are deeply appreciated. 

Milky Way Galaxy by Artemis II

 

The Milky Way from Artemis II and The Large Magellanic Cloud appears as a hazy patch of light to the bottom right of the frame. Other notable features in the image include the pink glowing Homunculus Nebula (part of Eta Carinae) and the dark Coalsack Nebula.

Artemis II Rehash: Is the Heat Shield Safe? How NASA is Managing Risk with Exploration

 

This came up before the launch of Artemis II because of issues with re-entry with Artemis I. It has been discussed and shown that it is safe as this article shows. However, because I've seen a couple of posts rehashing safety on social media, I want to return to this issue.

The Artemis II mission marks a historic milestone—the first time humans have traveled toward the Moon in over 50 years. While the mission is inherently dangerous, NASA’s approach isn't about achieving absolute "safety," but about meticulously managing risk. L:et me state, there is ALWAYS risk when humans head into space. How grateful we should be for those willing to be the pathfinders for us to lead the way to the stars! NASA has done extensive research and gotten outside reviews to ensure that the four astronauts are as safe as they can be for their journey home! 

The full article is over at Eadsy Astronomy LINK. 

Artemis II Solar Eclipse Shorten Videos

 

These are shorten videos of the Solar Eclipse that the crew of Integrity/Artemis II experienced yesterday. I've shorten them so you can more easily observe them and will include a few images as well. 

Beginning of Eclipse after Sun is behind the Moon. 

Totality from the Solar Panel on Integrity with Venus in the upper left. 

The Sun reimerging from behind the Moon with Victor Glover's observations/sitreps.