Astronomy today is a serious science as well as a hobby enjoyed by many people. With old and new discoveries, space missions, current events, videos and photos, astronomy is a hobby that can fill countless hours. It's a lot of fun too. So here are a few of the latest and greatest astronomy facts, figures and happenings.

Meteors may be a key element of astronomy today on any given day. As 2008 came to an end meteors certainly were in the news. Taurids in Leonids were featured in November. Gemenids peaked in December, but unfortunately it was also the time of a full moon making them impossible to see. No need to worry. Meteor shower peaks may happen during full moons, but meteors are on display for up to two weeks both before and after the peaks. People won't miss these showers.

Astronomy today in 2008 was often a matter of discussing a return to the moon by 2015. The talk is of this as a world wide effort rather something any one country or agency would endeavor to accomplish. The goal may be to establish a moon base or even a colony on the moon. Hard to believe. Space 1999, a TV show from the 70s, may be about to become a reality.

2008 was a year of a lot of astronomy news. For much of the year many astronomy today columns were filled with news of some space garbage – a colling ammonia tank from the space station. After being thrown into orbit, it was finally about to plummet back to the planet. There was even worry that some of the pieces might strike people. But it broke up into very small pieces which mostly fell into the ocean near Australia.

Hubble was probably the biggest news in astronomy today in 2008. Bear was the saga of damage which took a month to repair. After recovery, Hubble snapped the first visible light pictures of a planet orbiting a distance sun. Hubble telescope sure had a full year.

Astrology today is an ever expanding subject. Keep up with everything on the Internet.

For more information about astronomy today and astronomy for kids, please check out our website where you will find lots more great content.

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