M 77 – Cetus
Messier 77 was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780 and it is a peculiar galaxy in the constellation of Cetus, the Whale. Located at about 50 millions of light years, it is classified as hosting an...
The Virtual Telescope Project 2.0 Blog
Jupiter: 19 Oct. 2012
Jupiter is the largest planet in our Solar System. It is surrounded by a huge number of satellites, the biggest ones were discovered by Galileo Galilei in 1610. It is always a very rewarding...
Comet 168/P Hergenrother: 12 Oct. 2012
Comet 168P/Hergenrother was discovered in 1998 and recovered in 2005. During its 2012 apparition, early in Oct. 2012, the comet experimented an outburst, increasing its brightness of about 500 times, becoming quite bright to...
“Cosmic Gems in the Autumn Skies”: online event
This is a seasonal tour of the Cosmos offered by the Virtual telescope Project. Are you ready to leave for a journey through the wonders of the Autumn skies? If yes, save the date...
Near-Earth asteroid 2012 TC4: new video while it approaches our planet
The asteroid 2012 TC4 is now just about 30 hours before its close approach with our planet. While it comes closer and closer, its brightness increases, but will remain a telescopic object. At the...
Asteroid 2012 TC4 close approach – new image and movie
While asteroid 2012 TC4 continues to approach our planet, at the Virtual Telescope we managed to grab a few more images. The one above was obtained with the Planewave 17″ unit, with its Paramount...
The Planewave 17 unit is almost back to full operations
The Planewave 17 robotic unit part of the Virtual Telescope is now ready to restart its normal, full operations. Its CCD camera was sent to the factory in the US and it is now...
Asteroid 2012 TC4 close approach: online, live event!
Next 12 Oct. 2012, at 05:17 UT, the asteroid 2012 TC4 will reach a minimum distance from the Earth of less than 100.000km, about 0.2 times the distance of the Moon. It will be...
Monthly Skies: October 2012 (North)
The short description below is valid for a latitude of +42 deg. In October, after the Autumn equinox in the northern hemisphere, nights start to be significantly longer than days . This is a good benefit...
PW17 unit temporarily unavailable for maintenance
On 26 Sept. 2012, we shipped the STL-6303E CCD camera to its factory for maintenance. So the PW17 unit is temporary not available for observing. We plan to have the PW17 unit back to...
NGC 925 – Tri
Relatively neglected despite its beauty, NGC 925 is barred spiral galaxy, located in the Triangulum constellation, at about 31 millions of light years from us. The distance is known quite well, thanks to the...
M74 – Psc
Messier 74 is a gorgeous galaxy in Pisces, showing an almost perfect spiral structure. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780. Because of its low surface brightness, it is one of the Messier...
The Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33) – Ori
One of the most famous dark nebulae, Barnard 33 – the “Horsehead” – takes its glory from its unique shape: an horse head, of course! It was recognized on photographic plates by Williamina Fleming...
Asteroid 2012 RK15 close encounter (24 Sept. 2012)
On 24 Sept. 2012 at 16:55 Universal Time, the near-Earth Asteroid 2012 RK15 will approach our planet, reaching a minimum distance of 8.2 lunar distances, that is 3.1 millions of km. It is...
