Wyoming Physics News Today

Astrophotographer Dave Bell says Wyoming is one of the best places in the country for Milky Way season, which just started. His favorite photo, which took him two years to get, has the Milky Way rising out of Square Top in Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Scientists are predicting a once-in-a-lifetime nova explosion before September. The light from the nova explosion, which happened 3,000 years ago, will reach Earth and be visible to the naked eye. Wyoming will be a great spot to view it.

With over 120 meteors per hour expected, the annual Geminid meteor shower will peak over Wyoming on Thursday and Friday. With clear skies expected, astronomers say it should be a spectacular Christmas light show.

Wyoming’s spectacular starry nights with little to no light pollution are a natural resource without official protection. After years of effort and determination, the skies above Sinks Canyon will remain dark forever.

Jupiter's opposition is Thursday night, which means the solar system's largest planet is directly opposite of the sun in Earth's orbit and at its closest point of the entire year. For skygazers, that means it's prime viewing time.

A Dubois resident who spotted a rare daytime fireball Monday afternoon reported to the American Meteor Society it was "the craziest thing I (had) ever seen."

Astronomers have been buzzing about the recent discovery of the Nishimura comet, which is visible looking to the east before dawn in Wyoming. It can be seen going through the constellation of Leo's head.

A giant fireball reported streaking over southern Wyoming and northern Colorado in the wee hours Sunday morning was likely an unusually large meteor.