| | June 3
Most Ancient Spiral Galaxy,
Earth's Age | | | |
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 | | | The most ancient spiral galaxy found so far, called BRI 1335-0417, at a distance of 12.4 billion light-years and at a time just 1.4 billion years after the Big Bang. Spiral arms are visible on both sides of the compact, bright area in the galaxy center. Image via ALMA/ T. Tsukui & S. Iguchi. | | |
| | The most ancient spiral galaxy yet | | | Swirly and beautiful, spiral galaxies are what we often think of when someone mentions the word galaxy. Our own Milky Way is a spiral galaxy. These galaxies are pretty common in the nearby universe. But the farther back in time and distance astronomers look, the fewer spiral galaxies they see. Instead, as we peer out into space - and back in time - galaxies appear more irregular in shape. And thus how and when spiral galaxies formed is one of astronomy's classic questions. So it was with some excitement that astronomers reported the most ancient spiral galaxy yet found. Read more and watch a movie on how spiral galaxies form. | | | How old is the Earth? | | Humans have likely pondered the question of the age of the Earth since we first developed a sense of time. The best scientific research to date suggests that our planet formed about 4.54 billion years ago. Researchers studied the most ancient rock samples, not just from Earth but also from the moon, as well as meteorites formed in the early solar system. All that data, taken together, is how they determined Earth's age. Read more. | | | | | | | |
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| | ✨🌌 Order your EarthSky planisphere today! | | 
A planisphere is virtually indispensable for beginning stargazers. Simply turn the easy-to-use dial to match your date and time and the planisphere will show you what stars and constellations are currently above the horizon! Check out more of the latest science and astronomy inspired merchandise at The EarthSky Store today.
All EarthSky Store proceeds go toward keeping you updated on your cosmos and world at EarthSky.org! 🚀🙏🏼 | | | | | |
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|  | | | Big and Little Dippers on June evenings | | Tonight, assuming you're in the Northern Hemisphere, you can easily find the legendary Big Dipper, called The Plough by our friends in the U.K. or The Wagon throughout much of Europe. This familiar star pattern is high in the north at nightfall in June. Find it, and let it be your guide to the Little Dipper, too. Read more. | | | | | |
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 | | | May eclipse and a colorful, cosmic cloud | | View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Tara Mostofi took this photo in the Little Panoche Reservoir of Northern California during the May 26 total eclipse of the moon. She wrote: “Taken by myself from Bortle 3 skies on a dark desert highway in Northern California (near Little Panoche Reservoir). I saw the Milky Way appear naked eye during the partial phases of the eclipse. It was a mind-blowing experience!” Thanks, Tara! See a gallery of recent Rho Ophiuchi Cloud Complex photos here. | | |
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