Astroblogs

Evenings painted in gold at Bhandardhara, Beautiful sunset views from the campsite. Arc Archives Ever dreamed of ditching the Mumbai hustle for a night where the sky explodes with stars? Picture this: you're lounging by a serene lake, far from the city's glare, with the Milky Way arching overhead like a cosmic river. That's the magic of Astrocamp Bhandardara, a stargazing adventure run by ARC Educators that offer best view of Milky Way Near Mumbai. It's not just about looking

When we look at images from NASA or the Hubble Space Telescope, we see vibrant nebulae, glowing star clusters, and richly colored galaxies. But these images don’t begin in color. They start as monochrome data . Raw images from the Webb telescope first look nearly all black (left). Image processors then convert them into clear black-and-white visuals (center) before creating the final full-color composites (right). To make images like this is a very hectic process even for ski

Ever tried to imagine the sky as a giant clock? Not the kind hanging on your wall. A real one. Ancient. Silent. Ticking without numbers. Let me tell you a small story. In this story, we’ll explore the fascinating world of the Sidereal Day and Solar Day , two ways Earth measures time that most of us rarely notice, yet both shape the rhythm of our days and nights. Two Ways to Measure a Day The Night You Decide to Watch the Sky Imagine you’re standing outside on a quiet night. N

We have heard stories from our parents and grandparents about how they used to lie under starry skies and fall asleep watching a night sky filled with countless stars. But today, when we try to recreate those moments by lying on our terraces, all we see is the Moon, maybe a bright planet, and a few stars. The dazzling city lights and pollution make it almost impossible to see the night sky, not only from cities but even from some rural areas. Even bright and easily recognizab

A rare planetary alignment captured in the night sky. Image courtesy of NASA. Imagine stepping out into the warm Mumbai evening, the Arabian Sea breeze brushing your face, and looking up to see a string of bright dots stretching across the darkening sky like a necklace of worlds. No, it's not a sci-fi movie---it's real astronomy, and it's happening right above your head in just a couple of weeks. On February 28, 2026 , six planets in our solar system will line up in a rare `

In recent astronomical observations, the Hubble Space Telescope has confirmed the existence of Cloud-9 , a compact cloud of neutral hydrogen gas devoid of stars. This object, classified as a Reionization-Limited H I Cloud (RELHIC), represents a type of structure predicted by theories of galaxy formation but rarely observed. Located approximately 14 million light-years from Earth near the spiral galaxy Messier 94, Cloud-9 provides evidence for the role of dark matter in the ea

In the quiet hush of a schoolyard after dusk, a cluster of wide-eyed children huddles around a modest telescope, their breaths fogging the lens as they strain to catch a glimpse of Jupiter's faint glow. It's moments like these that pull you back to your own childhood stargazing—lying on a rooftop, tracing constellations with a finger, wondering what secrets the universe held. For me, astronomy was always that distant thrill, confined to dog-eared textbooks or grainy TV docume

As Earth continues its steady journey around the Sun in 2026, the night sky responds with a sequence of beautifully timed celestial events. These moments—shaped by gravity, motion, and simple geometry—allow us to witness the workings of the solar system with our own eyes. For observers in India, where large parts of the year offer clear skies, 2026 brings several rewarding opportunities to look up and reconnect with the cosmos. Among all these events, one stands out for its s

This artist’s illustration depicts the ultra-hot super-Earth exoplanet TOI-561 b as inferred from observations by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and other facilities. The data indicate that the planet is enveloped by a dense atmosphere lying above a planet-wide magma ocean. Astronomers have long assumed that rocky planets orbiting extremely close to their stars are stripped bare of any atmosphere. The intense heat and radiation should quickly erode gases, leaving behind ex

If you've ever gazed up at the night sky and felt a bit cheated by Bombay’s city lights, you're not alone. The streetlights and haze can make spotting stars feel like a losing battle. But guess what? There’s a secret hiding in plain sight this winter, and you don’t need to escape the city to find it. It’s the Orion Nebula—a massive cloud of gas and dust where stars are being born right now. Yes, you can see it from Bombay if you know exactly where to look. How to Find Orion N

This image from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope showcases an H II region within the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a nearby satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. The nebula, called N79, is an area filled with ionised atomic hydrogen, seen here through the Webb telescope’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI). Imagine stepping into a cosmic freezer. I’m not talking about the ice maker in your kitchen, or even the polar caps of Mars. I mean a swirling disk of frozen gas and

The classic Pleiades (M45) On a crisp winter night, step outside, face the constellation Taurus, and let your eyes adjust to the darkness. There, high in the sky, you’ll spot a tiny, sparkling dipper-like group of stars — the Pleiades, or as they’re affectionately known, the Seven Sisters. This dazzling jewel box has captivated stargazers for millennia. Even in light-polluted cities, its brightest members shine through, a reminder of the universe’s ancient beauty. But in Nove

Understanding Exoplanets Exoplanets are fascinating. They exist beyond our solar system, orbiting distant stars. The search for these planets is not just about finding new worlds; it's about understanding the universe and our place within it. Each discovery opens a window into the possibilities of life beyond Earth. 1. Direct Imaging As indicated by its name, Direct Imaging involves directly capturing images of exoplanets. This is achievable by seeking the light reflected by

Have you ever looked up at the night sky and felt a rush of awe? The twinkling stars, the glowing moon, and the vast darkness sprinkled with cosmic mysteries invite us to explore beyond our everyday lives. I’ve always been fascinated by the universe, and diving into its secrets has been one of the most thrilling adventures. If you’re curious too, you’re in for a treat! Let me take you on a journey where you can experience the wonders of the universe firsthand, especially thro

Every December, the Geminids meteor shower lights up the night sky with up to 120 meteors per hour at its peak. Unlike most meteor showers that come from comets, the Geminids originate from asteroid 3200 Phaethon. These meteors are bright, fast (reaching 35 km/s), and often show colors ranging from white to yellow, green, and red. This composite image captures more than 100 meteors streaking across the sky during the peak of the 2014 Geminid meteor shower. Credit: Danielle M

If you live in Mumbai and find yourself longing for a clear view of the night sky, away from the usual city haze, ARC Educators Astrocamp Bhandardara offers a straightforward way to experience it. I joined one last year, and it was a refreshing change—practical sessions under real stars, with enough structure to guide newcomers without overwhelming anyone. The camp runs from evening arrival to morning departure, centered on telescopic views and expert stargazing sessions, al

“We are not just in the universe. The universe is in us.” — Carl Sagan In the vast expanse of the universe, where stars are born and die in silent symphonies, occasional guests arrive unannounced. These are the interstellar objects—fleeting emissaries from distant stellar nurseries. On July 1, 2025, one such visitor entered our awareness: Comet 3I/ATLAS, the third confirmed interstellar comet to grace our solar system. Following the enigmatic 1I/ʻOumuamua in 2017 and the mor

“You don’t need fancy gear to start shooting the sky!” If you’ve ever looked up at the Milky Way and wished you could capture its beauty, you’re not alone. Astrophotography — the art of photographing the night sky — is one of the most rewarding ways to connect with the universe. The best part? You don’t need an expensive telescope or ultra-professional camera to begin. With a little preparation, patience, and passion, anyone can start shooting the stars right from their backy

Every November, the Earth drifts through a trail of dust and debris left behind by Comet Tempel-Tuttle — and that’s when the Leonids meteor shower comes alive. Each streak of light you see is a tiny fragment — some no bigger than a grain of sand — burning brilliantly as it collides with Earth’s atmosphere at nearly 70 km per second. For a few nights around mid-November, the night sky transforms into a silent, cosmic theatre. A burst of Leonid meteors captured in 1999 from an

Imagine lying under a sky full of stars, far from the city lights, watching streaks of light flash across the heavens. That’s the magic of the Leonids Meteor Shower. On the night of 15 November 2025 , the universe is putting on a show, and you can experience it with us at our AstroCamp in Bhandardara , a serene destination near Mumbai. This guide explains what makes the Leonids special, how to watch them in India, and why joining our camp is the perfect way to witness this co