Astronomy Highlights of 2010

Looking back on a great year of astronomy, many events come to mind. Last week people were treated to a gorgeous lunar eclipse, but throughout the year almost all the planets of the solar system were available to be seen. Jupiter, Saturn and Venus among the highlights. One of the great stories of the year is the hunt for extra solar planets as well as Hubble Space Telescope celebrating its twentieth year in orbit. Among the many great observations was that of the earliest galaxy’s ever known in the universe between 600 and 800 million years after the big bang. Scientists were able to look back thirteen billion years, filling in the pieces of the puzzle of what was going on way back then. Coming up this week, don’t miss the Quadrantid meteor shower, the most intense meteor shower of the year beginning on New Years day. That and more on this week’s SkyTalk.[audio: st20101227.mp3]