Lowell Observatory

The epic geology of the Grand Canyon was the perfect training ground for Apollo astronauts half a century ago. Now, a researcher is trying to retrace their steps. KNAU’s Melissa Sevigny spoke with Kevin Schindler, historian of Lowell Observatory and the Grand Canyon’s current astronomer in residence.

A total lunar eclipse will be visible very early tomorrow morning. KNAU’s Melissa Sevigny reports, skywatchers in Arizona have prime viewing of the event from start to end.

NASA announced yesterday that a spacecraft which slammed into an asteroid in September successfully shifted its orbit. KNAU’s Melissa Sevigny reports, Flagstaff astronomers are among those involved in the first-ever planetary defense test.

Scientists celebrated the destruction of NASA’s DART spacecraft yesterday when it crashed—deliberately—into the surface of an asteroid. KNAU’s Melissa Sevigny was on hand at Flagstaff’s Lowell Observatory to capture the excitement of Earth’s first-ever planetary defense test.

NASA will attempt to strike an asteroid with a heavy spacecraft today. It’s an unprecedented test to see if it’s possible to deflect dangerous asteroids away from Earth. Astronomers on the ground in Flagstaff are standing by to help determine if the experiment is a success. KNAU’s Melissa Sevigny spoke with two of them, Cristina Thomas of Northern Arizona University and Nick Moskovitz of Lowell Observatory.

Astronomers say a regular meteor shower tonight may turn into a spectacular “meteor storm” with a thousand of shooting stars per hour or more. That’s due to a dense cloud of dust left by the breakup of a comet decades ago. KNAU’s Melissa Sevigny spoke with Lowell Observatory astronomer Nick Moskovitz about why the event could be a downpour of meteors…. or just a drizzle.

Fire crews from the City of Flagstaff and the U.S. Forest Service are trying to contain a one-acre wildfire about a half-mile south of Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff.

Flagstaff’s Lowell Observatory has announced the inaugural Percival Lowell Postdoctoral Fellowship for early-career scientists. It’s a four-year appointment for those pursuing independent research in astronomy, planetary sciences, instrumentation, and related fields.

If you're looking for something to do this weekend here's just a sample of events going on around Northern Arizona in our Weekend Community Calendar for March 11-13.

Flagstaff is showing its love for Pluto with a ten-day festival that includes science talks, an art show, and a specially crafted beer. It’s to celebrate the 92nd anniversary of Pluto’s discovery at Lowell Observatory. One of the speakers at the “I Heart Pluto” Festival is artist and astronomer Dan Durda. He spoke with KNAU’s Melissa Sevigny about how art can help scientists imagine whole new worlds.