Igniting curiosity, inspiring discovery
Welcome to the SoCal Stargazer Society, where the boundless mysteries of the cosmos meet the curious minds of Southern California. We are a vibrant community of stargazing enthusiasts, astronomers, and adventurers, united by our shared passion for exploring the night skies. Whether you're a seasoned observer or new to the wonders above, our society offers a gateway to awe-inspiring celestial experiences. From captivating stargazing events under the pristine SoCal skies to educational workshops that unravel the secrets of the universe, we are here to ignite your curiosity, foster connections, and inspire a profound connection with the cosmos. Join us in discovering the beauty and majesty that lie beyond our horizons, and embark on a journey of exploration, learning, and wonder with the SoCal Stargazer Society.
Picture of the Day
The Astrosphere of HD 61005
Do young stars blow bubbles? The larger view shows a stellar field observed with the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, and the inset highlights HD 61005, a star like our Sun, only 120 light-years away. Much younger than the Sun, at just about 100 million years old, it blows a fast and dense stellar wind that pushes out the cooler dust and gas that surrounds it, forming a bubble called an astrosphere. The star-blown bubble was detected with the Chandra X-ray Observatory, and it has a diameter roughly 200 times the Earth-Sun distance. Our Sun has a bubble too, called the heliosphere, which protects the planets from cosmic radiation. Also shown in the inset is debris left behind from star formation, observed by Hubble. The debris appears as wings, giving the star its nickname: the Moth.
