Scientists study it like never before and many people enjoy astronomy today. From new space objects to new images, from new tools and techniques to new discoveries made with them, from new space missions to reviving and reviewing data from the old ones, keeping up with astronomy can certainly be a full time job. And it's fun. Let's get right to the newest in astronomy.

Meteors may be a key element of astronomy today on any given day. 2008 certainly was no different. Meteor swarms such as the Taurids in Leonids were quite active in November. Gemenids peaked in December, but unfortunately it was also the time of a full moon making them impossible to see. Don't fret. Meteor shower peaks may happen during full moons, but meteors are on display for up to two weeks both before and after the peaks. So people can still see the amazing view.

A moon return was often discussed for astronomy today in the year 2008. The talk is of this as a world wide effort rather something any one country or agency would endeavor to accomplish. There has even been talk of a base or colony established on the moon. Imagine that. Space 1999, a TV show from the 70s, may be about to become a reality.

2008 was a year of a lot of astronomy news. For much of the year many astronomy today columns were filled with news of some space garbage – a colling ammonia tank from the space station. It had been discarded into space where it orbited for many months. But eventually its orbit decayed. There was even worry that some of the pieces might strike people. The good news is that it all fell into the ocean.

Now for perhaps the biggest news of Astronomy today in 2008, it's all about the Hubble. First the telescope was damaged when some instrument control and data formatting modules failed in September. Those were brought back on line in October. Hubble then took the first visible light images of a planet orbiting another star. Hubble telescope sure had a full year.

Astrology today is an ever expanding subject. Keep up with everything on the Internet.

For more information about astronomy today and astronomy for kids, please check out our website where you will find lots more great content.

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