Astronomy today is a popular and enjoyable hobby as well as a vital science making new discoveries every day. With old and new discoveries, space missions, current events, videos and photos, astronomy is a hobby that can fill countless hours. It can also be a lot of fun. So here are a few of the latest and greatest astronomy facts, figures and happenings.

Astronomy today on any given day might have news of meteors. 2008 certainly was no different. In November the Taurids and Leonids were active in the night sky. Into was a full moon in December washing out the Gemenids. 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. People won’t miss these showers.

Astronomy today in 2008 was often a matter of discussing a return to the moon by 2015. 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. The old science-fiction show Space 1999 may soon come to life.

Astronomy today in 2008 often included worries over falling space debris in the form of a discarded ammonia tank. Its long orbit had finally decayed to the point it would fall to Earth. There was even worry that some of the pieces might strike people. The good news is that it all fell into the ocean.

The good old Hubble telescope made the biggest impact in astronomy today. Bear was the saga of damage which took a month to repair. After recovery, Hubble snapped the first visible light pictures of a planet orbiting a distance sun. Hubble telescope sure had a full year.

Astronomy today is more vibrant than ever. Get the news online.