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.

On any day meteors are a key element of astronomy today for that day. 2008 certainly was no different. In November the Taurids and Leonids were active in the night sky. Gemenids peaked in December, but unfortunately it was also the time of a full moon making them impossible to see. But people need not worry. 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 there’s a lot of clear time to view these falling chunks of space debris.

Astronomy today in 2008 was often a matter of discussing a return to the moon by 2015. This mission would be undertaken cooperatively by the entire world. It may even result in a moon colony. Think of it. 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. After being thrown into orbit, it was finally about to plummet back to the planet. There was some worry that large chunks would fall, or that some parts would strike in populated areas. But thankfully that didn’t happen.

Now for perhaps the biggest news of Astronomy today in 2008, it’s all about the Hubble. Damaged in October it was finally repaired his temper. After recovery, Hubble snapped the first visible light pictures of a planet orbiting a distance sun. Talk about a hard year’s work.

Astronomy today isn’t hard to follow. The Internet is a great source for this information.