Astronomy today is a serious science as well as a hobby enjoyed by many people. With old and new discoveries, space missions, current events, videos and photos, astronomy is a hobby that can fill countless hours. And it's 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. The last half of 2008 was no different as meteors were certainly on the menu. Taurids in Leonids were featured in November. 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. Whereas the peak only happens for a short time meteor showers continue for as much as two weeks before and two weeks after the peak. So there's a lot of clear time to view these falling chunks of space debris.

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. The goal may be to establish a moon base or even a colony on the moon. Think of it. Minus the aliens and hopefully the moon set adrift by an explosion, the TV series “Space 1999� could soon become a reality only 16 years too late.

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. Its long orbit had finally decayed to the point it would fall to Earth. 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. 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. Talk about a hard year's work.

Astrology today isn't hard to follow. Get the news online.

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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