The 365 Days of Astronomy Awesome Astronomy - December Part 1: Icy Telescopes & Martian Lightning
Dec 3, 2025
Join Paul Hill and Dr. Jenifer Millard as they explore the latest in astronomy! Discover the fascinating updates on the Thirty Metre Telescope and why Spain is stepping in to host. Get the scoop on Martian lightning detected by Perseverance and the connection between meteoroids and dust avalanches on Mars. Unravel the mysteries of asymmetrical supernovae and get holiday shopping tips for telescopes and accessories. Plus, don't miss the December celestial highlights and deep-sky targets!
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First Light Surprise With Icy Optics
- Paul Hill described his first proper nights with a new 12-inch telescope and discovering faint features he hadn't seen before.
- Frost on the secondary mirror fooled him into thinking nebulosity extended across multiple fields until he found ice on the mirror.
Martian Static Sparks Have Big Implications
- Perseverance audio captured short electrical discharges likely from dusty static during storms, interpreted as Martian lightning.
- These local discharges could affect chemistry in Mars' past and present-day electronics for rovers and future explorers.
Meteorite-Induced Avalanches Drive Mars' Dust Budget
- Dark streaks (linae) on Martian slopes can be triggered by meteoroid impacts that create avalanches, not just seasonal flows.
- These small features move as much dust into Mars' atmosphere yearly as two global dust storms, shaping climate and mission operations.
