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. 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. As 2008 came to an end meteors certainly were in the news. 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. No need to worry. Meteor showers can continue for as long as four weeks. 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. Think of it. Space 1999, a TV show from the 70s, may be about to become a reality.

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 some worry that large chunks would fall, or that some parts would strike in populated areas. But it broke up into very small pieces which mostly fell into the ocean near Australia.

Hubble was probably the biggest news in astronomy today in 2008. 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. Talk about a hard year's work.

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

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