Astronomy today is a serious science as well as a hobby enjoyed by many people.

Every day something new happens in the world of astronomy to gather the attention of millions of fans worldwide. And it's 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. Taurids in Leonids were featured in November. The Gemenids had their peak in mid December, but unfortunately during a full moon phase that would make them difficult to see. Don't fret. 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 people can still see the amazing view.

A moon return was often discussed for astronomy today in the year 2008. This mission would be undertaken cooperatively by the entire world. It may even result in a moon colony. Hard to believe. 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. It had been discarded into space where it orbited for many months. But eventually its orbit decayed. There was some worry that large chunks would fall, or that some parts would strike in populated areas. 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. 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. Keep up with everything on the Internet.