Space and "What Not's" in the Universe...
Space Weather News for May 25, 2010
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X-37B SIGHTINGS: Amateur satellite watchers have spotted a US Air Force space plane similar in appearance to NASA's space shuttle circling Earth in a heretofore secret orbit. Known as the "X-37B," it can be seen in
the night sky shining about as brightly as the stars of the Big Dipper. Flyby predictions and more information may be found at http://spaceweather.com .
Would you like to turn your iPhone into an X-37B tracker? There's an app for that: http://simpleflybys.com .
AURORA WATCH: A magnetic filament on the sun erupted yesterday (May 24th), and the blast hurled a coronal mass ejection in the general direction of Earth. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras
around May 27th when the advancing cloud is likely to deal a glancing blow to our planet's magnetic field.
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Space Weather News for May 23, 2010
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SOLAR TRANSIT: Yesterday in Switzerland, Thierry Legault photographed the International Space Station and space shuttle Atlantis passing directly in front of the sun, not far from new sunspot 1072. The veteran
astrophotographer calls the image his "best ever of a solar transit," and indeed the silhouette of the docked spaceships backlit by "solar fire" is a must see. It is featured on today's edition of
http://spaceweather.com.
DOUBLE FLYBY ALERT: Atlantis is scheduled to undock from the ISS on Sunday, May 23rd, at 11:22 am EDT, setting the stage for double flybys over many towns and cities around the world. Need a flyby
prediction? There's an app for that: http://simpleflybys.com .
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Space Weather News for May 14, 2010
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Today's edition of spaceweather.com features a remarkable 3D movie of the International Space Station (ISS) recorded by French astrophotographer Thierry Legault. No special glasses are required to see the ISS pop out
of your screen in amazing detail.
The movie will whet your appetite for a weekend of bright spaceships and planets. On Friday, May 14th at 2:20 pm EDT, space shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to launch from Kennedy Space Center on its final voyage
to the ISS. An on-time liftoff would set the stage for an incredible sky show. On Saturday and Sunday, May 15th and 16th, many observers will be able to see Atlantis and the ISS flying past Venus and the
crescent Moon in the evening sky. Visit http://spaceweather.com for sky maps and more information.
Seeing the ISS is easy if you know when to look. Sign up for Spaceweather PHONE (http://spaceweatherphone.com) and we will call you when the space station is about to fly
over your hometown.
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Space Weather News for May 3, 2010
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GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A high-speed solar wind stream hit Earth's magnetic field last night (May 2-3), sparking a geomagnetic storm that lasted more than 15 hours. In Scandinavia, the Northern Lights were so bright they
could be seen through the glow of the midnight sun. Red auroras spilled across the Canadian border and were spotted in several US states. Details and images are features in today's edition of
http://spaceweather.com.
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Space Weather News for April 21, 2010
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MUST-SEE IMAGES OF THE SUN: At a press conference today, researchers unveiled First Light images from the Solar Dynamics Observatory, NASA's "Hubble for the Sun." There are huge erupting prominences,
crackling solar flares, and gigantic shock waves shown with a clarity ten times better than HDTV. The images must be seen to be believed. Go directly to NASA for the full story:
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/21apr_firstlight/
LYRID METEOR SHOWER: The Lyrid meteor shower peaks on April 22nd when Earth passes through a stream of debris from Comet Thatcher (C/1861 G1). The best time to look is during the hours before dawn on Thursday morning.
Forecasters expect as many as 20 meteors per hour. Check http://spaceweather.com for more information.
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Space Weather News for April 19, 2010
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SECOND CHANCE FOR SHUTTLE SIGHTINGS: Monday's planned landing of space shuttle Discovery was waved off because of bad weather in Florida. The postponement sets the stage for another try on Tuesday.
Once again, Discovery is slated to reenter Earth's atmosphere over the continental United States, and many sky watchers--especially in the northwestern USA and neighboring Canada--could witness a beautiful pre-dawn
reentry. The exact ground track depends on weather and whether mission controllers decide to send Discovery to land in Florida or California. Nominally, Discovery would pass diagonally across the country,
passing over, e.g., Minneapolis, Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Jacksonville en route to a 7:34 am EDT landing at the Kennedy Space Center. On the other hand, a redirect to Edwards Air Force Base would
strongly favor observers in California. Please check http://spaceweather.com for more information and updates as the re-entry time approaches.
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Space Weather News for April 18, 2010
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SPACE SHUTTLE RE-ENTRY: On Monday morning, April 19th, space shuttle Discovery will make a rare "descending node" reentry over the continental United States. The returning spacecraft will pass over or
close to many towns and cities en route to landing in Florida at 8:48 am EDT, including Fort Peck Lake, Montana; Pierre, South Dakota; Sioux City, Iowa; St. Louis, Missouri; Tupelo, Mississippi, Birmingham, Alabama,
and Jacksonville, Florida. Observers along western parts of the ground track could see the shuttle blazing through pre-dawn darkness. As Discovery makes its way east, it will enter daylight and fade into
the bright blue background. If you can't see the shuttle, however, you might be able to hear it. The shuttle produces a sonic double-boom that reaches the ground about a minute and a half after passing overhead.
Check http://spaceweather.com for maps and more information.
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Space Weather News for April 15, 2010
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MIDWESTERN FIREBALL: A brilliant fireball streaked across the USA on the evening of April 14th, startling observers in Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and surrounding states. Experts say it was a small asteroid,
about a meter wide, that exploded in mid-air with an energy equivalent to some 20 tons of TNT. National Weather Service radars detected the fireball's debris trail, resulting in maps that could help guide
meteorite hunters to fragments on the ground. Pictures and more information may be found on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com.
VOLCANIC SUNSETS: A cloud of ash from Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano is drifting across Europe this week and causing sunsets of surpassing beauty. Europeans are encouraged to look west at the end of the day.
Bonus: If you don't live in Europe, look west anyway. Venus, Mercury and the crescent Moon are beaming through the twilight for all to see. Check http://spaceweather.com for
pictures and sky maps.
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Space Weather News for April 10, 2010
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SUNGRAZING COMET: This morning, the sun had a comet for breakfast. The icy visitor from the outer solar system appeared with little warning on April 9th and plunged into the sun during the early hours of April
10th. One comet went in, none came out. Visit http://spaceweather.com to see a death plunge movie from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory.
SOLAR WIND STORM: The first major solar wind storm of the new solar cycle has come to an end. The event, which stretched from April 4th to April 8th, ignited auroras over both poles and many points in between.
Highlights include Northern Lights over an active volcano in Iceland, green skies in Minnesota, and a kaleidoscopic display of Southern Lights over Antarctica. Start browsing the updated aurora gallery here:
http://www.spaceweather.com/aurora/gallery_01apr10_page5.htm
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Space Weather News for April 5, 2010
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AMAZING LIFTOFF: This morning, space shuttle Discovery blasted off from Cape Canaveral at the crack of dawn. Longtime shuttle watchers say it was one of the most remarkable launches of the 30-year program.
Discovery resembled a comet arcing across the sky as sunrise rays played across the ship's icy exhaust, creating an artificial noctilucent cloud. Images and eyewitness accounts are featured on today's edition of
http://spaceweather.com.
GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A sharp gust of solar wind hit Earth's magnetosphere today, April 5th, at approximately 0800 UT and sparked the strongest geomagnetic storm of the year. The event registered 7 on the 0-to-9 Kindex
scale of magnetic disturbances. Although the storm is subsiding now, it is not over; high-latitude sky watchers should remain alert for auroras. Latest images may be found in the gallery:
http://www.spaceweather.com/aurora/gallery_01apr10_page3.htm
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Space Weather News for April 3, 2010
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SPACE SHUTTLE SKY SHOW: On Monday morning, April 5th, thousands of people gathered in Florida to witness the launch of space shuttle Discovery may get more than they bargained for. Just fifteen minutes before the
shuttle takes off, the International Space Station (ISS) will fly over the launch site. The station's path across the dawn sky takes it right past the gibbous Moon--a beautiful close encounter!
Photographers should be prepared for the ISS at 6:06 am EDT followed by Discovery's launch at 6:21 am EDT. Sky watchers with iPhones can prepare themselves by downloading our Simple Satellite Tracker (http://simpleflybys.com); it will guide you to the ISS and count down to the flyby so you can't miss it.
SUNSET PLANETS: This is for everyone. Venus and Mercury are having a close encounter on April 3rd and 4th. Look west at sunset to see the two bright planets beaming through the twilight only 3 degrees
apart. Sky maps, pictures and more information may be found at http://spaceweather.com
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Space Weather News for March 29, 2010
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"RADIO-ACTIVE" SUNSPOT: Over the weekend, big sunspot 1057 emitted a series of radio bursts that caused roaring sounds to issue from the loudspeakers of shortwave receivers. Visit today's edition of
http://spaceweather.com to hear a sample "roar" and to find out how you can build your own solar radio burst monitor.
FIRST FULL MOON OF NORTHERN SPRING: According to folklore, tonight's full Moon has a special name--the Worm Moon. It signals the coming of northern spring, a thawing of the soil, and the first stirrings of earthworms in
long-dormant gardens. Step outside tonight and behold the wakening landscape. "Worm moonlight" is prettier than it sounds.
SHUTTLE SIGHTINGS: Space shuttle Discovery is set to launch to the International Space Station on April 5th. During the 13-day mission, the two spaceships will make a series of bright flybys over North
America. Check the Simple Satellite Tracker for viewing opportunities: http://spaceweather.com/flybys. And don't forget, there's an app for that, too:
http://simpleflybys.com
Space Weather News for Feb. 8, 2010
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BIG SUNSPOT: The sudden emergence of big sunspot 1045 over the weekend has caused a sharp uptick in solar activity. The active region has produced three M-class and almost a dozen C-class solar flares since it
appeared on Saturday. The strongest blast, an M6-class eruption on Feb. 7th, may have hurled a coronal mass ejection toward Earth. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras in the nights ahead as a
result of this activity. Also, ham radio operators are picking up strong solar radio bursts using shortwave receivers. Sample sounds and images may be found at
http://spaceweather.com.
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Space Weather News for February 6, 2010
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LAST NIGHT LAUNCH OF THE SHUTTLE: On Sunday morning, February 7th, at 4:39 am EST, space shuttle Endeavour is scheduled lift off from Kennedy Space Center on a 13-day mission to the ISS. There are only five missions
left before NASA ends the shuttle program, and this will be the last one to launch at night. Visit http://spaceweather.com for links to blogs and live video from NASA TV.
EMERGING SUNSPOTS: Amateur astronomers with solar telescopes should train their optics on the sun. At least two new Solar Cycle 24 sunspot groups are rapidly emerging in the sun's northern hemisphere.
Images and updates at http://spaceweather.com
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Space Weather News for Jan. 14, 2010
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ANNULAR SOLAR ECLIPSE: The Moon is about to pass directly in front of the sun, producing an annular solar eclipse on Jan. 15th between 0500 and 0900 GMT. The zone of visibility stretches from Africa across the Indian
Ocean to eastern Asia. Onlookers in those places should be alert for crescent-shaped shadows on the ground and "ring of fire" suns in the sky. Visit http://spaceweather.com
today for an animated preview and again tomorrow for photos and movies of the actual event.
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Space Weather News for Jan. 12, 2010
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CURIOUS ASTEROID FLYBY: A curious object is about to fly past Earth only one-third the distance to the Moon. Catalogued as a 10m-class asteroid, 2010 AL30 has an orbital period of almost exactly 1 year. This raises
the possibility that it might not be a natural object, but rather a piece of some spacecraft from our own planet. At closest approach on Jan. 13th, 2010 AL30 will streak through Orion, Taurus, and Pisces glowing like
a 14th magnitude star. Experienced amateur astronomers are encouraged to monitor the flyby. Orbital elements, images, and more information are available on
http://spaceweather.com .
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Space Weather News for Jan. 2, 2009
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SUNGRAZING COMET: Today, a bright comet is approaching the sun for a perilous close encounter, and it probably will not survive. The comet was discovered by an amateur astronomer monitoring images from NASA's
STEREO-A spacecraft. The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) has a good view of the comet's approach and images are being posted on http://spaceweather.com.
FLYBY ALERT: The International Space Station is about to begin a series of bright flybys over North America. Your iPhone or iPod Touch can help you see the behemoth spacecraft when it passes overhead in the night
sky. Visit http://simpleflybys.com for information about our newest app.
FIRST METEORS OF 2010: The annual Quadrantid meteor shower peaks on Jan. 3rd around 1900 UT (2 p.m. EST) when Earth passes through a stream of debris from shattered comet 2003 EH1. The timing of this northern shower
favors observers in eastern Europe and Asia. Bright moonlight will interfere with the display, which can reach 100+ meteors per hour under ideal conditions.
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Space Weather News for Oct. 17, 2009
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LUNAR IMPACT PLUME: NASA has just released pictures of infrared flashes and a visible plume of debris produced by a Centaur booster rocket hitting the Moon on Oct. 9th. The images confirm that the LCROSS
experiment was a success despite the fact that the impacts were visually unimpressive from Earth. Visit http://spaceweather.com for images of the plume and commentary from mission
scientists.
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NASA Science News for August 14, 2009
A powerful cosmic ray detector to be installed on the International Space Station will search for antimatter galaxies and other exotic phenomena in the Universe.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/14aug_ams.htm?list96653
Space Weather News for May 4, 2009
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METEOR SHOWER: Earth is entering a stream of dusty debris from Halley's Comet, the source of the annual eta Aquarid meteor shower. Forecasters expect the shower to peak on Wednesday, May 6th, with as many as 85
meteors per hour over the southern hemisphere. Rates in the northern hemisphere will be less, 20 to 30 per hour. The best time to look is during the dark hour before local sunrise on Wednesday morning. Visit
http://spaceweather.com for sky maps and details.
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NASA Science News for April 30, 2009
A NASA spacecraft gliding over the surface of Mercury has revealed that the planet's atmosphere, magnetosphere, and its geological past display greater levels of activity than scientists first
suspected.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/30apr_mercury.htm?list96653
NASA Science News for April 17, 2009
A meteor shower. A crescent Moon. A disappearing planet. These three things will be on display next Wednesday, April 22nd, when the Moon occults Venus during the annual Lyrid meteor shower.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/17apr_lyrids.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for April 14, 2009
For the first time, NASA spacecraft have traced the 3D shape of solar storms known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs). It turns out the most ferocious storms resemble something from a French bakery. Read
today's story to find out what:
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/14apr_3dcme.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for April 13, 2009
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RADIO STORMS ON JUPITER: On April 11th, an amateur radio astronomer in New Mexico heard loud pops and crackles coming from the loudspeaker of his shortwave receiver. The sounds resembled terrestrial
lightning, but the source was not on Earth. It was a radio storm on Jupiter. You can listen to the sounds on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com .
Astronomers have long known that Jupiter produces strong shortwave radio bursts detectable from Earth; the fact of Jupiter's "radio activity" is not news. However, now may be the best time in decades to listen to the
giant planet. The sun is in the pits of a century-level solar minimum. Low solar activity increases the transparency of Earth's atmosphere to shortwave radio waves, allowing signals from Jupiter to more easily
and clearly reach the ground. At the same time, terrestrial radio interference subsides (another side-effect of solar minimum), so Jupiter bursts are easier to identify.
2009 is going to be a good year for Jupiter. The planet is moving away from the sun and may now be seen shining brightly in the eastern sky before dawn. Students, teachers and amateur scientists who wish
to try listening as well as watching should consider building their own radio telescope. Kits are available from NASA's Radio JOVE program:
http://radiojove.gsfc.nasa.gov/
Space Weather News for April 7, 2009
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NASA's GREATEST MISSION? The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) has reached the final round of NASA's Mission Madness tournament where it is competing against upstart SPB, the Super Pressure Balloon, for
the title "NASA's Greatest Mission." We endorse SOHO. Since the observatory was launched more than 13 years ago, it has revolutionized solar physics and the art of space weather forecasting--and the plucky spacecraft
is still going strong. Vote now and help propel a spaceweather favorite to the championship: http://mission-madness.nasa.gov/
VOLCANIC CLOUD UPDATE: Sulfur dioxide emissions from Alaska's Mt. Redoubt volcano are spreading. A doughnut-shaped cloud about 600 miles wide is now swirling through the stratosphere off the coast of
California. Sulfur dioxide and associated aerosols have been known to produce sunsets of exceptional beauty. Check spaceweather.com for the latest sulfur dioxide maps to see if you should be looking for
volcanic colors this evening: http://spaceweather.com.
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NASA Science News for April 3, 2009
By coating the countryside with gritty, abrasive, electrostatically-charged volcanic ash, Mt. Redoubt is giving Alaskans an unexpected taste of what it's like to live on the Moon.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/03apr_lunarlifestyle.htm?list96653
Space Weather News for April 2, 2009
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SPOTLESS SUNS: Yesterday, NASA announced that the sun has plunged into the deepest solar minimum in nearly a century. Sunspots have all but vanished and consequently the sun has become very quiet. In 2008,
the sun had no spots 73% of the time, a 95-year low. In 2009, sunspots are even more scarce, with the "spotless rate" jumping to 87%. We are currently experiencing a stretch of 25 continuous days uninterrupted
by sunspots--and there's no end in sight.
This is a big event, but it is not unprecedented. Similarly deep solar minima were common in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, and each time the sun recovered with a fairly robust solar maximum. That's
probably what will happen in the present case, although no one can say for sure. This is the first deep solar minimum of the Space Age, and the first one we have been able to observe using modern technology. Is
it like others of the past? Or does this solar minimum have its own unique characteristics that we will discover for the first time as the cycle unfolds? These questions are at the cutting edge of solar
physics.
You can monitor the progress of solar minimum with a new "Spotless Days Counter" on spaceweather.com. Instead of counting sunspots, we're counting no sunspots. Daily updated totals tell you how many
spotless days there have been in a row, in this year, and in the entire solar cycle. Comparisons to historical benchmarks put it all in perspective. Visit
http://spaceweather.com for data.
100 HOURS OF ASTRONOMY: This week, astronomers are celebrating the 400th anniversary of Galileo's original telescopic exploration of the sky with "100 Hours of Astronomy," a cornerstone project of the
International Year of Astronomy. Running from April 2 through April 5, many different public programs are planned worldwide. Is one of them near you? Visit the 100 Hours web site to find out:
http://www.100hoursofastronomy.org/ Note that the celebration ends on Sun Day, April 5th, a special date devoted to observations of the sun:
http://solarastronomy2009.org/100-hours-sunday/ .
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NASA Science News for April 1, 2009
How low can it go? The Sun is plunging into the deepest solar minimum in nearly a century.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/01apr_deepsolarminimum.htm?list96653
Space Weather News for March 30, 2009
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MT. REDOUBT: Alaska's Mt. Redoubt volcano has erupted at least 19 times since March 22nd, and several of the most powerful blasts have spewed clouds of ash and sulfurous gas into the lower stratosphere. The last
time an Alaskan volcano blew its top (Kasatochi in August 2008), similar clouds caused fantastic sunsets around the Northern Hemisphere. Today's edition of Spaceweather.com features satellite maps of Mt. Redoubt's sulfur
dioxide emissions. Using these maps, we can track the volcanic clouds as they drift around the globe and be alert for unusual sunsets and other phenomena when they pass nearby. Visit
http://spaceweather.com for more information and updates.
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NASA Science News for March 26, 2009
Back in 2004, most experts would have said this story is impossible. No rover could possibly survive long enough on Mars for a five-year update. Yet here it is. Mission scientists reveal what Spirit and
Opportunity are up to on the Red Planet today--and what their prospects are for the future.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/26mar_marsroverupdate.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for March 21, 2009
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ISS GETS NEW WINGS: The International Space Station's solar arrays are the largest deployable space assemblies ever built. Yesterday, astronauts unfurled a pair on the starboard side of the outpost, adding more than
8000 sq. feet of light-collecting surface area to the station's profile. Hours after the new wings were deployed, the ISS flew over Europe where amateur astronomers photographed the changes. Their movies and
photos are featured on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com.
SOLAR CONJUNCTION OF JUPITER'S MOONS: Another must-see movie comes from NASA's STEREO-B spacecraft. On March 15th and 16th, the solar observatory watched Jupiter and its moons converge on the sun just as a
coronal mass ejection was exploding "overhead." Visit http://spaceweather.com for footage.
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NASA Science News for March 20, 2009
Yesterday, astronauts onboard the International Space Station checked themselves for microbes before stepping outside on a space walk. It was a first-ever test of planetary protection technology that,
one day, could keep humans from contaminating the sands of Mars.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/20mar_locadexploration.htm?list96653
Space Weather News for March 17, 2009
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ASTEROID BUZZES EARTH: Newly-discovered asteroid 2009 FH is flying past Earth tonight only 85,000 km (0.00057 AU) away. That's a little more than twice the height of a geosynchronous communications
satellite. Experienced amateur astronomers in North America can photograph the 20-meter-wide space rock racing through the constellation Gemini after sunset on March 17th. It should be about as bright as a
14th magnitude star. Please visit http://spaceweather.com for an ephemeris and updates.
This is the second time in March that an asteroid has flown so close to Earth. On March 2nd, 2009 DD45 passed by only 72,000 km away. Measuring some tens of meters in diameter, 2009 DD45 and 2009 FH are
approximately Tunguska-class objects, meaning they pose no global threat but could cause local damage if they actually hit Earth. In years past, asteroids of this size often passed unnoticed, but recent
improvements in asteroid surveys have resulted in growing numbers of space rocks caught in the act of near-Earth flybys.
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NASA Science News for March 17, 2009
Space shuttle Discovery launched Sunday, March 15th, on a construction mission to the International Space Station. Perfect timing for sky watchers! The mission coincides with a series of ISS flybys over
North American towns and cities. People who go outside after sunset can see the shuttle-station combo with their naked eyes and view the changing outlines of the ISS through backyard telescopes.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/17mar_bigconstruction.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for March 16, 2009
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FLYBY ALERT: In a twilight launch of stunning beauty, space shuttle Discovery left Earth last night on a two week construction mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Discovery is now approaching the ISS
for docking on March 17th. The timing of this mission favors sky watchers in North America and Europe who will be able to see the two spacecraft flying over many towns and cities in the evenings ahead.
Tonight, March 16th, is extra-special because the not-yet-docked duo will appear as distinct points of bright light flying one after the other through the twilight sky--a rare "double flyby." Check the Simple Satellite
Tracker for flyby times: http://spaceweather.com/flybys .
Would you like a phone call from Dr. Tony Phillips to alert you when the ISS is about to fly over your back yard? Sign up for SpaceWeather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com
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Space Weather News for March 10, 2009
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SATELLITE DEBRIS UPDATE: The first catalogued fragments of shattered satellite Cosmos 2251 are about to reenter Earth's atmosphere. According to US Strategic Command tracking data, reentries will occur on March 12th,
28th and 30th, followed by more in April. Radar cross sections are not available for all of the reentering pieces; they are probably centimeter-class fragments that pose no threat to people on the ground.
Visit http://spaceweather.com for more information.
WORM MOON: Tonight's full Moon has a special name--the Worm Moon. It signals the coming of northern spring, a thawing of the soil, and the first stirrings of earthworms in long-dormant gardens. Step outside tonight and
behold the wakening landscape. "Worm moonlight" is prettier than it sounds.
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Space Weather News for Jan. 9, 2009
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APPROACHING COMET: Comet Lulin (C/2007 N3), discovered in 2007 by a collaborative team of Taiwanese and Chinese astronomers, is swinging around the sun and approaching Earth. The photogenic comet has a bright tail
and an "anti-tail" visible in mid-sized backyard telescopes. At closest approach in February, Comet Lulin is expected to brighten to naked-eye visibility. Visit
http://Spaceweather.com for sky maps, pictures and more information.
NEW SUNSPOTS: For the second time this week, a sunspot is coalescing on the surface of the sun. The spot's high latitude and magnetic polarity identify it as a member of new Solar Cycle 24; its appearance
continues a recent trend of gradually intensifying new-cycle solar activity. The spot is growing rapidly and may soon provide a nice target for backyard solar telescopes.
FULL MOON ALERT! This weekend's full Moon is the biggest and brightest of 2009. It's a "perigee Moon" as much as 50,000 km closer to Earth than other full Moons we'll see later this year. Perigee
moonlight shining through icy winter air can produce beautiful halos, coronas, moondogs and other atmospheric optics phenomena. Sample photos are featured on today's edition of Spaceweather.com.
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NASA Science News for October 21, 2008
Cosmic explosions known as gamma-ray bursts are curiously picky about where they explode. Shunning spiral galaxies like the Milky Way, gamma-ray bursts prefer to 'go off' in oddball star systems that
astronomers are just beginning to understand.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/21oct_oddballs.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for October 16, 2008
More than four decades after they were discovered, gamma-ray bursts continue to mystify astrophysicists. Next week, experts from 25 countries will converge on Huntsville, Alabama, to discuss and debate
clues to the biggest explosions since the Big Bang itself.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/16oct_grboverview.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for September 19, 2008
NASA is teaming up with public health organizations to create a pollen alert system that could help people with maladies ranging from common hay fever to serious heart and lung diseases.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/19sep_pollen.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for Sept. 18, 2008
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DOOMED SPACECRAFT: Jules Verne is about to become a fireball. On Sept. 29th, with NASA aircraft looking on, the 22-ton European spacecraft will plunge into Earth's atmosphere over the south Pacific Ocean and
harmlessly disintegrate. Jules Verne recently spent five months docked to the space station where it delivered supplies, used its engines help the station avoid a piece of space junk, and served as an impromptu
bedroom for the ISS crew. Mission accomplished, the doomed spacecraft is now making its final orbits around Earth glowing about as brightly as Polaris (the North Star). US and European observers are favored with
flybys this weekend. If you'd like to see Jules Verne, check the Simple Satellite Tracker for viewing times: http://spaceweather.com/flybys/
POLAR CROWN PROMINENCES: Colossal dark tadpoles. Fiery "plasma falls." Van Gogh vortices. These are a few of the strange things Japan's Hinode spacecraft has found inside polar crown prominences on the
sun. Visit http://spaceweather.com for must-see movies.
NASA Science News for September 17, 2008
Japan's Hinode spacecraft is beaming back must-see movies of a spectacular solar phenomenon known as 'polar crown prominences.'
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/17sep_polarcrown.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for September 10, 2008
Scientists are beginning to unravel the mystery of an extraordinary gamma-ray burst on March 19, 2008, which was visible to the naked eye. It turns out the explosion was aimed directly at Earth.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/10sep_nakedeye2.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for Sept. 9, 2008
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FIREBALL OUTBURST: This morning, Sept. 9th, a surprising flurry of fireballs lit up the sky over eastern parts of the United States. All-sky cameras at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama,
recorded 25+ meteors, most as bright as Jupiter or Venus. A preliminary analysis by NASA astronomers suggests this is an outburst of "September Perseids," a little-known shower that has erupted this way three
times in the past century. Although the show is almost certainly over, sky watchers are advised to be on the lookout for more fireballs tonight and in the nights ahead; the September Perseids are not well
understood and they could surprise us again.
Visit http://spaceweather.com for more information and updates to this developing story.
NASA Science News for September 2, 2008
Amateur astronomers watching the Perseid meteor shower last month saw meteoroids hitting not only Earth but also the Moon. The impacts, which they recorded using backyard telescopes and off-the-shelf
video cameras, are featured in today's story from Science@NASA.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/02sep_lunarperseids.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for August 19, 2008
What if you woke up one morning and found your whole planet had been swallowed by the atmosphere of a star? Don't laugh, it could happen to you, and NASA has a special program to deal with it.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/19aug_lws.htm?list96653
NASA Science News for July 24, 2008
Researchers have discovered what causes brilliant outbursts of Northern Lights: Gigantic plasma bullets launched toward Earth by explosions 1/3rd of the way to the Moon.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/24jul_plasmabullets.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for July 11, 2008
The sun is entering its third year of eerie calm. Sunspots are rare and solar flares simply aren't happening. Is this "solar minimum" lasting longer than it should? A NASA scientist has examined
centuries of sunspot data to find the answer, revealed in today's story from Science@NASA:
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/11jul_solarcycleupdate.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for July 9, 2008
Mix moondust with epoxy, add a dash of carbon nanotubes, and spin. The result? A parabolic mirror perfectly suited for a giant lunar observatory. A NASA-supported scientist has discovered this new
recipe for making telescopes out of moondust, and to prove it works he has spun a "moondust mirror" here on Earth.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/09jul_moonscope.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for July 3, 2008
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WEEKEND SKY SHOW: Saturn, Mars and a slender crescent Moon are gathering together for a pretty sunset sky show over the 4th of July weekend. For people in the USA celebrating Independence Day, it's a bit of
heavenly charm among the smoke and flash of evening fireworks. Check http://spaceweather.com for the full story and sky maps.
EARTH AT APHELION: On the 4th of July, you will be farther from the sun than at any other time of the year. Earth's orbit around the sun is not a perfect circle, it's an ellipse, and on July 4th, Earth is at the end
of the ellipse farthest from the sun. Astronomers call this "aphelion." When we are at aphelion, the sun appears slightly smaller in the sky (by about 1.7%) and global solar heating is actually a little less (by about
3.5%) than the yearly average. This provides scant relief from northern summer heat, however. Today's edition of http://spaceweather.com explains why.
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NASA Science News for July 1, 2008
Look beyond the fireworks on 4th of July weekend. A trio of worlds is converging for a pretty sunset sky show.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/01jul_4thofjuly.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for June 29, 2008
http://spaceweather.com
LAVENDER SUN: Ignited by lightning, hundreds of wildfires are burning in California, smothering the northern half of the state with thick plumes of smoke. The unusually widespread haze is causing a rare atmospheric
optics phenomenon--the lavender sun. Many Californians report seeing the sun, when viewed through the smoke, turn a bright shade of purple. Today's edition of
http://spaceweather.com features pictures of the phenomenon and an explanation.
ISS AT DAWN: A new batch of ISS flybys is underway. For the next two weeks, Europeans and North Americans can see the International Space Station flying overhead just before dawn. Recent additions to the station
have made it bigger and brighter than ever, and if you haven't seen the ISS in a while, you might be surprised by its increased luminosity. Some sky watchers have spotted it in broad daylight. Check our
Simple Flybys page to find out when to look: http://spaceweather.com/flybys .
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Space Weather News for June 20, 2008
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SUMMER SOLSTICE: Northern summer and southern winter begin today, June 20th, at precisely 23:59 UT (7:59 pm EDT) when the sun ascends to its highest latitude on the celestial sphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, we
have the longest day and shortest night of the year, and the reverse in the Southern Hemisphere. The seasons are changing--Happy Solstice!
NOCTILUCENT CLOUDS: Summer is the season for noctilucent clouds and this morning, right on cue, a wave of bright NLCs rolled over the British Isles. Observers in Scotland and Northern Ireland report luminous
tendrils of electric blue bright enough to attract the attention of casual passersby. These glow-in-the-dark clouds are a 100+ year old mystery under investigation now by NASA's AIM spacecraft. Originally
confined to arctic latitudes, NLCs have spread in recent years with sightings in the United States as far south as Utah and Colorado. Check today's edition of http://spaceweather.com
for observing tips and the latest photos.
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NASA Science News for June 20, 2008
In 1967, Surveyor 3 landed on the Moon. Two years later, Apollo astronauts visited the little unmanned spacecraft and brought pieces of it home to Earth. Now, a portion of Surveyor's robotic arm, the
scoop it used to sample moondust, is teaching researchers some long-lost secrets.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/20jun_apollorelic.htm?list96653
NASA Science News for June 11, 2008
NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST for short) left Earth today onboard a Delta II rocket. "The entire GLAST Team is elated," reports program manager Kevin Grady of NASA's Goddard Space
Flight Center. "The observatory is now on-orbit and all systems continue to operate as planned." Read today's Science@NASA story to learn about some of the exciting new science GLAST is expected to accomplish.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/11jun_glast2.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for June 1, 2008
http://spaceweather.com
ICY MARTIAN 3D: NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander may have already found ice at its landing site without even digging for it. Exhaust from the lander's descent engine appears to have swept aside a layer of
topsoil, exposing frozen material beneath. Today's edition of http://spaceweather.com shows images of the find along with some eye-popping stereo views of the lander's
surroundings.
SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY: Space shuttle Discovery blasted off from Cape Canaveral yesterday and now it is chasing the International Space Station (ISS) around Earth. Sky watchers should be alert for the two spacecraft
streaking across the heavens tonight. Check our global satellite tracking tool for flyby times:
http://spaceweather.com/flybys
The ISS appears first followed less than two minutes later by Discovery in hot pursuit. Discovery is on a mission to deliver a new Japanese science lab and robotic arm to the ISS along with spare parts to repair the
station's malfunctioning toilet.
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NASA Science News for May 8, 2008
A NASA-supported sky survey set to begin in 2008 could dramatically increase the number of known planets outside our solar system.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/08may_marvels.htm?list96653
NASA Science News for May 9, 2008
Astronauts are using a Star Trek tricorder-like device to keep track of microscopic life forms onboard the International Space Station.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/09may_tricorder.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for May 4, 2008
http://spaceweather.com
ETA AQUARID METEOR SHOWER: If you see a meteor flit across the sky tonight, it could be a piece of Halley's Comet. Earth is crossing a stream of dusty debris from Halley and this is causing the annual eta
Aquarid meteor shower. Sky watchers in the tropics and southern hemisphere (where the shower is most intense) could see as many as 70 meteors per hour during the dark hours before dawn on Monday, May 5th, and Tuesday,
May 6th. The show is diminished at northern latitudes where rates may be 15 meteors per hour or less. Check http://spaceweather.com for sky maps and more information.
MERCURY AND THE MOON: Innermost planet Mercury is emerging from the glare of the sun and putting on its best show of the year. A good time to look is Tuesday evening, May 6th, just after sunset when the
crescent Moon glides by Mercury in the darkening western sky. A sky map and photos are available at http://spaceweather.com.
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Space Weather News for May 1, 2008
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FLYBY ALERT: This is a good month for spaceship spotting. On May 1st, the International Space Station (ISS) begins a 4-week series of bright flybys over North America and Europe. In early May, the ISS
joins Jupiter and the stars of the Summer Triangle in a glittering pre-dawn sky. Later in the month, increasingly-frequent flybys shift to evening hours and the ISS will be crossing paths with Saturn, the Moon and
Mars. US and Canadian readers, check our Simple Satellite Flybys tool to find out when to look: http://spaceweather.com/flybys . (European readers, an international
version of the flybys tool will be available in the near future. Stay tuned.)
EXPLORE THE IONOSPHERE: The ionosphere is our planet's "final frontier." A realm of dancing auroras, radio-bending plasma bubbles and dangerous ultraviolet rays, it is the last wisp of Earth's atmosphere
that astronauts leave behind when they enter space. Now you can explore the ionosphere from the safety of your own home. Yesterday, NASA-supported researchers unveiled a "4D" computer model for the general
public. Download a few files and presto--you're flying through the ionosphere. The model shows the ionosphere as it is right now; it's a real-time display based on current solar activity and atmospheric conditions.
Visit http://spaceweather.com to get started.
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NASA Science News for April 17, 2008
NASA-supported researchers have realized that strange things may be happening on the full Moon when it gets hit by Earth's magnetic tail.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/17apr_magnetotail.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for April 4, 2008
A crescent moon of perilous beauty is about to appear in the evening sky. The best night to look is Tuesday, April 8th, when the moon joins the Pleiades star cluster for a must-see conjunction.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/04apr_crescentmoon.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for March 21, 2008
Two nights ago, astronomers observed a cosmic explosion so intense it was visible to the naked eye from a distance of 7.5 billion light years.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/21mar_nakedeye.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for March 21, 2008
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JULES VERNE AND THE ISS: The European Space Agency's new robotic cargo carrier, the Jules Verne, has parked itself in orbit 2000 kilometers ahead of the International Space Station. This sets the stage for
some beautiful double flybys in the nights ahead--the Jules Verne appears first, as bright as a 1st magnitude star, followed four and a half minutes later by the even brighter International Space Station. This is a
must-see for sky watchers in cities and countryside alike. Visit http://spaceweather.com for flyby photos and timetables.
NASA Science News for March 20, 2008
For reasons not fully understood by scientists, the weeks around the vernal equinox are prone to Northern Lights. In other words, spring is aurora season. Observations from NASA spacecraft are shedding
new light on this old mystery.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/20mar_spring.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for March 19, 2008
New research by NASA-supported scientists shows how atmospheric gravity waves, the kind we often see rippling in clouds overhead, can hit a thunderstorm and turn it into a deadly tornado.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/19mar_grits.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for March 12, 2008
To celebrate Women's History Month, an all-female team of scientists and engineers has taken control of Mars rover Spirit. Is Mars exploration different with women calling the shots? Find out in today's
story from Science@NASA.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/12mar_spiritday.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for March 7, 2008
The surprises continue. Scientists studying the harvest of photos from MESSENGER's Jan. 14th flyby of Mercury have found several craters with strange dark halos and one crater with a curiously shiny
bottom.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/07mar_strangecraters.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for March 6, 2008
Imagine living on a planet where Northern Lights fill the heavens at all hours of the day. Around the clock, even in broad daylight, luminous curtains shimmer and ripple across the sky. News flash:
Astronomers have discovered such a planet. Its name is Earth.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/06mar_polar.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for March 3, 2008
A NASA spacecraft in orbit around Mars has photographed an avalanche in action near the Red Planet's north pole.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/03mar_avalanche.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for February 20, 2008
Do you know who's orbiting the moon? The answer might surprise you. Find out in today's story from Science@NASA.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/20feb_orbitingthemoon.htm?list96653
Important reminder: Don't forget to watch tonight's lunar eclipse.
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/13feb_lunareclipse.htm
Space Weather News for Feb. 19, 2008
http://spaceweather.com
LUNAR ECLIPSE: On Wednesday night, February 20th, the full Moon will turn a delightful shade of red and possibly turquoise, too. It's a total lunar eclipse-the last one until Dec. 2010. Sky watchers in
Europe, the Americas, parts of the Middle East and Africa are favored for good views of the two-hour event. Visit http://spaceweather.com for full coverage including maps
and timetables, live webcasts and discussion.
SPY SATELLITE UPDATE: The US Navy's first attempt to hit malfunctioning spy satellite USA 193 with a missile could come on Wednesday night during the lunar eclipse. This is based on an air traffic advisory
warning pilots to steer clear of a patch of Pacific Ocean near Hawaii just when USA 193 is due to pass overhead. Until the satellite is shot down, it remains visible to casual sky watchers during evening passes over
US and Canadian towns and cities; experienced observers say the decaying satellite is sometimes as bright as the stars of Orion, making it an easy target for unaided eyes and off-the-shelf digital cameras.
Details, photos and more information are available at http://spaceweather.com. Subscribers to Spaceweather PHONE (http://spaceweatherphone.com)
will receive email and telephone alerts when the spy-sat is about to appear over their backyards.
Space Weather News for Feb. 14, 2008
http://spaceweather.com
Malfunctioning spy satellite USA 193 has been in the news lately because of expectations that it will reenter Earth's atmosphere in March and turn into a spectacular fireball. Reentry has not yet begun, but sky
watchers are already noticing the satellite as it zips over Europe and the United States shining as brightly as a first or second magnitude star. Typical photos are shown on today's edition of
http://spaceweather.com.
In fact, USA 193 may never reenter--at least not in one piece. Today, the Pentagon announced it will attempt to blast the satellite with a missile before its orbit decays. This would lessen the chances of dangerous
satellite debris and fuel reaching the ground while increasing the population of space junk in low-Earth orbit.
Would you like to see USA 193 with your own eyes? It is about to make a series of evening appearances over many US towns and cities, beginning this weekend and continuing until the Pentagon intervenes. Flyby
timetables may be found at Heavens Above (http://heavens-above.com). You can also receive telephone and email alerts when the satellite is about to fly over your backyard by
subscribing to Spaceweather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com .
NASA Science News for February 13, 2008
On Wednesday evening, February 20th, the full Moon over the Americas will turn a delightful shade of red and possibly turquoise, too. It's a total lunar eclipse—the last one until Dec.
2010.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/13feb_lunareclipse.htm?list96653
NASA Science News for February 8, 2008
Would you like to name the next great space telescope? Here's your chance: NASA is inviting members of the general public to suggest a new name for the Gamma-ray Large Area Space
Telescope before it launches in mid-2008.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/08feb_namethattelescope.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for February 7, 2008
A team of scientists has just set off to explore a strange lake in Antarctica, which may be home to exotic forms of microscopic life.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/07feb_cloroxlake.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for Jan. 4, 2008
http://spaceweather.com
Solar physicists have been waiting for the appearance of a reversed-polarity sunspot to signal the start of the next solar cycle. The wait is over. A magnetically reversed, high-latitude sunspot emerged today.
This marks the beginning of Solar Cycle 24 and the first step toward a new solar maximum. Intense solar activity won't begin right away. Solar cycles usually take a few years to build from solar minimum
(where we are now) to Solar Max (expected in 2011 or 2012). It's a slow journey, but we're on our way!
Visit http://spaceweather.com for pictures of the new sunspot and updates.
NASA Science News for November 28, 2007
Astronomers using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory have discovered one of the fastest stars ever seen--a "cosmic cannonball" that is challenging theories to explain its blistering
speed.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/28nov_cosmiccannonball.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for Nov. 29, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
SOLAR WIND DRIES VENUS: The European Space Agency's Venus Express spacecraft has made an important discovery: the solar wind dries out Venus. Unlike Earth, Venus has no global magnetic field to deflect particles from
the sun; when solar wind hits Venus it actually strips away some of Venus' upper atmosphere. Hydrogen and oxygen atoms fly into space, removing from Venus the chemical building blocks of water. This process makes an
already hellish planet even worse. Links to more information may be found at Spaceweather.com.
COMET 17P/HOLMES UPDATE: Now that the full Moon has left the evening sky, Comet Holmes is visible again. The comet is not as bright as it was when it first exploded in late October. Most people now have trouble
finding it with the naked eye. A quick sweep through Perseus with a pair of binoculars, however, will pinpoint the comet while the smallest of telescopes reveals it to be a truly impressive object. Comet
Holmes now occupies about 10 times the volume of the Sun and it is developing a hint of a blue-green tail. A similar tail was observed in early November, but it broke off during an apparent magnetic storm.
Now the tail is growing back. Visit http://spaceweather.com for sky maps and the latest images.
NASA Science News for November 23, 2007
New research by NASA scientists shows that moondust kicked up by the jets of lunar landers can go on a fantastic journey, completely circling the Moon before settling back to the
ground. This interesting phenomenon may affect the planning of lunar outposts and other activities as NASA prepares its return to the Moon.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/23nov_flyingmoondust.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for November 21, 2007
During the past month, Mars has doubled in brightness and now it is putting a nice show for backyard stargazers. A good night to look is Nov. 26th when Mars has an eye-catching close
encounter with the Moon.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/21nov_marsdoubles.htm
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Space Weather News for Nov. 15, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
GIANT COMET: University of Hawaii astronomers have measured the diameter of Comet 17P/Holmes: 1.4 million kilometers. This makes the exploding comet bigger than the sun and now the largest object in the
solar system. Not surprisingly, the comet is visible to the naked eye; with only a backyard telescope you can watch its gigantic debris cloud expand from night to night. Nov. 19th is an especially good night to look:
Comet Holmes will glide by Mirfak, the brightest star in the constellation Perseus, and appear to swallow it. Visit http://spaceweather.com for a sky map and images.
(Note: The sun remains by far the most massive object in the solar system. Comet 17P/Holmes' diaphanous atmosphere of dust and gas, which is what the astronomers measured, contains less mass than a typical
asteroid. In spite of its great size, Comet Holmes is a lightweight that won't be deflecting the orbits of planets or causing any other such catastrophes.)
ROSETTA FLYBY: On Nov. 13th, the European Space Agency's comet-chasing Rosetta spacecraft buzzed Earth, passing only 5300 km above the southern hemisphere. During the high-speed gravity assist maneuver,
Rosetta snapped some fantastic pictures including close-up shots of Antarctic icescapes and glittering views of city lights at night. See the sights on http://spaceweather.com
NASA Science News for November 15, 2007
How do you bring a 200,000-pound rocket booster back to Earth after it catapults its payload toward the moon? NASA has answered that question with a successful test of a giant "moon
rocket" parachute in the Arizona desert.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/15nov_parachute.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for November 13, 2007
Scientists are converging on Ethiopia this week to discuss a new and strange form of space weather over Africa.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/13nov_africa.htm?list96653
NASA Science News for November 2, 2007
On Monday morning, Nov. 5th, space shuttle Discovery is scheduled to undock from the ISS while the pair are gliding over many US towns and cities. The two spaceships will cut across a
glittering expanse of morning stars dotted by bright planets and a Venus-Moon conjunction. And don't forget the exploding comet! It all adds up to "A Fantastic Monday Morning Sky Show."
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/02nov_nov5.htm?list96653
Space Weather News for Oct. 29, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
Last week, Comet 17P/Holmes shocked sky watchers around the world with a sudden million-fold increase in brightness. It literally exploded into view, rapidly becoming a naked eye "star" in the constellation
Perseus. Since then the comet has expanded dramatically. It is now physically larger than the planet Jupiter and subtends an angle in the night sky similar to the Moon's Sea of Tranquility, the right eye of the
"Man in the Moon." Photographers, this amazing comet is an excellent target for off-the-shelf digital cameras and backyard telescopes. It grows visibly from night to night and no one knows how large it
will become. Stay tuned to http://spaceweather.com for sky maps and the latest images.
Space Weather News for Oct. 24, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
ERUPTING COMET: Astronomers in Japan and Europe report that Comet 17P/Holmes is undergoing a spectacular eruption. The 17th-magnitude comet has brightened by a factor of five hundred thousand or more
during the past 24 hours becoming a naked eye object in the evening sky. This may signify a breakup of the comet's core or a rich vein of ice suddenly exposed to sunlight--no one knows. Look for a yellow
2.5th-magnitude fuzzball in the constellation Perseus after sunset. ("2.5th magnitude" means a little dimmer than the stars of the Big Dipper.) At present the comet looks more like a star than a comet; it does not
have a discernable tail, but it might grow one as the outburst continues. Visit http://spaceweather.com for a sky map, photos and updates.
If a friend sent you this alert and you would like to subscribe, click here: http://spaceweather.com/services/
Space Weather News for Oct. 23, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
BIG FULL MOON: This week's full Moon (Oct. 25-26) is the biggest full Moon of 2007. It's no illusion. Some full Moons are genuinely larger than others and Thursday night's will be as much as 14% wider and 30%
brighter than lesser full Moons we've seen earlier this year. Check http://spaceweather.com for the reasons why.
SPACESHIP SIGHTINGS: Space shuttle Discovery launched this morning from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on a two-week mission to the International Space Station (ISS). This means sky watchers should be alert for
spaceship flybys in the nights ahead. Both Discovery and ISS will make favorable passes over many US cities with the possibility of double flybys later this week when the two spacecraft are about to dock.
Subscribers to Spaceweather PHONE (http://spaceweatherphone.com) will receive email and telephone alerts of flybys in viewing range of their hometowns.
If a friend sent you this alert and you would like to subscribe, click here: http://spaceweather.com/services/
NASA Science News for October 17, 2007
Do you love gazing at a starry night sky? Nothing you've ever seen on Earth could prepare you for the fantastic skies of some "orphan stars" just discovered by astronomers using NASA's Chandra X-ray
Observatory.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/17oct_orphanstars.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for Oct. 10, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
CELESTIAL TRIANGLE: Set your alarm. For the next five mornings, just before dawn banishes the night, you can see a compact celestial triangle rising in the eastern sky. The corners are dazzling Venus, Saturn and the
bright star Regulus. This is worth waking up for--at least once. Visit http://spaceweather.com for sky maps and more.
AURORA WATCH: A solar wind stream is heading for Earth and it may spark a geomagnetic storm when it arrives on Oct. 11th or 12th. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras.
If a friend sent you this alert and you would like to subscribe, click here: http://spaceweather.com/services/
Space Weather News for Oct. 8, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
METEOR WATCH: The annual Draconid meteor shower peaks on Oct. 9th at 0430 UT--in other words, tonight at 9:30 pm PDT or 12:30 am EDT. Don't expect a big display. The source of the shower, comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner,
is far away and unlikely to produce more than a few slow meteors every hour. It should be noted, however, that unexpected Draconid outbursts have happened as recently as Oct. 2005 resulting in dozens to hundreds of
meteors per hour. Could tonight be such a night? If you decide to look, keep an eye on the northern sky (Draco is not far from the north celestial pole) during the hours around the predicted peak.
PERUVIAN METEORITE UPDATE: Astronomers studying the Peruvian meteorite fall of Sept. 15, 2007, have analyzed infrasound records of the fireball's descent through Earth's atmosphere and estimated the impactor's
kinetic energy: about 0.03 kton of TNT. So far more than 30 kg of the meteorite have been recovered by Peruvian authorities, but much more remains--indeed, says one researcher, there could be a "multi-ton
monster" hiding at the bottom of the meteorite's curiously watery crater. Check http://spaceweather.com for more information.
NASA Science News for October 4, 2007
Fifty years after the launch of Sputnik kicked off the Space Age, an ultra-modern probe heading for Pluto is using retro Sputnik-like tones to communicate with Earth.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/04oct_beaconmonitor.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for October 1, 2007
Earlier this year, Comet Encke was passing a little too close to the Sun when a coronal mass ejection (CME) hit the comet and ripped off its tail. NASA's STEREO spacecraft was watching and recorded a
must-see movie featured in today's story.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/01oct_encke.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for September 28, 2007
Researchers from the Marshall Space Flight Center have built a new "lunar impact" observatory in rural north Georgia. They're using it for their own cutting edge research and sharing the facility with
local middle- and high-school students.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/28sep_wco.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for September 27, 2007
NASA's Dawn spacecraft has left Earth on a mission to explore the mysterious giant asteroids Ceres and Vesta. Today's Science@NASA story explains some of the scientific reasons for making the trip.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/27sep_dawn2.htm?list96653
Space Weather News for Sept. 26, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
HARVEST MOON: There's a full Moon tonight (Wed., Sept. 26) and it has a special name--the "Harvest Moon," the full Moon closest to the autumnal equinox. In the days before electric lights, farmers relied on moonlight
to help them gather ripening autumn crops. The bright Harvest Moon allowed their work to continue late into the night. Now, post-Edison, we appreciate the Harvest Moon more for its beauty than its utility.
Moonrise happens tonight at sunset; look east and enjoy the view!
AURORA WATCH: Northern fall has begun with a vibrant flourish of green--that is, green Northern Lights. A solar wind stream hit Earth on Sept. 21st sparking an intense, three-day display of polar auroras.
Get ready for more: Another solar wind stream is due on Sept. 27th or 28th. Updates and a gallery of spectacular photos may be found at http://spaceweather.com
NASA Science News for September 26, 2007
Two years ago, NASA's Deep Impact spacecraft blasted a hole in Comet Tempel 1, offering researchers their first look inside a comet. One small problem: The cloud of debris was so thick no one could
clearly see the crater. But now the dust has cleared and another NASA spacecraft is returning to the scene to examine the hole Deep Impact wrought.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/26sep_next.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for Aug. 30, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
WEEKEND METEORS: On Saturday morning, September 1st, a flurry of bright and colorful meteors might come streaming out of the constellation Auriga. The source of the shower is ancient Comet Kiess, which has
laid down a trail of debris that Earth will cross this weekend.
But will a shower really materialize? Forecasters are divided. Some expect a brief but beautiful display rivaling the Perseids. Others say the debris stream is too empty for significant fireworks.
Either way, the peak is due around 4:30 a.m. PDT (11:30 UT) on Saturday morning. This timing strongly favors sky watchers in Hawaii and western parts of North America all the way from Mexico to California to
Alaska.
Spaceweather's full coverage of the Aurigid meteor shower begins Friday, Aug. 31, with links to live audio from a meteor radar, which will monitor activity throughout the weekend. Sky maps and more information are
available now at http://spaceweather.com.
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Space Weather News for August 23, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
On Aug. 20th, an amateur astronomer in Oklahoma scanned the sky for meteors using a low-light video camera--but instead of meteors, he recorded a bizarre upside-down form of lightning called "Gigantic Jets."
Discovered in 2001, Gigantic Jets are enormous discharges that leap upward 50 miles high from the tops of thunderclouds. They are related to better known sprites and elves, but are larger and more dramatic.
The Oklahoma Jets are the first ever photographed over the continental United States and they may provide key data to researchers working to understand the phenomenon. Visit
http://spaceweather.com to view a movie of the Jets and to learn how you might be able to catch them yourself.
NASA Science News for August 21, 2007
Earth and Mars are rapidly converging. Relative speed: 22,000 mph. Contrary to rumor, Mars is not about to swell to the size of a full Moon, but there is something eerie and Martian to look for in the
night sky next week.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/21aug_hurtlingtomars.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for Aug. 18, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
DOUBLE SPACESHIP FLYBYS: Space shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to undock from the International Space Station on Monday, August 20th. If that happens as planned, sky watchers across North America may be
able to witness something rare and beautiful: a double-spaceship transit across the night sky. US cities favored for flybys on Aug. 20th or 21st include Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, New York
and Phoenix. The space station and shuttle will appear as separate, bright points of light moving in tandem. Flyby times depend on where you live. Subscribers to Spaceweather PHONE (http://spaceweatherphone.com) will receive phone and email alerts when the pair are about to appear. Flyby timetables are also available from Heavens Above (http://heavens-above.com).
BONUS: The International Space Station is under construction, and with each new addition the sprawling complex becomes easier to see from the ground. To the naked eye, the space station now resembles a
super-bright star gliding slowly across the sky. Backyard telescopes reveal much more: solar panels, laboratories and living modules, a robotic arm and docked supply vessels. Photos and videos are featured on
this weekend's edition of http://spaceweather.com.
NASA Science News for August 16, 2007
When she blasted off onboard the space shuttle Endeavour last week, teacher-turned-astronaut Barbara Morgan carried millions of basil seeds to the International Space Station. Soon she'll return
millions more "space seeds" for students on Earth to study. Educators, read today's story to learn how to participate.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/16aug_basil.htm?list96653
NASA Science News for August 15, 2007
Astronomers have discovered something they've never seen before: a star with a tail like a comet. Even more amazing is the fact that the newfound tail is attached to one of the most popular stars in the
sky, a red giant named Mira. Amateur and professional astronomers have been watching Mira for 400 years and only recently has a NASA space telescope spotted its massive tail.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/15aug_mira.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for August 9, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
The Perseid meteor shower has begun. Although the display will not peak until August 12th and 13th, sky watchers are already counting as many as a dozen meteors per hour (including some nice fireballs) during
the darkest hours before dawn. Rates could increase 5- to 10-fold when the shower reaches maximum on Sunday night and Monday morning. Advice: Get away from city lights. While many Perseids will be bright enough
to see from light-polluted urban areas, the shower's full grandeur is reserved for places with dark and starry skies. This is a good weekend to go camping.
Visit http://Spaceweather.com for photos, observing tips and a sky map. Full coverage of the shower begins today and will continue until Perseid activity subsides.
NASA Science News for August 8, 2007
On Sept. 1st, a flurry of bright and oddly-colored meteors could spill across the skies of western North America--or not. Forecasters are divided about what will happen next month when Earth runs into
an ancient stream of debris from mysterious Comet Kiess.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/08aug_aurigids.htm?list96653
Space Weather News for August 4, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
BEWARE THE MARS HOAX: It's August, which means it's time for the annual Mars Hoax. An email is going around claiming that Mars will approach Earth on August 27th; the encounter will be so close, the email states, that
Mars will rival the full Moon in size and brightness. (Imagine the tides!) Don't believe it. The Mars Hoax email first appeared in 2003. On August 27th of that year, Mars really did come historically close to Earth.
But the email's claim that Mars would rival the Moon was grossly exaggerated. Every August since 2003, the email has staged a revival.
Here's something that is true: Mars is having a close encounter with the Pleiades star cluster, easily seen in the eastern sky before sunrise. Especially good mornings to look are August 6th and 7th when the crescent
Moon joins the planet and the cluster to form a pretty celestial triangle. Set your alarm!
MANMADE NOCTILUCENT CLOUDS: This morning in Florida, NASA's Phoenix Mars lander blasted off from Cape Canaveral aboard a Delta II rocket. The rocket's exhaust created a beautiful display of luminous,
night-shining clouds. See the photos at http://spaceweather.com.
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NASA Science News for August 3, 2007
Mark your calendar: On Tuesday, August 28th, there's going to be a dreamy, colorful, total eclipse of the Moon.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/03aug_dreamyeclipse.htm?list96653
The Science@NASA Podcast feed is available at http://science.nasa.gov/podcast.xml.
NASA Science News for July 20, 2007
A severe dust storm is underway on Mars, causing an energy crisis for NASA's Mars rovers. Dust in the atmosphere over Opportunity has blocked 99 percent of direct sunlight, leaving only the limited
diffuse sky light to power the rover.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/20jul_duststorm.htm?list96653
NASA Science News for July 16, 2007
Accelerating from 0 to 60, then slowing down for a stop light is no problem for an ordinary automobile. But if you were piloting a rocketship, it wouldn't be so easy. Most rocket engines are designed to
burn full-on (liftoff!) or full-off (coasting through space) with no in-between. And that can be a problem--namely, how do you land this thing? In today's story we learn how engineers are developing technology for
throttling next-generation lunar landers.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/16jul_cece.htm?list96653
NASA Science News for July 11, 2007
The Perseid meteor shower is coming, and experts say it should be a great show.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/11jul_greatperseids.htm?list96653
Space Weather News for July 9, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
PHOTOGENIC SUNSPOT: During the weekend new sunspot 963 emerged, and it is putting on a remarkable show for onlookers with solar telescopes. Images featured on today's edition of
http://spaceweather.com include must-see footage of a fire-fountain-like eruption plus snapshots of the International Space Station (ISS) transiting the active region. The big double-sunspot is just beginning a
two week journey across the face of the sun, promising many more photo-ops in the days ahead.
GREEN COMET: This week, comet Linear VZ13 is gliding through the constellation Draco not far from the North Star. The 8th magnitude comet is too dim for the naked eye, but it is an easy target for binoculars and
backyard telescopes. Observers say it has a beautiful green atmosphere and a stubby fan-shaped tail. Closest approach to Earth: July 14th at a distance of 86 million km. Visit
http://spaceweather.com for daily sky maps and photos.
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NASA Science News for July 6, 2007
A pair of robots named ASTRO and NextSat have been working together in Earth orbit, docking, undocking, flying around and refueling, as if they have minds of their own. Their adventures may herald a
revolution in the way we explore space.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/06jul_astroandnextsat.htm?list96653
Check out our RSS feed at http://science.nasa.gov/rss.xml!
Space Weather News for June 19, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
On Tuesday morning, June 19th, space shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to undock from the International Space Station. On Tuesday night, the pair will fly in tandem over many US towns and cities including Detroit,
Washington DC, San Francisco and Denver. Typical flybys take place shortly after sunset, with the pair first appearing in the northwest (look for the Big Dipper) and soaring overhead from there. The space
shuttle appears first, followed by the ISS. Both spacecraft are bright and easy to see with the naked eye. Double flybys continue on Wednesday night, June 20th, before Atlantis returns to Earth on
Thursday, June 21st.
When should you look? Sign up for Spaceweather PHONE (http://spaceweatherphone.com) to receive email and telephone alerts when the ISS is about to fly over your
hometown, or check Heavens Above (http://heavens-above.com) for worldwide flyby timetables.
NASA Science News for June 15, 2007
This summer, NASA plans to launch a robotic probe to visit two stange and giant asteroids--one is covered with ice while the other may have been blasted by an ancient supernova. The tales these
asteroids tell may reveal the true beginnings of our solar system.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/15jun_dawn.htm?list96653
Space Weather News for June 15, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
As this message is being written at the end of the day on June 15th, an intense display of noctilucent (night-shining) clouds is underway over Europe. Electric blue "NLCs" have been sighted as far south as
France. The display may become visible over North America when night falls there. Favored viewing sites: Canada, Alaska and northern-tier US states--the same places where auroras are often seen. If you are
located in the zone of visibility, and if you receive this message in time, go outside after sunset and look west for electric-blue tendrils spreading upward from the horizon.
Visit http://spaceweather.com for observing tips plus images and movies of tonight's display.
Would you like a phone call when noctilucent clouds are active? Sign up for Spaceweather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com
Space Weather News for June 13, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
SPACE STATION FLARES: Yesterday, astronauts unfurled a new set of solar arrays on the International Space Station. The panels, which measure 115 feet long, are actually visible in backyard
telescopes. In a related development, people watching ISS flybys during the past 24 hours report seeing a number of "flares"--sudden brightenings of the ISS caused by sunlight glinting from the station's
growing number of flat surfaces. This phenomenon adds an element of excitement to ISS watching. Check today's edition of http://spaceweather.com to see some remarkable
movies made by amateur astronomers in Europe.
NASA Science News for June 11, 2007
A Japanese tether of novel construction could unfold new opportunities in space.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/11jun_ff.htm?list96653
NASA Science News for June 5, 2007
Today when NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft flies by Venus en route to Mercury, the craft will shoot a laser beam into Venus' clouds, among other experiments, to learn more about Earth's "evil twin."
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/05jun_venusflyby.htm?list96653
Space Weather News for June 2, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
A big sunspot is emerging over the sun's eastern limb, posing a threat for significant solar activity. Already it has unleashed several M-class solar flares. One of the eruptions, an M3-flare on June 1st, caused a
shortwave radio fadeout over Europe. Amateur astronomers with solar telescopes should keep an eye on this photogenic sunspot, while shortwave radio listeners should be alert for flare-triggered fadeouts and
other propagation effects. Visit http://spaceweather.com for photos and more information.
Space Weather News for May 31, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
BLUE MOON & JUPITER: According to folklore, tonight's full Moon over North America is a "Blue Moon" because it is the second full Moon in a calendar month. If you go outside to look at the Blue Moon, you'll see
it has a companion: Jupiter. All night long, the giant planet will be located right beside the Moon. You can see the bright pair with the naked eye, or for a real treat, scan them with a backyard telescope. The
moons of Jupiter, lunar mountains and craters, and the Great Red Spot are surprisingly easy to see.
A REAL BLUE MOON! Blue Moons are supposed to be absurd, but on May 21st, the Moon over Hungary really did turn blue. Onlookers describe it as a "unique and unforgettable" experience. Visit
http://spaceweather.com to view photos of the display and to learn what caused it.
NASA Science News for May 30, 2007 4:00:00 PM
Astronomers using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory have discovered an exceptionally dramatic event in the nearby Universe. They're not sure what caused it, but they've narrowed it down to two exciting
possibilites.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/30may_upheaval.htm?list96653
NASA Science News for May 25, 2007
A scientist using the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) has found a way to forecast solar radiation storms. The new method offers as much as one hour advance warning, giving astronauts time to
seek shelter and ground controllers time to safeguard their satellites when a storm is approaching.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/25may_costep.htm?list96653
NASA Science News for May 18, 2007
In the folklore of physics, no story is better known than the tale of Galileo dropping balls from the Leaning Tower of Pisa and proving that gravity accelerates all objects equally regardless of their
masses or composition. This is called the "equivalence principle," and it is a cornerstone of modern physics. But was Galileo correct? Fantastically small violations of the equivalence principle may in fact exist,
providing a test of string theory and pointing the way to an all-encompassing Theory of Everything.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/18may_equivalenceprinciple.htm?list96653
Space Weather News for May 16, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
RADIO-ACTIVE SUNSPOT: A new sunspot is growing near the sun's eastern limb, and it is crackling with solar flares. Yesterday, one of the flares, a C1-class explosion, unleashed a radio burst heard in
loudspeakers of shortwave radios across the United States. Ham radio operators may wish to point their antennas at the sun in the days ahead in case this activity continues.
Visit http://spaceweather.com to hear the sounds of this "radio-active" sunspot.
NASA Science News for May 4, 2007
NASA-supported scientists and engineers have successfully tested a methane-powered rocket engine. The firing was not only remarkably beautiful (a must-see movie is featured in today's story) but also
may herald a new type of spacecraft that one day roams the outer solar system gathering fuel from planets and moons that it visits.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/04may_methaneblast.htm?list96653
Space Weather News for May 3, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
HALLEY'S METEORS: Earth is entering a stream of dust from Halley's Comet, and this will produce a meteor shower (the "eta Aquarids") peaking on May 6th. Unfortunately, moonlight will interfere with the display, wiping
out all but the brightest meteors. People who wake up before dawn on Sunday and look east might nevertheless catch a few specks of Halley's comet disintegrating in Earth's atmosphere.
SPARKLING SUNSPOT: Sunspot 953, which emerged one week ago, has proven to be one of the most photogenic sunspots in years. For one thing, it is crackling with micro solar flares (sometimes called "Ellerman
Bombs"); this makes the sunspot appear to sparkle when viewed through the eye piece of a backyard solar telescope. There's also an active magnetic filament winding outward from the sunspot's dark core. So
far, no major solar flares have issued from this active region, but it's still a great show. Check http://spaceweather.com for the latest pictures and movies.
If a friend sent you this newsletter and you would like to subscribe, click here: http://spaceweather.com/services/
NASA Science News for May 1, 2007
NASA has released stunning new images of Jupiter and its moons taken by the New Horizons spacecraft. Highlights include a movie of a volcanic eruption on Jupiter's moon Io; a nighttime shot of auroras
and lava on Io; a color photo of the "Little Red Spot" churning in Jupiter's cloudtops; images of small moons herding dust and boulders through Jupiter's faint rings. The gallery featured in today's story is a
must-see.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/01may_fantasticflyby.htm?list96653
Check out our RSS feed at http://science.nasa.gov/rss.xml!
NASA Science News for April 27, 2007
Lightning is more than just heat and light: it's a chemical factory that produces a natural pollutant called "NOx" that may affect both local air quality and global climate. NASA scientists are
developing new ways to monitor lightning NOx from Earth orbit.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/27apr_nox.htm?list96653
Check out our RSS feed at http://science.nasa.gov/rss.xml!
Space Weather News for April 25, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
NIGHT-SHINING CLOUDS: NASA's AIM spacecraft left Earth Wednesday on a two-year mission to study mysterious noctilucent (night-shining) clouds. Hovering at the edge of space, these clouds were first noticed in
the 19th century; they are remarkable for their electric-blue color and sharp, wavy ripples. In recent years noctilucent clouds have been growing brighter and spreading. What causes them? Theories range from space
dust to global warming. For the next two years, AIM will scrutinize the clouds from Earth orbit to learn what they may be telling us about our planet. Visit
http://spaceweather.com for more information about the AIM mission, pictures of noctilucent clouds and observing tips.
SOLAR ACTIVITY: After a month of uninterrupted quiet, solar activity may be on the rise. A new sunspot is emerging and it appears to be a big one. The spot's potential for flares will become clear as the
region turns toward Earth in the days ahead. Check http://spaceweather.com for updates.
NASA Science News for April 24, 2007
Last December, Japan's Hinode spacecraft observed a massive explosion on the sun. Researchers analyzing the data have produced a must-see movie of the flare's magnetic underpinnings.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/24apr_hubble4sun.htm?list96653
Space Weather News for April 20, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
3D SUN: On Monday, April 23rd, NASA will release for the first time 3-dimensional photos of the sun taken by a pair of spacecraft named STEREO. Magnetic loops, prominences and plumes will practically leap out of
your computer screen. These images will be displayed on big screens at many museums and science centers around the USA and posted on the internet. You can get ready this weekend by buying or building some 3D
glasses. Visit http://spaceweather.com for instructions--and stay tuned for Monday!
WEEKEND METEORS: Earth is entering the dusty tail of Comet Thatcher, and this will cause a mild meteor shower this weekend. It's called the Lyrid meteor shower because the bits of incandescent comet dust
appear to come from the constellation Lyra. The best time to look is during the dark hours before dawn on Sunday, April 22nd, and Monday, April 23rd, when you can expect to see a shooting star overhead every 5 minutes
or so.
If a friend sent you this newsletter and you would like to subscribe, click here: http://spaceweather.com/services/
Space Weather News for April 17, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
ASTEROID FLYBY: Newly discovered asteroid 2007 HA is flying past Earth today about 2.5 million kilometers away. There's no danger of a collision, but it is an interesting flyby: the asteroid is big (300 meters
wide), bright (13th to 14th magnitude), and an easy target for large backyard telescopes. A beautiful movie of 2007 HA streaking among the stars of Virgo on April 16th is featured on today's edition of
http://spaceweather.com; tonight the asteroid cuts through the Big Dipper where undoubtedly it will be photographed by many astronomers.
CRESCENT MOON: A super-slender crescent Moon emerges from the glare of the sun this evening, April 17th, and will proceed over the next few nights to glide by Comet 2P/Encke, the Pleiades star cluster and the
planet Venus. Visit http://spaceweather.com daily for sky maps and observing tips.
NASA Science News for April 13, 2007
What happens to a hurricane when it gets hit by a dust storm? This is an important question because Atlantic hurricanes are born not far from the Sahara desert. Recently NASA scientists gathered data
that brings them closer to the answer. They did it by flying directly into a dusty hurricane.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/13apr_dustyhurricanes.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for April 12, 2007
NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory has observed a remarkable eclipse of a supermassive black hole, allowing a disk of hot matter swirling around the hole to be measured.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/12apr_blackholeeclipse.htm?list96653
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Space Weather news for April 8, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
VENUS & THE PLEIADES: Venus and the Pleiades are converging for a close encounter on Wednesday, April 11th. At closest approach, the planet and the star cluster will be about 2 degrees apart, tight enough to fit
behind your upturned thumb held at arm's length. They're an odd couple. Venus is extravagantly bright while the Pleiades are faint and delicate, yet together they make a pretty ensemble suitable for
photography, binoculars or simple naked-eye viewing. Watch the western sky after sunset in the nights ahead to see them drawing together.
BAFFLING BANDS: Also featured on today's edition of spaceweather.com are photos of dark bands in Venus' atmosphere. These features were first observed in detail by the Mariner 10 spacecraft in the 1970s
and they have baffled astronomers ever since. Amateur astronomers with properly-filtered backyard telescopes can monitor the mysterious bands for themselves, and indeed this is a good week to do it.
Visit http://spaceweather.com for more information, photos and sky maps.
NASA Science News for April 6, 2007
A miniature biological laboratory important to the future of space exploration has just passed an important test onboard the International Space Station.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/06apr_locad2.htm?list96653
Space Weather News for March 30, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
ASTEROID FLYBY: Asteroid 2006 VV2 is about to fly past Earth. Tonight, March 30th, the 2 km-wide space rock will streak through the constellation Leo only 2 million miles away glowing like a 10th magnitude star.
Although the asteroid will not be visible to the unaided eye, it should be an easy target for backyard telescopes equipped with CCD cameras. A movie of 2006 VV2 flying past spiral galaxy M81, featured on today's
edition of http://Spaceweather.com, shows what a small telescope can accomplish. The Americas are favored for tonight's flyby, especially southern California where 2006 VV2
will glide almost directly overhead at the moment of closest approach around 11 pm PDT.
Note: There is no danger of a collision. At a distance of 2 million miles, the asteroid will be almost 9 times farther away than the Moon. The encounter is interesting because it affords astronomers an
opportunity to study a large near-Earth asteroid at fairly close range. Many professional observatories will be taking data, including NASA radars, which will ping 2006 VV2 to refine its orbit and learn more
about its shape and composition. Learn more at http://spaceweather.com .
NASA Science News for March 29, 2007
NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory has observed some spectacular Northern Lights on the planet Jupiter. The data may help researchers solve the mysteries of the biggest auroras in the solar system.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/29mar_bigauroras.htm?list96653
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Nasa Movie Japan space prob of Sun March 26th 2007
NASA has just released never-before-seen movies of intense activity in an unexpected place on the sun. The images were captured by a space telescope onboard Japan's Hinode spacecraft.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/21mar_chromosphere.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for March 20, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
GREEN COMET: There's a new comet in the southern hemisphere: Comet Lovejoy (C/2007 E2). Terry Lovejoy of Australia discovered it on March 15th using, remarkably, not a telescope but only an off-the-shelf
digital camera. The green comet is too dim to see with the naked eye, but it is a nice target for backyard telescopes. After five days of monitoring, the comet's orbit is now known with some accuracy and
it is possible to make predictions about Comet Lovejoy's future movements and brightness. Visit http://spaceweather.com for details.
BONUS--VENUS AND THE MOON: When the sun goes down tonight, step outside and look west. You'll see Venus and the slender crescent Moon beaming together through the glow of sunset. If you miss the pair on March 20th,
try again on the 21st. They will be beautifully close together on both nights.
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Subject: STEREO Eclipse
NASA Science News for March 12, 2007
No human has ever witnessed a solar eclipse quite like this: NASA's STEREO-B spacecraft was about a million miles from Earth last month when it photographed the Moon passing in front of the sun. The
resulting movie looks like it came from an alien solar system.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/12mar_stereoeclipse.htm?list96653
Space Weather News for Feb. 16, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
AURORA MYSTERY: Scientists have been watching and studying auroras for centuries. But if you thought everything is known about Northern Lights, you'd be wrong. One key mystery is the "auroral substorm."
Sometimes, with no warning, gently shimmering pale auroras erupt in a riot of wildly-shifting colors. Why? The answer could reveal important new information about Earth's magnetosphere.
On Saturday, Feb. 17, NASA plans to launch a fleet of five satellites into Earth orbit. The name of the mission is THEMIS and its goal is to crack the mystery of the auroral substorm. Visit
Spaceweather.com over the weekend for launch photos and mission updates.
MIRA VARIABLE: Meanwhile, 400 light years from Earth, a red giant named Mira has swelled larger than the orbit of Mars. The pulsating star is now at maximum brightness and can be seen with the naked eye after
sunset. Brightness: 2nd magnitude, similar to the stars of the Big Dipper. Take a look, you may be seeing the future. Our own Sun could become a Mira-variable when it evolves to red gianthood five billion years
from now.
Visit http://spaceweather.com for sky maps and more information.
NASA Science News for February 12, 2007
Mark your calendar: On March 3, 2007, the Moon will turn red during a total lunar eclipse visible from parts of all seven continents, including the eastern half of the United States.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/12feb_lunareclipse.htm?list96653
Space Weather News for Feb. 9, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
SATURN AT ITS BEST: This weekend Saturn will be at its closest to Earth for all of 2007. The planet rises in the east at sunset and soars nearly overhead at midnight. To the naked eye, Saturn
resembles a bright yellow star. Through a backyard telescope, it materializes as a spectacular ring world. Even small telescopes yield pleasing views. Take a look!
VENUS PILLARS: While Saturn rises in the east, Venus sets in the west. If you watch Venus sink toward the horizon on a cold night, you might see it sprout vertical columns of light known as Venus pillars.
Today's edition of Spaceweather.com features rare photos of these pillars and explains what they are.
Visit http://spaceweather.com for sky maps and more information.
NASA Science News for January 26, 2007
In this story, planetary geologist Paul Spudis discusses some of the mysteries of Earth that might be solved by returning to the Moon.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/26jan_harshwitness.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for Jan. 26, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
SOLAR ACTIVITY: Something on the far side of the sun exploded yesterday, hurling a bright coronal mass ejection over the sun's eastern limb. An active sunspot must be lurking just around the corner. It should
appear in a few days when solar rotation carries that part of the sun into view. Stay tuned for solar activity.
COMET MCNAUGHT: The Great Comet of 2007 is receding from Earth and fading fast, but it is still a naked-eye object (recent estimates place the comet's head at 1st magnitude) and an easy target for amateur
photographers in the southern hemisphere. A 30-second exposure with an off-the-shelf digital camera reveals a curving, dusty tail more than 25 degrees long. Photographers should take their pictures soon,
before next week's full Moon spoils the show.
Visit http://spaceweather.com for photos and updates.
NASA Science News for January 23, 2007
NASA astronomers have been watching the night side of the Moon for more than a year, and they've just released highlight videos of some of the surprising things they've seen.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/23jan_ltps.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for Jan. 17, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
COMET UPDATE: Comet McNaught is emerging from the glare of the sun and, as expected, solar heating has turned it into a spectacular naked-eye comet. McNaught is visible from all parts of the Southern Hemisphere,
sporting a curved tail and a head almost as bright as the planet Venus. Northerners can watch the comet's progress by browsing daily photo galleries at http://SpaceWeather.com.
Southerners should go outside tonight at sunset, look west and see for themselves.
VENUS AND THE MOON: Mark your calendar. On Saturday evening, January 20th, the slender crescent Moon will glide by Venus forming a beautiful ensemble in the western sky at sunset. This is something people in
both hemispheres can enjoy. Hint: Look for the pair before the sky fades to black. Venus and the Moon surrounded by twilight-blue is a scene of special beauty.
Visit http://spaceweather.com for observing tips and updates.
Space Weather News for Dec. 13, 2006
http://spaceweather.com
X-FLARE: Sunspot 930 erupted again this morning, producing a strong X3-class solar flare. The blast triggered an ongoing radiation storm and probably hurled a coronal mass ejection (CME) toward Earth. Auroras are
possible when the CME arrives on Dec. 14th or 15th.
Note: The radiation storm mentioned above is of moderate intensity and, unless it strengthens greatly, poses no threat to astronauts orbiting Earth onboard the International Space Station or the space shuttle.
The astronauts are protected by the walls of their spacecraft as well as by Earth's magnetic field.
GEMINID METEORS: The Geminid meteor shower peaks tonight. Start watching around 9 p.m. local time on Wednesday, Dec. 13th. The display will start small but grow in intensity as the night wears on. By Thursday
morning, Dec. 14th, people in dark, rural areas could see one or two Geminids every minute.
Visit http://SpaceWeather.com for meteor observing tips, sky maps, and updates about solar activity.
Would you like a call when auroras appear in your area? Sign up for SpaceWeather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com .
NASA Science News for December 12, 2006
The best meteor shower of the year peaks this week on Thursday, Dec. 14th.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/12dec_geminids.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for December 11, 2006
Astronaut Don Pettit has just landed in the meteorite-rich ice fields of Antarctica where he plans to launch a series of edgy and entertaining science experiments to be shared with the general public.
Call them "Saturday Morning Science--on Ice."
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/11dec_donpettit.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for Dec. 8, 2006
http://spaceweather.com
SOLAR TSUNAMI: When sunspot 930 exploded on Dec. 6th, producing an X6-category flare, it also created a tsunami-like shock wave that rolled across the face of the sun, wiping out filaments and other structures in its
path. A telescope in New Mexico operated by the National Solar Observatory recorded a must-see movie of the wave, featured today on http://spaceweather.com .
Space Weather News for Dec. 7, 2006
http://spaceweather.com
SOLAR ACTIVITY: Big sunspot 930 continues to be a source of strong solar activity. The active region has produced two X-class flares and several lesser flares since it appeared only two days ago.
Forecasters estimate a 50% chance of another X-flare during the next 24 hours.
Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) hurled into space by the blasts of Dec. 5th and 6th will not hit Earth head-on. Why not? Because the sunspot was near the sun's eastern limb and thus not facing Earth at
the time of the explosions. However, we could experience glancing blows from the CMEs, producing high-latitude geomagnetic storms in the nights ahead. Northern sky watchers should remain alert for auroras.
Visit http://spaceweather.com to view photographs of the recent explosions and to listen to radio sounds from the X6-flare of Dec. 6th.
REMINDER: Don't forget to set your alarm. Jupiter, Mercury and Mars are converging to make a pretty triangle in the dawn sky. The action begins on December 8th and climaxes on Dec. 10th when the two
brightest vertices of the celestial triangle, Jupiter and Mercury, will be less than a quarter of a degree apart. Visit http://spaceweather.com for observing tips and sky
maps.
CORRECTION: In a space weather alert sent Tuesday, Dec. 5th, sunspot 930 was misidentified as sunspot 929. I apologize for the error. --Tony Phillips
SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like a phone call alerting you the next time sunspot 930 explodes? Sign up for SpaceWeather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com
Space Weather News for Dec. 3, 2006
http://spaceweather.com
FREQUENT FIREBALLS: Have you ever stepped outside after dinner to walk the dog--just in time to see a bright fireball streak across the sky? It makes you wonder, how often does that happen? More often than you
think. A NASA meteor expert has used a computer model of Earth's meteoroid environment to calculate how often Earth runs into bits and pieces of comets and asteroids big enough to produce fireballs. (A fireball
is defined to be a meteor brighter than the planet Venus.) Globally, Earth experiences more than a hundred fireballs every day, according to the calculations. Visit
http://spaceweather.com for complete results.
TRANSIT OF MERCURY PHOTO CONTEST: Photos. Paintings. 3D Anaglyphs: Hundreds of entries to the Transit of Mercury Photo Contest have been judged. And the winners are ... click here:
http://spaceweather.com/mercury/
NASA Science News for December 1, 2006
Meteoroids are hitting the Moon more often than anyone expected. That's the tentative conclusion of astronomers who recently saw two Leonids hit the Moon and explode. The full story includes a movie of
one of the Leonid impacts.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/01dec_lunarleonid.htm?list96653
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NASA Science News for November 30, 2006
Orbiting the Moon is tricky. There's a big planet nearby (Earth) that tugs on satellites and destabilizes their orbits. NASA researchers have an idea for a new class of orbits that may solve the
problem.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/30nov_highorbit.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for Nov. 28, 2006
http://spaceweather.com
STRANGE SUNSPOT: A strange-looking sunspot is emerging on the sun. It's shaped like a ring almost three times wider than Earth. Amateur astronomers with solar telescopes are encouraged to monitor
this curious apparition. It may be little more than a novelty--but its definitely worth watching.
ALIGNMENT OF PLANETS: Mark your calendar. On Dec. 8th through 11th, Jupiter, Mercury and Mars will form a tight triangle in the eastern sky at dawn. All three will fit together in the field of view of
ordinary binoculars. (Mars is dim enough that binoculars may be required to see it.) Of special note is the morning of Dec. 10th when Jupiter and Mercury converge within 0.25 degrees of one another. The close,
bright pair will be visible to the unaided eye--a fabulous sight in the rosy glow of sunrise.
Visit http://spaceweather.com for sky maps, images and more information.
NASA Science News for November 21, 2006
Flying somewhere for Thanksgiving? Think of it as a sky watching opportunity. There are some things you can see only through the window of an airplane.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/21nov_thanksgivingskies.htm?list96653
NASA Science News for October 26, 2006
A satellite orbiting Earth is learning to think for itself. This artificial intelligence offers a powerful new way to study Earth, and it may prove useful on other planets, too.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/26oct_sensorweb.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for Oct. 22, 2006
http://spaceweather.com
SUNSPOT 917: Sunspot 917, just a speck a few days ago, has suddenly blossomed into an active region wider than the planet Neptune. The fast-growing spot is crackling with minor solar flares. If its
development continues, the sunspot could soon pose a threat for stronger explosions.
NORTHERN LIGHTS: As predicted, a solar wind stream hit Earth on Oct. 20th. The impact did not trigger a full-fledged geomagnetic storm. Nevertheless, colorful auroras appeared over Scandinavia and
Iceland--and the display is still active almost two days later.
Visit http://spaceweather.com for images and updates.
NASA Science News for October 20, 2006
Mark your calendar: On Wednesday, Nov 8th, the planet Mercury will pass directly in front the Sun.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/20oct_transitofmercury.htm?list96653
Space Weather News for Sept. 3, 2006
http://spaceweather.com
LUNAR FLASH: As planned, Europe's SMART-1 spacecraft crashed into the Moon this morning, Sept. 3rd, at 0542 UT. The resulting flash was too faint for most backyard telescopes, but a team of astronomers
using the big 3.6m CFHT telescope in Hawaii did manage to photograph the explosion. Visit http://spaceweather.com for updates and images.
NASA Science News for September 1, 2006
With astronauts returning to the Moon, reliable forecasts of space weather are more important than ever. A new proposed mission called "Solar Sentinels" would surround the sun with spacecraft to keep an
eye on solar activity.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/01sep_sentinels.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for August 25, 2006
http://spaceweather.com
ANOTHER BACKWARD SUNSPOT: Evidence continues to mount that the next solar cycle is beginning. When one solar cycle gives way to another, the magnetic poles of sunspots reverse polarity. For the second time in
less than a month, such a "backward sunspot" has appeared--and this time it's a big one. Get the full story with images at http://spaceweather.com
MORNING PLANETS: If you find yourself awake before dawn this weekend, either Saturday or Sunday, dash outside and look east. Venus and Saturn are having a close encounter. The two planets will be stationed
just half-a-degree apart in the rosy glow of the rising sun. Suggestion: Take your binoculars out with you. Venus is intense, but Saturn is easily lost in the brightening dawn. Binoculars help, and both planets can be
seen at once through typical optics. Visit http://spaceweather.com for sky maps.
NASA Science News for August 25, 2006
Contrary to a wide-spread report, Mars will not look as big as the full Moon on August 27th. In fact, the red planet will be nearly invisible to the human eye. There is, however, something real to see
on August 27th--a morning alignment of Venus and Saturn.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/25aug_marshoax.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for August 24, 2006
http://spaceweather.com
Today, astronomers at the International Astronomical Union's General Assembly in Prague decided that the Solar System has eight planets, and Pluto is not one of them. Pluto has been declared a "dwarf planet."
Joining Pluto in the dwarf planet category are giant asteroid Ceres and Pluto's cousin 2003 UB313. Get the full story at http://spaceweather.com .
NASA Science News for August 23, 2006
In 1967, NASA's Mariner 4 spacecraft was hit by a surprising flurry of meteoroids--a shower more intense than any Leonid meteor storm. Where did the meteoroids come from? It's been a mystery for 40
years. Now, astronomers may have found a solution: Mariner 4 had a close encounter with a "dark comet."
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/23aug_mariner4.htm?list96653
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Space Weather News for August 17, 2006
http://spaceweather.com
AURORA WATCH: An explosion on the sun yesterday (Aug. 16) hurled a coronal mass ejection (CME) toward Earth. The approaching cloud could spark a geomagnetic storm when it arrives, probably on August 18th.
Sky watchers should be alert for auroras.
If a storm erupts, the best displays will be at higher latitudes: e.g., Alaska, Canada, and Scandinavia. However, auroras could descend to lower latitudes, too, spreading across northern-tier US states from
Maine to Washington and elsewhere.
Sometimes during a geomagnetic storm, the sky appears to be blank--no auroras. The display may be too faint to see with the unaided eye. Try using your camera: a 15+ second exposure can reveal colorful auroras
just below the threshold of naked-eye visibility. An example of "photographic auroras" over Colorado may be found in our most recent aurora gallery:
http://www.spaceweather.com/aurora/gallery_01aug06.htm
Please visit http://spaceweather.com for pictures of the August 16th explosion and updates about the incoming CME.
NASA Science News for August 15, 2006
A strange little sunspot noticed by astronomers on July 31st may herald the coming of an unusually stormy solar cycle.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/15aug_backwards.htm?list96653
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Archives of space
Of course, all this reading and stuff is great for the mind. However every once in a while you would like to play a simple game or trivial fun to forget your troubles and worries. As for those of us who
do not worry, well we do get board...
I hope you enjoy these links to free game site's and stuff I dig on the internet. Webmaster T.
Download program to see mars through NASA software - free to public.
MAME
Trek Wars
http://www.savefarscape.com/
SWRON
Orisinal Games
Ancient Egypt Stuff Way Cool!
Free Themes and Screen Saver
Screen Savers~ Yes, they are FREE!
Save The Ozone
Track Satellite's in Orbit
FunScape.com
Drug Facts
Obsolete Computer Society
FHM Men's magazine
On line TV Guide Click TV.com
Atari Historical Society
Games.com
Am I Hot!
Breast Cancer Awareness
www.morrispark.com
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