What's Up? The Space Place

 Hey, Space Placers! This is the LARGE Sunspot Group that was very active in November  Greg Redfern Odyssey Pro W/ Solar Filter Image 12/1/25 IT'S BACK!!!!!!! The LARGE Sunspot Group that was very active in November and caused wide spread Aurora is rotating back towards Earth once again. Check out the details here: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/news/space-weather-story-week-1-5-december-2025 https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/en/news/view/596/20251201-x1-9-solar-flare-coronal-hole-faces-earth.html One thing for sure is that this bad boy will be watched! Sky Guy in VA

 Hey, Space Placers! REALLY BIG SUNSPOT ALERT:   Yesterday, we issued a big sunspot alert. We were wrong. It's *really* big. This image from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows the behemoth emerging over the sun's southeastern limb on Nov. 30th. via Spaceweather.com Due to clouds I cannot image this big, bad boy, but will when it clears. Get the full story here. This bad boy has gotten the attention of NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center too. I feel pretty confident we are going to be hearing more about this sunspot group in the days to come. Sky Guy in VA

 Hey, Space Placers! Stennis Test Stand Greg Redfern Ever wonder where NASA, and America's rocket makers test their engines? It is a rocket lover's dream at NASA Stennis . I had the great fortune to visit Stennis in 2014 and look forward to going back perhaps next year. At the time of my visit the iconic test stand used to test Saturn V and Space Shuttle engines, was undergoing extensive modification to support the test firings of the Space Launch System. A million pounds of steel was being added - seen in the white area - and dubbed the "battleship". View From the Top Greg Redfern At the top of the B-2 stand, showing the commercial test stands. Our future in space begins with the engines that get us there. Stennis is crucial to achieving that future. Sky Guy in VA

 Hey, Space Placers! SOON TO BUY LEGOS KIT - MY SPACE PRESENT TO MYSELF CREDIT: LEGOS For those that celebrate, HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Now is the time to shop for star-stuff for yourself or that special stargazer in your life.  Read my article for ideas on what to buy during Black Friday. Enjoy the holiday season and longer nights! Sky Guy in VA

 Hey, Space Placers! Nancy Grace Roman Telescope Being Built at NASA Goddard NASA Here is a story about NASA's next space telescope . I am hoping to visit Goddard soon to see the telescope. Sky Guy in VA

 Hey Space Placers! Orion Rising at Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park This is what Orion looks like now in November as he rises. Greg Redfern To me, in the Northern Hemisphere, Orion the Hunter , is the most beautiful and easily recognizable constellation. He is grand in scope, scale and beauty. He also anchors the other winter constellations. The Hunter is also a treasure trove of binocular and telescopic treasures - bright stars, nebulae - and,  the winter Milky Way flows nearby across the sky. The Winter Milky Way, Orion and Taurus the Bull imaged at sea, Greg Redfern Orion also marks our neighborhood in the Milky Way Galaxy. It is where our whole solar system resides - the Orion Spur. Orion is in the upper right amidst the stars of our Milky Way neighborhood. The Loop around him is "Barnard's Loop" made of hydrogen gas Greg Redfern Get outside and see the Hunter with your family and friends this week. Orion is visible in cities unless you are in the glare of direc...