What's Up? The Space Place

 Hey, Space Placers! Virginia scored some major improvements in our darkening of skies to protect our health, wildlife and view of the night sky. Check out the details. Proud of my adopted state. Sky Guy in VA

 Hey, Space Placers! This view is unprecedented because the  CCOR-1   coronagraph  on NOAA's GOES-19 satellite is the first space-based coronagraph to photograph the Moon. GOES-19 orbits Earth, so it sees the New Moon once a month when it passes between the Earth and sun. (Yes, that Moon is New. It only  looks  full because it is illuminated by sunlight reflected from Earth.) CREDIT: Spaceweather.com Well, 270 million of us in the US are hunkered down for the BIG SNOW STORM. Enjoy this rare view of our solar system from a unique point of view. Full story here. Sky Guy in ALREADY FRIGID VA

 Hey Space Placers! If you are in the path of this massive storm, PLEASE TAKE IT SERIOUSLY AND BE SAFE! This is a DANGEROUS combination of snow, sleet, ice and VERY COLD TEMPS. Check out the National Weather Service for your location and your state and local resources. BE PREPARED. BE SAFE. Sky Guy Greg

 Hey, Space Placers! As NASA prepares to return to the moon with the launch of Artemis II , we must pause to remember those who have died in our pursuit of space exploration. Read the full story on Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia. Sky Guy in SOON TO BE ICE-SNOW COVERED VA

 HEY, SPACE PLACERS! Earthshine Moon 1/20/26 - NOT A DEEPFAKE! iPhone 17 Pro Greg Redfern Read this sobering article about deepfakes. Astronomical deepfakes have been around for years but it is far worse now. When you see an astropic on the 'net, be sure to ask yourself if it could really be imaged the way it is portrayed. A lot of astropics are of impossible alignments or images. If suspicious, check it out with other reliable sources. Sky Guy in VA

 Hey, Space Placers! The Pink is a barely imaged last gasp Aurora iPhone 17 Pro Greg Redfern Yesterday had much excitement for Aurora chasers as a G4 (SEVERE) Geomagnetic Storm was enroute to our planet with expectations for Aurora. Well, the storm hit way early and during the daylight hours before sunset for the US East Coast. Aurora were visible in areas that had darkness elsewhere. Aurora were imaged in Central Virginia right after it got dark but the show was over essentially.  This article explains what transpired. The breaks of Naval Air....... Sky Guy in VA