UPDATED: SEE COMET 46P/WIRTANEN THIS WEEKEND

Hey Space Placers!

UPDATED:

Here is my pic of Comet Wirtanen from last night. 

This is an 8-second exposure with a 50mm lens and Digital SLR. The comet WAS NOT visible to the unaided eye and was somewhat dim even in 7x50 binoculars.

The ever increasing moonlight along with the comet now receding from the Sun and Earth will make the comet harder to see. If there is an outburst to make Comet Wirtanen brighter I will let you know.

Sky Guy in VA






For my world-wide readers be sure to check out the "Christmas Comet" this weekend that will pass only 7 million miles from Earth.

If the skies ever clear again I'll try to get some more pics.

Sky Guy in Rain Soaked VA

LIGO AND VIRGO BAG 4 MORE GRAVITATIONAL WAVE OBSERVATIONS

Hey Space Placers!

Solar Masses of Confirmed Black Hole Mergers
LIGO-Virgo/Frank Elavsky/Northwestern

Here is the news release on four new gravitational wave discoveries.

Pretty amazing.

Sky Guy in VA

SHOPPING TIPS FOR SANTA

Hey Space Placers!

It's not too late to get something for that fave stargazer of yours:

https://wtop.com/the-space-place/2018/12/science-gifts-for-the-stargazers-in-your-life/slide/1/

Good luck and Happy Holiday shopping!

Sky Guy Greg

SKY GUY VIEWING ALERT: GEMINIDS & A COMET

Hey Space Placers!

We've got the Geminid Meteor Shower and Comet 46P/Wirtanen in the sky right now. The Geminids should provide a really good sky show and the comet is visible in dark skies.

Here are my pics of the comet from a suburban location in Central Virginia taken last night. The green color and the movement of the comet against the background stars can be easily seen.

I hope your skies are clear to see these two celestial spectacles.....

Sky Guy in VA

VOYAGER 2 IN INTERSTELLAR SPACE

Hey Space Placers!

Voyager 2 is beyond the realm of the Sun. Voyager 2 joins its sister ship, Voyager 1, beyond the Sun.

Artist's concept of Voyager 2 with 9 facts listed around it. Image
Credit: NASA 

Both spacecraft, even though they are traveling through interstellar space, HAVE NOT left the solar system. Our solar system extends at least 1 light year, 6 trillion miles, out into the Milky Way Galaxy.  To travel to the realm beyond the solar system is at least 30,000 years in the future! 

Space is a VERY BIG PLACE - even our solar system.

The Voyagers should be able to continue sending back data for years to come.

Well done, Voyagers.......well done.

Sky Guy in VA

HEAR, YES, HEAR MARTIAN WINDS!

Hey Space Placers!

Turn up the volume and put on headphones......

Listen to the wind on MARS!



Get the full story on this amazing accomplishment.

Sky Guy in VA

CHINA IS HEADED FOR THE FAR SIDE OF THE MOON

Hey Space Placers!

China has successfully launched their Chang'e 4 mission to the far side of the Moon.

The Chang'e-4 rover will explore a huge impact basin on the far side
Credit: CNSA

Hopefully China will keep us apprised on the mission's progress AND share data with the world.

Sky Guy in VA