INGENUITY GETS READY TO FLY AND A NEW ORION RE-ENTRY TECHNIQUE

 Hey Space Placers!

NASA’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter is seen in a close-up taken by Mastcam-Z, a pair of zoomable cameras aboard the Perseverance rover. This image was taken on April 5, 2021, the 45th Martian day, or sol, of the mission.

Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

Ingenuity unfolded its blades today on Mars in preparation for its inaugural flight planned for Sunday.

As stated by NASA, "If the helicopter flies on April 11, as expected, the NASA TV livestream will start at 3:30 a.m. EDT (12:30 a.m. PDT) Monday, April 12.

Stay tuned.

NASA has announced today (4/8/21)  that its new crewed spacecraft, Orion, will use a new atmospheric re-entry technique for the Artemis-1 mission. 

The spacecraft will skip off the atmosphere and re-enter again which will allow for much more precise re-entry landing in the ocean.

Dare mighty things....

Sky Guy in VA

JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE (JWST) PACKS UP ITS SUNSHIELD

 Hey Space Placers!,

BIG NEWS from NASA on the status of JWST. 

Both sides of the James Webb Space Telescope's sunshield were lifted vertically in preparation for the folding of the sunshield layers.

Credits: NASA/Chris Gunn

Its critical sunshield has been meticulously folded and packed away. The next time it is activated will be when JWST in in space headed for a spot 1 million miles from Earth.

We are about 6 months from the scheduled October 2021 launch of JWST and mission milestones will be happening fast.

Stay tuned for updates.

Sky Guy in VA

A UNIQUE OBSERVATORY CALLED DRAGONFLY

 Hey, Space Placers!

This is a VERY interesting article about a unique observatory that uses ONLY telephoto camera lenses!

It gives me inspiration for the power of camera lenses to photograph the night sky.

Sky Guy in VA

MARS HELICOPTER INGENUITY ON THE SURFACE

  Hey Space Placers!

Mars helicopter INGENUITY has safely "landed" after dropping the last four inches to the surface from the belly of Perseverance.

Ingenuity will be preparing for its firsthand flight this month.

Godspeed Ingenuity.....

Sky Guy in VA

GLOBAL ASTRONOMY MONTH BEGINS AND INCREDIBLE SPACE NEWS TODAY!!!!!!

 Hey Space Placers!

Today, April 1st, marks the beginning of the 12th annual "Global Astronomy Month"  organized by Astronomers With Borders (AWB). During the month of April many events are held to bring the world together through appreciation of the night sky and astronomy. 

Be sure to check the events and participate!!!!

INCREDIBLE SPACE NEWS TODAY!!!

ON MARS:

Wow! While travelling on the surface of Mars, the Perseverance rover found the place where all the missing socks from the dryer end up! 🙃#AprilFools pic.twitter.com/rB1A21rTfF

— Canadian Space Agency (@csa_asc) April 1, 2021

ASTRONOMERS SAY WE KNOW IT ALL!!!!!

THE MOST AMAZING METEORITE EVER DISCOVERED!!!!!!

Sky Guy in VA

PREPARING FOR THE NEXT BIG SOLAR STORM

Hey Space Placers!

Sunspots

Greg Redfern    

Here's some sobering solar news for thought: When will the next historic solar storm hit?

With regard to the Sun's behavior we have to be able to "detect and protect". That is detect solar events by monitoring the Sun 24 hours a day via ground and space based assets and then protect ourselves and technology. 

We do the former very well but are lagging in doing the latter. The international electrical grid leaves much to be desired in protections as it costs to protect.

If we are not prepared the consequences of a historic solar outburst would be economically and in human terms catastrophic.

The solar clock is ticking.......

Sky Guy in VA

SKY GUY VIEWING ALERT!!!!!! BRIGHT WANING GIBBOUS MOON & BRIGHT BLUE SPICA MEET 3-29-21

 Hey Space Placers!

FULL WORM MOON 3/28/21

GREG REDFERN

If you missed last night's GLORIOUS Full Worm Moon, tonight's Waning Gibbous Moon will be bright at 97.2% illuminated AND it will be very near the bright blue star Spica located in the Zodiac constellation of Virgo, the Virgin.

Spica is the 2nd brightest star in spring time skies and will be to the upper right of the Moon at moonrise.

The brightest springtime star, orangish Arcturus, will be to the left of tonight's celestial pair and will make a nice addition to the sky scene.

All in all wonderful spring night sky treat.....

Enjoy!

Sky Guy in VA