LUNAR SURFACE OPERATIONS RESCUE

Hey Space Placers!

How will astronauts lend aid to an incapacitated colleague while on the lunar surface?

NEEMO 23 crew members ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti and NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins test the second version of an ESA's Lunar Evacuation System Assembly (LESA) rescue device during an underwater spacewalk
CREDIT: ESA/NASA

Read this fascinating story about how underwater testing of a design for the Moon produced potentially life saving results for lunar explorers.

Lunar mission design will have to provide medical  and rescue capabilities such as these. It is all part of going back to the Moon to stay, survive and thrive.

Sky Guy in VA

UPDATED HAPPY 10TH ANNIVERSARY LRO AND LCROSS!

Hey Space Placers!

https://wtop.com/the-space-place/2019/06/moon-musings-theres-more-than-1-lunar-landmark-anniversary-to-relive/slide/4/

But for now enjoy this great video.



Sky Guy in VA

SKY GUY VIEWING ALERT 6/16/19 - FULL LRO MOON & JUPITER

Hey Space Placers!

With summer solstice almost upon us - June 21st and the start of summer at 11:54 A.M. EDT - we have a nice viewing treat tonight.

The almost Full LRO Moon will be near bright Jupiter in the southeast sky after sunset. The Moon will be Full on Monday at 4:31 a.m. EDT.

Traditionally this would be the Full Strawberry Moon but in honor of LRO's 10th anniversary since launching on June 18, 2009, those associated with LRO have added LRO to the list of June Full Moon names.

I will be at NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center to celebrate LRO's anniversary. I will have a special blog on June 19th to share regarding that event and LRO.

Get out and enjoy the sky view. If you have a clear western horizon Mercury and Mars will be very low on the horizon. Details are in the NASA link above.

Sky Guy in VA

EXPERIENCE APOLLO 11 IN REAL TIME

Hey Space Placers!

I got this today via Twitter and wanted to share with everyone.

The Apollo 11 in real time website is live! This is not a drill! Hats off to @BenFeist for this tremendous accomplishment! Use a computer but a phone will do! #Apollo50 @NASA @SkyGuyinVA @Neal148409276 @Ryan_N_Watkins @JimBridenstine @DrBrianMay https://t.co/EhEdcS60zt

— Noah Petro (@nepetro) June 15, 2019

For those who want to relieve, or experience for the first time, Apollo 11 in real time, here you go.

A LOT of work went into making this possible, including mobile phones, so set aside some time and live history in real time. This is a very valuable resource and offers quite a few options on what to see.

Enjoy your real time with the history of Apollo 11. Be sure to bookmark this as you will not be able to fully appreciate it in just one sitting.

I got goosebumps listening to and seeing the launch. I will be back for more that is for sure.

This really is an accomplishment for future generations (and us) to enjoy.

Sky Guy in VA

FIRST EVER TELESCOPE & SMARTPHONE PHOTOS

Hey Space Placers!

I took my first ever astropics using an iPhone 6s (dinosaur camera) and a telescope. I have to say I am pretty amazed by the results.

The sky conditions were LOUSY due to a passing cold front and high winds. You could see the shimmering in the eyepiece and iPhone! BUT, the results were still pretty amazing, especially the second shot.

Using an adapter to hold the phone - provided courtesy of astroshop.eu.com - the iPhone takes a photo of the eyepiece image with amazing results. You should be able to do this with a spotting scope and binoculars if they are mounted and you have a good cell phone holder like the Celestron  NexYZ

I will be back out tonight and hope to get the planets Jupiter and Saturn.

#TBT - MAY 31, 2012 - COLLISION OF THE LOCAL GROUP GALACTIC TITANS

Hey Space Placers!

Enjoy this #TBT video and story.



Visualization: NASA, ESA, and F. Summers (STScI); 
Simulation: NASA, ESA, G. Besla (Columbia University), and R. van der Marel, and J. Anderson (STScI)


Sky Guy Greg

INCOMING TAURID STREAM ASTEROIDS??????

Hey Space Placers!

Enjoy my pics of Jupiter from last night:

Here's a story to make you think.

Astronomers will be watching the Skies!