Thursday, December 29, 2011

GRAIL A & B Set for Lunar Orbit

Hey Space Placers!


Once again spacecraft are preparing to orbit my favorite place in the Universe - our Moon. NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission with its two spacecraft, is set for a major mission milestone - entering lunar orbit - this New Year's weekend.


GRAIL A & B will enter lunar orbit on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day respectively, at 1:21 p.m. PST (4:21 p.m. EST) for GRAIL-A and 2:05 p.m. PST (5:05 p.m. EST) for GRAIL-B. 


From NASA's Press Release yesterday: 
As of Dec. 28, GRAIL-A is 65,860 miles (106,000 kilometers) from the Moon and closing at a speed of 745 miles per hour (1,200 kilometers per hour). GRAIL-B is 79,540 miles (128,000 kilometers) from the Moon and closing at a speed of 763 mph (1,228 kilometers per hour).

During their final approaches to the Moon, both orbiters move toward it from the south, flying nearly directly over the lunar south pole. The lunar orbit insertion burn for GRAIL-A will take approximately 40
minutes and change the spacecraft’s velocity by about 427 mph (688 kilometers per hour). GRAIL-B’s insertion burn 25 hours later will last about 39 minutes and is expected to change the probe’s velocity
by 430 mph (691 kilometers per hour).

The insertion maneuvers will place each orbiter into a near-polar, elliptical orbit with a period of 11.5 hours. Over the following weeks, the GRAIL team will execute a series of burns with each spacecraft to reduce their orbital period from 11.5 hours down to just under two hours. At the start of the science phase in March 2012, the two GRAILs will be in a near-polar, near-circular orbit with an altitude of about 34 miles (55 kilometers).

When science collection begins, the spacecraft will transmit radio signals precisely defining the distance between them as they orbit the Moon. As they fly over areas of greater and lesser gravity, caused
both by visible features such as mountains and craters and by masses hidden beneath the lunar surface. they will move slightly toward and away from each other. An instrument aboard each spacecraft will
measure the changes in their relative velocity very precisely, and scientists will translate this information into a high-resolution map of the Moon’s gravitational field. The data will allow mission scientists to understand what goes on below the surface. This information will increase our knowledge of how Earth and its rocky neighbors in the inner solar system developed into the diverse worlds we see today.



GRAIL will give us information about the Moon's interior that will be able to answer many questions about the origin and evolution of the Moon. We will be able to combine GRAIL's results with those of Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and thereby develop our most detailed understanding of the Moon. 

I can hardly wait.
GRAIL Artist's Rendition

Sky Guy in VA

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Are We Alone?

Hey Space Placers!

I was at work yesterday and the subject of other life in the Universe made the rounds. To a person (there were 5) each thought that life other than us and our planet existed elsewhere in the Universe.

I watched "Earth vs the Flying Saucers" last night and got the January 2012 issue of Sky and Telescope Magazine with the cover story "How Could Aliens Find Us?". To top it off, there is now a project being proposed to look for alien artifacts/evidence in the high-resolution photographs from Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) - http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0094576511003249.

I will state my own view on the subject of extraterrestrial life - I believe that other life DOES exist in the Universe, if not our own solar system. To create life - as we know it - you need a stable and long term energy supply, a suitable habitat (water, atmosphere, chemical compounds, food sources) and sufficient time for evolutionary processes to work. To get where we are now, we have had the Sun, Earth, and 4.5 billion years going for us to create us and our planet teeming with life.

I truly believe that life can exist on Mars below the surface - not "Martians" as in War of the Worlds", but rather extremophile life forms like we find in the harshest habitats on our planet - deserts of ice and sand, the bottom of oceans, arid and acrid environments. And who knows what might lurk in the subsurface ocean of Europa.

There might come a time when discovery of life elsewhere is announced. As Carl Sagan once said, "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof". The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) is ongoing in its listening to space in order to find possible signs of intelligent life - http://www.seti.org/ Curiosity is headed towards Mars with the most advance instruments available to study the Red Planet. NASA is looking at ways to study Europa's ocean. In sum, we are looking for signs of life and life itself elsewhere.

Do I believe that Earth has been or is being visited by aliens? I say that anything is possible but I stand by Dr. Sagan's axiom. It has to be proven by scientific means in order to be valid. Nothing else will do as anyone can say anything and "photograph" anything.

With 2012 literally around the corner the doomsday contingent may arise again - remember the movie and the "end of the Mayan Calendar means the end of the world" nonsense? I am pretty sure the planet will be here by the end of 2012 and hopefully humanity along with it.

Have you explored your own feelings on this subject? It is pretty hard to look up at a clear and totally dark sky with thousands of stars and the Milky Way and not think "we are not alone". And when you consider that there are BILLIONS of other galaxies, it becomes an almost certainty because of the sheer numbers of stars and planets out there that something/someone else must be looking back and pondering the same thoughts as they look into their sky.

Perhaps time will eventually tell us the answer to our question.

Sky Guy in VA





Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Moon & Venus Pics

Hey Space Placers,

   Took these pics last night (12-26-11) before the clouds rolled in. I hope you like them.

Sky Guy in VA




Monday, December 26, 2011

SKY GUY VIEWING ALERT!!!! MOON-VENUS

Hey Space Placers!

Tonight, December 26, 2011, the thin crescent Moon and brilliant Venus will pair together in the western sky right after sunset. This is a must see event as the two will be very bright and beautiful. The Moon will have earthshine - which is the unlit portion of the Moon being visible due to the reflection of sunlight off our planet's clouds and oceans.

If you have binoculars it will be well worth using them to look at the Moon as you will see the main craters and rays.

Start looking at about 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. in the southwest. As long as you have a clear western horizon free of trees and buildings the view will be beautiful and serene.

Don't miss this celestial treat.

Read More About It: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/23dec_nightafter/

Sky Guy in VA

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas-Happy Holidays to All

Hey Space Placers!

I hope this finds you safe and well with loved ones. This time of year is always one of reflection and  hope. May your Holiday season be one of peace and prosperity.

Enjoy these first views of Dawn's close approach to Vesta: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2011-391

Sky Guy in VA
Crater in Shadow on Vesta

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Cassini Photos are a Holiday Treat

Hey Space Placers!

While we prepare to enjoy the holiday season, NASA's Cassini spacecraft (and others) are working around the solar system. From the Sun to the boundary of the solar system itself, NASA's space explorers are sending us data and images.

Cassini has a marvelous group of photos from Saturn and it rings and moons. Check it out: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2011-393

Titan and Dione

Sky Guy in VA

Friday, December 23, 2011

Comet LoveJoy From ISS

Hey Space Placers!

Here is a link to an AMAZING video of Comet Lovejoy taken from the International Space Station (ISS) that you have to see: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=125774121. The lightning in the South Pacific is the foreground for the comet's amazing tail rising out of the planet's atmosphere.

Unreal!

Sky Guy in VA









Thursday, December 22, 2011

Winter is Here and See Mercury

Hey Space Placers!

Today is the 1st day of astronomical winter as the winter solstice occurred at 1230 a.m. EST, 12-22-11. The Sun will now begin to rise a little higher in our sky at local noon and move along the eastern horizon towards the North each day. Here in Northern VA our temp will be in the 60's(!) today, and we have had a few days of these temps off and on for the past week.

The nights will remain long during winter so take advantage of seeing the stars and planets - Venus is in the southwest right after sunset blazing away and Jupiter is king high in the southeast. The winter constellations are rising in the east so be sure to look for Orion, Canis Major, Canis Minor, Taurus and Auriga.

If you have clear skies tomorrow before sunrise, at about 6:15 to 6:30 a.m., be sure to go out and look in the east. I saw Mercury today through some clouds and it was bright and a fist or two width above the eastern horizon. It was bright and golden-yellow in color. It is brighter than the nearby star of summer, Antares.The waxing crescent Moon, complete with earthshine was visible through the clouds as well and will be below Mercury tomorrow, the 23rd, and just above the horizon. Having a clear horizon and no clouds will help.

Oh, Comet Lovejoy, is giving a really good show to observers in the southern hemisphere - check out the photos here http://spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=22&month=12&year=2011

Sky Guy in V

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Earth Size Exo-Planet Found

Hey SPace Placers!

Yesterday it was plants made of diamond and today we have eco-planets found that are the size of our own Earth. NASA announced yesterday at a news conference that the planet hunting Kepler spacecraft had found a planetary system consisting of 5 planets orbiting a star about a 1,000 light years away. The Earth-sized planets, Kepler 20e and 20f,  are too close to their star to support liquid water so the prospects of life as we know it is unlikely. The temps on 20f are 800 degrees - like Mercury - and 1,400 degrees on 20e - hot enough to melt glass!

Earth-Sized Exoplanets (splash, 558px)

Kepler's search will go on but this is a major milestone to finding an Earth-sized eco-planet in a habitable zone around a star. Read More ABout It: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/20dec_earthsized/

Sky Guy in VA

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Diamond Planets?

Hey Space Placers!

We know that there are plenty of planets besides our own solar system. In fact, NASA is going to hold a news conference today, Dec. 20, to announce the latest finds from Kepler - the planet hunting spacecraft.

A recent experiment here on Earth developed the notion that planets somewhat similar in size to Earth could form being comprised of 50% diamond. Researchers were experimenting with what it takes to form diamond in the lower mantle of our planet.

According to the news release from Ohio State University, "“Our results are striking, in that they suggest carbon-rich planets can form with a core and a mantle, just as Earth did,” Panero added. “However, the cores would likely be very carbon-rich – much like steel – and the mantle would also be dominated by carbon, much in the form of diamond.”


Such a planet would probably have very cold and difficult conditions for life to form. This is another intriguing example of the planetary possibilities that may exist. The results also show how precious our planet really is.


Read More About It: http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/diamondplanet.htm 

Sky Guy in VA

Monday, December 19, 2011

Dawn Getting' DOWN!

Hey Space Placers!

NASA's Dawn spacecraft completed its higher altitude mapping and has been lowered to about 130 miles. This will provide higher resolution photos and greater details on areas that were mapped at the higher altitude. The lower altitude will also allow for mapping of the gravitational field of the 2nd largest asteroid in the solar system which then allows for a greater understanding of the internal structure of the mini-world.

The maneuver was done successfully on December 12 and Dawn will remain at this altitude for the next 10 weeks. She will then dive back up to the higher altitude of 420 miles to resume mapping of the northern regions with a more favorable Sun alignment. Dawn will head for the largest asteroid Ceres in July 2012.

Read More ABout it: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2011-384


Dawn Orbiting Vesta



Sky Guy in VA

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Search for Elements pre-dating the Sun

Hey Space Placers!

Meteorites - space rocks - are pieces of the Moon, Mars, perhaps Mercury, and asteroids that fall to Earth and are found. They contain priceless information about not only the history of the body they came from but that of the solar system as well. Each meteorite found and collected adds to our knowledge of the solar system, and in very rare instances, provides a history that PREDATES our Sun.

Contained in some studied meteorites are what scientists call "pre-solar grains" - tiny bits of matter that were formed in a star other than our Sun. This star went supernova at some point creating elements beyond iron which were then dispersed into space. Some of this supernova's remnant material seeded the nebula of gas and dust that eventually formed our Sun, the planets, and the whole solar system.


Pre-solar grain

A scientist is going to search for such pre-solar system grains in a famous meteorite and has been awarded $1.38 million to do so for the next 3 years. The meteorite he will be using for his search came from a very famous meteorite event in Murchison, Australia - hence the meteorite's name "Murchison". He will use a pound of this material, worth probably at least $100,000, to search for these grains. He hopes "his findings will narrow the constraints on theoretical models of supernovae and the production of elements within them."

The search will probably yield multiple pre-solar stars such as red giants and supernovas. If successful, scientists will have better information on the formation of elements and the lives of stars.

Read More About It: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/23097.aspx

Sky Guy in VA

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Comet Lovejoy Wrap Up

Hey Space Placers!

Well, I have to tell you that the Comet Lovejoy experience of the past few days has been one of the most memorable for me in my five decades of astronomy. The reason I say this is because of two things - the very nature of the event and its' very unexpected outcome and the state of astronomical instrumentation that allowed all of us to to view astronomical history in the making in almost real time.

I put this event on the same plane as the Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 impact of Jupiter. That event showed us for the first time in history an actual cometary impact with a solar system body. For those of you not familiar with this event check it out: http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/sl9/. It changed the way we see the solar system since we were able to witness and study a very important process in the life of the solar system - impacts.

Comet Lovejoy defied the experts' predictions (and mine too) that it would not survive its close encounter with the Sun but it did. To see the comet actually going into the hellish millions of degrees solar atmosphere and then wiggling its way out from behind the Sun without its' tail, was simply amazing.

Comet Lovejoy will add to our body of knowledge about  comets. The experts will have to analyze why their predictions were wrong and then learn something new in the process. Right now the thought is that Come Lovejoy had to be about a kilometer in size rather than just two football fields-wide. We also know that there was a very small companion to Comet Lovejoy that did not survive the encounter.

My hope is that there will be some scientific papers written on this cometary-solar encounter of the most impressive kind.

Read More ABout It: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/16dec_cometlovejoy/

Sky Guy in VA


Friday, December 16, 2011

Comet Lovejoy MADE IT!!!

Hey Space Placers!

You have got to see the movies that show Comet Lovejoy, the kamikaze comet, diving into and out of the Sun! The comet became very bright with a long curving tail going in and then you can see the remnant without a tail going out. Simply amazing.


I have to tell you I am glad this ancient piece of the solar system survived. It is going to give us information on comet structure and characteristics we would not have obtained otherwise. I am sure there will be some papers published in the future about this most unique episode in sungrazing comet history.

Here are the links to the movies:  http://spaceweather.com/images2011/16dec11/phoenix_comet_emerges.mov?PHPSESSID=3puch6tnfd9ru4t6ifc7mhinh3  (truly amazing to see the remnant coming around the Sun!)
and http://spaceweather.com/images2011/16dec11/lovejoy_c3_anim.gif.

Now Comet Lovejoy, or what is left of it, will recede back into the solar system, and become part of astronomical history. I have not seen anything that discussed what the comet's orbit would be like if it survived the encounter. I'll let you know if anything comes out on it.

Sky Guy in VA

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Kamikaze Comet's Last Day?

Hey Space Placers!

Comet Lovejoy may be in the final hours of its existence today as it will be closest to the Sun at 7pm EST today. Here is the link to see the latest SOHO pictures: http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime-images.html. The main view will be in the lower right corner - LASCO C3 - so make sure you check on Comet Lovejoy as the day progresses. Will it survive? Probably not. What will be the end result of its destruction? No one knows for sure - it may become very bright and then disintegrate into a large cloud or it may go quietly with nothing to mark its passing. Only time, gravity and the Sun's intense heat will tell.








Sky Guy in VA

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Kamikaze Comet

Hey Space Placers!

Got clouded out with the Geminids but had a GREAT time as always with the Weather Guys at Fox 5 this morning. If you didn't see our segment check it out here: http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/weather/weather_guy/weather-guys-sky-guy-meteor-shower-121411

Comet Lovejoy, the kamikaze comet is now visible in SOHO's field of view http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime/c3/512/, it is the white streak at the bottom of the picture. Make sure you tune in every few hours as the comet will nose dive in towards the Sun by tomorrow at a million miles per hour and ONLY 87,000 miles above the Sun's searing surface. No one knows if Comet Lovejoy will survive the close encounter which will be closest to the Sun at 7 p.m. EST on the 15th, but it will brighten and be spectacular to watch. More on this tomorrow.


Sky
S

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

SkY GUY VIEWING ALERT: Geminid Meteor Shower December 13-14

Hey Space Placers!

Baby it is cold outside but it is clear here in northern VA. The Moon is several days past full but the Geminid Meteor Shower will be at peak tonight, December 13, so check out the following link to enjoy one of the best meteor showers of the year.

Just make sure you bundle up to keep comfortable! If you are an Apple iPod or iPad user, check out the free app that helps you count meteors and submit your results to NASA: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/meteor-counter/id466896415; more on this story here: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/news/news/releases/2011/11-155.html

2011 Geminid Meteor Shower (sky map, 200px)

Monday, December 12, 2011

News on Vesta

Hey Space Placers!

The Dawn spacecraft has been studying Vesta since its arrival months ago and the scientific results are adding up to the following question, "Is Vesta the smallest terrestrial planet?" In other words, is Vesta a failed planet that would have been similar to the terrestrial planets of Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars.

Vesta has characteristics that qualify it for such a designation - iron core, complex geological history. But such a designation has to come from the International Astronomical Union (IAU) - the worldwide congress of professional astronomers who vote and decide on such things. IAU demoted Pluto from planetary status and could do the same for Vesta by promoting it from asteroid to dwarf planet status. Only time and more data will tell.

Read More About It: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/09dec_vestaplanet/

Sky Guy in VA

Saturday, December 10, 2011

LRO Working the Lunar Eclipse

Hey Space Placers!

I hope you are tuning in to SLOOH - see yesterday's blog for the link - to watch the lunar eclipse live. NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) is working during the eclipse to gather valuable data on how the Moon cools down during totality.

On the Moon you would see a total SOLAR eclipse as the Earth blocks out the Sun. When this happens the temperature on the Moon's surface begins to fall. By how much and how fast this temperature declines and then rises once the Sun returns, yields valuable information abut the surface composition and texture of the area measured.

LRO carries DIVINER, an instrument designed to take the Moon's temperature. DIVINER will take thousands of measurements during the eclipse which really is a scientific windfall of valuable data that could not be obtained otherwise.

So enjoy the eclipse and wish LRO a successful workday. Read More About It: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LRO/news/dec2011-eclipse.html

Sky Guy in VA

Friday, December 9, 2011

SKY GUY VIEWING ALERT: Lunar Eclipse Early December 10

Hey Space Placers!

For those of you in the mid-west and western US, Canada, there will be a total lunar eclipse visible on December 10. For the rest of us there will be a live broadcast on the Internet if you want to tune in.

Check these these websites for more info:

Eclipse information: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/about/pressreleases/Watch-the-Dawn-Eclipse-of-the-Moon-Decnbsp10nbsp-2011-134917183.html

Live Viewing: http://www.slooh.com/pr/slooh-live-feed-total-lunar-eclipse-december-2011.php

S&T Graphic
Sky Guy in VA

Thursday, December 8, 2011

More Proof of Water on Mars

Hey Space Placers!

For you early risers, Mars is high in the sky around 6 a.m. and is getting brighter. I hope to see the Red Planet in my Mewlon 250 soon. NASA's Opportunity rover has found more proof that water existed on Mars and has played a role in the planet's evolution. Opportunity spotted a mineral vein that upon furtheranalysis will determine its' exact chemical composition. Scientists believe that the mineral will turn out to be Gypsum. Read More About It: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2011-377 and
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/08dec_slamdunk/.

Sky Guy in VA

'Homestake' Vein in Color

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Moon News Part 2

Hey Space Placers!

Our Moon continues to surprise us the more we study and explore our nearest neighbor. I have three news items as another story broke yesterday.


From NASA, "The science team that oversees the imaging system on board NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has released the highest resolutionnear-global topographic map of the Moon ever created.This new topographic map, from Arizona State University in Tempe, shows the surface shape and features over nearly the entire Moon with a pixel scale close to 100 meters (328 feet). A single measure ofelevation (one pixel) is about the size of two football fields placed side-by-side." 

The highlands are the red hued areas while the lunar depths are blue hued. This is a remarkable map and achievement. Read More About It: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LRO/news/lro-topo.html

topographical map of the moon

The Moon does not have an atmosphere but it does have an ionosphere which has baffled lunar scientists for decades. Now an answer to the mystery may have been found. Read More About It: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/14nov_lunarionosphere/

Finally, and related to the last news article, the Sun has been blasting away at the lunar surface, literally. Solar storms and associated activity could be eroding the lunar surface as well as the atmospheres of planets in our solar system. Read More About It: http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/dream-cme.html

Sky Guy in VA



Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Monsters, Spinners and an Exo-Earth

Hey Space Placers!

I have to put Part 2 of Moon news in Wed's blog as breaking news on three big stories that came out......

The largest black holes ever discovered were found in two nearby (relatively speaking) giant elliptical galaxies. These 10 billion solar mass monsters break the previous record of 6+ billion solar masses. Read More About it: http://www.gemini.edu/node/11703.

The fastest rotating massive star ever discovered was found to be spinning at its' equator at 600 km/sec which is right at the limit before the star would tear apart. The star has a complex history and will die someday in spectacular fashion. Read More About It: http://www.ia.ucsb.edu/pa/display.aspx?pkey=2605

An exo-Earth may have been discovered by NASA's exo-planet hunting Kepler spacecraft. As stated by NASA, "the newly confirmed planet, Kepler-22b, is the smallest yet found to orbit in the middle of the habitable zone of a star similar to our sun. The planet is about 2.4 times the radius of Earth. Scientists don't yet know if Kepler-22b has a predominantly rocky, gaseous or liquid composition, but its discovery is a step closer to finding Earth-like planets." 
Read More About It: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/news/kepscicon-briefing.html

An artist's concept of Kepler-22b



Sky Guy in VA

Monday, December 5, 2011

Moon News Part 1

Hey Space Placers (& Fellow Moon Lovers)!

Here are two items of interest as to the Moon with more to follow tomorrow.

There will be a total lunar eclipse this weekend, December 10th, although the viewing area will vary. This eclipse favors the western U.S. and Canada with the eastern U.S. being out of the viewing area. See the link for more details: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/02dec_lunareclipse/

This link details the very latest lunar map showing where Titanium deposits are located and explains why studying Titanium on the Moon is scientifically important: http://www.europlanet-eu.org/outreach/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=360&Itemid=41.

Tomorrow I will have another lunar map or two and some news about the Moon's "atmosphere".

Sky Guy in VA

Saturday, December 3, 2011

New Horizons Sets Record

Hey Space Placers!

On December 2, 2011, NASA's New Horizon spacecraft bound for Pluto broke the record set by Voyager 1 in 1986 as being the closest spacecraft to Pluto. Launch back in 2006, New Horizons is due to flyby Pluto July 14, 2015 and will be able to photograph details as small as 200 feet across. Traveling at 34,500 mph, New Horizons came closer than 983 million miles to Pluto and still has 980 million more miles to go!

Read More About It: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/03dec_newhorizons/



Sky Guy in VA

Friday, December 2, 2011

Vesta 3D Video

Hey Space Placers!

For you 3D lovers NASA has just released a really cool 3D video flyover of the asteroid Vesta as captured by the Dawn spacecraft. The video is best viewed with 3D glasses but is still worth viewing.

Check it out: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2011-366

Sky Guy in VA

Thursday, December 1, 2011

A New Exhibition & Website

Hey Space Placers!


If you are in Washington D.C. (or on the Internet) check out the following press release  FROM THE HARVARD-SMITHSONIAN CENTER FOR ASTROPHYSICS IN CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS:


A new exhibition and website, developed jointly by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO)
and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, reveal the
dynamic and evolving universe through breathtaking photographs and
informative captions.

“The Evolving Universe” explores how the stars, galaxies and universe
undergo the same stages as life on Earth: from birth, to maturity and,
eventually, to death. This remarkable journey from present-day Earth
to the far reaches of space and time will be on view in the museum in
Washington, D.C., through July 7, 2013.

A worldwide audience also can experience the exhibition through its
website: http://www.mnh.si.edu/exhibits/evolving-universe

All of the images featured in the museum gallery can be downloaded in
high-resolution jpegs or PDFs formatted in poster size.

“Anyone can select their favorite space photo, download it, and take
it to their local copy shop to print it,” said Smithsonian
astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, who played a lead role in developing
the exhibition.



The online website is pretty amazing and easy to use so enjoy.

Sky Guy in VA

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Monitoring Saturn's Giant Storm

Hey Space Placers!

NASA's Cassini spacecraft has been diligently monitoring the large storm on Saturn for nearly a year.

As described by NASA, "These brand new, full-color mosaics and animated movies begin with the storm's emergence as a tiny spot in a single image on Dec. 5, 2010, and follow its subsequent growth to a storm so large it completely encircled the planet by late January 2011. The disturbance, which extends north-south approximately 9,000 miles, or 15,000 kilometers, grew to be the largest observed on Saturn in the past 21 years, and the largest by far ever observed on the planet from an interplanetary spacecraft. Other instruments on Cassini have detected the storm's electrical activity and revealed it to be a convective thunderstorm. Its active convecting phase ended in late June, but the turbulent clouds it created linger in the atmosphere today."

"The storm's 200-day active period also makes it the longest-lasting planet-encircling storm ever seen on Saturn. The previous record holder was an outburst sighted in 1903 which lingered for 150 days. The large disturbance imaged 21 years ago by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope was comparable in size to the current storm. That 1990 storm lasted for only 55 days."

The collected images and movies can be seen at http://ciclops.org, http://saturn.jpl.nasa.govand http://www.nasa.gov/cassini. y include mosaics of dozens of images stitched together and presented in true and false colors.

Huge storm on Saturn


Sky Guy in VA

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

MESSENGER at Mercury Update

Hey Space Placers!

NASA's MESSENGER mission around Mercury has made the news lately. The mission was a winner in "Popular Science" as it was named a winner in the magazine's 24th annual "Best of What's New" in the Aviation and Space category. [more].


Also on Nov. 14th, NASA announced that it will extend the MESSENGER mission for an additional year of orbital operations at Mercury beyond the planned end of the primary mission on March 17, 2012. The MESSENGER probe became the first spacecraft to orbit the innermost planet on March 18, 2011. [more]


The spacecraft  has returned over 60,000 images and will continue to return more as time goes on. 9 of those images were combined to show a portion of the limb of Mercury in a view that makes you feel like you "are there". Go to the link and click on the image to see the expanded view http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/gallery/sciencePhotos/image.php?gallery_id=2&image_id=699


Limb_mosaic.png

There will be more news, views and discoveries about this fascinating planet in the months to come.

Sky Guy in VA


Monday, November 28, 2011

Curiosity Close Up

Hey Space Placers!

Now that Curiosity is on her way to Mars, due to arrive in August 2012, I wanted to give you a link to learn more about the super-sized and capable nuclear powered science lab on wheels. Here is the link:
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2009/30oct_curiosity/

I look at Mars in the sky and can hardly wait for the Red Planet's newest addition to get there safely and start operations.

see caption

Sky Guy in VA

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Curiosity Is on Her Way!!!!

Hey Space Placers!

Hope our US friends had a great Thanksgiving and Black Friday!

Just minutes ago NASA's next mission to Mars, the Mars Science Laboratory named Curiosity, successfully launched from Cape Kennedy aboard an Atlas V right on time at 10:02 a.m. EST.

MSL launch


The 1-ton, $2.5 billion Curiosity is nuclear powered and packed with 10 science instruments that will help scientists determine if life can, did, or does exist on Mars. The MSL will land in a reselected spot within Gale Crater in 8 1/2 months.

Curiosity just separated from the Centaur upper stage and is flying free. There will be a NASA teleconference coming up at http://www.nasa.gov/ntv


You can read more about Curiosity at http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/.

More to follow as the mission progresses!

Sky Guy at VA




Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Early Happy Thanksgiving

Hey Space Placers!

In America we are preparing to have family and friends arrive to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. It is a busy time but a welcome one as we take time to be with loved ones and friends, remembering what is important in life.

I hope those of you in the U.S. have a safe, joyous and fun Thanksgiving.

For our international friends, may peace and love be with you and yours.

I will be writing as I get time to do so......

Coming up is Curiosity's launch to Mars on Saturday, the threat of space junk to ISS and hopefully.

Sky Guy in VA

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

UNREAL(!!!) Video From ISS

Hey Space Placers!

Please take the time to see an INCREDIBLE video made by astronaut Ron Garan while he was on the International Space Station and a member of the Expedition 28 crew. It is set to great music and shows views of our Earth and sky that you can only see from space.

You will not regret taking the time to watch this......I have added it to my favorites. Seeing the aurora, the stars, the Moon (briefly) and the vista of our planet.....priceless.

http://www.fragileoasis.org/blog/2011/11/coming-back-down-to-our-fragile-oasis-2/




Sky Guy in VA

Monday, November 21, 2011

Curiosity Launch Moved to 11/26

Hey Space Placers

NASA's newest rover-laboratory, Curiosity, is now set for launch on Saturday, 11/26/11. The delay was due to the need to change out a battery.

You can follow the very latest on the mission's progress towards launch here: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/index.html

I truly believe that this mission to Mars will give us some true answers on the question of life on Mars. Stay tuned and we head for Gale Crater and Mars continues to beckon in the morning sky.

Sky Guy in VA

Friday, November 18, 2011

Unreal Pic of the Sun

Hey Space Placers!

The huge filament that has been visible across the Sun the past couple days was captured on the 17th by Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) in ultraviolet light.....what a stunning sight. There may be more solar activity to be seen if this filament should collapse onto the Sun.

Read More About It: http://www.spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=17&month=11&year=2011




Sky Guy in VA

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Water in Europa???

Hey Space Placers,

   Make sure you go to the link to read about the latest results from the Galileo Jupiter probe concerning Europa. There is also an excellent video worth watching as well: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/16nov_europa/

   For you movie trivia buffs, Europa was the center of the plot line in "2010" - "All these worlds are yours except Europa". This was an EXCELLENT movie and follow on to 2001.


Europa's Great Lakes (splash)

Sky Guy in VA

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

A Few Good Applicants

Hey Space Placers!

Looking for a government job? Check out this link and see if you qualify: http://nasajobs.nasa.gov/.

The headliner showcases a VERY important point - for the first time in decades NASA is looking for a new group of astronauts to send BEYOND low Earth orbit LEO). Not since the Apollo program has this been the case for new astronauts.....since December 1972 all manned missions have been to LEO.

NASA now needs astronauts to fly the new manned crew vehicle and the to be built rockets to places like asteroids and perhaps lunar orbit and beyond. This shows a commitment by NASA to finally get beyond LEO and GO SOMEPLACE within the solar system.

An update - the Soyuz mission to the International Space Station (ISS) was successfully launched and the new crew should be docking very soon with ISS. What a relief.....

Sky Guy in VA

Monday, November 14, 2011

Is Mars Really Red????

Hey Space Placers!

Check out the one minute video "Is Mars Really Red" at http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/index.cfm. Look for it on the right hand side of the web page.

With Mars getting brighter in the morning sky and closer to Earth, this is a good source of quick information on the "Red Planet".

Sky Guy in VA

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Soyuz to liftoff for ISS 11-13-11

Hey Space Placers!

Today is an important day for the future of the International Space Station (ISS) as the Russians are preparing to launch the next trio of few crew members to the ISS at 11:14 today, Sunday Nov. 13, 2011. This is crucial as the Soyuz launch vehicle that lofts the crew to orbit is the same type that failed August 24th and grounded the Russians as they figured out what went wrong.

Since the U.S. retired the Space Shuttle, the Russians are the only ticket to the ISS. If there is another problem with the Soyuz, it can have very dire circumstances for the future of the $100 billion ISS. It is also disconcerting that that the Russians suffered another engine malfunction with their recently launched Mars mission to Phobos. The upper stage engine failed to fire when commanded and has left the spacecraft and mission in doubt.

A Soyuz launched Progress resupply ship successfully docked with the ISS on October 30th but this is the first manned launch since the resumption of Soyuz launches.

I, and I am sure others are wondering if there is a quality control issue on the Russian launcher assembly line.Only time and a successful liftoff will tell.

Read More About It: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/living/index.html




soyuz-tma-22.jpg

Sky Guy in VA

Friday, November 11, 2011

A Spotted Sun


Hey Space Placers!

It has been years since the Sun had this many spots! I think we are going to have a very active build up to Solar Maximum. See the original 11-11-11 image and close up at http://spaceweather.com/.

Also enjoy the post Full Moon tonight with bright Jupiter in the east and Venus in the west right at sunset.

Sky Guy in VA




hmi4096_blank.jpg

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

We're All Still Here

Hey Space Placers!

Space rock 2005 YU55 came and went last night - 11-08-11 -and we are all still here. NASA has put together a "movie" that you should check out: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2011-346

Oh, and make sure you check out the nearly Full Moon and Jupiter tonight 11-09-11.

Sky Guy inVA

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

2005 YU55Latest Picture

Hey Space Placers!

Here is the latest pic from NASA of space rock 2005 YU55. See my blog from yesterday for basic deatils on this solar system interloper

"This radar image of asteroid 2005 YU55 was obtained on Nov. 7, 2011, at 11:45 a.m. PST (2:45 p.m. EST/1945 UTC), when the space rock was at 3.6 lunar distances, which is about 860,000 miles, or 1.38 million kilometers, from Earth."

More to follow.
Asteroid 2005 YU55

Sky Guy in VA

Monday, November 7, 2011

INCOMING!!!!!! and Outgoing.....

Hey Space Placers!

The Earth should be in one piece by tomorrow night (Nov 8). If it isn't, at least it won't have been caused by the passage of an aircraft carrier sized asteroid named 2005 YU55   

We know 100% for sure that the Earth will not be hit by this rock for 100 years. It has a close encounter with Venus in 2029 that will alter its orbit so we will have to monitor its new orbit.

This nomad of the solar system comes closest to us on November 8th at 6:28 p.m. EST, when it passes 198,000 miles (319,000 km) from Earth's surface. By the way, that is well inside the Moon's orbit which is about 240,000 miles on any given day.

This space rock is remarkably spherical and will be close enough that we will be able to get radar returns and further our knowledge. Amateur and professional astronomers are planning observing runs to capture images and associated data as the asteroid makes its closest approach to learn even more about this interloper.

Asteroid 2005 YU<sub>55</sub>
This radar image of asteroid 2005 YU55 was generated from radar data taken in April 2010 by the Arecibo Telescope in Puerto Rico.
NASA / Cornell / Arecibo

I will have more on this as the data results come in. Read More About It: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/skyblog/observingblog/133013563.html

Sky Guy in VA

Sunday, November 6, 2011

The Story of Gale Crater

Hey Space Placers!

Nov. 25th is the projected launch date of NASA's newest mission to Mars. The Mars Science Laboratory, named Curiosity, is due to land in a crater named Gale - a 96 mile wide crater that has a central mountain that is three times higher than the Grand Canyon is deep.

Gale Crater was selected for the landing site as it is thought to be a place where the past history of Mars will be available in the layers of sedimentary rock that abounds in the crater. By studying these layers with the sophisticated instruments on board Curiosity, and its ability to roam the Martian surface, scientists are very optimistic that a treasure trove of information will be discovered.

SO when you watch Mars get brighter in the sky in the upcoming weeks think about Gale Crater and what we will find there - perhaps building blocks of life if not not proof of life itself.

Read More ABout It: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/29sep_galecrater/

Gale Crater (gale crater, 558px)


Sky Guy in VA



Saturday, November 5, 2011

Venus Returns to the Night Sky

Hey Space Placers!

I spotted Venus last night for the first time in months. Venus is low in the southwest just as it begins to get dark - if your horizon is clear you cannot miss the brilliant greenish-white planet. Venus will continue to get higher and brighter in the sky as the weeks go by.

With the return to standard time tonight, we will have even more darkness hours to enjoy the night sky as we progress to the Winter Solstice in December.

So as darkness falls, Venus is in the southwest, Jupiter in the east with the Moon. Mars is in the predawn hours keeping bright Regulus company.

Enjoy the sky....don't forget to check out the fly overs of the International SPace STation - get the updates for your location at http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/.

Sky Guy in VA

Friday, November 4, 2011

A BIG Sunspot

Hey Space Placers!

You have to check out the BIG sunspot that is causing a bit of a stir as it is one of  the largest we have seen on the Sun in awhile.This sunspot has been active producing solar activity and will probably continue to do so.

See more about this sunspot here: http://www.spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=04&month=11&year=2011 and follow its progress from day to day.




Sky Guy in VA

Thursday, November 3, 2011

A Star With Spiral Arms Found

Hey Space Placers!

The Universe is ALWAYS full of surprises and here is the latest - a star that has spiral arms! Located in Lupus the Wolf at about 400 light years, this star may be in the process of creating new planets. Make sure you Read More About It:  http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/31oct_spiralarms/


A Star with Spiral Arms (spiral splash, 558px)

Sky Guy in VA

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Got Mars????

Hey SPace Placers!

For you early risers - an hour or more before dawn, be sure to look up Mars high overhead, a little towards the east. Mars is becoming brighter as it moves closer to Earth and it now is a little brighter than the star Regulus in the constellation of Leo the Lion. You will see Mars and Regulus near one another and Mars is steadier, brighter and reddish-orange tinted as opposed to yellowish-white Regulus.

Mars will continue to get brighter and redder in color as the weeks roll by. It is fitting that we know where Mars is in the sky as NASA prepares to launch Curiosity towards the Red Planet on the 8th of this month. The super rover-laboratory on wheels promises to revolutionize our search for signs of life - past and present- on the planet in Gale Crater.

More to come on Mars and Curiosity to come but take a peek tomorrow in the pre-dawn sky and spot the Red Planet for yourself.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween Everyone

Hey SPace Placers!

Well, the trick or treaters will be out in force tonight as Halloween is upon us - hard to believe that November is here already.

In the DC area we will probably be clouded out but for the rest of you that enjoy clear skies tonight be sure to check out the Moon in the south, Jupiter in the east and the summer triangle directly overhead.

Russia recently launched its supply rocket to the ISS successfully so the logistics chain is back in place (if the supply ship docks OK).

NASA is getting ready to launch the newest Mars mission - Curiosity - this week. I will have more on that as we get closer to the launch window. NASA is doing the final touched on the spacecraft and launcher this week at Kennedy Space Center.

Have a safe and candy successful night!

Sky Guy in VA

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Jupiter Rules the Night/GMU Night 10-31-11

Hey Space Placers!

Well, after our snowfall here in the DC/VA/MD area as well as a Nor'easter of historic significance in terms of it occurring in October, the sky is calling.

Jupiter is now up all night, being visible in the east right at sunset and blazing brightly until sunrise. If you have binoculars you can see the four main moons and even the smallest telescope will show you the planet,  cloud bands and the moons in greater detail.

Add to that the 1st quarter Moon on the 2nd and you have a sky watchers' treat.

For those of you in the DC area come join us at GMU Observatory on Halloween. Jupiter and the Moon will provide a real "trick and treat" for those who show up. Check the website for further details: http://physics.gmu.edu/~hgeller/observing.html


Sky Guy in VA

Friday, October 28, 2011

A Solar Cycle Primer

Hey Space Placers!

Here is everything you ever wanted to know about the Sun and its cycle. Be sure to check out the video.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/news/solarcycle-primer.html

Sky Guy in VA


Eleven years in the life of the Sun, spanning most of solar cycle 23, as it progressed from solar minimum to maximum conditions and back to minimum (upper right) again, seen as a collage of ten full-disk images of the lower corona.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Venus-Mercury-Moon in the West

Hey Space Placers!

If you have clear skies and a clear western horizon, make sure you look for the heavenly trio in the west right after sunset. Binoculars will help your search. The Moon will get higher in the western sky over the next few days and Venus and Mercury will remain close to one another.

A great view if you can see it!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

New Impact Study

Hey Space Placers!

If you are interested in impact events, you have to read the latest from Princeton University. The research has developed a better model for studying the effects of large impact events on Earth. I highly recommend reading the following: http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S31/90/32S94/

Sky Guy in VA

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Monday, October 24, 2011

Sleepy Hollows of Mercury

Hey Space Placers!

Mercury continues to surprise and confound scientists as a result of the ongoing NASA MESSENGER mission. The latest revelation involves newly discovered features called "Sleepy Hollows" - pretty scientific sounding term I must say.

According to NASA, "A key clue is that many of the hollows are associated with central mounds or mountains inside Mercury's impact craters. These so-called “peak rings” are thought to be made of material forced up from the depths by the impact that formed the crater. Excavated material could be unstable when it finds itself suddenly exposed at Mercury's surface."


Be sure to read more about it: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/24oct_sleepyhollows/


Sky Guy in VA

Sleepy Hollows (splash, 558px)