What's Up? The Space Place

Hey Space Placers! Hello from the Tasman Sea as I am heading towards New Zealand aboard Azamara Quest. We are enjoying some 20 foot seas over 4,500 meters of water while the US Northeast, including Central Virginia prepares for a BLIZZARD! Actually wish I could be there to experience this major snow weather event. When the skies clear be sure to start watching the predawn sky to see all 5 visible planets - Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. It has been a decade since this happened so I highly recommend that you get out to see it. It will be best to wait for Mercury to get higher in the pre-dawn sky. You can details here http://www.skyandtelescope.com/press-releases/five-planets-at-once/ Please be careful if you are in this weather event! Sky Guy in Tasman Sea

Hey Space Placers! I have my new computer - YAY - and hope to be back on line regularly now. I am in Sydney, Australia waiting to get onboard Azamara Quest for a 16 day cruise with 6 lectures. I will be speaking tonight at Sydney Observatory  http://www.sydneyobservatory.com.au/sydney-city-skywatchers/  on NASA's manned spaceflight efforts. I will be posting some of the astropics I took while at sea on Nautica so stay tuned. Sky Guy in AU

Hey Space Placers! Hello from Singapore! I disembark today from my 26-day voyage from South Africa. I have a Top Ten Astropics that I will post when I can - my computer died on this voyage. These pics are going into the cruise DVD as well. Be sure to look at Venus and Saturn in the predawn Eastern sky the next few days as the two will be moving to their closest on 1/9/16. This will be a pretty sight and if you have a telescope both planets will show up in a medium power eyepiece. Sky Guy Headed Back to VA

Happy 2016 Space Placers!, Here's the link for info on the upcoming Quadrantid Meteor Shower http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/observing-news/quadrantid-meteors-in-2016-122820158 I am in the Bay of Bengal headed to Thailand. I hope you had a safe and joyous New Year's. Sky Guy In the Indian Ocean