UPDATE TO MAY 2025 SKY EVENTS

 Hey, Space Placers!!!

NASA's video above supplements my blog entry from May 1st.

Also some BREAKING BIG NEWS From EarthSky.Org:

Soviet spacecraft to fall to Earth soon

"An unusual object is about to reenter Earth’s atmosphere. The heat-resistant Soviet spacecraft Kosmos 482 launched on March 31, 1972, bound for Venus. After a successful launch to a temporary orbit around Earth, a problem with a timer cut an engine burn prematurely. So the spacecraft was unable to leave our planet’s orbit. It’s been circling Earth for 53 years and will reenter the atmosphere around May 8 to 14, 2025, centered around May 11, according to satellite expert Marco Langbroek."

I will continue to monitor this story as more precise predictions as to date and predicted area of reentry become available.

Read more about it.

Sky Guy in VA

MAY 2025 SKY EVENTS

 Hey Space Placers!

Milky Way Mosaic from Shenandoah National Park

Greg Redfern

See what's up for May 2025.

Sky Guy in VA

SEE THE YOUNG WAXING CRESCENT MOON AND JUPITER TONIGHT - 4/29/25

 Hey, Space Placers!

Tonight as it gets dark take a look to the West. Find bright Jupiter, you can't miss it. 

To the lower right of Jupiter, try spotting the 2.5 day old crescent moon. 

It will help to have a clear view of the horizon and binoculars.

Get all the details here in the video.

Get those smartphones and cameras out to take a pic and image that lovely earthshine!

Sky Guy in VA

KNOW THE NIGHT

 Hey, Space Placers!

A wonderful video.......

Learn more here.

Sky Guy in VA

How do you build meteorite-resistant habitats on the Moon?

 Hey, Space Placers!

    Design of a moon settlement. 

    Credit: Monika Stankiewicz

Humanity is going back to the Moon to stay this time. We will need technologies that allow us to live off the land on the Moon - and shelters. These shelters need to provide protection from temperature extremes, solar and cosmic radiation - and meteorites.

There is no atmosphere to burn up and coming impactors on the Moon and there are untold numbers of impacts every day. Even the smallest lunar impact meteorite carries at least the energy of a large caliber rifle bullet which can damage concrete.

This intriguing article explains how humans might overcome this problem.

Sky Guy in VA

SEE THE "MORNING STAR" - VENUS - AT GREATEST BRILLIANCE THIS WEEKEND

 Hey, Space Placers!

In the pre-dawn sky along the eastern horizon you can't miss seeing Venus. It will be at greatest brilliancy for the entire year this weekend and a beautiful sight to see.

Binoculars will really enhance the view and in a telescope the cloud covered planet will be quite a view.

Take a smartphone/camera pic to capture the Morning Star in all her glory.

Sky Guy in VA

See Pre-dawn Friday's Moon and Planets 3-D Conjunction

 Hey, Space Placers!

Pre-dawn Friday morning has a very nice sky sight for us that gives us a 3-D perspective to our solar system. 

Check it out.....

Sky Guy in VA