tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46464996000145264882024-03-18T17:20:40.063-04:00What's Up? The Space PlaceA personal daily comment on astronomy along with space missions, NASA, observing and lots more.Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.comBlogger2888125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-45663692944251638842024-03-18T17:19:00.002-04:002024-03-18T17:19:38.580-04:00WEATHER AND CAMERA BODY-LENS PHOTO TIPS FOR THE 4/8/24 SOLAR ECLIPSE<p> Hey, Space Placers!</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="945" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZqPsEpqGZQY" title="Solar Eclipse Photography Tips from Nikon | 2024 Camera, Lens, and Gear Guide" width="1512"></iframe></p><p>21 days to the Solar Eclipse.</p><p>Have you decided what camera-lens-solar filter set up you are going to use? <b><a href="https://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/a/tips-and-techniques/gear-options-to-photograph-the-april-2024-total-solar-eclipse.html?utm_source=LE&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=le-mar-2024-3-18-2024&utm_content=img&utm_term=EclipseGear&ET_CID=5142719&ET_RID=904853680">Even though the video is Nikon specific the info applies to other cameras as well.</a></b></p><p><b><a href="https://eclipse.aas.org/imaging-video">You can get more photography info here.</a></b></p><p>What will be the weather at your observing site? <img alt="April Cloud Cover" height="409" src="https://eclipse.aas.org/sites/eclipse.aas.org/files/April-Median-Cloud-Amount.png" style="text-align: left;" width="640" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Typical April (2000-2020) cloud cover measured from the Aqua spacecraft at approximately 1:30 p.m. local time from 2000 to 2020. The path of totality on April 8, 2024, is shown with red lines marking the northern and southern limits and a blue line up the center. Note the large number of major cities within the path or only a short drive away. Based on this map, Mexico and southern Texas offer the best prospects for a clear view of totality. Data: NASA. Eclipse track: Fred Espenak. Courtesy Jay Anderson, Eclipsophile.com and American Astronomical </span>Society (AAS.org)</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">How can you find out? </span></p><p><b><a href="https://www.space.com/total-solar-eclipse-weather-prospects-how-experts-make-predictions-q-and-a?utm_term=1A1238DB-D1A8-4DE2-8262-81672DE2FA7D&lrh=580ce74a54c8de843fea75d3b1d0cee5b2f8e39902059bf281901a850fac1944&utm_campaign=58E4DE65-C57F-4CD3-9A5A-609994E2C5A9&utm_medium=email&utm_content=F8F2A256-7617-4CA2-82BA-82EB1568A53E&utm_source=SmartBrief">Read this excellent article to get some good info.</a> </b>We are too far out for getting ACCURATE forecasts for eclipse day but we're getting there.</p><p>Sky Guy in VA</p>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-7563190755784945142024-03-17T18:49:00.005-04:002024-03-17T18:49:35.182-04:00HOW DID THE ANCIENTS PREDICT ECLIPSES?<p>Hey, Space Placers!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Babylonian clay tablet recording eclipses" class="wp-image-255507512586" height="481" src="https://dq0hsqwjhea1.cloudfront.net/Babylonian-tablet-eclipses.jpg" style="text-align: start;" width="640" /></p><p style="text-align: center;">This clay cuneiform tablet records lunar eclipses between 609 and 447 BC. The Babylonians also recorded solar eclipses.</p><p style="text-align: center;">© The Trustees of the British Museum via Sky and Telescope.com</p><p><br /></p><p>You may think that only in modern times can humans use computers to predict when solar and lunar eclipses occur.</p><p>It may surprise you that our ancient ancestors were able to predict these celestial happenings with surprising accuracy.</p><p><b><a href="https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/how-did-the-ancients-predicted-eclipses-the-saros-cycle/?fbclid=IwAR0AgsbIqwEYRxYodwcb0wfmfNWoEv_UUqbExthFqntBhANkY0bwP3AQKjw">Read this informative article and learn about the predictive power of the Saros Cycle.</a></b></p><p>Sky Guy in VA</p>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-4520309996255212582024-03-15T20:26:00.001-04:002024-03-15T20:26:38.988-04:00AAS Releases Documentary "The Path to the Path" in Advance of the April 8th Total Solar Eclipse<p> Hey, Space Placers!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMS1DsjOfdzWgrAD_UIWN-hVfvgpIGF6o65NXebCqlheltVtZRWsyF5O48jbJQdQ3KNW_fngWSZsISfrMb7QGT-KKFTPYMC_wAM68MlGaDLaoet_iNRk5PLb2h6JCLOBWU5e1jGID0quVTzl4YYgYgLTybj750cCTgREXQz7NYbouPTVqM6c07HwHhdU/s1600/FIGURE%2011.9%20CORONA_00001%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMS1DsjOfdzWgrAD_UIWN-hVfvgpIGF6o65NXebCqlheltVtZRWsyF5O48jbJQdQ3KNW_fngWSZsISfrMb7QGT-KKFTPYMC_wAM68MlGaDLaoet_iNRk5PLb2h6JCLOBWU5e1jGID0quVTzl4YYgYgLTybj750cCTgREXQz7NYbouPTVqM6c07HwHhdU/w428-h640/FIGURE%2011.9%20CORONA_00001%20copy.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">2017 Totality</p><p style="text-align: center;">Greg Redfern</p><p>Curious about what has been going on behind the scenes with the THREE SOLAR ECLIPSES that have graced the U.S. in 2017, 2023 and 2024?</p><p>Then you should watch this documentary from the American Astronomical Society (AAS) that gives you all kind of info and insight into this truly monumental task.</p><p>From today's AAS News Release:</p><p style="border: 0px solid rgb(226, 232, 240); box-sizing: inherit; font-family: UniversLTPro-45Light; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem;">In celebration of the work that the American Astronomical Society (AAS) <a data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="5f15e9d2a012acf7c2a8388f" href="https://eclipse.aas.org/" rel=" noopener" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px solid rgb(226, 232, 240); box-sizing: inherit; color: #476dc3; font-family: UniversLTPro-65Bold, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: inherit; transition: 0.15s ease-in-out;" target="_blank"><b>Solar Eclipse Task Force</b></a> has been doing for the past decade to prepare for the North American solar eclipses of 21 August 2017, 14 October 2023, and 8 April 2024, the AAS has released a 25-minute documentary entitled <b><a data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="5f15e9d2a012acf7c2a8388f" href="https://thepathtothepath.org/" rel=" noopener" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px solid rgb(226, 232, 240); box-sizing: inherit; color: #476dc3; font-family: UniversLTPro-65Bold, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: inherit; transition: 0.15s ease-in-out;" target="_blank"><em style="border: 0px solid rgb(226, 232, 240); box-sizing: inherit;">The Path to the Path</em></a> </b>— a reference to the path of the Moon’s dark shadow as it sweeps across Earth’s surface during a total solar eclipse.</p><p style="border: 0px solid rgb(226, 232, 240); box-sizing: inherit; font-family: UniversLTPro-45Light; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem;">“With the help of NASA, the National Science Foundation, the American Institute of Physics, and many other partners, a large group of engaged volunteers has worked tirelessly to coordinate outreach efforts across the U.S. while sharing resources and ideas,” says Kevin Marvel, Executive Officer of the American Astronomical Society.</p><p style="border: 0px solid rgb(226, 232, 240); box-sizing: inherit; font-family: UniversLTPro-45Light; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem;"><b><a href="https://thepathtothepath.org/view-documentary">You can watch the documentary here.</a></b></p><p style="border: 0px solid rgb(226, 232, 240); box-sizing: inherit; font-family: UniversLTPro-45Light; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem;">Sky Guy in VA</p><p style="border: 0px solid rgb(226, 232, 240); box-sizing: inherit; font-family: UniversLTPro-45Light; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem;">24 Days to Go</p>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-60400440518062091242024-03-14T21:54:00.005-04:002024-03-14T21:54:38.833-04:00SEND YOUR NAME TO THE MOON<p> Hey, Space Placers!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlJstP9SAm44ny2qoGbY46EC8Q3MAuybfJeLugoddg6m-hV53Y_2QI5tDs-QompIFVG8qvhPODngXSdDA_VZZYfIMc8EppHaQDkIBh0kaVp_o-8NAaTK4MHNYcu5jaGa6yLEJOIH1xZopwZEcP8F4TF16aP5m9HOTnvIKpF4W11651B3PvYQwQe2DUp0/s1200/GIR%20VIPER%20boarding-pass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="1200" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlJstP9SAm44ny2qoGbY46EC8Q3MAuybfJeLugoddg6m-hV53Y_2QI5tDs-QompIFVG8qvhPODngXSdDA_VZZYfIMc8EppHaQDkIBh0kaVp_o-8NAaTK4MHNYcu5jaGa6yLEJOIH1xZopwZEcP8F4TF16aP5m9HOTnvIKpF4W11651B3PvYQwQe2DUp0/w640-h262/GIR%20VIPER%20boarding-pass.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">If you haven't done so already, you have until 11:59 EDT March 15th to get your name to the Moon.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/send-your-name-with-viper/">Get all the details here.</a></b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Sky Guy in VA</p>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-47277890576575647952024-03-13T10:22:00.002-04:002024-03-13T10:22:31.142-04:003/13/24 & 4/8/24 SKY GUY VIEWING ALERT!!!! MOON AND JUPITER <p> Hey, Space Placers!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="The waxing crescent Moon pairs with Jupiter on the evening of Wednesday March 13 and with the delicate Pleiades Thursdat March 14, 2024" class="wp-image-255507517381" height="640" src="https://dq0hsqwjhea1.cloudfront.net/WebVic2024_Mar13ev-DARK.jpg" style="text-align: start;" width="507" /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Be sure to enjoy the sky show in the West tonight after sunset as the 3.7 day-old Waxing Crescent Moon and Jupiter will be three degrees apart.</p><p style="text-align: left;">If you have binoculars the celestial pair are worth checking out. You will see the ghostly glow of Earthshine on the Moon and many craters s along the terminator.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Viewing Jupiter with binocs Jupiter will show you the four main moons of Jupiter. <b><a href="https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/jupiters-moons-javascript-utility/">Use this tool to identify the moons you are observing.</a></b></p><p style="text-align: left;">If you have a clear view of the Western horizon try for the planet Mercury. It will be a bright yellow-ish "star" directly below and slightly to the right of Jupiter and the Moon about a fist-width above the horizon.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Try taking a photo with your smartphone.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.astronomy.com/observing/a-comet-will-be-visible-during-the-2024-total-solar-eclipse/">If you are in the path of totality on April 8th, the Moon and Jupiter will be visible again along with Saturn, Mars, Mercury and quite possibly Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks.</a></b> The Comet will be very near Jupiter which will be a convenient marker to spot the Comet.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" height="439" src="https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/ponsbrookstotality2.png?fit=600%2C412" style="text-align: start;" width="640" /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Dave Weixelman used SkySafari to create this simulated view looking south from southern Texas during totality on April 8. 2024. The image also shows the predicted orientation of Comet Pons-Brooks’ tail, at an angle of 68° from celestial north. </p><p style="text-align: center;">CREDIT: Dave Weixelman (highsierraimaging.com) via Astronomy Magazine</p><p style="text-align: left;">Wishing you clear skies!</p><p style="text-align: left;">Sky Guy in VA</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-29008625435095106422024-03-12T17:18:00.000-04:002024-03-12T17:18:17.419-04:00DO YOU HAVE AN ECLIPSE PLAN FOR APRIL 8TH?<p> Hey Space Placers!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMk05aUif-eSMR1mkmAldFws7nDm8P4P2qGVjGIeYHxZYndxunJ6DP3oXWkAddptSKwEgJMGm5a1uG20eHpeW9EGUq4cKcgCEsejIhHrtDDZ_Tvodspxfhl4MWsH8EVTKlq6DV2u0ZKTz7oCDW5pwAmTkKVL5BTBEd82lAVPVEgylWkcMNwISxQojtUA/s4032/IMG_0535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMk05aUif-eSMR1mkmAldFws7nDm8P4P2qGVjGIeYHxZYndxunJ6DP3oXWkAddptSKwEgJMGm5a1uG20eHpeW9EGUq4cKcgCEsejIhHrtDDZ_Tvodspxfhl4MWsH8EVTKlq6DV2u0ZKTz7oCDW5pwAmTkKVL5BTBEd82lAVPVEgylWkcMNwISxQojtUA/w640-h480/IMG_0535.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Lining 'Em Up For Practice!</p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><a href="https://wtop.com/the-space-place/2024/02/everything-you-need-to-know-about-aprils-total-solar-eclipse/">If you are going to be watching &/or imaging the 4/8/24 Solar Eclipse</a></b>, do you have an Eclipse Plan? Here are my thoughts on why you need an eclipse plan from my book, <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Astrophotography-Easy-Beginners-Practical-Astronomy/dp/303045942X/ref=pd_ybh_a_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=CNY54JV8N9KQ42E61PV4">"Astrophotography Is Easy"</a></b>:</span></p><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="5lcc2" data-offset-key="50a31-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="50a31-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: times; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">"It can really help to think about and visualize what you want to do astropic-wise for an eclipse. During total solar eclipses, many of us umbraphiles confess to experiencing what the author describes as “Primal Awe” – the sheer magnificence and primal emotions of being in the Moon’s umbral shadow and seeing the totally eclipsed Sun with its glorious corona. Seasoned total solar eclipse chasers have confided to “failing to take off solar filters during totality,” “being mesmerized,” “a primal feeling deep within me.” You will probably experience something like this as well, especially during your first total solar eclipse. You may want to concentrate on watching your first total solar eclipse, and taking time to get just one photograph of glorious totality.</span></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="50a31-0-0" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="50a31-0-0"><div class="page" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; white-space: normal;" title="Page 45"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><p>An eclipse plan forces you to think and plan for the event, write it down, practice it, and then execute it. Without this process, you may be in for a very disappointing outcome."</p></span></div></div></div></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="50a31-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="50a31-0-0"><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="5lcc2" data-offset-key="cfd1n-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cfd1n-0-0" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="cfd1n-0-0">At a MINIMUM your eclipse plan should consider:</span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cfd1n-0-0" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="cfd1n-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cfd1n-0-0" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="cfd1n-0-0">Where and how are you going to Safely watch it? </span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cfd1n-0-0" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="cfd1n-0-0"><br /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="5lcc2" data-offset-key="9tjgv-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9tjgv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="9tjgv-0-0">Safely image it?</span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9tjgv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="9tjgv-0-0"><br /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="5lcc2" data-offset-key="2djio-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2djio-0-0" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2djio-0-0">You need to make a plan in synch w/ the eclipse's progression. The Sun will move across the sky over the hours of the eclipse - anything going to get in the way in your viewing area?</span></div></div></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="50a31-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="50a31-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="50a31-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="50a31-0-0"><b>Practice your plan</b> w/ your safe viewing/imaging method & equipment.</span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="50a31-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="50a31-0-0"><br /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="5lcc2" data-offset-key="8jkr4-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8jkr4-0-0" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="8jkr4-0-0">Now</span><span style="-webkit-text-fill-color: transparent; background-image: url("https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f609.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 1em 1em; padding: 0.15em;"><span style="clip-path: circle(0% at 50% 50%);"><span data-offset-key="8jkr4-1-0">😉 </span></span></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8jkr4-0-0" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8jkr4-0-0" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;">Sky Guy in VA Practicing</div></div>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-7009313591445342842024-03-11T18:48:00.002-04:002024-03-11T18:48:18.290-04:00NASA BUDGET FOR FY 2025<p> Hey, Space Placers!</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="502" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ON5taF2vBF0" title="The Value of NASA (2024 State of NASA Highlights)" width="893"></iframe></p><p><b><a href="https://youtu.be/a7rGA0Zv8R4">In the splendid movie,"The Right Stuff", one of the great lines is, "No Bucks, No Buck Rogers". </a></b></p><p><b><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/budgets-plans-and-reports/">In other words, funding propels NASA. The budget for NASA was released today along with the excellent video above.</a></b></p><p>Here is NASA's Budget Request for FY 25:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_h2A6q8VRsnA9GB_wdcDbEtA2tv4Kh-UGvNoVRdzHtVLJeD_okb-YKzoakhB-_IxkzglsXfi4bb2lH58tSFve-tnXhjqnw8pRhn-u7fdhJByAiBJij8meTGE64FlIrFWds0vbwT3rUIvaR4QAVkNv4HoN8f8HgjY6-1tw8PhS4-POFWJvQPwgpyOqbuE/s2982/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-11%20at%206.09.32%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1684" data-original-width="2982" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_h2A6q8VRsnA9GB_wdcDbEtA2tv4Kh-UGvNoVRdzHtVLJeD_okb-YKzoakhB-_IxkzglsXfi4bb2lH58tSFve-tnXhjqnw8pRhn-u7fdhJByAiBJij8meTGE64FlIrFWds0vbwT3rUIvaR4QAVkNv4HoN8f8HgjY6-1tw8PhS4-POFWJvQPwgpyOqbuE/w640-h362/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-11%20at%206.09.32%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">People may not realize the "Aeronautics" part of NASA's core mission as well as the part the space agency plays in the study of our planet and yes, climate change.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/value-of-nasa/">NASA is a bargain for what it costs compared to what we get in return. </a> </b>Money back into the U.S. economy and many technological spin offs as well as inspiration and education are mainstay benefits.</p><p style="text-align: left;">On a worldwide political, military and strategic level, space is at the forefront of major countries. Simply put, the U.S. must have a robust space and aeronautics program. </p><p style="text-align: left;">It is money well spent.......</p><p style="text-align: left;">Sky Guy in VA</p>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-61923379089749556262024-03-10T11:07:00.003-04:002024-03-10T11:07:53.816-04:00LAST NEW MOON OF WINTER AND BEFORE THE SOLAR ECLIPSE<p> Hey, Space Placers!</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="589" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BmCDIMLpKGE" title="29 Days to Go: Last MOON CYCLE before Eclipse Day" width="1047"></iframe></p><p>It's getting REAL for the April 8th Solar Eclipse! </p><p><b><a href="http://www.whatsupthespaceplace.com/2024/03/t-minus-30-days-to-solar-eclipse.html">Today, March 10th, is the LAST New Moon of Winter and the LAST before the next New Moon eclipses the Sun on April 8.</a></b></p><p><b><a href="http://www.whatsupthespaceplace.com/2024/03/t-minus-30-days-to-solar-eclipse.html">Get details on the eclipse here</a>.</b></p><p>Sky Guy in VA</p>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-79952353727980887462024-03-09T18:07:00.003-05:002024-03-09T18:17:33.886-05:00Pentagon report finds no evidence of alien visits, hidden spacecraft<p> Hey, Space Placers!</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="641" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kimrhwS3VlU" title="Mark Snow - X Files" width="855"></iframe></p><p>So no true X-Files after all, Scully......</p><p><b><a href="https://wapo.st/4aohVZ1">Read the article</a> and watch the article's excellent video.</b></p><p>Sky Guy in VA</p><p><br /></p>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-50268774552272871872024-03-08T10:50:00.001-05:002024-03-08T10:50:56.817-05:00T MINUS 30 DAYS TO THE SOLAR ECLIPSE!<p> Hey, Space Placers!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjObD-zMgv_23UV4KdFzte6rc3UbtodVBhKVvQJHe0yDMCfP_FrbCUG6-gq0NxDjTk6IxGwgQeCcLl4JPhqw6Cg6qbYTctapiSWQyhmdLEOwXWBhhtBElh5BQ7HDVK4qT8U04p4Wf3RJzcy7QGz6sux88M1fz43chNyGaF3I62ih_0CuaLx7qdvXGnKM/s640/DSC_9914.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="609" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjObD-zMgv_23UV4KdFzte6rc3UbtodVBhKVvQJHe0yDMCfP_FrbCUG6-gq0NxDjTk6IxGwgQeCcLl4JPhqw6Cg6qbYTctapiSWQyhmdLEOwXWBhhtBElh5BQ7HDVK4qT8U04p4Wf3RJzcy7QGz6sux88M1fz43chNyGaF3I62ih_0CuaLx7qdvXGnKM/w610-h640/DSC_9914.jpeg" width="610" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">SOLAR SNAP APP IPHONE PHOTO OF SUN'S OUTER CORONA DURING TOTALITY</p><p style="text-align: center;">OFF THE COAST OF AUSTRALIA AT SEA</p><p style="text-align: center;">CREDIT: GREG REDFERN</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://wtop.com/the-space-place/2024/03/t-minus-one-month-to-us-solar-eclipse/">Read my story to get the low down!</a></b></p><p>Sky Guy in VA</p>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-83295637925642843442024-03-07T15:40:00.000-05:002024-03-07T15:40:35.130-05:00Interstellar Signal Linked to Aliens Was Actually Just a Truck<div class="separator"><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></p></div><p>Hey, Space Placers!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img align="left" alt="Aerial view of a town
Description automatically generated" class="CToWUd a6T" data-bit="iit" height="360" hspace="12" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEiKXvYeww55rPAjX13wzICMN0aBZ8VIHS04koHhvpfrVBso1-pon-_2yYRbB16nkI7OkAqgj5Jg4nJ3nUBgaJdVKMhCcqh98pmNjGBFUK6g_aSrxkAQicyw3jZYbjrmbKed8H3HGZze-FHh9VNhhjxfSlxFLXJeuRYutZQMUK8LOz9SmXn_cCod3njO3M40BmlNas53nKWhSUuXDtV7zUsAU_Sj31tJGdNWYY-KZPkBwT9BqRO8hUI1B4UUW2QePURZe85zdDHf2AKMTt2SAXfDaWtwi-ne=w640-h360" style="text-align: start;" tabindex="0" width="640" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">IMAGE: The area near the seismic station in Manus Island, based on satellite images acquired on March 24, 2023. CREDIT: Roberto Molar Candanosa and Benjamin Fernando/Johns Hopkins University, with imagery from CNES/Airbus via Google.</span></p><p>In this <b><a href="http://www.whatsupthespaceplace.com/2023/11/double-dose-alien-news.html">blog</a></b> I told you about the latest on <b><a href="https://www.space.com/alien-spherules-new-analysis-shows-likely-origin-is-earth?utm_term=1A1238DB-D1A8-4DE2-8262-81672DE2FA7D&lrh=580ce74a54c8de843fea75d3b1d0cee5b2f8e39902059bf281901a850fac1944&utm_campaign=58E4DE65-C57F-4CD3-9A5A-609994E2C5A9&utm_medium=email&utm_content=897F4C14-2A24-48B6-9A7A-F76886FC14F6&utm_source=SmartBrief">'Alien' spherules dredged from the Pacific are probably just industrial pollution, new studies suggest</a>.</b></p><p>Here's the latest hard evidence released today from Johns Hopkins University to debunk that claim from Johns Hopkins University:</p><p>Sound waves thought to be from a 2014 meteor fireball north of Papua New Guinea were almost certainly vibrations from a truck rumbling along a nearby road, new Johns Hopkins University–led research shows. The findings raise doubts that materials pulled last year from the ocean are alien materials from that meteor, as was widely reported.</p><p> “The signal changed directions over time, exactly matching a road that runs past the seismometer,” said Benjamin Fernando, a planetary seismologist at Johns Hopkins who led the research. “It’s really difficult to take a signal and confirm it is not from something. But what we can do is show that there are lots of signals like this, and show they have all the characteristics we’d expect from a truck and none of the characteristics we'd expect from a meteor.”</p><p>The team will present its findings March 12 at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Houston. </p><p><span style="text-align: center;">After a meteor entered Earth’s atmosphere over the Western Pacific in January 2014, <b><a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.-2BnoNgr5hlrPyPp4LZSrQiSRJ8RODE2a8NETSLGeHNid9IaDiuWHWvF2UP3kfv8H-2FArTx_InH9yl0922-2B3q2IetcbgF-2FSBXVlpnmf2359v8SkiiS2Ueysxoc-2BmOa0hnmoCQOJZtv4X9jEzoyBpGwDFycqBVHHkskRPwZaOBOjHGuYvyrDO0Jxt4p34Duaxjq0JjEECFa3cw3rdqp5FndWf-2BhpVJKFBu9b9-2BLEiyRr8rAIvQoBU04b0pdokjmOUItrVgw9fG5Zs6O1-2FgIhqF4osO-2BnCbbzBracL2RowqFC-2FTLu-2FR1xjTC0ahNwLRJrVO3x8REp3-2BkmCYWlRb34nqkTMaHuVlDMIfXqnjzSkhFwsn-2FZJOgAQHkU8iy9vm2nAxpAAKHfUfpk24enVM0jF3VlwbWtHn4sZNrNRlOJnwAgiPXcwOFilKMI-2Bdb7btfGYqwGxjAeF">the event</a></b> was linked to ground vibrations recorded at a seismic station in Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island. In 2023, materials at the bottom of the ocean near where the meteor fragments were thought to have fallen <b><a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.-2BnoNgr5hlrPyPp4LZSrQicIp-2FoN0tVCjnwvrib7yj6LzZYuZVyE-2FXlAfUie2fbt9hvaMAYHvCcACET3WixjzJjR23-2Bd3CB9O5oMCiZSErMg-3DMkml_InH9yl0922-2B3q2IetcbgF-2FSBXVlpnmf2359v8SkiiS2Ueysxoc-2BmOa0hnmoCQOJZtv4X9jEzoyBpGwDFycqBVHHkskRPwZaOBOjHGuYvyrDO0Jxt4p34Duaxjq0JjEECFa3cw3rdqp5FndWf-2BhpVJKFBu9b9-2BLEiyRr8rAIvQoBU04b0pdokjmOUItrVgw9fG5Zs6O1-2FgIhqF4osO-2BnCbRmmxQoJunRT5Ouk7U1pPoL-2BqlRUUtKcSYY8Hv5pMRJG6xcQABt-2FdOeFgYz4mp-2BK7FT-2BFPybS4CEqVXw0GqiS624jUWTtehkN-2F-2BdjFssWEeArHJLn6NgxYcZ8i0IlrKokmiWt-2BECqQRgsz7gAWSc-2B8VsFY15q9VoZx5HxsWsBDm9">were identified as of “extraterrestrial technological” (alien) origin. </a></b></span></p><p> But according to Fernando, that supposition relies on misinterpreted data and the meteor actually entered the atmosphere somewhere else. Fernando’s team did not find evidence of seismic waves from the meteor.</p><p> “The fireball location was actually very far away from where the oceanographic expedition went to retrieve these meteor fragments,” he said. “Not only did they use the wrong signal, they were looking in the wrong place.”</p><p> Using data from stations in Australia and Palau designed to detect sound waves from nuclear testing, Fernando’s team identified a more likely location for the meteor, more than 100 miles from the area initially investigated. They concluded the materials recovered from the ocean bottom were tiny, ordinary meteorites—or particles produced from other meteorites hitting Earth’s surface mixed with terrestrial contamination.</p><p> “Whatever was found on the sea floor is totally unrelated to this meteor, regardless of whether it was a natural space rock or a piece of alien spacecraft—even though we strongly suspect that it wasn’t aliens,” Fernando added.</p><p> Fernando’s team includes Constantinos Charalambous of Imperial College London; Steve Desch of Arizona State University; Alan Jackson of Towson University; Pierrick Mialle of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization; Eleanor K. Sansom of Curtin University; and Göran Ekström of Columbia University.</p><p> ----------------</p><p> Sky Guy in VA</p>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-86896437159928128982024-03-06T18:01:00.003-05:002024-03-06T18:01:32.430-05:00The Lost Universe NASA's Tabletop Role-Playing Game Adventure<p> Hey, Space Placers!</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="589" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ExkdG3RDLBQ" title="Welcome to The Lost Universe: NASA’s First Tabletop Role-playing Game" width="1047"></iframe></p><p style="text-align: center;">NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Lead Producer: Paul Morris</p><p>From NASA:</p><p>Calling all adventurers!</p><p>It’s time to gather your party and your favorite tabletop role-playing game system.</p><p>A dark mystery has settled over the city of Aldastron on the rogue planet of Exlaris. Researchers dedicated to studying the cosmos have disappeared, and the Hubble Space Telescope has vanished from Earth’s timeline. Only an ambitious crew of adventurers can uncover what was lost. Are you up to the challenge?</p><p>This adventure is designed for a party of 4-7 level 7-10 characters and is easily adaptable for your preferred tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) system.</p><p>NASA’s first TTRPG adventure invites you to take on a classic villain (while also using and learning science skills!) as you overcome challenges and embark on an exciting quest to unlock more knowledge about our universe. Download your game documents below and get ready to explore Exlaris!</p><p>Want to share how your adventure unfolds? Share it with #NASATTRPG on social media.</p><p>--------------------------------------</p><p><b><a href="https://www.polygon.com/tabletop-games/24090689/nasa-tabletop-game-lost-universe-tabletop">See this review.</a></b></p><p><b><a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/multimedia/online-activities/the-lost-universe/"> Check it out!</a></b></p><p>Sky Guy in VA!</p>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-36376967164486584632024-03-05T18:29:00.002-05:002024-03-05T18:29:12.432-05:00NASA RECRUITING FOR ASTRONAUTS!<p> Hey, Space Placers!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="The newest class of NASA astronauts celebrate at their graduation ceremony at the Johnson Space Center in Houston." block_context="nasa-block" class="attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" height="427" loading="eager" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" src="https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/astronaut-graduation.jpg?w=2048" srcset="https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/astronaut-graduation.jpg 2048w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/astronaut-graduation.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/astronaut-graduation.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/astronaut-graduation.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/astronaut-graduation.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/astronaut-graduation.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/astronaut-graduation.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/astronaut-graduation.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/astronaut-graduation.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/astronaut-graduation.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w" style="object-fit: cover; object-position: 48% 24%; text-align: start; transform-origin: 48% 24%; transform: scale(1);" width="640" /></p><p style="text-align: center;">NASA newest class of astronauts, selected in 2021, graduate during a ceremony on March 5, 2024, at the at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Credit: NASA</p><p style="text-align: left;">NASA's is recruiting for astronauts now that their class of 2021 has become full fledged astronauts available for flight assignments.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-opens-astronaut-applications-as-newest-class-graduates/">Get the low down here to see if you have the "Right Stuff".</a></b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Sky Guy in VA</p>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-80663098302704851862024-03-03T21:45:00.005-05:002024-03-03T21:45:53.860-05:00NEW MOONS FOR ICE GIANT PLANETS!<p> Hey Space Placers!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="New moons: Bright oval shape among many slanted bright and faint lines, with arrow pointing to tiny faint dot." class="size-full wp-image-466825" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" height="487" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" src="https://earthsky.org/upl/2024/02/Uranus-moon-S2023U1-Magellan-November-4-2023.jpg" srcset="https://earthsky.org/upl/2024/02/Uranus-moon-S2023U1-Magellan-November-4-2023.jpg 800w, https://earthsky.org/upl/2024/02/Uranus-moon-S2023U1-Magellan-November-4-2023-300x228.jpg 300w, https://earthsky.org/upl/2024/02/Uranus-moon-S2023U1-Magellan-November-4-2023-768x585.jpg 768w" style="text-align: start;" width="640" /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Astronomers captured this image of a new moon of Uranus – labeled S/2023 U1 by astronomers – on November 4, 2023. The moon isn’t that big bright light. It’s the little dot to the left of the bright light. See where the arrow is pointing? Altogether, astronomers announced 3 new moons for Uranus and Neptune in February 2024. Image via Scott Sheppard/ Carnegie Science via EarthSky.org</p><p><b><a href="https://earthsky.org/space/new-moons-uranus-neptune-solar-system/?mc_cid=0ee1e910cd&mc_eid=9aeb2a4318">Get more info here!</a></b></p><p>Sky Guy in VA</p>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-63913727847318215572024-03-01T16:47:00.002-05:002024-03-01T16:47:15.412-05:00MARCH 2024 SKIESHey, Space Placers!<div><br /><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="472" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BRlZlw1xw3A" title="What's Up: March 2024 Skywatching Tips from NASA" width="840"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>HELLO METEORLOGICAL SPRING!</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="https://science.nasa.gov/skywatching/whats-up/">More info here.</a></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Sky Guy in VA</div>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-3372958839540497752024-02-29T16:56:00.001-05:002024-02-29T16:56:30.283-05:00ODIE HANGS ON LONGER THAN EXPECTED<p> Hey, Space Placers!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="A fish-eye view of the Moon's surface taken by a color camera aboard Intuitive Machines' Odysseus lander. The Moon's grayish, rocky surface takes up most of the image, with small rocks and particles scattering as Odysseus makes its initial contact with the Moon. Odysseus takes up the top of the image; a broken portion of the spacecraft's left landing strut can be seen near the center, with the lander's complex machinery spread out above. Credit: Intuitive Machines" class="css-9pa8cd" draggable="true" height="349" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GHdkSlDXcAEmoY2?format=jpg&name=medium" style="text-align: start;" width="640" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> Odysseus lander making first contact with the lunar surface while the spacecraft's descent engine was throttling. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;">(Intuitive Machines)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="w-100 mw-100 h-auto" decoding="async" height="427" sizes="(max-width: 440px) 440px,(max-width: 600px) 691px,(max-width: 768px) 691px,(min-width: 769px) and (max-width: 1023px) 960px,(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1299px) 530px,(min-width: 1300px) and (max-width: 1439px) 691px,(min-width: 1440px) 916px,440px" srcset="https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/GGA6ENLVLEQXEUC5VHAZ4PTAPA_size-normalized.jpg&w=440 400w, https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/GGA6ENLVLEQXEUC5VHAZ4PTAPA_size-normalized.jpg&w=540 540w, https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/GGA6ENLVLEQXEUC5VHAZ4PTAPA_size-normalized.jpg&w=691 691w, https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/GGA6ENLVLEQXEUC5VHAZ4PTAPA_size-normalized.jpg&w=767 767w, https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/GGA6ENLVLEQXEUC5VHAZ4PTAPA_size-normalized.jpg&w=916 916w, https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/GGA6ENLVLEQXEUC5VHAZ4PTAPA_size-normalized.jpg&w=1200 1200w" style="background-size: cover; max-width: 1200px; text-align: start;" width="640" /></p><p style="text-align: center;">An image of the lander Tuesday on the Moon at about a 30 degree angle. </p><p style="text-align: center;">(Intuitive Machines)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A news conference was held yesterday giving details of Odie as well as these two photos. I was unable to join the press conference as originally planned <b><a href="https://wapo.st/3IiKueg">but you can get details here</a>.</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>We learned today that Odie was still alive.</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmXwRYa2aHOw_8m0YApVSKaFJ5ti0Ppnvj820sL3cTSltBiTcMihs2DeY9jq18N6BTg7GqIU1Apc7UUNAo7vXhq07epvvwu6NiF5eqb_oWt4kUBzDcGVSdCaJjH_Zy2eC16ZXI_ODfnsKbsXW4mZGPPoIxnpUkTWRnswUhSc7Ajs1Wb5ts8w4gz7AU1k/s1216/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-29%20at%204.38.36%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="1216" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmXwRYa2aHOw_8m0YApVSKaFJ5ti0Ppnvj820sL3cTSltBiTcMihs2DeY9jq18N6BTg7GqIU1Apc7UUNAo7vXhq07epvvwu6NiF5eqb_oWt4kUBzDcGVSdCaJjH_Zy2eC16ZXI_ODfnsKbsXW4mZGPPoIxnpUkTWRnswUhSc7Ajs1Wb5ts8w4gz7AU1k/w640-h232/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-29%20at%204.38.36%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">Let's hope for the best when they try to wake Odie up after the long lunar night.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Sky Guy in VA</p>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-66072361723255856222024-02-27T18:56:00.003-05:002024-02-27T18:56:24.788-05:00SLIM SURVIVED THE LUNAR NIGHT!!!!<p> He, Space Placers!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image" class="css-9pa8cd" draggable="true" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GHQ3C8iaIAALgMJ?format=jpg&name=small" style="text-align: start;" /></p><p style="text-align: center;">February 26, 2024: JAXA's SLIM lander is proving to be "hard-to-kill." The lunar lander has actually woken up after lunar sunrise (which occurred mid-month)! It has survived the cold, two-week lunar night. It even sent us a new image of its Shioli Crater home.</p><p style="text-align: center;">credit: JAXA</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/japans-lunar-lander-wakes-up-phones-home/?fbclid=IwAR2S_kkg5bciA875rsLxIlzFwllcYeh5BA9GoxykVKGiUcLR5GoxkjLUDLM">From Sky and Telescope:</a></b></p><p style="text-align: left;">"The Japanese space agency has reestablished contact with its SLIM lunar lander prior to sunset, enabling mission science to continue."</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.space.com/japan-slim-moon-lander-wakeup-lunar-night">Get more info here.</a></b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Sky Guy in VA</p>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-8598259826890714062024-02-26T10:53:00.000-05:002024-02-26T10:53:40.860-05:00MEET SUNSPOT AR3590<p> Hey, Space Placers!</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="589" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V-PQSkYYEB4" title="The Biggest X-flare Yet Shooting Blanks | Space Weather News 24 February 2024" width="1047"></iframe></p><p>The biggest sunspot yet of Solar Cycle 25, AR3590, has been making news recently. The video tells you all you need to know and here is what it has looked like in a small telescope.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiASOqBDAZAPrmRMeOEyh5yPcHijkVhqn3OGs6_BNfE35IbNaUze3yzuGWOoZSUzCNZNH9SxrKkLUVRunaFq8quQp_uoJIIlj4duHNgZjFzdxUYDhwyuIFJEZNRKeu-xR462qNgo9sbQtuXrNeDCawMWe1NQjlS09VDZzGun9QJAMYFayhomkXtzt56pE/s2880/AR3590%20eVscope-20240225-163935.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="2880" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiASOqBDAZAPrmRMeOEyh5yPcHijkVhqn3OGs6_BNfE35IbNaUze3yzuGWOoZSUzCNZNH9SxrKkLUVRunaFq8quQp_uoJIIlj4duHNgZjFzdxUYDhwyuIFJEZNRKeu-xR462qNgo9sbQtuXrNeDCawMWe1NQjlS09VDZzGun9QJAMYFayhomkXtzt56pE/w640-h480/AR3590%20eVscope-20240225-163935.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br />SUNSPOT AR3590 FEBRUARY 25, 2024</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">IMAGED WITH UNISTELLAR ODYSSEY PRO & SMART SOLAR FILTER</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">CREDIT: GREG REDFERN</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Currently it has not had ANY impact on Earth or Space Weather. Current space weather forecast is:</span></div><p>Official Space Weather Advisory issued by NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center</p><p>Boulder, Colorado, USA</p><p>SPACE WEATHER ADVISORY OUTLOOK #24-9</p><p>2024 February 25 at 7:30 p.m. MST (2024 February 26 0230 UTC)</p><p>**** SPACE WEATHER OUTLOOK ****</p><p>Summary For February 19-25</p><p>R1 (Minor) radio blackouts were observed on 21-25 Feb due to activity from Region 3590.</p><p>R3 (Strong) radio blackouts were observed on 21-22 Feb due to activity from Region 3590.</p><p>No other space weather storms were observed during the summary period.</p><p>Outlook For February 26-March 3</p><p>R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio blackouts are likely from 26 Feb - 02 Mar, primarily due to the flare potential from Region 3590.</p><p>No other space weather storms are expected during the outlook period.</p><p>Data used to provide space weather services are contributed by NOAA,</p><p>USAF, NASA, NSF, USGS, the International Space Environment Services </p><p>and other observatories, universities, and institutions. More </p><p>information is available at SWPC's Web site <a href="http://swpc.noaa.gov">http://swpc.noaa.gov</a></p><div><br /></div>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-49587711369960835622024-02-23T12:05:00.003-05:002024-02-23T12:05:35.540-05:00FULL SNOW MOON AND ODIE UPDATE<p> Hey Space Placers!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDsouQdgwLHGTxV6j1W3a9NwA8YTs2H9cmRAhT-VJ8wMn_kpK5bENxD0YL0u4mR8Glo4g0D1l14Y8_TjiFqzAGe6m8o_TSkRGBBgry3rUhVj0HUQ47D1M8cdx65mPBj0VPu2IzsKNX21xcCwLuspi9pJhQNgJbcMGsopQXGMZ3CAFPD1Z2W6UwaDjy5U/s1920/ODIE%20MOON%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDsouQdgwLHGTxV6j1W3a9NwA8YTs2H9cmRAhT-VJ8wMn_kpK5bENxD0YL0u4mR8Glo4g0D1l14Y8_TjiFqzAGe6m8o_TSkRGBBgry3rUhVj0HUQ47D1M8cdx65mPBj0VPu2IzsKNX21xcCwLuspi9pJhQNgJbcMGsopQXGMZ3CAFPD1Z2W6UwaDjy5U/w360-h640/ODIE%20MOON%201.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mZ4mh-Qc506rw6D23R2Jc7KccubQbr_Yoj2FdhM_4lw3F-D6595nxZiSNzsL45VaZYlJfwb4dkviZCfwpJLHAaMP7I0XAu3hswDtkT52QlTsK3txJ-Qwp6gydfvAWkuB3DXcAKsq58icDKLliNCCq4LHyHuDG0KrRqyHXd7LDuqABc3wc560t3u5YZU/s1920/ODIE%20MOON%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mZ4mh-Qc506rw6D23R2Jc7KccubQbr_Yoj2FdhM_4lw3F-D6595nxZiSNzsL45VaZYlJfwb4dkviZCfwpJLHAaMP7I0XAu3hswDtkT52QlTsK3txJ-Qwp6gydfvAWkuB3DXcAKsq58icDKLliNCCq4LHyHuDG0KrRqyHXd7LDuqABc3wc560t3u5YZU/w360-h640/ODIE%20MOON%202.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>BREAKING NEWS:</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">NASA and Intuitive Machines will host a televised news conference at 5 p.m. EST Friday, Feb. 23, to detail the Odysseus lander’s historic soft Moon landing.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">With the last-minute assistance of a NASA <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/langley/nasas-laser-navigation-tech-enables-commercial-lunar-exploration/"><span style="color: #0b4cb4;">precision landing technology</span></a>, the first CLPS, or Commercial Lunar Payload Services, mission carrying the agency’s science and technology demonstrations successfully landed on the Moon at 6:23 p.m. on Feb. 22.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">This mission is the first U.S. soft landing on the Moon in more than 50 years. Flight controllers are communicating and commanding the lander, which is solar charging and has good telemetry.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The news conference will air on <a href="https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-video/intuitive-machines-1-lunar-landing-news-briefing/"><span style="color: #0b4cb4;">NASA+</span></a>, NASA Television, and the agency’s <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/nasatv"><span style="color: #0b4cb4;">website</span></a>. Learn how to stream <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/general/how-to-stream-nasa-tv/"><span style="color: #0b4cb4;">NASA TV</span></a> on a variety of platforms including social media.</p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 10px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 10px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Well, the last Full Moon of Winter, the Full Snow Moon <a href="https://earthsky.org/tonight/february-full-moon/?mc_cid=b6a54a89a5&mc_eid=9aeb2a4318"><span style="color: blue;">https://earthsky.org/tonight/february-full-moon/?mc_cid=b6a54a89a5&mc_eid=9aeb2a4318</span></a> , occurs tomorrow, February 24th, at 7:30 a.m. EST. This will also be 2024’s farthest – and only – full micromoon this year. Furthest from the Earth on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. EST, its distance will be 252,225 miles (405,917 km) as compared to the average distance between the Earth and moon of 238,900 miles (384,472 km).</p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Fortunately our weather is forecast to be partly cloudy tonight with Saturday clearing <a href="https://wtop.com/weather/"><span style="color: blue;">https://wtop.com/weather/</span></a> .</p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The Moon will still be very close to Full phase on Friday night so it will be worth taking a look in the East at sunset. Notice how the days are getting longer - we are now getting sunset at 6:00 p.m.! The Moon will rise shortly after sunset on Friday and be easy and beautiful to see along the horizon and during the night.</p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The Moon will be high and bright in the sky amongst the coming stars of Spring and if you have any snow left on the ground it will be a pretty sight in the moonlight. The Moon will be very close to the bright star Regulus, the heart of Leo the Lion. If you are out at 10 p.m. look to the Northeast to see a beautiful bright star called Arcturus <a href="https://www.space.com/22842-arcturus.html"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.space.com/22842-arcturus.html</span></a> . It is the 4th brightest star in the whole night sky and is prominent in the night skies of Spring and Fall.</p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">If the sky is clear take in the view and look for the “Winter Circle” <a href="https://earthsky.org/favorite-star-patterns/winter-hexagon-highlights-brightest-winter-stars/?mc_cid=4e4142ddaa&mc_eid=9aeb2a4318"><span style="color: blue;">https://earthsky.org/favorite-star-patterns/winter-hexagon-highlights-brightest-winter-stars/?mc_cid=4e4142ddaa&mc_eid=9aeb2a4318</span></a> . With the bright Moon only the brightest stars will be visible but that can help identify them easier. When the Moon rises later in a couple of days take a look again at the Winter Circle to see all the beautiful sky sights it contains.</p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Each month’s Full Moon is given a name that corresponds to the characteristics of the month <a href="https://www.farmersalmanac.com/full-moon-names-traditional-and-alternative"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.farmersalmanac.com/full-moon-names-traditional-and-alternative</span></a> . You may have snow where you live so the Full Snow Moon will live up to its name.</p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px;"><br /></p><p style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">When you look at the Moon this weekend consider this. There is an American lunar lander near the Moon’s South Pole called Odysseus - Odie for short - <a href="https://wtop.com/the-space-place/2024/02/spacecraft-to-attempt-first-us-moon-landing-in-more-than-50-years/"><span style="color: blue;">https://wtop.com/the-space-place/2024/02/spacecraft-to-attempt-first-us-moon-landing-in-more-than-50-years/</span></a> that successfully touched down on Thursday at 6:11 p.m. EST <a href="https://wtop.com/national/2024/02/private-lunar-lander-is-closing-in-on-the-first-us-touchdown-on-the-moon-in-a-half-century/"><span style="color: blue;">https://wtop.com/national/2024/02/private-lunar-lander-is-closing-in-on-the-first-us-touchdown-on-the-moon-in-a-half-century/</span></a> .</span></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It was quite a thrill as the minutes ticked by during the 11 minutes from Powered Descent Initiation (PDI) to the predicted touchdown time of 6:23 p.m. EST. It took awhile to get confirmation that Odie had indeed landed safely and upright as the initial radio signals from the lunar lander were weak. But the sheer elation I and countless others felt when that confirmation came through was exhilarating and harkened back to the days of Apollo <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/the-apollo-program/"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.nasa.gov/the-apollo-program/</span></a> .</p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Yes, this was an uncrewed lunar lander, but it landed in the area of the Moon, Malapert A <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/resource/malapert-massif/"><span style="color: blue;">https://science.nasa.gov/resource/malapert-massif/</span></a> which is where NASA is looking to land astronauts in 2026 during the Artemis III mission <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/artemis-iii/"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/artemis-iii/</span></a> . NASA and other countries are going to the Moon to stay this time and initiate a lunar economy and outposts.</p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In a Friday post on ‘X’, Intuitive Machines said <a href="https://twitter.com/Int_Machines/status/1761032731729739804"><span style="color: blue;">https://twitter.com/Int_Machines/status/1761032731729739804</span></a> , “Lunar Surface Day One Update (23FEB2024 0818 CST)</p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Odysseus is alive and well. Flight controllers are communicating and commanding the vehicle to download science data. The lander has good telemetry and solar charging.</p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We continue to learn more about the vehicle’s specific information (Lat/Lon), overall health, and attitude (orientation). Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus will participate in a press conference later today to discuss this historic moment. Press conference information will be coordinated with NASA and published shortly.”</p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">WTOP will keep you updated on Odie.</p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Oh, and we are 46 days from the very deep partial solar eclipse that will be visible over the entire DMV <a href="https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/usa/washington-dc?iso=20240408"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/usa/washington-dc?iso=20240408</span></a> . Have you got your solar eclipse glasses <a href="https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters"><span style="color: blue;">https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters</span></a> ? You will need them to SAFELY see the partial solar eclipse so order now. </p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Sky Guy in VA</p><div><br /></div>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-31637052745604761082024-02-22T11:08:00.000-05:002024-02-22T11:08:05.666-05:00MOON LANDING THURSDAY!<p> Hey, Space Placers!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image" class="css-9pa8cd" draggable="true" height="480" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GG5gDi4XcAECu78?format=jpg&name=medium" style="text-align: start;" width="640" /></p><p style="text-align: center;">CREDIT: Intuitive Machines@Int_Machines on X</p><p style="text-align: center;">Odysseus’ Terrain Relative Navigation camera captured this image of the Bel’kovich K crater in the Moon’s northern equatorial highlands.</p><p style="text-align: center;">It is an approximate 50 km diameter crater with mountains in the center, made when the crater was formed.</p><p style="text-align: center;">(21FEB2024 1750 CST)</p><p><b>THERE IS A U.S. PRIVATE SPACECRAFT IN ORBIT AROUND THE MOON AS I WRITE THIS AT 10 A.M. EST THURSDAY!!!</b></p><p><a href="https://www.intuitivemachines.com"><b>Intuitive Machines </b></a>will attempt a landing at the Moon's South Pole at near the lunar feature known as Malapert A today at approximately 5:30 p.m. EST and <b><a href="https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-video/intuitive-machines-1-lunar-landing/">NASA will be live streaming the event starting at 4:00 p.m. EST </a>.</b></p><p>The intrepid spacecraft poised to make spaceflight history as the 1st private spacecraft to SAFELY land on the Moon and it will be the first U.S. spacecraft to land on the Moon since <b><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/apollo-17/">Apollo 17 in December 1972.</a></b></p><p>The uncrewed Nova-C lunar lander is called Odysseus, or Odie. <b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/4646499600014526488/4946998729297577385">It was launched last week on a Space-X Falcon 9 rocket at Kennedy Space Center, Florida </a>.</b></p><p>Recent attempts to land on the Moon by Japan, Russia, Israel, and the U.S. resulted in crashes. Japan's most recent attempt, <b><a href="https://www.space.com/japan-slim-moon-lander-awake-after-hibernation#">SLIM, landed essentially upside down but was able to complete most of its science objectives and return pictures.</a> </b></p><p>The U.S. lunar landing attempt by <b><a href="https://wtop.com/national/2024/01/private-us-lander-destroyed-during-reentry-after-failed-mission-to-moon-company-says/">Astrobotics Technology's Peregrine lunar lander was just last month and ended when the spacecraft entered Earth's atmosphere</a>. </b></p><p><b>Today is the second attempted lunar landing by a private spacecraft funded by NASA's </b><b><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/clps">Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) </a></b><b>. </b></p><p>As explained by NASA, Odie is a product of NASA's "CLPS initiative and Artemis campaign. Intuitive Machines’ first lunar mission will carry NASA science to the Moon to study plume-surface interactions, space weather/lunar surface interactions, radio astronomy, precision landing technologies, and a communication and navigation node for future autonomous navigation technologies."</p><p>“NASA scientific instruments are on their way to the Moon – a giant leap for humanity as we prepare to return to the lunar surface for the first time in more than half a century,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “These daring Moon deliveries will not only conduct new science at the Moon, but they are supporting a growing commercial space economy while showing the strength of American technology and innovation. We have so much to learn through CLPS flights that will help us shape the future of human exploration for the Artemis Generation.” </p><p><b><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-artemis-science-first-intuitive-machines-flight-head-to-moon/">While enroute to the Moo</a>n:</b></p><p> NASA instruments will measure the quantity of cryogenic engine fuel as it is used, and during descent toward the lunar surface, they will collect data on plume-surface interactions and test precision landing technologies.</p><p>Once on the Moon, NASA instruments will focus on investigating space weather/lunar surface interactions and radio astronomy. The Nova-C lander also will carry retroreflectors contributing to a network of location markers on the Moon for communication and navigation for future autonomous navigation technologies.</p><p>NASA science aboard the lander includes:</p><p><b>Lunar Node 1 Navigation Demonstrator</b>: A small, CubeSat-sized experiment that will demonstrate autonomous navigation that could be used by future landers, surface infrastructure, and astronauts, digitally confirming their positions on the Moon relative to other spacecraft, ground stations, or rovers on the move.</p><p><b>Laser Retroreflector Array</b>: A collection of eight retroreflectors that enable precision laser ranging, which is a measurement of the distance between the orbiting or landing spacecraft to the reflector on the lander. The array is a passive optical instrument and will function as a permanent location marker on the Moon for decades to come. </p><p><b>Navigation Doppler Lidar for Precise Velocity and Range Sensing</b>: A Lidar-based (Light Detection and Ranging) guidance system for descent and landing. This instrument operates on the same principles of radar but uses pulses from a laser emitted through three optical telescopes. It will measure speed, direction, and altitude with high precision during descent and touchdown. </p><p><b>Radio Frequency Mass Gauge</b>: A technology demonstration that measures the amount of propellant in spacecraft tanks in a low-gravity space environment. Using sensor technology, the gauge will measure the amount of cryogenic propellant in Nova-C’s fuel and oxidizer tanks, providing data that could help predict fuel usage on future missions. </p><p><b>Radio-wave Observations at the Lunar Surface of the Photoelectron Sheath</b>: The instrument will observe the Moon’s surface environment in radio frequencies, to determine how natural and human-generated activity near the surface interacts with and could interfere with science conducted there.</p><p><b>Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume-Surface Studies</b>: A suite of four tiny cameras to capture imagery showing how the Moon’s surface changes from interactions with the spacecraft’s engine plume during and after descent.</p><p>End NASA Quote.</p><p>NASA's still active <b><a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/lro/">Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)</a></b> has been in lunar orbit since 2009 and has documented each successful and crash landing that has taken place. </p><p>I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS! Be sure to tune in today at 4 p.m. to potentially watch history in the making.</p><p><br /></p>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-66867335504147601962024-02-21T14:49:00.003-05:002024-02-21T14:49:48.090-05:00NASA’s New Horizons Detects Dusty Hints of Extended Kuiper Belt<p>Hey, Space Placers!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Artist’s concept of a collision between two objects in the distant Kuiper Belt" block_context="nasa-block" class="attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" height="640" loading="eager" sizes="(max-width: 1566px) 100vw, 1566px" src="https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/kbo-coll-lg.jpg?w=1566" srcset="https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/kbo-coll-lg.jpg 1600w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/kbo-coll-lg.jpg?resize=229,300 229w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/kbo-coll-lg.jpg?resize=768,1005 768w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/kbo-coll-lg.jpg?resize=783,1024 783w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/kbo-coll-lg.jpg?resize=1174,1536 1174w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/kbo-coll-lg.jpg?resize=1566,2048 1566w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/kbo-coll-lg.jpg?resize=306,400 306w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/kbo-coll-lg.jpg?resize=459,600 459w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/kbo-coll-lg.jpg?resize=688,900 688w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/kbo-coll-lg.jpg?resize=917,1200 917w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/kbo-coll-lg.jpg?resize=1529,2000 1529w" style="object-fit: cover; object-position: 50% 50%; text-align: start; transform-origin: 50% 50%; transform: scale(1);" width="489" /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Artist’s concept of a collision between two objects in the distant Kuiper Belt. Such collisions are a major source of dust in the belt, along with particles kicked up from Kuiper Belt objects being peppered by microscopic dust impactors from outside of the solar system.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Credit: Dan Durda, FIAAA</p><p style="text-align: left;">The New Horizons spacecraft that flew by Pluto in 2015 is still making observations of the outer solar system.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/missions/new-horizons/nasas-new-horizons-detects-dusty-hints-of-extended-kuiper-belt/?fbclid=IwAR00KyoT2GKWLb1DbDYLEyfhT3HuZZNQBMJPb8qY8dqEaund0vDvSk9Q_KY">In a 2/20/24 NASA news release</a>:</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>"New observations from NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft hint that the Kuiper Belt – the vast, distant outer zone of our solar system populated by hundreds of thousands of icy, rocky planetary building blocks – might stretch much farther out than we thought.</b></p><p><b>Speeding through the outer edges of the Kuiper Belt, almost 60 times farther from the Sun than Earth, the New Horizons Venetia Burney Student Dust Counter (SDC) instrument is detecting higher than expected levels of dust – the tiny frozen remnants of collisions between larger Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs) and particles kicked up from KBOs being peppered by microscopic dust impactors from outside of the solar system.</b></p><p><b></b></p><p><b>The readings defy scientific models that the KBO population and density of dust should start to decline a billion miles inside that distance and contribute to a growing body of evidence that suggests the outer edge of the main Kuiper Belt could extend billions of miles farther than current estimates – or that there could even be a second belt beyond the one we already know."</b></p><p>New Horizons is 5 billion miles from Earth and has a predicted life until the 2040's.</p><p>I think the plucky Pluto spacecraft has lots more to discover "way out there".</p><p>Sky Guy in VA</p>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-76682716853938545822024-02-20T18:36:00.004-05:002024-02-20T18:37:43.321-05:00OUR INCREDIBLE UNIVERSE - THE MOST LUMINOUS OBJECT CURRENTLY KNOWN<p> Hey, Space Placers!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Small black sphere in the center of a wide, fat ring of glowing orange and white gases in space." class="size-full wp-image-465941" data-cfsrc="https://earthsky.org/upl/2024/02/quasar-eso-M-Kornmesser.jpg" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" height="398" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" src="https://earthsky.org/upl/2024/02/quasar-eso-M-Kornmesser.jpg" srcset="https://earthsky.org/upl/2024/02/quasar-eso-M-Kornmesser.jpg 800w, https://earthsky.org/upl/2024/02/quasar-eso-M-Kornmesser-300x186.jpg 300w, https://earthsky.org/upl/2024/02/quasar-eso-M-Kornmesser-768x477.jpg 768w" style="text-align: start;" width="640" /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Artist’s concept of the record-breaking quasar J0529-4351. A quasar is the bright core of a distant galaxy powered by a supermassive black hole. This record quasar is now the current title holder of most luminous object in the universe, fastest-growing black hole and largest accretion disk. The supermassive black hole, depicted here as it pulls in surrounding matter, has a mass 17 billion times that of the sun and grows by the equivalent of another solar mass per day. Image via ESO/ M. Kornmesser.</p><p style="text-align: center;">VIA EARTHSKY.ORG</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><b><a href="https://earthsky.org/space/record-quasar-j059-4351-most-luminous-black-hole/?mc_cid=9ee471a596&mc_eid=9aeb2a4318">From the story </a></b>(my emphasis added):</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Open Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; caret-color: rgb(21, 21, 21);">We have discovered the fastest-growing black hole known to date. It has a<b> mass of 17 billion suns</b>, and <b>eats just over a sun per day</b>. This makes it the most luminous object in the known universe.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Open Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; caret-color: rgb(21, 21, 21);">In fact, J0529-4351 emits so much energy it’s over <b>500 trillion times more luminous than the sun. </b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span face=""Open Sans", sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(21, 21, 21);">Quasar J0529-4351 is so far away from Earth that<b> its light took more than </b></span><b><em style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(21, 21, 21); font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif;">12 billion years</em><span face=""Open Sans", sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(21, 21, 21);"> to reach us.</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span face=""Open Sans", sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(21, 21, 21);">Simply </span><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><span style="caret-color: rgb(21, 21, 21);">incredible!!!!!</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; caret-color: rgb(21, 21, 21);">The Universe never ceases to amaze us.....</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; caret-color: rgb(21, 21, 21);">Sky Guy in VA</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Open Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(21, 21, 21); color: #151515; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></p>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-79769665322458931962024-02-18T16:59:00.000-05:002024-02-18T16:59:01.583-05:00ODIE'S FIRST PICS ENROUTE TO THE MOON<p> Hey, Space Placers!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image" class="css-9pa8cd" draggable="true" height="480" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GGjS-m0XQAAMN29?format=jpg&name=4096x4096" style="text-align: start;" width="640" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image" class="css-9pa8cd" draggable="true" height="480" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GGjTrwfWQAAxVQX?format=jpg&name=4096x4096" style="text-align: start;" width="640" /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Intuitive Machines successfully transmitted its first IM-1 mission images to Earth on February 16, 2024. The images were captured shortly after separation from @SpaceX's second stage on Intuitive Machines’ first journey to the Moon under @NASA's CLPS initiative.</p><p style="text-align: center;">CREDIT: Intuitive Machines</p><p><b><a href="https://earthsky.org/spaceflight/im-1-lunar-lander-makes-valentines-day-liftoff/?mc_cid=eea21435af&mc_eid=9aeb2a4318">Read More About It!</a></b></p><p>The lander, Odysseus (Odie), is due to land on the Moon Feb. 22, 2024.</p><p>We'll have more on the mission as it progresses.</p>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-49469987292975773852024-02-16T21:14:00.003-05:002024-02-16T21:14:22.997-05:00HEADED TO THE MOON!<p> Hey, Space Placers!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="CToWUd a6T" data-bit="iit" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhyv7C9IHcpSCr4B-TpA_PgVR7Y-jId54itLeel0ds_aOZA8OxBG8aeIBykI0ei8F1fZkt_zqJLaIXwRO0pKSGLaZUPclcJsyXFppVth4F7konGP2xGxpiyGJWwH0FTWMkjLrz-BEgIYJVb3U2xP3dsXUKeeVmAX8ygZ3BJQgZJjqxv0hNkqcho1Tzngpnv3n4LeCjZYI49YPXlwyvtctw=w640-h480" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; text-align: start;" tabindex="0" width="640" /></p><p style="text-align: center;">ON THE WAY TO THE MOON</p><p style="text-align: center;">NASA</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="The Nova-C lunar lander is seen in the high bay of Intuitive Machines Headquarters in Houston, before it shipped to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for integration with a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket for launch as part of NASA’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis campaign." block_context="nasa-block" class="attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" height="360" loading="eager" sizes="(max-width: 1430px) 100vw, 1430px" src="https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/nova-c-lunar-lander.jpg?w=1430" srcset="https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/nova-c-lunar-lander.jpg 1430w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/nova-c-lunar-lander.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/nova-c-lunar-lander.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/nova-c-lunar-lander.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/nova-c-lunar-lander.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/nova-c-lunar-lander.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/nova-c-lunar-lander.jpg?resize=900,507 900w, https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/nova-c-lunar-lander.jpg?resize=1200,676 1200w" style="object-fit: cover; object-position: 50% 50%; text-align: start; transform-origin: 50% 50%; transform: scale(1.2);" width="640" /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The Nova-C lunar lander is seen in the high bay of Intuitive Machines Headquarters in Houston, before it shipped to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for integration with a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket for launch as part of NASA’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis campaign.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Credit: Intuitive Machines</p><p>FROM NASA:</p><p>"On Thursday, Feb. 15, at 1:05 a.m. EST, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launched Intuitive Machines' first lunar lander to the Moon's surface. The lander is scheduled to land on the Moon’s South Pole region on Thursday, Feb. 22. The group of NASA instruments aboard the lander will conduct scientific research and demonstrate technologies to help us better understand the Moon’s environment and improve landing precision and safety in the challenging conditions of the lunar south polar region, paving the way for future Artemis astronaut missions."</p><p><b><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/clps/six-nasa-instruments-will-fly-to-moon-on-intuitive-machines-lander/">Read more about it!</a></b></p><p>Sky Guy in VA</p>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646499600014526488.post-36897071013563344122024-02-14T09:04:00.004-05:002024-02-14T09:04:36.126-05:00HAPPY NASA VALENTINE'S DAY!!!<p> Hey, Space Placers!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8i7tEM1rmJhjbuSyM8j5yr72Ld066-HAmF1CcfSHUVzDdhePVmtcZ-yE1Te6TzhNzn0abSSPoqtBFgvYRAv0qPV2wesAKG31lz0EjK_DpeS6HNDofxycOJhRyDQ5VDAB4DfQt7s22qrAQuR1mxy05cQlRUIKyLfRSA5r71IhehIgvfunoQyZnqNYo1Q/s1126/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%209.01.11%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="1126" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8i7tEM1rmJhjbuSyM8j5yr72Ld066-HAmF1CcfSHUVzDdhePVmtcZ-yE1Te6TzhNzn0abSSPoqtBFgvYRAv0qPV2wesAKG31lz0EjK_DpeS6HNDofxycOJhRyDQ5VDAB4DfQt7s22qrAQuR1mxy05cQlRUIKyLfRSA5r71IhehIgvfunoQyZnqNYo1Q/w640-h634/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%209.01.11%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/12861/">Go to this NASA website to get a space themed Valentine's Day e-card for that special someone.</a></b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Check out the Moon and Jupiter tonight with that special someone while eating chocolate.....</p><p style="text-align: left;">Sky Guy in VA</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Sky Guy in VAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563963996326133161noreply@blogger.com0