Monthly Archives: December 2010

Best astro stories and photos of 2010

Posted on December 31, 2010 by astrobob

I don’t know how I ended up with a Top 15 story list for 2010, but there you have it. I could have easily added more, but 15 is plenty! I don’t like ranking stories, because it’s hard to compare … Continue reading →

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Distance brings the universe down to size

Posted on December 30, 2010 by astrobob

I hate to bring this up, but another very nice naked eye celestial event happens tomorrow morning, when it’s guaranteed to be raining, snowing, sleeting or all of the above. Of course that only applies to the upper Great Plains … Continue reading →

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Winter Hexagon sparkles in the east

Posted on December 29, 2010 by astrobob

I called my mom the other night to tell her the International Space Station would be flying over her house in southwestern Wisconsin in an hour. She got out on time and enjoyed the sight, but had a question about … Continue reading →

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Bright comet prospect for 2011

Posted on December 28, 2010 by astrobob

Looks like 2011 will bring us a fine morning comet. Comet Elenin (C/2010 X1) was discovered on December 10 by Leonid Elenin of Lyubertsy, Russia using a “remote” telescope in New Mexico via the Internet. Although still very dim and … Continue reading →

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We’ve got all the angles covered

Posted on December 27, 2010 by astrobob

I’m on the road today with only a few free minutes. Enough time to tell you about a cool configuration of celestial bodies tomorrow morning involving Saturn, the last quarter moon, Spica, Arcturus and Venus.  Together they’ll form a small triangle within … Continue reading →

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Lord of the Rings vs. the Dragon

Posted on December 26, 2010 by astrobob

Though I’ve yet to see the big storm on Saturn, that doesn’t mean I haven’t been lifting the window shade every morning at dawn in hopes of one, just one, break in the clouds. Other more fortunate amateur astronomers continue … Continue reading →

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Halley’s Comet stands in for the Star of Bethlehem

Posted on December 25, 2010 by astrobob

Merry Christmas and a happy holiday to everyone stopping by today! I’m grateful for your interest in the sky and happy to share the wonders of the natural world with like minds. Thank you also for your photos, observations and … Continue reading →

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The day Christmas fell from the sky

Posted on December 24, 2010 by astrobob

45 years ago on December 24, 1965 at 4:20 p.m., an early Christmas present fell from space and surprised the residents of the small town of Barwell, England. A huge fireball from the south-southwest streaked across the English skies and … Continue reading →

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Send holiday greetings to an astronaut near you

Posted on December 23, 2010 by astrobob

Looks like the Expedition 26 crew aboard the International Space Station is getting into the holiday spirit. You can make their close quarters a little brighter this week by sending the astronauts an e-mail postcard. Just click HERE, select a … Continue reading →

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Crazy halos plus Jupiter plays tag with Uranus

Posted on December 22, 2010 by astrobob

As if to make up for its absence during the recent total lunar eclipse, the moon threw sky watchers a bone last night with a splendid show of color and clouds. Ever-changing colorful coronas ringed the moon as low clouds … Continue reading →

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