Monthly Archives: December 2011

GRAIL moon mission lets students snap lunar closeups

Posted on December 31, 2011 by astrobob

Sometimes it’s cloudy for so long you’re surprised at the change in the moon’s phase since it was last clear. Thanks to almanacs and apps we can always know and see the moon’s phase. I suppose that will have to … Continue reading →

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Biggest, best astronomy events coming in 2012

Posted on December 30, 2011 by astrobob

2011 is nearly out of breath. This past year we’ve seen two close asteroid flybys – 2011 MD on June 27 and 2005 YU55 on November 8, the Dawn spacecraft’s successful mission to Vesta, a total lunar eclipse in December, … Continue reading →

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Jupiter’s moons reappear out of thin air tonight

Posted on December 29, 2011 by astrobob

Early morning risers can see the planet Mercury shining on the level with Antares, the brightest star in Scorpius the Scorpion tomorrow morning low in the southeastern sky at dawn. Depending on exactly when you go out to look, the … Continue reading →

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Meet the sun’s ruby persona; minor auroras possible tonight

Posted on December 28, 2011 by astrobob

Christmas may be over, but my experimenting with ornaments-as-fisheye-lenses has only begun. While the photo didn’t quite work out as I wanted, it still gives you an idea of what the starry sky looks like reflected in a cheap glass … Continue reading →

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Jupiter in polka dots, a bear stands on its tail and Venus Act II

Posted on December 27, 2011 by astrobob

Got a telescope? Tonight two of Jupiter’s moons will briefly cast shadows on the planet at the same time. Ganymede, also known as Jovian moon III, starts the fun when its shadow takes its first tiny bite from the planet’s … Continue reading →

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Flaming rocket upstages Santa; satellite falls on Cosmonaut Street

Posted on December 26, 2011 by astrobob

Video showing the re-entry of the Soyuz rocked stage over Germany A Russian Soyuz rocket stage used to lift a crew of three astronauts to the International Space Station last week burned up in spectacular fashion over Germany, Belgium, the … Continue reading →

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Merry Christmas and may your nights be bright

Posted on December 25, 2011 by astrobob

Merry Christmas everyone! Thank you for a great year of sharing astronomy and the night sky. Wishing you great skywatching in the coming year and may all your nights be bright with stars.

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Season’s greetings from Comet Lovejoy and the rest of the gang

Posted on December 24, 2011 by astrobob

There are so many excellent photos out there of Comet Lovejoy, but this one, taken at the European Southern Observatory’s Paranal Observatory in Chile stands out not only for the comet but for everything else it shows including the Milky … Continue reading →

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Venus at Christmastime

Posted on December 23, 2011 by astrobob

I got off the hiking trail at 5 p.m. after a fiery sunset this week. One lone spark still burned in the blue. Venus, the planet named for the goddess of beauty and love has returned to the evening sky … Continue reading →

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Spectacular video of Comet Lovejoy from space station

Posted on December 22, 2011 by astrobob

I was just made aware of this picture the moment I wrapped up today’s astro blog. Time to re-open the store! The photo was taken on December 21 from an altitude of about 240 miles. Is there a more eloquent … Continue reading →

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