Did you sleep through the auroras of Dec. 14th? Next time get a wake-up call: Spaceweather PHONE.
SOLAR IMAX: Set your browser to full screen. Gary Palmer of Los Angeles has assembled some of the most photogenic solar flares of 2006. "These IMAX-style movies are designed to be experienced full screen and beyond..." he says. Click here for action!
SPACESHIP SIGHTING: "After receiving more than 16 feet of snow in the past 2 months here in Whistler, British Columbia, last night was the first clear night in 65 days," say photographers John Nemy and Carol Legate. Perfect timing. The clouds parted to reveal a beautiful flyby of the International Space Station:
"The space station popped out from behind Sproat Mountain and slowly glided over Whistler village--very pretty," say Nemy and Legate who "wish everyone up there and down here a Happy New Year."
Note: With the space shuttle back in action, assembly of the International Space Station has resumed. In September 2006, astronauts added a pair of 240-foot solar wings and a 17.5-ton truss to the growing station. In December, another 2-ton truss was added.
Shouldn't these additions improve the station's visibility? Some sky watchers say "yes"--the ISS is brighter than before, they report, and sometimes glows with a coppery hue, the color of sunlight reflected from solar arrays. The observations are encouraging but anecdotal. More data are needed for confirmation.
Ready to see for yourself? Check Heavens Above for flyby times or get a personalized phone call when the ISS is about to fly over your home town.
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