Where's Saturn? Is that a UFO--or the ISS? What's the name of that
star? Get the answers from mySKY--a
fun new astronomy helper from Meade. SOLAR
ACTIVITY: "There is a spectacular prominence
on the sun today--a detailed web of strands, great
sight!" reports Robert
Arnold from the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Readers, if you have
a solar
telescope, take a look.
more images: from
John Nassr of Baguio, Philippines; from
John Stetson of Falmouth, Maine.
SHUTTLE DISCOVERY:
Space shuttle Discovery landed
safely at the Kennedy Space Center today concluding a two-week
assembly mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Discovery's
visit was highlighted by Scott Parazynski's daring spacewalk to
repair a ripped solar panel
while the array was still electrified and the installation of the
new Harmony
module--both crucial to the future expansion of the ISS. To
the heroes, welcome home!
Twenty-four hours before touchdown, Darrell
Spangler photographed Discovery chasing the International Space
Station across the skies of Colorado:
Photo details: Canon
EOS 300D, 18mm, f/3.5, 30 sec, ISO800
"To watch the pair traveling across the dawn sky was breathtaking
and awe inspiring to say the very least," says Spangler.
more images: from
Joseph Westerberg of Joshua Tree National Park California; from
Becky Ramotowski of Tijeras, New Mexico; from
Steve Ballard of Rock Island, Illinois; from
Wayne Wooten of Pensacola, Florida; from
Dave Gulyas of Birmingham, Ohio; from
Nigel Merrick of Memphis, TN; from
Bill Blevins of Sandy, Utah.
COMET 17P/HOLMES:
Italian astronomer Paolo
Candy has christened Comet Holmes "the Jellyfish Comet."
This picture taken Nov. 6th through his 8-inch telescope shows why:
"It has a green head and blue tentacles," notes Candy.
An 8-hour movie
recorded by astronomer Filipe Alves of Atalaia, Portugal, shows
the tentacles in motion. Indeed, it seems to be swimming.
Doug Zubenel of DeSoto, Kansas, sees a different likeness. "It
looks like an alien creature from the 1960s TV show the
Outer Limits. The episode entitled Moonstone, which first aired
on March 9, 1964, features a white sphere found by lunar explorers
which houses creatures of great intelligence. The resemblance to
Comet Holmes is striking."
Jellyfish? Alien intelligence? Form your own opinion after sunset
when Comet Holmes pops into view in the northern constellation Perseus:
sky map.
It is visible to the unaided eye and a fine target for binoculars
and backyard
telescopes.
Comet
17P/Holmes Photo Gallery
[Interactive
World Map of Comet Photos]
[sky map]
[ephemeris]
[3D orbit]
[Night
Sky Cameras]
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