URSID METEOR SHOWER (UPDATED): Earth is approaching the debris zone of Comet 8P/Tuttle, source of the annual Ursid meteor shower. During the shower's peak on the night of Dec. 22nd, 5 to 10 meteors per hour will shoot out of the sky near the North Star. This is a minor shower, but a beautiful one because it occurs on a long dark near the northern winter solstice. There have been reports that an outburst of Ursids might occur. Don't get too excited: In this case, an "outburst" means 20 meteors per hour instead of 10--a minor shower either way. Browse: Meteor Photo Gallery.
NO CHRISTMAS PRESENTS FOR THE ISS: Last night the International Space Station glided over Pete Lardizabal's home in St Johns, Florida. "I photographed it between a gap in the clouds--and it looked so lonely!" he says. "No Christmas presents for the astronauts this year."
Indeed, their Christmas delivery has been canceled. The Boeing Starliner capsule, test-launched on an Atlas V rocket yesterday from Cape Canaveral, failed to reach the proper orbit to rendezvous with the ISS. The unmanned capsule was carrying presents for the astronauts, which they will no longer receive.
Analysts say that a timing error led the capsule to burn fuel too early, preventing it from reaching the desired orbit. It is now expected to land back in New Mexico on Sunday with its payload of Christmas gifts and a mannequin named "Rosie." Rosie is fitted with sensors to make sure the trip was safe for humans. Those data will be crucial to Boeing's ongoing efforts to build a human-rated space capsule, making the flight a success even if it did not go all the way to the (lonely) ISS.
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CHRISTMAS GIFTS FROM THE EDGE OF SPACE: So far in 2019, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus have launched 41 space weather balloons to the stratosphere, measuring cosmic rays over 2 continents and 6 different US states. You can help them pay their helium bill by purchasing a Christmas gift from the edge of space:
Every item in the Earth to Sky Store has flown to the stratosphere alongside an array of cosmic ray sensors. Carried aloft by giant helium balloons, these unique gifts travel above 99.7% of Earth's atmosphere, experiencing space-like blasts of cosmic rays, extreme cold, and a wild ride parachuting back to Earth after the balloon explodes. Even Amazon doesn't carry items this far out.
Don't forget to enter coupon code "XMASRAYS" at checkout for a 10% holiday discount.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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