QUADRANTID METEOR SHOWER: Earth is approaching a stream of debris from comet fragment 2003 EH1, source of the annual Quadrantid meteor shower. Forecasters expect the shower to peak at 20:40 UT (3:40 pm EST) on Jan. 3rd, producing more than 60 meteors/hour from a radiant near the North Star. The timing of the peak favors European and Asian observers, although late arriving Quadrantids could sprinkle North America as well. Wherever you live, be alert for meteors on Monday night. [more] [observing tips]
INFERIOR CONJUNCTION OF VENUS: Venus is about to pass between Earth and the sun--an event astronomers call "inferior conjunction." Around this time, Venus looks like a crescent because it has turned its night side toward us. Zimbabwe photographer Peter Lowenstein photographed Venus setting into clouds at the end of the day on Jan. 1st:
"Venus was low on the western horizon, but good visibility allowed me to see it only 20 minutes after sunset," says Lowenstein. "I used a tripod-mounted Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 compact camera in sunset mode with a maximum optical plus digital zoom magnification of 120X."
The date of inferior conjunction is Jan. 8th. Sometimes Venus will pass directly across the face of the sun, but not this year. At closest approach, Venus and the sun will be separated by 5 degrees. This means careful daytime shots of Venus will be possible, revealing the slenderest of crescents.
Here is a photo of Venus during a similar conjunction in 2018.
Realtime Venus Photo Gallery
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COMET LEONARD AT PERIHELION: Comet Leonard (C/2021 A1) is on the verge of perihelion--its closest approach to the sun (0.61 AU) on Jan. 3rd. Intense solar heat has given Leonard one of the most beautiful comet tails astronomers have ever seen. Gerald Rhemann took this picture on New Year's Eve using a 12-inch telescope in Farm Tivoli, Namibia:
Even more beautiful views may be expected during the next 24 hours as sunlight hitting the Leonard's icy core reaches its peak. The comet hasn't been this hot for more than 80,000 years! Southern hemisphere observers are favored as the comet glides through the constellation Pisces Austrinus glowing like a 5th magnitude star. Submit your pictures here.
Realtime Comet Leonard Photo Gallery
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HUMMINGBIRD-SUNFLOWER PENDANT: This pendant has a secret compartment--and it has touched the edge of space. On Nov. 4, 2021, our Sterling Silver Hummingbird-Sunflower Pendant flew to the stratosphere on board an Earth to Sky Calculus cosmic ray balloon:
You can have it for $133.95. Inscribed on the back with "Always on my mind, Forever in my heart," each pendant comes with a greeting card showing the item in flight and telling the story of its journey to the edge of space. These make great Christmas gifts.
Bonus: The pendant contains a tiny chamber, which you may fill with the ashes of a loved one or anything else you wish to keep close to your heart.
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Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
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Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
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