CO-ROTATING INTERACTION REGION: A co-rotating interaction region (CIR) hit Earth's magnetic field during the early hours of Dec. 7th. CIRs are transition zones between streams of fast and slow solar wind; they contain shock waves that can spark geomagnetic storms. This CIR caused a minor G1-class storm around 1300 UT. More storms may be in the offing when the fast solar wind following the CIR arrives on Dec. 8th or 9th. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
TONIGHT--LUNAR OCCULTATION OF MARS: The full Moon is about to pass in front of Mars, producing naked-eye occultation visible across much of North America and Europe:
In the USA, the occultation begins Dec. 7th around 6:30 p.m. local time on the west coast, 10:30 p.m. local time on the east coast. For detailed city-by-city observing times, visit ShadowandSubstance.com and scroll down. Europeans can find the same information here.
Now is a great time for the occultation because Mars is within a week of its closest approach to Earth. The Red Planet's disk is unusually wide (more than 17 arcseconds across). Even modest backyard telescopes can reveal formations on the Martian surface partially eclipsed by lunar mountains and crater rims.
The shadow of Mars crossing Earth. Credit: Peter Zimnikoval of Banska Bystrica, Slovakia
This is also a naked-eye event. Because of its proximity to Earth, Mars is now brighter than every star in the sky (twice as bright as Sirius). Its piercing red glow will be visible even next to the glaring edge of the full Moon. Photo-op!
Live webcast: The Virtual Telescope Project
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GIFTS FROM THE EDGE OF SPACE: Christmas is coming. Are you looking for a far-out gift? Check out the Earth to Sky Store. It's filled with unique items that have flown to the edge of space onboard cosmic ray research balloons.
These unique gifts have floated 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 "SPACESANTA" at checkout for a 10% holiday discount.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
WILD CHINESE ROCKET VIDEO: On Nov. 29th, China launched one of the most important missions of its young space program: Shenzhou-15. The spacecraft carried three astronauts to China's new Tiangong space station, where they would begin its permanent occupation. Amateur astronomer Zheng Zhi was in Beijing when the ascending spacecraft flew overhead, and he recorded this spectacular video:
"The video shows Shenzhou-15 passing below Jupiter and a couple of Jovian Moons just before the second stage's Main Engine Cut Off," explains Zhi. "This event was captured on video by many astrophotographers in northern China."
Less than 6.5 hours later, Shenzhou-15 reached Earth orbit and docked with Tiangong --a remarkably fast automated rendevous and docking. Everything about China's new space station has gone quickly. The first module was launched in April 2021 with rapid additions resulting in its completion only 18 months later. Tiangong is now about the size of Russia's old Mir space station.
The crew of Shenzhou-15 (Fei Junlong, Deng Qingming and Zhang Lu) are commencing the "permanent manned phase" of the program. If all goes according to plan, from now on Chinese astronauts will always be in space.
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