TODAY'S STARSHIP LAUNCH WAS A SUCCESS: SpaceX’s new Starship V3 reached space today on its first test flight from Starbase, Texas. Following its launch at 5:30 pm CDT, the giant rocket deployed 20 mock Starlink satellites, tested its heat shield during reentry, and splashed down in the Indian Ocean. One engine failed, but the main goal was met: the biggest rocket ever built flew, survived reentry, and came back under control. Free: Space Weather Newsletter.
VENUS AND JUPITER ARE CONVERGING: Earlier this week, sky watchers around the world witnessed a beautiful alignment of Venus, Jupiter and the crescent Moon in the sunset sky. Marek Nikodem photographed the trio from Szubin, Poland:
"My girlfriend posed beneath the planets for this shot," he says. "The view was magnificent!"
Anyone who observed the scene for a few nights in a row may have noticed something: Venus and Jupiter are converging--so quickly you can see the difference from night to night. At closest approach on June 8-9, they will be only 1.6 degree apart, similar to the great Venus-Jupiter conjunction of June 3, 2002: photo gallery.
Don't wait until next month. The convergence is already beautiful. Starting on May 24th they will fit inside a single constellation (Gemini) and, soon, Mercury will join them as well. Go outside at sunset and enjoy the show! Sky maps: May 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31.
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ALWAYS AND FOREVER RUBY SPACE PENDANT: Are you looking for a far out gift? Consider the Always and Forever Ruby Space Pendent. The students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched it to the stratosphere onboard a cosmic ray research balloon:
You can have it for $219.95. Engraved with the words "I love you always and forever", this sterling silver pendant has a heart-shaped ruby crystal in the middle surrouunded by a ring of glittering 5A cubic zirconia nuggets. It is a visually striking necklace perfect for anniversaries and romantic birthdays.
The students are selling space pendants to pay the helium bill for their cosmic ray ballooning program. Each one comes with a greeting card showing the jewelry in flight and telling the story of its trip to the stratosphere and back again.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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