Space Weather News for July 8, 2009
WHAT'S FOLLOWING THE ISS? Sky watchers are reporting a "mysterious satellite" following the International Space Station (ISS). It trails the ISS by about one minute, relatively faint, but definitely there.
Mystery solved: The follower is Progress 33, a Russian supply ship. On July 12, it will come within meters of the space station to test a new automated docking system. Check the Simple Satellite Tracker for flyby times and get two spaceships for the price of one.
BLUE MOON OVER IRAN: Blue moons are not a myth. This week, sky watchers in Iran have seen them appear in the night sky. The full Moon is turning blue because of a major dust storm blowing across the Middle East. Today's edition of SpaceWeather News features space-based images of the behemoth storm, the blue moons it is causing, and an explanation of the phenomenon.
SUNSPOT UPDATE: The first big sunspot of new Solar Cycle 24 is growing again. So far, sunspot 1024 poses no threat for major eruptions, but it is a big, photogenic target for backyard solar telescopes. Readers who would like instant notification of solar flares and geomagnetic storms can get them by signing up for SpaceWeather PHONE.
Showing posts with label 100 Hours of Astronomy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 100 Hours of Astronomy. Show all posts
Jul 8, 2009
Apr 14, 2009
NASA's STEREO looking for ancient planet remains near Earth
NASA's twin STEREO solar observatories are entering a mysterious region of space to search for an ancient planet that once orbited our Sun and which may have collided with Earth and formed our lovely Moon.
Now I admit to a deep preference for the Biblical account - that our Moon was created to give us a lantern during what would have been very dark nights without our Luna, but the article and probe's mission are very interesting all the same.
Even 'Lagrange points' (an astrological term as well) are part of STEREO's search.
In fact, the 'ancient planet collision forms Moon' scenario echoes what some astrologers have said for years concerning possibilities such as a 'missing moon' or a point such as a 'Dark Moon' and other mystery planet potentials. Plus, 'Dark Moon Lilith' and 'Dark Moon w'mat2' come to mind as well.
Scientists think that STEREO's search may turn up remains from what they're calling 'Theia,' a proto-planet whose remains are referred to as 'Theiasteroids.'
And you can help find Theiasteroids by scrutinizing photos from STEREO as they come in!
So check out the STEREO article for tantalizing possibilities.
~:~
No, I'd never heard of hypothetical planet 'Theia' when I rendered Thea identifying with her mask in 2007 for if I had, her name might have been spelled differently! (Please click past the adult content warning if you're age 17+.)
Now I admit to a deep preference for the Biblical account - that our Moon was created to give us a lantern during what would have been very dark nights without our Luna, but the article and probe's mission are very interesting all the same.
Even 'Lagrange points' (an astrological term as well) are part of STEREO's search.
In fact, the 'ancient planet collision forms Moon' scenario echoes what some astrologers have said for years concerning possibilities such as a 'missing moon' or a point such as a 'Dark Moon' and other mystery planet potentials. Plus, 'Dark Moon Lilith' and 'Dark Moon w'mat2' come to mind as well.
Scientists think that STEREO's search may turn up remains from what they're calling 'Theia,' a proto-planet whose remains are referred to as 'Theiasteroids.'
And you can help find Theiasteroids by scrutinizing photos from STEREO as they come in!
So check out the STEREO article for tantalizing possibilities.
~:~
No, I'd never heard of hypothetical planet 'Theia' when I rendered Thea identifying with her mask in 2007 for if I had, her name might have been spelled differently! (Please click past the adult content warning if you're age 17+.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)