Astronomy News for the Month of December 2023

	Excerpts from JPL mission updates are provided as a public service as part of the JPL Solar System Ambassador/NASA Outreach program. For special JPL programs and presentations in your area visit the JPL Solar System Ambassador website. (Click on the logo to link to the JPL SSA homepage.)

The Month At-A-Glance
A calendar displaying the daily astronomical events.

• The Moon passes 4° south of Venus on the 9th.
• The Moon passes 4° south of Mercury on the 13th.
• The Moon passes 2° south of Saturn on the 17th.
• The Moon passes 1.3° south of Neptune on the 19th.
• The Moon passes 3° north of Jupiter on the 22nd.
• The Moon passes 3° north of Uranus on the 23rd.

  For reference: The Full Moon subtends an angle of ~0.5°.

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  The Planets & Dwarf Planets

  Planetary Reports generated by "TheSkyX" software. These reports provide predicted data for the planets for the first of each month for the current year. The rise and set times for the Sun and the Moon for each day of the month as well as meteor shower radiants are also included in the reports. These reports have been optimized for the Denver, Colorado location, however, the times will be approximate for other locations on Earth.

  (All times are local unless otherwise noted.)

  Planetary Highlights for December "Catch a glimpse of innermost planet Mercury soon after sunset in early December. Once darkness falls, you'll find Saturn descending in the south and Jupiter high in the east. Both are ideally located for easy telescopic views in the early evening. Jupiter is near its best for the year and you'll have many hours to watch its rotating cloud belts until well after midnight. Uranus and Neptune remain within reach of binoculars, while Venus lights up the morning sky, rising a few hours before dawn." Astronomy Magazine, December 2023, P. 28.
  	Mercury Is at greatest eastern elongation (21°) on the 4th. Mercury is stationary on the 12th. Mercury is in inferior conjunction on the 22nd. Mercury sets at 6:16 p.m. on the 1st. After inferior conjunction, Mercury returns to the morning sky, rising about 5:52 a.m. by month's end, but will not be visible until next month. Look for Mercury in the evening sky very low on the horizon within 30 minutes of sunset during the first week or so of December. Mercury moves from the constellation of Sagittarius into Ophiuchus shining at magnitude -0.4 on the 1st.
  	Venus Rises at 3:24 a.m. on the 1st and about 4:27 a.m. by month's end. Look for Venus to the east before sunrise. Venus moves from the constellation of Virgo into Scorpius shining at magnitude -4.1 on the 15th.
  	Earth Winter solstice occurs at 10:27 P.M. EST on the 21st.
  	Mars Rises at 6:45 a.m. on the 1st and about 6:31 a.m. by month's end. Mars is still too close to the Sun this month for observation. Mars moves from the constellation of Scorpius into Sagittarius shining at magnitude 1.4 on the 15th.
  	Jupiter Sets at 4:26 a.m. on the 1st and about 2:17 a.m. by month's end. By the time the Sun sets, Jupiter is high in the south-southeast. Jupiter is stationary on the 31st. Jupiter is in the constellation of Aries shining at magnitude -2.7.
  	Saturn Sets at 10:52 p.m. on the 1st and about 9:01 p.m. by month's end. By the time the Sun sets, Saturn is visible in the southwest soon after sunset. Saturn is in the constellation of Aquarius shining at magnitude 0.9.
  	Uranus Sets at 5:35 a.m. on the 1st and about 3:29 a.m. by month's end. Uranus follows just about 30-45 minutes behind Jupiter, visible in the southeast soon after sunset. Uranus is in the constellation of Aries shining at magnitude 5.7.
  	Neptune Sets at 12:56 a.m. on the 1st and about 10:51 p.m. by month's end. Neptune is stationary on the 6th. Look for Neptune following Saturn by about 2 hours in the south-southwest soon after sunset. Neptune is in the constellation of Pisces shining at magnitude 7.8.
  	Dwarf Planets
  	Ceres Rises at 6:24 a.m. on the 1st and about 5:27 a.m. by month's end. Ceres may be visible sometime after mid-month in the early morning sky to the east. Ceres moves from the constellation of Scorpius into Ophiuchus shining at magnitude 8.9.
  	Pluto Sets at 8:00 p.m. on the 1st and about 6:03 p.m. by month's end. Look for Pluto in the southwest in the early evening when it is highest in the sky; however, Pluto may be too low and too dim to spot. Pluto is in the constellation of Sagittarius shining at magnitude 15.2. As always, good luck at spotting Neptune, Ceres and Pluto, a large telescope and dark skies will be needed. Constellation information provided by Go Astronomy.

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  Astronomical Events

  	Meteor Showers The Geminids - This shower is active during the period December 6 to December 19. Upon reaching maximum activity during December 13 to 14, hourly rates are typically near 80. The meteors are described as rapid and yellowish, with about 4% displaying persistent trains. They possess an average magnitude of 2.4. The Ursids - Occurring primarily between December 17 and 24, this meteor shower reaches maximum on December 22... The maximum hourly rate is usually between 10 and 15... Meteors belonging to this stream are typically faint. Meteor Shower Radiant Report For more information about Meteor Showers, visit Gary Kronk's Meteor Showers Online web page. Meteor Scatter (or Meteor burst communications) - "is a radio propagation mode that exploits the ionized trails of meteors during atmospheric entry to establish brief communications paths between radio stations up to 2,250 kilometres (1,400 mi) apart." Tune your shortwave or your HF amateur radio to 54.310 MHz SSB and see if you can hear any pings. Try other frequencies as well... 6m FT8 digital - 50.313 Mhz & 50.276 Mhz, JP-65 digital mode and the carrier frequencies of the lower VHF bands for TV channels 2, 3 & 4. Meteor Rx How-To by Terry Bullett (WØASP)
  	Comets Comet 62P/Tsuchinshan (also called Tsuchinshan 1) will brighten to about 7th magnitude this month, passing through the constellation of Leo. The best time and dates to look for Comet Tsuchinshan will be after 1 a.m. between the 5th and 17th when the Moon will not interfere with viewing. For information, orbital elements and ephemerides on observable comets, visit Observable Comets. For more information about Comets, visit Gary Kronk's Cometography.com webpage.
  	Eclipses Solar Eclipses No solar eclipse activity this month. Lunar Eclipses No lunar eclipse activity this month.
  	Observational Opportunities Look for Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune in the evening. Look for Venus in the morning.
  	Asteroids (From west to east) Melpomene is in the constellation of Cetus. Vesta is at opposition on the 21st in the constellation of Gemini. Metis is at opposition on the 22nd in the constellation of Gemini. Astraea is at opposition on the 27th in the constellation of Gemini. Lutetia is in the constellation of Leo. Information about the Minor Planets can be found at the Minor Planet Observer website.
  	Ocultations Information on various occultations can be found by clicking the IOTA logo.

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  Member Meteor Sightings

  In this section I will post meteor, fireball, etc sightings that have been published on the American Meteor Society's web site. I want to make this an active section of the web pages and newsletter and would like to publish the links to member sightings. If you have any published sightings, please provide me with the links and I will post them here for all to enjoy.

  Event ID	Date/Time	Location	Observer	Link
  3871-2015	2015-11-13 01:55 MST	CO	Charles N	3871a
  3587-2015	2015-11-22 17:38 MST	CO	Kevin S	3587aw
  3829-2015	2015-12-05 18:06 MST	CO	Burness A	3829a
  986-2020	2020-02-21 22:20 MST	CO	Lukas S	986
  3716-2020	2020-07-24 23:22 MDT	CO	Lukas S	3716
  4774-2021	2021-08-13 21:57 MDT	UT	Lukas S	4774
  7044-2021	2021-10-28 20:37 MDT	CO	Burness A	249058
  6763-2022	2022-10-06 05:56 CDT	OK	Mike C	6763
  5300-2023	2023-09-11 22:04 MDT	CO	Lukas S	5300

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  Subscriber Gallery

  I have created a web page containing images taken and submitted by subscribers to the email newsletter, check-ins to the Colorado Astronomy Net and readers of the online newsletter. Any one wishing to submit their own images to the gallery, please let me know. The images must be taken by the submitter and be astronomy related. Please include a description and your information so that I can give proper credit to your work.

  Featured Images

  Annular Solar Eclipse
  October 14, 2023
  Annular Solar Eclipse
  October 14, 2023 Movie Courtesy of Burness Ansell (KIØAR)
  5 min 22 sec movie covering all of totality.
  Location: 37° 12' 10.19" N, 109° 56' 02.05" W
  Elevation: 5143 ft.
  Taken with: Dwarf II, with solar filter, Movie mode

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  Planetary/Lunar Exploration Missions

  (Excerpts from recent JPL mission updates)

  	JPL Latest News The Latest from Space The Origin of JPL (a Youtube video-1 Hour 29 minutes). JPL Latest News November 30, 2023 NASA's 6-Pack of Mini-Satellites Ready for Their Moment in the Sun Full Article & Images "The satellites are part of the agency's SunRISE mission, which will study the physics behind explosions that the Sun generates. Most NASA missions feature one spacecraft or, occasionally, a few. The agency's Sun Radio Interferometer Space Experiment (SunRISE) is using half a dozen. This month, mission members completed construction of the six identical cereal box-size satellites, which will now go into storage and await their final testing and ride to space. SunRISE will launch as a rideshare aboard a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket, sponsored by the United States Space Force (USSF)'s Space Systems Command (SSC)." Read the latest news and discoveries from JPL's dozens of active space missions exploring Earth, the solar system and worlds beyond. Past, Present, Future and Proposed JPL Missions. For special JPL programs and presentations in your area visit the JPL Solar System Ambassador web site.
  	James Webb Space Telescope November 30, 2023 Webb Study Reveals Rocky Planets Can Form in Extreme Environments Full Article & Images "An international team of astronomers has used NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to provide the first observation of water and other molecules in the highly irradiated inner, rocky-planet-forming regions of a disk in one of the most extreme environments in our galaxy. These results suggest that the conditions for terrestrial planet formation can occur in a possible broader range of environments than previously thought." More information on the James Webb Space Telescope mission is available at The James Webb Space Telescope website. The public can follow the mission on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
  	Juno November 9, 2023 NASA's Juno Finds Jupiter's Winds Penetrate in Cylindrical Layers Full Article & Images "The finding offers deeper insights into the long-debated internal structure of the gas giant. Gravity data collected by NASA's Juno mission indicates Jupiter's atmospheric winds penetrate the planet in a cylindrical manner, parallel to its spin axis. A paper on the findings was recently published in the journal Nature Astronomy. The violent nature of Jupiter's roiling atmosphere has long been a source of fascination for astronomers and planetary scientists, and Juno has had a ringside seat to the goings-on since it entered orbit in 2016. During each of the spacecraft's 55 to date, a suite of science instruments has peered below Jupiter's turbulent cloud deck to uncover how the gas giant works from the inside out." Images from NASA's JunoCam. More information on the Juno mission is available at: Juno and Mission Juno. The public can follow the Juno mission on Facebook and Twitter.
  	TESS November 29, 2023 Discovery Alert: Watch the Synchronized Dance of a 6-Planet System Full Article & Images "The discovery: Six planets orbit their central star in a rhythmic beat, a rare case of an "in sync" gravitational lockstep that could offer deep insight into planet formation and evolution. Key facts: A star smaller and cooler than our Sun hosts a truly strange family of planets: six "sub-Neptunes" — possibly smaller versions of our own Neptune — moving in a cyclic rhythm. This orbital waltz repeats itself so precisely it can be readily set to music. Details: While multi-planet systems are common in our galaxy, those in a tight gravitational formation known as "resonance" are observed by astronomers far less often. In this case, the planet closest to the star makes three orbits for every two of the next planet out — called a 3/2 resonance — a pattern that is repeated among the four closest planets." For more information on the TESS mission, visit the Latest Tess Stories page.
  	Past, Present, Future and Proposed JPL Missions Visit JPL's mission pages for current status.

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  Mars Missions

  Be A Martian

  

  Mars website mobile version is here!

  	Mars on the Go! NASA Be A Martian Mobile App If you want the latest news as it happens, try out the "Be A Martian" app. Download on Mobile Devices Android | iPhone | Windows Phone
  	JMARS JMARS is an acronym that stands for Java Mission-planning and Analysis for Remote Sensing. It is a geospatial information system (GIS) developed by ASU's Mars Space Flight Facility to provide mission planning and data-analysis tools to NASA's orbiters, instrument team members, students of all ages, and the general public.
  	Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics "The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU) began in 1948, a decade before NASA. We are the world's only research institute to have sent instruments to all eight planets and Pluto.
  	LASP October 13, 2023 7 reasons to get excited about CU Boulder in space Full Article & Images "This year, the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) celebrates its 75th anniversary—marking 75 years of CU Boulder's exploration of space, from the fringes of Earth's atmosphere to the wide expanse of interstellar space. The university is just getting started. In the year ahead, scientists and engineers from across campus will take part in the first U.S. landing on the moon's south pole, launch several pint-sized satellites into orbit around Earth, and begin a journey to Jupiter's dark and frigid moon Europa. Follow along to learn what the next year holds in store for CU Boulder in space."
  	MAVEN November 18, 2023 T-Minus 10 stories of NASA's MAVEN launch Full Article & Images "Ten years ago, on November 18, 2013, NASA's MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) mission launched from Cape Canaveral on an Atlas V rocket, the first step of its epic nine-month journey to Mars. The mission has since helped unlock some of the Red Planet's many mysteries, from how solar wind stripped the planet's atmosphere to discovering different types of Martian aurora. "Results from the MAVEN mission have transformed our understanding of the planet's upper atmosphere," said Shannon Curry, the Principal Investigator of the MAVEN mission. "The mission continues to produce incredible, cross-divisional science, and the team is excited for our future science campaigns and relay activities in the years to come. I have worked on MAVEN since I watched it launch 10 years ago and it has truly been an honor and a privilege." Visit LASP and MAVEN for more information.
  	Mars 2020 - Perseverance November 22, 2023 NASA Uses Two Worlds to Test Future Mars Helicopter Designs Full Article & Images "Engineers will go beyond the ends of the Earth to find more performance for future Mars helicopters. For the first time in history, two planets have been home to testing future aircraft designs. On this world, a new rotor that could be used with next-generation Mars helicopters was recently tested at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, spinning at near-supersonic speeds (0.95 Mach). Meanwhile, the agency's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter has achieved new altitude and airspeed records on the Red Planet in the name of experimental flight testing." Learn more about the Mars 2020 (Perseverance) mission.
  	Mars Science Laboratory - Curiosity November 6, 2023 NASA's Curiosity Rover Clocks 4,000 Days on Mars Full Article & Images "The mission team is making sure the robotic scientist, now in its fourth extended mission, is staying strong, despite wear and tear from its 11-year journey. Four thousand Martian days after setting its wheels in Gale Crater on Aug. 5, 2012, NASA's Curiosity rover remains busy conducting exciting science. The rover recently drilled its 39th sample then dropped the pulverized rock into its belly for detailed analysis." Visit the Mars Science Laboratory page.
  	Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission October 5, 2023 A Bear on Mars? Full Article & Image "The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) captured this bit of ursine pareidolia on Dec. 12, 2022. While it resembles a bear we might see on Earth, this is actually a hill on Mars with a peculiar shape. A V-shaped collapse structure makes the nose, two craters form the eyes, and a circular fracture pattern shapes the head. The circular fracture pattern might be due to the settling of a deposit over a buried impact crater." MARS RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER HIRISE IMAGES All of the HiRISE images are archived here. More information about the MRO mission is available online.
  	Mars Odyssey Orbiter November 28, 2023 NASA Orbiter Snaps Stunning Views of Mars Horizon Full Article and Images "The Odyssey orbiter captured clouds and dust in the Red Planet's skies, along with one of its two tiny moons. Astronauts often react with awe when they see the curvature of the Earth below the International Space Station. Now Mars scientists are getting a taste of what that's like, thanks to NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter, which completed its 22nd year at the Red Planet last month. The spacecraft captured a series of panoramic images that showcases the curving Martian landscape below gauzy layers of clouds and dust. Stitched end to end, the 10 images offer not only a fresh, and stunning, view of Mars, but also one that will help scientists gain new insights into the Martian atmosphere." Daily Mars Odyssey THEMIS Images Can be found at the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) website. Visit the Mars Odyssey Mission page.
  	Mars Missions Status New Mars missions are being planned to include several new rover and sample collection missions. Check out the Mars Exploration web page.

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  Astronomy Links and Other Space News

  (If you have a link you would like to recommend to our readers, please feel free to submit it.)

  

  Colorado Astronomy Links

  • Brighton Astronomy Group - Astronomy in Brighton, Colorado (under construction).

  • Cloudbait Observatory, Guffey Colorado - Submit your fireball reports here. Interesting, knowledgeable site.

  • Colorado Springs Astronomical Society - The Colorado Springs Astronomical Society (CSAS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the enjoyment of the nighttime sky.

  • Denver Astronomical Society - The Deep Space Exploration Society is a Colorado based nonprofit organization dedicated to practical astronomy and space science education for students, the general public, and society members.

  • Deep Space Exploration Society - Promotes the enjoyment and understanding of astronomical phenomena, history and lore by providing educational and observing opportunities for our members, general public, and outreach activities at the University of Denver's historic Chamberlin Observatory, schools, and nature centers.

  • Little Thompson Observatory - Begin or sustain your interest in astronomy at LTO! The night sky is wondrous, filled with countless swirling galaxies, the planets, the moon and so much more. Many of these sights are easily visible from Earth, but few people have witnessed them personally.

    The Little Thompson Observatory can change that for you. Our mission is to help people of all ages learn about the universe by offering a first-hand experience with astronomy...

  • National Space Science & Technology Institute - NSSTI runs the Star Light—Star Bright Observatory in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

  • Northern Colorado Astronomical Society - The Northern Colorado Astronomical Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the science of astronomy and to encourage and coordinate activities of amateur astronomers.

  • Rocky Mountain Star Stare - The Premier Star Party in The Rocky Mountains

  • SkyWatchers - Coal Creek Canyon Sky Watchers - Coal Creek Canyon Sky Watchers is an astronomy and space exploration group that features expert presenters on topics such as the exploration of the Moon, Mars and other planets, international space exploration missions, as well as other astronomy topics. We established Sky Watchers in 2014 and usually have about 35 attendees at our meetings.

  • Southern Colorado Astronomical Society - The Southern Colorado Astronomical Society, CSU-P and the Pueblo Nature and Raptor Center welcomes everyone to participate in the discovery of our night sky.

  • Star Cruiser Bill's Astrophotography - Great astrophotography from Aurora Colorado.

  • Star Light-Star Bright Observatory - The observatory is part of the nonprofit National Space Science & Technology Institute's education and public outreach program.

    The goal of the Star Light—Star Bright Observatory, is to put the universe within reach of primary grade students and their teachers; along with being an educational asset for the community. The observatory is an educational project that was established in 2004 to serve young and old alike and provides the only free access to viewing the universe in the Pikes Peak Region.

  Radio Astronomy Links

  • AMSAT - The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, or AMSAT, is a worldwide group of Amateur Radio Operators (Hams)... AMSAT's goal is to foster Amateur Radio's participation in space research and communication.

  • National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NRAO - Radio Astronomy news and information.

  • Radio JOVE Project - Radio JOVE students and amateur scientists observe and analyze natural radio emissions of Jupiter, the Sun, and our galaxy.

  • Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers - The Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA) is an international society of dedicated enthusiasts who teach, learn, trade technical information, and do their own observations of the radio sky.

  More Astronomy Links

  • "TheSky" - Astronomy Software by Software Bisque. It's where discoveries are made. Where astronomers unravel the mysteries and reveal the beauty of space. At the heart of this search lies Software Bisque and its family of precision-crafted robotic telescope mounts, astronomy software solutions and embedded systems. Tools that help quench the astronomers' thirst for scientific breakthrough and personal enrichment the world over.

  • A Sea of Stars - Voyages of a Merchant Mariner & Amateur Astronomer - I'm a retired Navy veteran, currently sailing with the US Navy's Military Sealift Command as an Operations Chief. My dominant interests are science (esp. astronomy), history and photography, and I enjoy naval and military wargaming WHEN I can find the time.

  • A Short Guide to Celestial Navigation - Celestial navigation is the art and science of finding one's geographic position by means of astronomical observations, particularly by measuring altitudes of celestial objects — sun, moon, planets, or stars.

  • The ARRL - Amateur Radio Relay League - Information about amateur radio and how to become an amateur radio operator.

  • American Meteor Society - Provides amateur observers a place to learn about and report meteor, fireball and related sightings.

  • AstroBackyard - Welcome to the AstroBackyard Backyard of the Week! This is a place where we honor the hard work and dedication put into building an astrophotography rig to capture the glorious night sky. There are many ways to tackle this hobby, with varying types of telescopes, cameras, and mounts with one thing in common — they produce results!

  • Astrogirl Homepage - Astrogirl.org exists to educate, encourage and promote the hobby of amateur astronomy to people of all ages. It is the goal of this site to provide relevant information and resources to the amateur astronomer as an aid in their enjoyment of the night sky. It is a family-friendly, educational site and has been rated as a safe site for all ages.

  • Astronomia - Online web applications that use catalogues of astronomical objects. Applications and their description are also prepared in English.

  • Astronomy Picture of the Day - Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

  • Astronomy Resources - This site has some good links a young, interested student wishes to share.

  • Beginners Guide To Astrophotography - A Quick & Easy Tutorial Of How To Take DSLR Astro Photography

  • Be an Astronomer right from your Window - At-home astronomy techniques.

  • Black Hole Encyclopedia - Excellent site from StarDate - University of Texas McDonald Observatory

  • Caelum Observatory - The LARGEST dedicated public telescope in the Southwest at the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter!

  • Celestron Telescopes - Celestron telescopes.

  • Citizen Science - Citizen Science Projects - NASA's citizen science projects are collaborations between scientists and interested members of the public.

  • Clear Skies Observing Guides - CSOG, short for Clear Skies Observing Guides is a new concept in visual amateur astronomy. It is a digital publication that will enable observers to target all deepsky objects and carbon stars within reach of their equipment.

  • The Constellations of the Night Sky - Good site for finding out more about the 88 constellations and their associated stars. Links to the constellations mentioned in the newsletter can be found on this page.

  • CosmoQuest - The place where you map other worlds, explore out universe and contribute to science.

  • Distant Suns - Desktop Astronomy package for PCs.

  • EarthSky - Astronomy news.

  • Go Astronomy - Links to constellations, noted in this newsletter, as well as to promote and educate people about amateur astronomy.

  • Heavens-Above - As the name implies - What's up in the heavens, particularly satellite passes.

  • The International Dark-Sky Association - To preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies.

  • informED: 10 Teaching Tools for Educators - informED - Teacher Resources.

  • Isa's Astrophotography Atelier - Isabel Streit's exceptional astrophotography web page.

  • iTelescope.net - iTelescope.Net is the world's premier network of Internet connected telescopes, allowing members to take astronomical images of the night sky for the purposes of education, scientific research and astrophotography.

  • JPL Solar System Ambassador Program - "Volunteers Bringing the Solar System to the Public"

  • JPL Solar System - Jet Propulsion Laboratory information on our solar system.

  • K8JTK.ORG - Welcome to the home page of Jeffrey Kopcak. You will find pages and posts I wrote about my hobbies, interests, projects, and things I'm involved in.

  • Kids Space Center - Telescopes and Astronomy - Another site suggested by a young student - Great info about telescopes.

  • Mars Exploration, Mars Rovers Information, Facts, News, Photos - National Geographic - Mars Exploration - Investigating the Red Planet.

  • Meade Advanced Products Users Group - Mapug-Astronomy Topical Archive & information resource, containing a massive 335 page archive of discussions about Meade equipment, and much more: observatories, observing lists, permanent piers, equatorial wedges, remote operations, software, eyepieces, etc.

  • NASA - Lunar and Planetary Science - General information, Missions to Comets, Data, Press Releases, Meteors and Meteorites, Other topics of Interest.

  • NASA Science News - NASA missions, updates, astronomy news, excellent resource.

  • National Archives info on space exploration - Archives Library Information Center (ALIC) - Space Exploration - Information about the United States' space flight programs, including NASA missions and the astronauts who participate in the efforts to explore space.

  • Phys.org - Science News including Nanotechnology, Physics, Earth, Astronomy & Space, Technology, Chemistry, Biology and Other Sciences.

  • Predictions for Solar and Lunar Eclipses - A website dedicated to predictions and information on eclipses of the Sun and Moon.

  • Sky360 - What's in our skies? - Observational Citizen Science of Earth's Atmosphere and Beyond.

  • Skymaps.com - Free sky maps each month.

  • SKY-MAP.ORG - The main purpose of SKY-MAP is to consolidate astronomical, astrophysical and other information about different space objects and astrophysical facts.

  • Space.com - Interesting space and astronomy articles.

  • Spaceflight Now - Launches and satellite news.

  • SpaceLinks/Space Careers - SPACELINKS is a specialist staffing consultancy sourcing and supplying high caliber professionals for a wide range of world class organizations in the Space and Defense industry.

  • "SpaceRef.com" - SpaceRef's 21 news and reference web sites are designed to allow both the novice and specialist alike to explore outer space and Earth observation.

  • Space Weather - Check out what the sun is doing as seen from space.

  • Stellarium - Free, downloadable planetarium/astronomy software.

  • The Most Expensive & Amazing Telescopes In History - Some of the most expensive and amazing telescopes in history - From The Hub Post.

  • The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Astrophotography - Looking up into the night sky with just your eyes and maybe a telescope is amazing on its own. But it can be even better when you photograph and record it for your memories.

  • Top 50 Astronomy NASA Photos of All Time - A list of the most interesting moments in the history of science - From The Hub Post.

  • Ultimate Resource Guide for Astronomy - The resources we have provided below cover everything from discussing what astronomy is all the way to social media groups that focus on this popular and interesting topic. Use this resource guide for finding some great sites on astronomy whether you are a teacher looking for lesson plan ideas, a student wanting to brush up on their knowledge, a college student looking for a career or you just love the stars and want the most from your experiences.

  • UniverseToday - Short, interesting articles about space and related topics.

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  Astronomical Lexicon

  Definitions of astronomical terms. Many of the astronomical terms used in this newsletter are defined here.

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  Read the Universe Today Newsletter by clicking on the logo.

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  Acknowledgments and References

  Much of the information in this newsletter is from Astronomy® Magazine (Kalmbach Publishing), JPL mission status reports, the Internet, "Meteor Showers - A descriptive Catalog" by Gary W. Kronk, Sky & Telescope web pages, and other astronomical sources that I have stashed on my bookshelves.

  The author will accept any suggestions, constructive criticisms, and corrections. Please feel free to send me any new links or articles to share as well. I will try to accommodate any reasonable requests. Please feel free to send questions, comments, criticisms, or donations to the email address listed below. Enjoy!

  More Acknowledgements and References

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  Subscription Information

  • To subscribe: visit Astronews subscription page.

  • Email Newsletter archives

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  Keep looking UP!
  73 from KIØAR
  

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  Home of KIØAR
  created by Burness F. Ansell, III,
  Email me
  IAAS - COO, Director of Aerospace Technologies
  JPL Solar System Ambassador, Colorado
  last modified: December 01, 2023

  URL:http://www.ki0ar.com/astro.html