June, 2003

Saturday, June 14th, 2003

Star-Centered Nebula
Planetary Nebula as imaged by Kitt Peak Nat'l Observatory

All planetary nebula result from a dying star shedding outer shells of star-stuff.  This wonderful series of images was captured by the Kitt Peak National Observatory and was recently featured on the APOD. 

Wednesday, June 11th, 2003

Destination Mars
A Delta 2 rocket lifts off for Mars

On Tuesday, 6/10, a Delta 2 rocket carrying the Mars rover Spirit, lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida to begin its seven month journey to the red planet, Mars. 
For more information, checkout CNN.com/SPACE 

Tuesday, June 10th, 2003

Earthbound CMEs?
Sunspot #375 as captured by Bob Sandy of Roanoke County, Virginia

On Monday afternoon, 6/9, Sunspot #375 launched a powerful X-Class solar flare. Then, shortly after midnight UT on Wednesday 6/11, it launched another. These X-Class solar flares, and several others... might be Earth-directed... then again, they might not. If so, they would begin to arrive either on 6/11.. 
For more information, checkout Spaceweather.com 

Thursday, June 5th, 2003

Sputnik on eBay?
Space History for Sale: Sputnik on eBay

Want a piece of space exploration history? Reports indicate that the Russian built Sputnik is for sale on eBay. Sputnik, launched in 1957, set off the space race between the US and the USSR. For more information, checkout CNN.com/SPACE

Wednesday, June 4th, 2003

Jupiter and the Moon
Jupiter and a crescent Moon as imaged by Anthony Arrigo of Utah Skies

Tonight you can find the 5th planet Jupiter about 10° southeast of a beautiful waxing crescent Moon. That's about the width of your fist held at arms length. With about 20% of the lunar surface illuminated, you may also detect some Earthshine as in the image above. 

Monday, June 2nd, 2003

The Ring of Fire
Saturday's annular Eclipse as imaged by Snævarr Guðmundsson

Checkout this awesome shot of last Saturday's Annular Eclipse sent to us by Snævarr Guðmundsson. As if this shot wasn't amazing enough, how it was taken is incredible as well. Fearing that cloud cover would ruin the event, Snævarr chartered a plane to fly him above the clouds. Wow! Now that's dedication.