Astronomical Events!

[Crazybob]

Comet survives close encounter with the sun. Should have vaporized, but didn't. Might even make for some sky watching. Interesting videos at this site.

http://sungrazer.nrl.navy.mil/index....birthday_comet

[Crazybob]

For all of you in the Southern Hemishere, If you get out looking for Santa before sunrise, make sure to take a look at this!



There is also a video taken by the ISS crew. You can see thunderstorms popping below as they come up on the comet before sunrise.

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/video...a_id=125774121

[Crazybob]

If you want to brave the cold tonight, the Quadrantid meteor shower will be peeking at about 2:20 AM Eastern time. The further west you are, the earlier you can see the peek. The radiant for this shower is very near the North Star, but meteors can be seen in any part of the sky. Good Luck!

[Crazybob]

Update: Observers from Europe to the US reported up to 70 meteors an hour with last nights shower. Of course for me, the clouds rolled in right after sunset and moved out right before sunrise.

[Crazybob]

A large solar flare erupted on the Sun the other day hurling a large CME (Coronal Mass Ejection) towards Earth and Mars. This wave of charged plasma struck the Earth at about 10:30 AM Central time this morning. It has already sparked Auroras in Europe and could have the potential to create great displays for the US if it holds together long enough. Make sure to take a look at the sky tonight if it's clear near you!

[Crazybob]

The strange crap that happens while your getting a ticket in texas.

http://www.spaceweather.com/images20...5c1flk87pfics5

A very nice sized fireball was caught on this dash camera.

[Crazybob]

Got a decent telescope, clear skies and can actually find crap by the coordinates? Then tonight might be the night for you. Comet Garradd is approaching the globular cluster, M92 in Hercules. Should make for a good view and pictures.

[Crazybob]

The Lyrid meteor shower will peak this weekend on the night of the 21st, through the 22nd. There should be no lunar interference. Set yourself up watching towards the Northeast. Lyra should rise soon after sun down. It will slowly rise through the night and be straight above at sunrise. Lyra is a small constellation shaped mainly by 4 stars in the shape of a lyre. With a good telescope, you can see a planetary nebula between the stars. Good luck!

[Mumps]

It's raining here.

But, there's one heck of a pretty aura around all the clouds this evening.

[Crazybob]

Not doing anything in the we hours of the morning? Well, there's another meteor shower for you if you happen to be awake. Here are the details.

http://www.astronomy.com/News-Observ...l&utm_content=