If your sky is clear and dark....
Leonid meteor shower: When, where and how to catch a glimpse of the shooting stars
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63670222 

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"SpaceX launched its massive Starship rocket but loses contact after eight minutes of flight. The top part of the rocket successfully separated from the booster which then blew up. Contact was then lost with the main rocket."

SpaceX Starship Launches But Fails After Take Off.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/science-environment-67462128 

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https://news.sky.com/story/astronauts-accidentally-drop-toolbox-during-space-walk-and-you-could-see-it-from-earth-13006280 

Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O'Hara spent six hours and 42 minutes outside the ISS carrying out maintenance work. But in the process, one bag floated away.

[The Daily Wail couldn't resist an uncalled-for sexist headline on the topic)

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Moon and Jupiter [and Saturn] nicely visible this week: Full moon 27th.
https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blog/astronomy/night-sky-highlights-november-2023 

 

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Moon and Jupiter [and Saturn] nicely visible this week: Full moon 27th.
https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blog/astronomy/night-sky-highlights-november-2023 

 

Was wondering what that bright star was next to the moon. Didnt realise Jupiter could be that bright, couldnt see Saturn though, where abouts would that be?
 

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Was wondering what that bright star was next to the moon. Didnt realise Jupiter could be that bright, couldnt see Saturn though, where abouts would that be?
 

Best seen just after dusk in the southern to southwestern sky; it's some way to the bottom right of Jupiter (about 4 o'clock position). It looks like an ordinary yellow star, but is the brightest 'star' in that part of the sky.

Was wondering what that bright star was next to the moon. Didnt realise Jupiter could be that bright, couldnt see Saturn though, where abouts would that be?
 

I recommend you download Stellarium or use it online. Links below. It's free and brilliant. I'd start with the 2nd.
When I last looked Saturn was in the eastern sky when the Moon and Jupiter were westering. But of course, they all move!  😁
http://stellarium.org/en_GB/ 
https://stellarium-web.org/ 

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I recommend you download Stellarium or use it online. Links below. It's free and brilliant. I'd start with the 2nd.
When I last looked Saturn was in the eastern sky when the Moon and Jupiter were westering. But of course, they all move!  😁
http://stellarium.org/en_GB/ 
https://stellarium-web.org/ 

A good rising Moon with Jupiter in attendance to the East. Saturn to the South.
https://stellarium-web.org/ 

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I hope you spotted last night's full moon - the Beaver Moon - 27 November 2023.
Heads up for....
Geminids meteor shower peaks on the night of 14 and 15 December 2023
https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/geminid-meteor-shower-uk-dates-how-to-see 
Last full moon of 2023 - the Cold Moon 27th December
https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/full-moon-calendar 

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Heads up for Auroras later this week from a solar flare on 28th.
https://spaceweather.com/ 

Watch the data come in - and hope for clear skies:
https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ 


 

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There seem to be unusually many aurora reports at this time - is the sun being more active, or is it just easier to pick up reports on the web?

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There seem to be unusually many aurora reports at this time - is the sun being more active, or is it just easier to pick up reports on the web?

I've been watching solar activity for years and feel you may be right, but it is cyclical of course. And impressions change with age! I feel the same about the frequency of volcanic eruptions. 🙄😁
An "official line" on Solar activity is:
"We are now in Solar Cycle 25 with peak sunspot activity expected in 2025, the panel said. Solar Cycle 24 was average in length, at 11 years, and had the 4th-smallest intensity since regular record keeping began with Solar Cycle 1 in 1755."
https://www.weather.gov/news/201509-solar-cycle 
Sky and Telescope says:
"A new forecast suggests that sunspot numbers, aurorae, and other solar activity will peak sooner and at a higher level than expected."
https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/new-forecast-resets-solar-cycle-expectations/ 
 

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'Perfect solar system' found
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67488931 

Too good to be true?

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'Perfect solar system' found
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67488931 

Too good to be true?

My hope is it is populated with a sentient moral species, unlike Earth. 😁

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New Scientist says:
See a forgotten meteor shower caused by a dead comet this weekend. The Andromedid meteor shower is normally a quiet affair, but very occasionally it puts on an intense show - which may happen on 2 December.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2405884-see-a-forgotten-meteor-shower-caused-by-a-dead-comet-this-weekend/ 

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Magnetic activity up in the red. There should be a good chance for many to see the aurora tonight, given the cold air mass and the subsequent clearer skies in place:

https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ 

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Magnetic activity up in the red. There should be a good chance for many to see the aurora tonight, given the cold air mass and the subsequent clearer skies in place:

https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ 

Just been admiring that, Bolty. See spaceweather.com for an update: "..geomagnetic 'aftershocks' could ignite more auroras during the night of Dec. 1-2. "
https://spaceweather.com/ 

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Not sure where this belongs, but since it was photographed from space I’ll put it here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/67635753 

 

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Clear skies permitting....
"The Geminid meteor shower is one of the last of the year’s major showers, and can generally be relied on to put on a good display.
In 2023, the Geminid meteor shower will be active between 4-20 December and will peak on 14-15 December."

Geminid meteor shower
https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/geminid-meteor-shower-uk-dates-how-to-see 
https://skyandtelescope.org/wp-content/uploads/Geminid_radiant_Wide2.jpg 

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Rare solar storms could cause rail network chaos, scientists warn
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-67681360 
 

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