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Post by Kimby on Jan 27, 2015 0:39:46 GMT
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Sky Watch
Jan 27, 2015 1:37:49 GMT
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Post by Kimby on Jan 27, 2015 1:37:49 GMT
And this from Space Weather:
DON'T FORGET THE ASTEROID FLYBY: A mountain-sized space rock is approaching Earth for a harmless but eye-catching close encounter on Monday night, Jan. 26-27. The incoming asteroid, named 2004 BL86, will be just 740,000 miles away (3.1 times farther from us than the Moon) and visible in ordinary binoculars. More information and observing tips are available at spaceweather.com
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2015 11:29:47 GMT
I think that only people living in Big Sky Country have any chance of seeing such things.
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Sky Watch
Jan 27, 2015 14:05:55 GMT
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Post by Kimby on Jan 27, 2015 14:05:55 GMT
Well, I went out with my binoculars to look for the asteroid, but it's a very big sky with a LOT of stars. It felt like looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack.
The instructions for viewing named three constellations that aren't among the ones I'm familiar with and can locate in the night sky. And the moon, a half moon, was high enough in the sky that I suspect my binocs would not have revealed the asteroid even if I knew exactly where to point them.
DID ANYONE ELSE SEE IT?
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Post by htmb on Jan 27, 2015 18:18:16 GMT
I gave the sky a half hearted look when I took the dog out. It was clear enough, but I have lots of tree cover so my view of the sky was pretty limited.
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Sky Watch
Jan 28, 2015 2:23:24 GMT
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Post by Kimby on Jan 28, 2015 2:23:24 GMT
It would not be naked/eye visible, and I don't think you would notice it unless you knew where to look. And I didn't. Another celestial non-event. But fun to know it was out there.
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Post by htmb on Jan 28, 2015 2:44:26 GMT
I knew that, thanks to your informative posts, but was too lazy tired to go get my binoculars.
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Sky Watch
Jan 28, 2015 4:34:19 GMT
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Post by Kimby on Jan 28, 2015 4:34:19 GMT
Mine were no help. Gotta know where to point em.
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Post by htmb on Jan 28, 2015 11:11:51 GMT
Yep. And I didn't.
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Sky Watch
Jan 28, 2015 15:40:57 GMT
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Post by Kimby on Jan 28, 2015 15:40:57 GMT
Lets try to be better prepared in 2027, OK?
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Post by htmb on Jan 28, 2015 17:41:17 GMT
Since you are slightly younger, Kimby, you'll have to remind me.
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Sky Watch
Jan 28, 2015 18:28:37 GMT
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Post by Kimby on Jan 28, 2015 18:28:37 GMT
;-)
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Sky Watch
Apr 3, 2015 22:26:24 GMT
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Post by Kimby on Apr 3, 2015 22:26:24 GMT
For those on the Pacific side, whatever that means: Space Weather News for April 3, 2015 spaceweather.comLUNAR ECLIPSE: Sky watchers on the Pacific side of Earth can see a brief but beautiful lunar eclipse on Saturday morning, April 4th. The Moon will turn red, and possibly turquoise, too, as the lunar disk passes through the shadow of our planet. Totality lasts for less than 5 minutes, so it is important to be outside at the right moment. Check spaceweather.com for viewing times and more information.
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Sky Watch
Apr 10, 2015 13:35:52 GMT
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Post by Kimby on Apr 10, 2015 13:35:52 GMT
Aurora alert. Last night and maybe tonite, too: Space Weather News for April 10, 2015 spaceweather.comOn Friday, April 10th, a G2-class geomagnetic storm erupted. Northern Lights spilled across the Canadian border into the USA, where auroras were photographed as far south as Colorado. At the time of this alert, storm conditions are still underway with a possibility for more storming when a belated CME arrives later in the day. Visit spaceweather.com for more information and updates.
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Sky Watch
May 19, 2015 16:22:24 GMT
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Post by Kimby on May 19, 2015 16:22:24 GMT
Possible northern lights tonite, for high latitude viewers, best after midnite. Anyone ever hear of this? I hadn't: "SPRITE SEASON BEGINS: As northern summer approaches, photographers in Europe and the USA are starting to see "red sprites," an exotic form of lightning that shoots out of the tops of thunderclouds. Photos and observing tips are highlighted on today's edition of spaceweather.com "
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Post by mossie on May 22, 2015 19:00:59 GMT
Yes I had read of sprites. I think seen from high flying aircraft and from space.
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2015 20:34:25 GMT
Never heard of them. No thunderclouds at the moment.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2015 2:18:42 GMT
Full moon Tonite. Just rising.
And, a special than you to Kimby for keeping up with this thread since day one.
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Post by Kimby on Jun 3, 2015 3:03:59 GMT
spaceweather.com/This is a link to a site about sky/space happenings. They do emailed alerts about sky events that you can subscribe to: satellite flyovers, auroras, unusual phenomena. another good site is Astronomy Picture of the Day apod.nasa.gov/apod/, which posts a usually gorgeous photo every day and has an archive button and search feature allowing you to find pics of subjects you are interested in. Like this one from 2006 of sundogs: My first post was actually day two, Casi, but THANK YOU for starting this thread.
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Post by mossie on Jun 3, 2015 18:50:23 GMT
That is a fabulous shot of a pair of sun dogs
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Sky Watch
Jun 4, 2015 21:57:42 GMT
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Post by Kimby on Jun 4, 2015 21:57:42 GMT
Not much to see unless you're an early riser with a good view of the horizon, but.... Space Weather News for June 4, 2015 spaceweather.comEarth is entering a stream of debris from an unknown comet, and this is causing one of the most intense meteor showers of the year. Ironically, most sky watchers won't notice because the shower peaks in broad daylight. We only know it's happening because a radar in Canada is picking up echoes from meteoroids streaking through the blue sky overhead. Astronomers call these meteors "Arietids" because they emerge from the constellation Aries not far from the June sun. For observing tips on how you might be able to see earthgrazing Arietids just before sunrise in the mornings ahead, visit spaceweather.com
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Sky Watch
Jun 29, 2015 23:09:15 GMT
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Post by Kimby on Jun 29, 2015 23:09:15 GMT
SUNSET SKY SHOW: The two brightest planets in the night sky are converging for a spectacular close encounter. On June 30th, Jupiter and Venus will be just a fraction of a degree apart, forming a pair so bright that you can see them even before nightfall. Check spaceweather.com for observing tips and more.
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Sky Watch
Jul 28, 2015 4:01:59 GMT
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Post by Kimby on Jul 28, 2015 4:01:59 GMT
BLUE MOON: There's a full Moon this week and according to modern folklore it is a "Blue Moon." Most Blue Moons are gray, as usual, but sometimes a Blue Moon can really turn blue. Find out more about this phenomenon in today's edition of spaceweather.com
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Post by Kimby on Aug 7, 2015 2:27:20 GMT
THEY'RE BACK! My favorite meteor shower! PERSEID FIREBALLS: One meteor shower produces more fireballs than any other--and it's underway now. Earth is entering a stream of debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle, source of the annual Perseid meteor shower. NASA all-sky cameras are detecting an increasing number of Perseid fireballs as the shower's peak approaches on Aug. 12-13. Check spaceweather.com for updates and more information.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2015 17:32:56 GMT
In France, this is the 25th edition of "The Night of Stars" from 7 to 9 August. Observatories all over the country are open to the public and lots of "fancy amateurs" set up their equipment in places where members of the public can take a look.
Part of the upcoming COP21 climate conference will concern reducing light pollution in urban areas, but frankly I do not have high hopes for that.
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Sky Watch
Aug 7, 2015 19:21:22 GMT
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Post by Kimby on Aug 7, 2015 19:21:22 GMT
Switching to downward-directed light fixtures can have a huge effect without sacrificing safety and security.
Bonus is more light reaching the ground and less light scattering to the heavens to dim the stars.
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Sky Watch
Sept 25, 2015 15:50:34 GMT
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Post by Kimby on Sept 25, 2015 15:50:34 GMT
BIG EVENT ON SUNDAY!
Super Moon AND a Lunar Eclipse.
Details to follow.
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Sky Watch
Sept 26, 2015 23:21:49 GMT
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Post by Kimby on Sept 26, 2015 23:21:49 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 27, 2015 1:36:43 GMT
Wow -- hope the sky is clear here that night -- I'm in the hot pink zone!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2015 10:06:00 GMT
Yes, even the French press has alerted people because the skies will be clear tonight.
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