Where's Saturn? Is that a UFO--or the ISS? What's the name of that star? Get the answers from mySKY--a fun new astronomy helper from Meade. SOLAR ACTIVITY: "There is a spectacular prominence on the sun today--a detailed web of strands, great sight!" reports Robert Arnold from the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Readers, if you have a solar telescope, take a look. more images: from John Nassr of Baguio, Philippines; from John Stetson of Falmouth, Maine. SHUTTLE DISCOVERY: Space shuttle Discovery landed safely at the Kennedy Space Center today concluding a two-week assembly mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Discovery's visit was highlighted by Scott Parazynski's daring spacewalk to repair a ripped solar panel while the array was still electrified and the installation of the new Harmony module--both crucial to the future expansion of the ISS. To the heroes, welcome home! Twenty-four hours before touchdown, Darrell Spangler photographed Discovery chasing the International Space Station across the skies of Colorado: Photo details: Canon EOS 300D, 18mm, f/3.5, 30 sec, ISO800 "To watch the pair traveling across the dawn sky was breathtaking and awe inspiring to say the very least," says Spangler. more images: from Joseph Westerberg of Joshua Tree National Park California; from Becky Ramotowski of Tijeras, New Mexico; from Steve Ballard of Rock Island, Illinois; from Wayne Wooten of Pensacola, Florida; from Dave Gulyas of Birmingham, Ohio; from Nigel Merrick of Memphis, TN; from Bill Blevins of Sandy, Utah. COMET 17P/HOLMES: Italian astronomer Paolo Candy has christened Comet Holmes "the Jellyfish Comet." This picture taken Nov. 6th through his 8-inch telescope shows why: "It has a green head and blue tentacles," notes Candy. An 8-hour movie recorded by astronomer Filipe Alves of Atalaia, Portugal, shows the tentacles in motion. Indeed, it seems to be swimming. Doug Zubenel of DeSoto, Kansas, sees a different likeness. "It looks like an alien creature from the 1960s TV show the Outer Limits. The episode entitled Moonstone, which first aired on March 9, 1964, features a white sphere found by lunar explorers which houses creatures of great intelligence. The resemblance to Comet Holmes is striking." Jellyfish? Alien intelligence? Form your own opinion after sunset when Comet Holmes pops into view in the northern constellation Perseus: sky map. It is visible to the unaided eye and a fine target for binoculars and backyard telescopes. Comet 17P/Holmes Photo Gallery [Interactive World Map of Comet Photos] [sky map] [ephemeris] [3D orbit] [Night Sky Cameras] |