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. PROMINENCE ALERT: If you have a sun-filtered telescope, take a look at this morning's sun. Spaceweather reader Stephen Ames reports a "large and interesting prominence on the southeastern limb." images: from Greg Piepol of Rockville, Maryland; from J. Fairfull, C. Mullen and John Stetson of South Portland, Maine. FORGOTTEN PLANET: Barely a month ago, the King of Planets ruled the evening sky. Now Jupiter is plunging into the glare of the sun, out of sight and forgotten by most sky watchers. A quick exposure with a digital camera, however, reveals that it is still there: "This 15-second guided photo of Jupiter with its four Galilean satellites was taken at 5:46 p.m on November 23rd," says Gary A. Becker of Coopersburg, Pennsylvania. He used a Canon D40 to capture the planet and its moons shining right through evening twilight. If you wish to try this trick yourself, don't wait. Jupiter is making a beeline for the sun and soon it will genuinely vanish. Only SOHO and STEREO, spacecraft with sun-blocking coronagraphs, will be able to see Jupiter swing around the sun next month. A special date is Dec. 20th when Jupiter, Mercury and the sun form a tight triangle in the noontime sky. Mark your calendar and join SOHO for a ringside seat. GOLDEN BEACON: The sun was setting in Toronto last week when, suddenly, a golden beacon leaped up from the horizon. "It lasted a good 15 minutes," reports Damir who took this picture: The "beacon" is a sun pillar created by plate-shaped ice crystals fluttering down from high cold clouds. Flat sides of the crystals catch the rays of the setting sun and bend them into a tall luminous column as shown. Look for sun pillars when the sun is near the horizon and shining through high clouds--they're a nice addition to any autumn sunset. more images: from Chad Boetger of Flandreau, South Dakota; from Howard Herscovitch of Toronto, Ontario; from Leo Van Hoyweghen of Barjac (South of France); from Pierre Baillargeon of Roberval, Quebec, Canada; Comet 17P/Holmes Photo Gallery [Interactive World Map of Comet Photos] [sky map] [ephemeris] [3D orbit] [Night Sky Cameras] |