I’m Kinda Diggin’ My Avatars. On A More Serious Note, I’d Love To Come Speak To Your School Group,

Exciting weekend! Got signed off on a certification and SpaceX gave me a new hat! #nasa #spacex #space #solarsystemambassador https://www.instagram.com/p/CW3WpnslSyR/?utm_medium=tumblr

Apollo 11 Lunar Module Activation Checklist #nasa #apollo11 #apollo50thanniversary #usspaceandrocketcenter #huntsvillealabama https://www.instagram.com/p/BwyMXG4njXm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=136g82pilbj24

“The Dolphin” - Located in the Southern Temperate Belt of Jupiter and imaged by the Juno Spacecraft. Taken on PJ16. Processed by John Brackett credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / SwRI / MSSS / John Brackett #missionjuno @nasajuno #juno #jupiter @nasa @nasasolarsystem #nasa https://www.instagram.com/p/B9N6dR-nTps/?igshid=1uonlxjmq96ie

Saturday night viewing.

One of my favorites from last night’s images. The wind was bothersome, but it was an otherwise lovely night. . . . . . #observethemoon #celestrontelescope #celestron #backyardastronomy #stem #explorepage https://www.instagram.com/p/CjN_Z9WuBKZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

What’s Up October 2017

What’s Up For October? 

Planet Pairs, Stellar Superstars, Observe The Moon Night!!

This month, catch planet pairs, our moon near red stars, an asteroid, meteors and International Observe the Moon Night!

You can’t miss bright Venus in the predawn sky. Look for fainter Mars below Venus on the 1st, really close on the 5th, and above Venus after that.

Midmonth, the moon is visible near Regulus, the white starry heart of the constellation Leo.

In the October 8-11 predawn sky watch the moon glide near the Pleiades star cluster and pass near the red stars Aldebaran in the constellation Taurus and Betelgeuse in Orion.

After dusk in the early part of the month look for Saturn in the southwest sky above another red star: Antares in Scorpius. Later in the month, find the moon above Antares October 22 and 23.

Saturn will be above the moon on the 23rd and below it on the 24th.

Uranus reach opposition on October 19th. It’s visible all night long and its blue-green color is unmistakeable. It may be bright enough to see with your naked eye–and for sure in binoculars.

The Orionids peak on October 20–a dark, moonless night. Look near Orion’s club in the hours before dawn and you may see up to 10 to 15 meteors per hour.

Use binoculars to look for bright asteroid 7 Iris in the constellation Aries. Newbies to astronomy should be able to spot this magnitude 6.9 asteroid - even from the city. 

Look later in the month and sketch its positions a day or two apart–to see it move.

Finally, celebrate International Observe the Moon Night on October 28 with your local astronomy club, Solar System Ambassador, museum, or planetarium. The first quarter moon that night will display some great features!

Watch the full What’s Up for October Video: 

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com.

After several months, my SECOND “#1 NEW RELEASE”, is finally available in print! I was almost in tears when I took the pic of my daughter reading it. Thanks to Traci for the support! “Hello Luna, It’s Me Again” is an imaginary conversation with the Moon and a collection of lunar images from my own telescope. If you’re interested, it’s available on Amazon. Much love, and Thank You! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09M577SW8/ . . . . #celestrontelescope #celestron127slt #astrophotography #moon #luna #books https://www.instagram.com/p/CWj4otLs41e/?utm_medium=tumblr

South Polar Region of Jupiter - Enhanced by John Brackett - Nov. 2017

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the launch of Apollo 6.