The sun in 2018

EarthSky 2019 lunar calendars are cool! Order now. Going fast!

This montage of 365 images taken by ESA’s Proba-2 satellite shows the changing activity of the sun during 2018. The satellite’s camera works at extreme ultraviolet wavelengths to capture the sun’s hot turbulent atmosphere – the corona, at temperatures of about a million degrees.

The satellite is continuously monitoring the sun – one image was selected to represent each day of the year. A poster version is below.

The sun typically follows an 11-year cycle of activity, and throughout 2018, it embraced its solar minimum – the period of least solar activity in the 11-year cycle – and displayed few active regions (the bright regions in the images).

One way to assess the level of activity is by counting sunspots (dark spots in the images), or recording the strength of solar flares – sudden flashed of extreme brightness. The most energetic flare of 2018 was recorded on February 7, from a small region located at central latitudes in the eastern hemisphere of the sun (to the left of the center of the sun in the corresponding image).

It was classed as a ‘C-8.1’ in the classification system that divides solar flares according to their strength. The smallest are A, followed by B, C, M and X, with each letter representing a ten-fold increase in energy output such that an X-class flare is 100 times stronger than a C-class flare.

M and X flares, along with coronal mass ejections that launch vast clouds of solar matter out into space, can create such powerful bursts of radiation that if directed towards Earth have the potential to create geomagnetic storms that can disrupt our communication systems and power grids, and can harm satellites. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to continuously monitor the sun – to be able to prepare for and mitigate the adverse effects of space weather.

Bottom line: Satellite image montage of 365 images shows the changing activity of the sun during 2018.

Via ESA



from EarthSky http://bit.ly/2ToWm3c

EarthSky 2019 lunar calendars are cool! Order now. Going fast!

This montage of 365 images taken by ESA’s Proba-2 satellite shows the changing activity of the sun during 2018. The satellite’s camera works at extreme ultraviolet wavelengths to capture the sun’s hot turbulent atmosphere – the corona, at temperatures of about a million degrees.

The satellite is continuously monitoring the sun – one image was selected to represent each day of the year. A poster version is below.

The sun typically follows an 11-year cycle of activity, and throughout 2018, it embraced its solar minimum – the period of least solar activity in the 11-year cycle – and displayed few active regions (the bright regions in the images).

One way to assess the level of activity is by counting sunspots (dark spots in the images), or recording the strength of solar flares – sudden flashed of extreme brightness. The most energetic flare of 2018 was recorded on February 7, from a small region located at central latitudes in the eastern hemisphere of the sun (to the left of the center of the sun in the corresponding image).

It was classed as a ‘C-8.1’ in the classification system that divides solar flares according to their strength. The smallest are A, followed by B, C, M and X, with each letter representing a ten-fold increase in energy output such that an X-class flare is 100 times stronger than a C-class flare.

M and X flares, along with coronal mass ejections that launch vast clouds of solar matter out into space, can create such powerful bursts of radiation that if directed towards Earth have the potential to create geomagnetic storms that can disrupt our communication systems and power grids, and can harm satellites. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to continuously monitor the sun – to be able to prepare for and mitigate the adverse effects of space weather.

Bottom line: Satellite image montage of 365 images shows the changing activity of the sun during 2018.

Via ESA



from EarthSky http://bit.ly/2ToWm3c
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Hare and Dove at Orion’s feet

Tonight – look for one of the easiest-to-find constellations in the sky at this time of year. It’s recognizable for a short, straight row of three medium-bright stars. These stars represent the Belt of Orion the Hunter. As seen from latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, you’ll find Orion in the south around 8 to 9 p.m. As seen from the equatorial regions, Orion is more overhead. From the temperate parts of the Southern Hemisphere, Orion is seen in the northern sky. Also, notice the star Sirius nearby.

You’ll have no trouble spotting the constellation Orion the Hunter and the bright star Sirius tonight – or even on bright moonlit nights. But to see the Lepus the Hare and Columba the Dove, you need a moderately dark sky with little to no moonlight.

It's easy to use Orion's Belt to locate Sirius, the brightest star of the nighttime sky. It'll be more of a challenge to see the Hare and the Dove sitting at the feet of the Mighty Hunter.

It’s easy to use Orion’s Belt to locate Sirius, the brightest star of the nighttime sky. It’ll be more of a challenge to see the Hare and the Dove sitting at the feet of the mighty Hunter.

On old sky maps, the mighty Hunter of the ancient myths is seen poised with an upraised club and shield, as though fending off the raging Bull, Taurus. Lepus and Columba seem to cower at the Hunter’s feet.

Lepus the Hare was described by Roman stargazers as being “swift,” “light-footed,” and “eared.” Columba the Dove can be found to the south of the Hare. This little constellation is sometimes ignored in Northern Hemisphere books about the sky, probably because it is so far south as seen from the U.S. Richard Hinckley Allen, in his classic book Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning, wrote that Columba was first seen in constellation drawings in 1603. But, he said, there are hints in early writings that stargazers knew the name Columba, and identified a Dove here, as long as 17 centuries ago.

Back in stock. Order your 2019 EarthSky lunar calendar today! Supplies limited.

Bottom line: Lepus the Hare and Columba the Dove are two faint constellations near the easy-to-find constellation Orion. You need a dark sky to see them.



from EarthSky http://bit.ly/2SrjBMI

Tonight – look for one of the easiest-to-find constellations in the sky at this time of year. It’s recognizable for a short, straight row of three medium-bright stars. These stars represent the Belt of Orion the Hunter. As seen from latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, you’ll find Orion in the south around 8 to 9 p.m. As seen from the equatorial regions, Orion is more overhead. From the temperate parts of the Southern Hemisphere, Orion is seen in the northern sky. Also, notice the star Sirius nearby.

You’ll have no trouble spotting the constellation Orion the Hunter and the bright star Sirius tonight – or even on bright moonlit nights. But to see the Lepus the Hare and Columba the Dove, you need a moderately dark sky with little to no moonlight.

It's easy to use Orion's Belt to locate Sirius, the brightest star of the nighttime sky. It'll be more of a challenge to see the Hare and the Dove sitting at the feet of the Mighty Hunter.

It’s easy to use Orion’s Belt to locate Sirius, the brightest star of the nighttime sky. It’ll be more of a challenge to see the Hare and the Dove sitting at the feet of the mighty Hunter.

On old sky maps, the mighty Hunter of the ancient myths is seen poised with an upraised club and shield, as though fending off the raging Bull, Taurus. Lepus and Columba seem to cower at the Hunter’s feet.

Lepus the Hare was described by Roman stargazers as being “swift,” “light-footed,” and “eared.” Columba the Dove can be found to the south of the Hare. This little constellation is sometimes ignored in Northern Hemisphere books about the sky, probably because it is so far south as seen from the U.S. Richard Hinckley Allen, in his classic book Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning, wrote that Columba was first seen in constellation drawings in 1603. But, he said, there are hints in early writings that stargazers knew the name Columba, and identified a Dove here, as long as 17 centuries ago.

Back in stock. Order your 2019 EarthSky lunar calendar today! Supplies limited.

Bottom line: Lepus the Hare and Columba the Dove are two faint constellations near the easy-to-find constellation Orion. You need a dark sky to see them.



from EarthSky http://bit.ly/2SrjBMI
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Small asteroid disintegrates over Cuba in broad daylight

A blue sky, with a smoke trail, among clouds.

The daylight meteor seen in Cuba on February 1 left a long smoke trail. Image via Hatzel Vela

Several meteorites have been found in western Cuba after a huge meteor was seen by many – in broad daylight – on Friday, February 1, 2019. People in southern Florida also saw the meteor, as this space rock traveled over West Palm Beach, above the Florida Keys, and then to Viñales, a town in Pinar del Río, Cuba.

The event occurred at around 1:16 – 1:17 p.m. ET on Friday, February 1, 2019. Residents of Viñales, Cuba saw a very long smoke trail that lasted more than one minute, while the meteor itself was described as extremely bright, with yellow-orange color, and lasted more than at least four seconds.

Several Cuban residents reported finding back rocks showing the characteristic fusion crust seen in ordinary chondrites meteorites.

A lumpy black rock with small white patches, against a lighter background.

One of several stony meteorites found in Cuba on February 1, 2019, shortly after the huge meteor was seen across the skies. Image via Hatzel Vela.

Astronomers estimate that the space rock that disintegrated over Cuba was at least a few meters in diameter – likely, van-sized – before entering Earth’s atmosphere. That’s a lot smaller than the house-sized asteroid that entered Earth’s atmosphere over Chelyabinsk, Russia – also in February- in 2013. The shock wave from the Chelyabinsk event broke windows in six Russian cities and sent some 1,500 people to seek medical treatment, mostly from flying glass.

One of the witness of the Cuba meteor was Juan Alberto Pérez Pozo, who, immediately after seeing the amazing meteor, started recording the smoke trail and was able to capture the huge sonic boom at 0:46 on this video:

Meteorological satellites also recorded the event:

The bright, yellow-orange color seen in the meteor suggests the space rock probably contains sodium. A similar composition was also seen in the Chelyabinsk meteorites, which were later recovered in a lake.

Reports indicate the sonic boom of the Cuba meteor also shattered windows, much as the Chelyabinsk meteor did; however, the Cuba event was at a smaller scale.

A web cam in Fort Myers, Florida, captured the meteor as it was descending towards Cuba:

This map shows the trajectory of the huge meteor:

Map: Tip of Florida and most of Cuba with a long arrow drawn northeast to southwest.

Trajectory of the huge meteor seen from Florida and Cuba. Illustration by Google Earth / Eddie Irizarry

Here’s another view of the meteor’s flash, seen from a satellite:

Other small asteroids passed very close to Earth in the past few weeks, including asteroid 2019 BZ3,  a 23-foot  (7-meter) space rock that came at just 0.1 or 10% the Earth-moon distance, on January 27, 2019.

Good-sized meteors do strike Earth’s atmosphere frequently. Fortunately, Earth’s atmosphere causes most of these space rocks to disintegrate. According to astronomers who study asteroids, Earth is in no imminent danger of collision with any large, dangerous asteroid.

Bottom line: A small space rock exploded in midair over Cuba, and pieces of it (meteorites) have been found.



from EarthSky http://bit.ly/2DQ8sNk
A blue sky, with a smoke trail, among clouds.

The daylight meteor seen in Cuba on February 1 left a long smoke trail. Image via Hatzel Vela

Several meteorites have been found in western Cuba after a huge meteor was seen by many – in broad daylight – on Friday, February 1, 2019. People in southern Florida also saw the meteor, as this space rock traveled over West Palm Beach, above the Florida Keys, and then to Viñales, a town in Pinar del Río, Cuba.

The event occurred at around 1:16 – 1:17 p.m. ET on Friday, February 1, 2019. Residents of Viñales, Cuba saw a very long smoke trail that lasted more than one minute, while the meteor itself was described as extremely bright, with yellow-orange color, and lasted more than at least four seconds.

Several Cuban residents reported finding back rocks showing the characteristic fusion crust seen in ordinary chondrites meteorites.

A lumpy black rock with small white patches, against a lighter background.

One of several stony meteorites found in Cuba on February 1, 2019, shortly after the huge meteor was seen across the skies. Image via Hatzel Vela.

Astronomers estimate that the space rock that disintegrated over Cuba was at least a few meters in diameter – likely, van-sized – before entering Earth’s atmosphere. That’s a lot smaller than the house-sized asteroid that entered Earth’s atmosphere over Chelyabinsk, Russia – also in February- in 2013. The shock wave from the Chelyabinsk event broke windows in six Russian cities and sent some 1,500 people to seek medical treatment, mostly from flying glass.

One of the witness of the Cuba meteor was Juan Alberto Pérez Pozo, who, immediately after seeing the amazing meteor, started recording the smoke trail and was able to capture the huge sonic boom at 0:46 on this video:

Meteorological satellites also recorded the event:

The bright, yellow-orange color seen in the meteor suggests the space rock probably contains sodium. A similar composition was also seen in the Chelyabinsk meteorites, which were later recovered in a lake.

Reports indicate the sonic boom of the Cuba meteor also shattered windows, much as the Chelyabinsk meteor did; however, the Cuba event was at a smaller scale.

A web cam in Fort Myers, Florida, captured the meteor as it was descending towards Cuba:

This map shows the trajectory of the huge meteor:

Map: Tip of Florida and most of Cuba with a long arrow drawn northeast to southwest.

Trajectory of the huge meteor seen from Florida and Cuba. Illustration by Google Earth / Eddie Irizarry

Here’s another view of the meteor’s flash, seen from a satellite:

Other small asteroids passed very close to Earth in the past few weeks, including asteroid 2019 BZ3,  a 23-foot  (7-meter) space rock that came at just 0.1 or 10% the Earth-moon distance, on January 27, 2019.

Good-sized meteors do strike Earth’s atmosphere frequently. Fortunately, Earth’s atmosphere causes most of these space rocks to disintegrate. According to astronomers who study asteroids, Earth is in no imminent danger of collision with any large, dangerous asteroid.

Bottom line: A small space rock exploded in midair over Cuba, and pieces of it (meteorites) have been found.



from EarthSky http://bit.ly/2DQ8sNk
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2019 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #5

A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week, i.e., Sun, Jan 27 through Sat, Feb 2, 2019

Editor's Pick

A surprising new picture of ocean circulation could have major consequences for climate science

Some experts say the Atlantic Ocean circulation is already slowing down — but we’re just beginning to learn how it really works.

Atlantic Ocean at Southern Tip of Greenland 

 The ocean near the southern tip of Greenland during a cruise to deploy the initial OSNAP array. (C. Nobre/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.)

It may be the biggest wild card in the climate system. Scientists have long feared that the so-called “overturning” circulation in the Atlantic Ocean could slow down or even halt due to climate change — a change that would have enormous planetary consequences.

But at the same time, researchers have a limited understanding of how the circulation actually works, since taking measurements of its vast and remote currents is exceedingly difficult. And now, a major new research endeavor aimed at doing just that has suggested a dramatic revision of our understanding of the circulation itself.

A new 21-month series of observations in the frigid waters off Greenland has led to the discovery that most of the overturning — in which water not only sinks but returns southward again in the ocean depths — occurs to the east, rather than to the west, of the enormous ice island. If that’s correct, then climate models that suggest the circulation will slow as the climate warms may have to be revised to take this into account.

A surprising new picture of ocean circulation could have major consequences for climate science by Chris Mooney, Washington Post, Jan 31, 2019

Links posted on Facebook

Sun Jan 27, 2019

Mon Jan 28, 2019

Tue Jan 29, 2019

Wed Jan 30, 2019

Thur Jan 31, 2019

Fri Feb 1, 2019

Sat Feb 2, 2019



from Skeptical Science http://bit.ly/2RDU26Y
A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week, i.e., Sun, Jan 27 through Sat, Feb 2, 2019

Editor's Pick

A surprising new picture of ocean circulation could have major consequences for climate science

Some experts say the Atlantic Ocean circulation is already slowing down — but we’re just beginning to learn how it really works.

Atlantic Ocean at Southern Tip of Greenland 

 The ocean near the southern tip of Greenland during a cruise to deploy the initial OSNAP array. (C. Nobre/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.)

It may be the biggest wild card in the climate system. Scientists have long feared that the so-called “overturning” circulation in the Atlantic Ocean could slow down or even halt due to climate change — a change that would have enormous planetary consequences.

But at the same time, researchers have a limited understanding of how the circulation actually works, since taking measurements of its vast and remote currents is exceedingly difficult. And now, a major new research endeavor aimed at doing just that has suggested a dramatic revision of our understanding of the circulation itself.

A new 21-month series of observations in the frigid waters off Greenland has led to the discovery that most of the overturning — in which water not only sinks but returns southward again in the ocean depths — occurs to the east, rather than to the west, of the enormous ice island. If that’s correct, then climate models that suggest the circulation will slow as the climate warms may have to be revised to take this into account.

A surprising new picture of ocean circulation could have major consequences for climate science by Chris Mooney, Washington Post, Jan 31, 2019

Links posted on Facebook

Sun Jan 27, 2019

Mon Jan 28, 2019

Tue Jan 29, 2019

Wed Jan 30, 2019

Thur Jan 31, 2019

Fri Feb 1, 2019

Sat Feb 2, 2019



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See it! Moon and morning planet photos

A Manhatten skyline as dawn is breaking, with the planets arced across the sky above.

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos. | Before dawn on February 1, 2019, Alexander Krivenyshev in Guttenberg, New Jersey, captured the spectacular early-morning planets with the waning crescent moon over New York City. Thank you, Alexander!

Billowing smoke from a chimney, with the moon and Venus visible to one side.

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos. | Karl Diefenderfer in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, caught the waning moon, with bright Venus above right, on February 1, 2019. He wrote: “Chilly start to the day at -4F.” Thank you, Karl.

pink sky with yellow rays coming from a dark horizon

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos. | On February 1, 2019, Peter Lowenstein captured this image in Mutare, Manicaland, Zimbabwe. He wrote, “Waning crescent moon and Venus above vivid sunrise crepuscular rays. Picture taken when they were at maximum brightness over Cecil Kop Nature Reserve. The display lasted for only five minutes before fading.”

Crescent moon near 2 tiny planets in dark blue sky with a layer of orange near the dark horizon.

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos | Photo by Haluk Atamal in Antalya, Turkey, February 1, 2019. Haluk wrote, “The moon and Venus almost depict the Turkish flag; Jupiter is watching from above.”

Looks like a snowy park in England, bare trees, planets and moon behind.

View larger at EarthSky Community Photo. | Steve Pond in East Grinstead, Sussex, England, caught this image on January 31. He wrote: “Another crisp clear morning in southern England. It’s lovely that by posting this on various social media sites for my town, many here were looking up and seeing it. Can’t think of a better way to start to the day.” That is lovely, Steve! Thanks for sharing your photo.

Silhouettes of tropical plants, and domed architecture, with the moon, Jupiter and Venus in the sky.

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos. | Thomas Gallier captured the trio on January 31 from Lake Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico, with an iPhone. Thanks, Thomas!

Looks like an overlook, moon and planets in the sky, a handrail and icy-looking plague in the foreground.

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos. | Dennis Schoenfelder in Alamosa, Colorado, captured the moon and planets on January 31. He wrote: “We get great colors when there is fog at 20 below. The plaque commemorates Amelia Earhart’s landing in this field.” Thank you, Dennis.

Blue twilight sky, crescent moon, a bright planet on either side of the moon, snow-covered ground below.

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos. | Jack Webb captured the trio in Wyoming on January 31 and wrote: “Taken just before sunrise about 20 miles east of the east entrance to Yellowstone Park.”

Venus and moon on each side of a mermaid-shaped weathervane.

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos. | Venus and the moon on January 31 bracket a weathervane on a historic home in Beaufort, North Carolina, by Doug Waters.

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos. | Roosevelt Silva in Brazil captured the moon and morning planets Venus and Jupiter on January 31, 2019. From much of the world on this morning, the moon was between Venus and Jupiter. But the moon and planets’ orientation to the horizon was different from different earthly latitudes.

Crescent moon between 2 bright planets, above treetops.

View larger at Earthsky Community Photos. | Tom Wildoner caught the moon, Venus (brighter) and Jupiter (fainter) on January 31, 2019. He wrote: “A chilly -6F this morning without the windchill! Here is a view of this mornings conjunction of Venus, the crescent moon and Jupiter. If you can zoom in on Jupiter you can also spot two of Jupiter’s moons, Ganymede and Callisto.”

Dawn breaking, with a line of objects in the east, moon highest, Jupiter next, then Venus.

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos. | Our friend Tom Wildoner also caught the moon and planets on January 30, 2019. Note that, on January 30, the moon was poised above the planets. It moved below Jupiter, as seen from Earth’s western hemisphere, the following day. Thank you, Tom!

Three bright dots and crescent moon.

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos. | Raul Cortes in Monterrey, Mexico, captured four bright morning lights – the moon, Venus, Jupiter, and Antares – all in one view. Raul took this photo through thin clouds on January 30, 2019.

Bottom line: Photos of the moon, Venus and Jupiter by EarthSky community members.

See more photos by EarthSky friends at EarthSky Community Photos

EarthSky lunar calendars are cool! They make great gifts. Order now. Going fast!



from EarthSky http://bit.ly/2G47Cip
A Manhatten skyline as dawn is breaking, with the planets arced across the sky above.

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos. | Before dawn on February 1, 2019, Alexander Krivenyshev in Guttenberg, New Jersey, captured the spectacular early-morning planets with the waning crescent moon over New York City. Thank you, Alexander!

Billowing smoke from a chimney, with the moon and Venus visible to one side.

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos. | Karl Diefenderfer in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, caught the waning moon, with bright Venus above right, on February 1, 2019. He wrote: “Chilly start to the day at -4F.” Thank you, Karl.

pink sky with yellow rays coming from a dark horizon

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos. | On February 1, 2019, Peter Lowenstein captured this image in Mutare, Manicaland, Zimbabwe. He wrote, “Waning crescent moon and Venus above vivid sunrise crepuscular rays. Picture taken when they were at maximum brightness over Cecil Kop Nature Reserve. The display lasted for only five minutes before fading.”

Crescent moon near 2 tiny planets in dark blue sky with a layer of orange near the dark horizon.

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos | Photo by Haluk Atamal in Antalya, Turkey, February 1, 2019. Haluk wrote, “The moon and Venus almost depict the Turkish flag; Jupiter is watching from above.”

Looks like a snowy park in England, bare trees, planets and moon behind.

View larger at EarthSky Community Photo. | Steve Pond in East Grinstead, Sussex, England, caught this image on January 31. He wrote: “Another crisp clear morning in southern England. It’s lovely that by posting this on various social media sites for my town, many here were looking up and seeing it. Can’t think of a better way to start to the day.” That is lovely, Steve! Thanks for sharing your photo.

Silhouettes of tropical plants, and domed architecture, with the moon, Jupiter and Venus in the sky.

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos. | Thomas Gallier captured the trio on January 31 from Lake Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico, with an iPhone. Thanks, Thomas!

Looks like an overlook, moon and planets in the sky, a handrail and icy-looking plague in the foreground.

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos. | Dennis Schoenfelder in Alamosa, Colorado, captured the moon and planets on January 31. He wrote: “We get great colors when there is fog at 20 below. The plaque commemorates Amelia Earhart’s landing in this field.” Thank you, Dennis.

Blue twilight sky, crescent moon, a bright planet on either side of the moon, snow-covered ground below.

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos. | Jack Webb captured the trio in Wyoming on January 31 and wrote: “Taken just before sunrise about 20 miles east of the east entrance to Yellowstone Park.”

Venus and moon on each side of a mermaid-shaped weathervane.

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos. | Venus and the moon on January 31 bracket a weathervane on a historic home in Beaufort, North Carolina, by Doug Waters.

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos. | Roosevelt Silva in Brazil captured the moon and morning planets Venus and Jupiter on January 31, 2019. From much of the world on this morning, the moon was between Venus and Jupiter. But the moon and planets’ orientation to the horizon was different from different earthly latitudes.

Crescent moon between 2 bright planets, above treetops.

View larger at Earthsky Community Photos. | Tom Wildoner caught the moon, Venus (brighter) and Jupiter (fainter) on January 31, 2019. He wrote: “A chilly -6F this morning without the windchill! Here is a view of this mornings conjunction of Venus, the crescent moon and Jupiter. If you can zoom in on Jupiter you can also spot two of Jupiter’s moons, Ganymede and Callisto.”

Dawn breaking, with a line of objects in the east, moon highest, Jupiter next, then Venus.

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos. | Our friend Tom Wildoner also caught the moon and planets on January 30, 2019. Note that, on January 30, the moon was poised above the planets. It moved below Jupiter, as seen from Earth’s western hemisphere, the following day. Thank you, Tom!

Three bright dots and crescent moon.

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos. | Raul Cortes in Monterrey, Mexico, captured four bright morning lights – the moon, Venus, Jupiter, and Antares – all in one view. Raul took this photo through thin clouds on January 30, 2019.

Bottom line: Photos of the moon, Venus and Jupiter by EarthSky community members.

See more photos by EarthSky friends at EarthSky Community Photos

EarthSky lunar calendars are cool! They make great gifts. Order now. Going fast!



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Star-hop: Pegasus to Andromeda galaxy

Tonight, try star-hopping to the famous Andromeda galaxy – the large spiral galaxy next-door to our Milky Way – from the Great Square of Pegasus. Ready?

Look westward for the four stars of the Great Square. You’ll find them high in the west at early evening. The Great Square will sink toward the west-northwest horizon as evening deepens, but this famous pattern of stars will remain in view until mid-to-late evening (at mid-northern latitudes).

Keep in mind that our sky chart covers a larger portion of sky than our charts usually do. The Great Square is so large that your hand can slip in between any two Great Square stars. Hold your hand at arm’s length whenever measuring distances on the sky’s dome.

More about M31: Great galaxy in Andromeda

Focus on the top star of the Great Square on the above sky chart. If you look carefully, you’ll see the constellation Andromeda as two streamers of stars jutting up from this uppermost Great Square star. The two streamers mimic the shape of a cornucopia or a bugle.

Do you love stargazing? Order your EarthSky Planisphere today!

Go to the second star upward on each streamer: Mirach and Mu Andromedae (abbreviated Mu on the sky chart). Draw an imaginary line from Mirach through Mu, going twice the Mirach/Mu distance. You’ve just landed on the Andromeda galaxy!

On a dark night, the Andromeda galaxy looks like a faint, blurry patch of light. If you can’t see it with the unaided eye, your sky might not be dark enough.

Try binoculars!

Bottom line: The four stars of the Great Square of Pegasus are easy to find, and they can help you locate the Andromeda galaxy. Ready? Let’s star-hop!



from EarthSky http://bit.ly/2Sml8nj

Tonight, try star-hopping to the famous Andromeda galaxy – the large spiral galaxy next-door to our Milky Way – from the Great Square of Pegasus. Ready?

Look westward for the four stars of the Great Square. You’ll find them high in the west at early evening. The Great Square will sink toward the west-northwest horizon as evening deepens, but this famous pattern of stars will remain in view until mid-to-late evening (at mid-northern latitudes).

Keep in mind that our sky chart covers a larger portion of sky than our charts usually do. The Great Square is so large that your hand can slip in between any two Great Square stars. Hold your hand at arm’s length whenever measuring distances on the sky’s dome.

More about M31: Great galaxy in Andromeda

Focus on the top star of the Great Square on the above sky chart. If you look carefully, you’ll see the constellation Andromeda as two streamers of stars jutting up from this uppermost Great Square star. The two streamers mimic the shape of a cornucopia or a bugle.

Do you love stargazing? Order your EarthSky Planisphere today!

Go to the second star upward on each streamer: Mirach and Mu Andromedae (abbreviated Mu on the sky chart). Draw an imaginary line from Mirach through Mu, going twice the Mirach/Mu distance. You’ve just landed on the Andromeda galaxy!

On a dark night, the Andromeda galaxy looks like a faint, blurry patch of light. If you can’t see it with the unaided eye, your sky might not be dark enough.

Try binoculars!

Bottom line: The four stars of the Great Square of Pegasus are easy to find, and they can help you locate the Andromeda galaxy. Ready? Let’s star-hop!



from EarthSky http://bit.ly/2Sml8nj
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News digest – vaping as a stop-smoking aid, an NHS first, cervical screening samples and why cancer won’t be ‘cured in a year’

Behavioural support almost twice as effective for quitting smoking when combined with e-cigs

A UK trial found that when behavioural support is combined with vaping it is almost twice as effective for quitting smoking as behavioural support with nicotine replacement therapies such as gum or nicotine patches. The study, supported by Cancer Research UK, is the first to put these two approaches head-to-head. Read the Guardian and our news report for more.

First patient receives CAR T cell therapy on NHS

The BBC reports the first NHS patient has received a pioneering new immunotherapy. The 11-year-old had the personalised treatment for his leukaemia at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London after conventional treatment hadn’t worked. Our news report has the details.

Cervical screening sample backlog

There has been backlog of cervical screening samples that need to be checked due to a change in testing procedures. The Guardian covered this one, with the data coming from a report looking into screening programmes across the UK.

Study that could help GPs spot signs of throat cancer

The BBC covered a study that found a link between throat cancer and a persistent sore throat, but only when combined with other symptoms, such as shortness of breath or persistent hoarseness. The researchers recommended doctors with elderly patients who have a persistent sore throat and other symptoms refer them for further throat cancer checks.

Health professional to step in for GPs

Pharmacists and physios will cover some routine appointments normally carried out by GPs, according to the Telegraph. The new plan aims to reduce GP surgery waiting times, giving doctors more time with sicker patients.

NHS trust chief warns of no-deal Brexit medicine delays

Hospitals in England could quickly run out of certain medicines if a Brexit deal isn’t reached, according to the CEO of a leading hospital group. This could mean potential delays to operations and waiting times increasing for patients. The BBC has more on this.

And finally

The Sun and many other media outlets jumped on an Israeli company’s unsubstantiated claims that they will have a cure for cancer ‘in a year’. Cancer isn’t just one disease, so finding a single treatment for all cancers is unlikely. And the company is yet to published any research data to back up its claims. We took to Twitter to explain more, and this excellent piece in Forbes made its case for why the claims shouldn’t be believed.

Gabi



from Cancer Research UK – Science blog http://bit.ly/2GmJ1oe

Behavioural support almost twice as effective for quitting smoking when combined with e-cigs

A UK trial found that when behavioural support is combined with vaping it is almost twice as effective for quitting smoking as behavioural support with nicotine replacement therapies such as gum or nicotine patches. The study, supported by Cancer Research UK, is the first to put these two approaches head-to-head. Read the Guardian and our news report for more.

First patient receives CAR T cell therapy on NHS

The BBC reports the first NHS patient has received a pioneering new immunotherapy. The 11-year-old had the personalised treatment for his leukaemia at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London after conventional treatment hadn’t worked. Our news report has the details.

Cervical screening sample backlog

There has been backlog of cervical screening samples that need to be checked due to a change in testing procedures. The Guardian covered this one, with the data coming from a report looking into screening programmes across the UK.

Study that could help GPs spot signs of throat cancer

The BBC covered a study that found a link between throat cancer and a persistent sore throat, but only when combined with other symptoms, such as shortness of breath or persistent hoarseness. The researchers recommended doctors with elderly patients who have a persistent sore throat and other symptoms refer them for further throat cancer checks.

Health professional to step in for GPs

Pharmacists and physios will cover some routine appointments normally carried out by GPs, according to the Telegraph. The new plan aims to reduce GP surgery waiting times, giving doctors more time with sicker patients.

NHS trust chief warns of no-deal Brexit medicine delays

Hospitals in England could quickly run out of certain medicines if a Brexit deal isn’t reached, according to the CEO of a leading hospital group. This could mean potential delays to operations and waiting times increasing for patients. The BBC has more on this.

And finally

The Sun and many other media outlets jumped on an Israeli company’s unsubstantiated claims that they will have a cure for cancer ‘in a year’. Cancer isn’t just one disease, so finding a single treatment for all cancers is unlikely. And the company is yet to published any research data to back up its claims. We took to Twitter to explain more, and this excellent piece in Forbes made its case for why the claims shouldn’t be believed.

Gabi



from Cancer Research UK – Science blog http://bit.ly/2GmJ1oe
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