Space News Update- December 26, 2011 -

In the News

Story 1: Two More Earth-Sized Planets Discovered by Kepler, Orbiting Former Red Giant Star

Story 2:Russian satellite hits 'cosmonaut street' in Siberia

Story 3: Twin probes to circle moon to study gravity field

 Departments

The Night SkyISS Sighting Opportunities

NASA-TV HighlightsSpace CalendarFood for Thought

Space Image of the Week

Two More Earth-Sized Planets Discovered by Kepler, Orbiting

Former Red Giant Star

Russian Satellite Crashes in Latest Failed Rocket Launch

Twin probes to circle moon to study gravity field

The Night SkyMonday, Dec. 26 · Venus shines left of the crescent Moon as twilight fades, a lovely sight. They're about 7° apart as seen around the times of twilight for North America. And use binoculars to resolve the wide double star Alpha Capricorni near the Moon's right or upper right, as seen at the top of this page.  Tuesday, Dec. 27 · The Moon shines high above Venus at dusk, as shown at the top of this page.  · If you live near 40° north latitude (New York, Denver, Madrid) Mercury is now level with Antares low in the dawn, as shown here. Seen from north of 40°, Mercury is higher. Seen from south of there, Antares is higher.

Wednesday, Dec. 28 · Sirius, the Dog Star, sparkles low in the east-southeast after dinnertime this week. Procyon, the Little Dog Star, shines in the east about two fist-widths at arm's length to Sirius's left.

Thursday, Dec. 29 · Two of Jupiter's moons emerge out of eclipse from the planet's shadow early this evening: Europa at 7:51 p.m. EST, and Io at 8:36 p.m. EST. A small telescope will shown them gradually swelling into view just east of the planet.

Friday, Dec. 30 · Look upper right of the Moon after dinnertime for the Great Square of Pegasus balancing on one corner. It's a little larger than your fist at arm's length. · Jupiter's inner moon Io crosses Jupiter's face from 7:57 to 10:06 p.m. EST, followed by its tiny black shadow (more easily visible) from 9:11 to 11:20 p.m. EST. · Algol is at minimum brightness for about two hours centered on 10:30 p.m. EST. · Jupiter's Great Red Spot crosses Jupiter's central meridian around 7:59 p.m. EST. 

ISS Sighting Opportunities

SATELLITE LOCAL DURATIONMAX ELEV

APPROACH DEPARTURE

DATE/TIME (MIN) (DEG) (DEG-DIR) (DEG-DIR)

Sighting information for other cities can be found at NASA’s Satellite Sighting Information

For Denver:

ISS Mon Dec 26/05:55 PM < 1 10 10 above N 10 above N

ISS Tue Dec 27/06:34 PM < 1 10 10 above NNW 10 above NNW

ISS Wed Dec 28/05:37 PM 2 11 10 above NNW 10 above NNE

ISS Thu Dec 29/06:17 PM 1 17 10 above NNW 17 above N

ISS Fri Dec 30/05:20 PM 3 14 10 above NNW 10 above NE

ISS Fri Dec 30/06:56 PM < 1 15 10 above NW 15 above NW

NASA-TV Highlights

December 26, Monday3 p.m. - Replay of ISS This Year - HQ (Public, HD and Media Channels)4 p.m. - This Year @NASA - HQ (Public, HD and Media Channels)5 p.m. - NASA Television Video File and Year in Review Compilation 7 p.m. - Replay of ISS This Year - HQ (Public, HD and Media Channels)8 p.m. - This Year @NASA - HQ (Public, HD and Media Channels)9 p.m. - NASA Television Video File and Year in Review Compilation 11 p.m. - Replay of ISS This Year - HQ (Public, HD and Media Channels)

December 27, Tuesday4 a.m. - NASA Television Video File and Year in Review Compilation 6 a.m. - This Year @NASA - HQ (Public, HD and Media Channels)7 a.m. - Replay of ISS This Year - HQ (Public, HD and Media Channels)8 a.m. - Expedition 30/31 Astronaut Interviews with Flight Engineer Don Pettit (Ph. D.), Flight Engineer Andre Kuipers (M.D.) and Flight Engineer/Commander Oleg Kononenko 10 a.m. - This Year @NASA - HQ (Public, HD and Media Channels)11 a.m. - Live ISS Update - HQ (Public, HD and Media Channels)12 p.m. - NASA TV Video File - HQ (Public, HD and Media Channels) 

Watch NASA TV on the Net by going to NASA website.

Space Calendar

· Dec 26 - SES-4 Proton M-Briz M Launch · Dec 26 - Asteroid 2000 YA Near-Earth Flyby (0.007 AU) · Dec 26 - Asteroid 2001 YE4 Near-Earth Flyby (0.067 AU) · Dec 26 - Asteroid 1279 Uganda Closest Approach To Earth (1.892 AU) · Dec 26 - Asteroid 1143 Odysseus Closest Approach To Earth (3.790 AU) · Dec 27 - Johannes Kepler's 440th Birthday (1571) · Dec 28 - Globalstar 2 (13-18) Soyuz 2-1a-Fregat Launch · Dec 28 - Asteroid 15102 (2000 AA202) Occults HIP 56901 (6.2 Magnitude Star) · Dec 28 - Asteroid 2011 WS95 Near-Earth Flyby (0.018 AU) · Dec 28 - Asteroid 2011 WV95 Near-Earth Flyby (0.052 AU) · Dec 28 - Asteroid 2003 AK18 Near-Earth Flyby (0.057 AU) · Dec 28 - Asteroid 1024 Hale Closest Approach To Earth (1.848 AU) · Dec 29 - Comet 36P/Whipple Perihelion (3.088 AU) · Dec 29 - Asteroid 2011 XD1 Near-Earth Flyby (0.033 AU) · Dec 29 - Asteroid 4148 McCartney Closest Approach To Earth (1.235 AU) · Dec 30 - Comet P/2006 F1 (Kowalski) Closest Approach To Earth (4.142 AU) · Dec 30 - Asteroid 21 Lutetia Occults TYC 6363-00737-1 (10.0 Magntidue Star) · Dec 30 - Asteroid 1620 Geographos Closest Approach To Earth (0.697 AU) · Dec 30 - Asteroid 5254 Ulysses Closest Approach To Earth (3.772 AU) · Dec 30 - Asteroid 3552 Don Quixote Closest Approach To Earth (5.244 AU)

JPL Space Calendar

Food for ThoughtThe 12 Most Anticipated Space Missions of 2012

Space Image of the Week