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- Space News, 14th January
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Introduction
Welcome to another exciting week!
Content:
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Best image of the week
This week's standout image features the first full moon of the year, known as the Wolf Moon, shining brightly alongside Mars. Captured on the evening of January 13, 2025, this celestial pairing offered a stunning visual treat, with Mars appearing as a reddish 'star' just below and to the left of the Moon. At its brightest in two years, Mars added a striking contrast to the luminous full Moon, creating a picturesque night sky scene.
The Wolf Moon
Last week news
January 13: Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin called off the inaugural launch of its New Glenn rocket due to last-minute technical issues. The 320-foot rocket was expected to launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, carrying a prototype of Blue Origin's Blue Ring spacecraft. This mission was intended to establish Blue Origin's presence in the satellite launch business, directly competing with Elon Musk's SpaceX. The company is currently assessing the issue and has not announced a new launch date.
January 13: Comet ATLAS (C/2024 G3), discovered in April 2024, reached its closest approach to the Sun and Earth. This rare comet, on a 160,000-year orbit, was predicted to shine as brightly as Venus, offering a significant viewing opportunity for skywatchers, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. Observers were advised to use binoculars or telescopes for optimal viewing conditions.
January 13: SpaceX's Starship was scheduled for its seventh test flight, aiming to deploy 10 mock satellites to simulate Starlink deployments. The mission planned to utilize a reused Raptor engine and perform the innovative "chopsticks maneuver" to catch the booster mid-air. This test is part of SpaceX's broader goal to facilitate crewed missions to Mars within the next four years.
Upcoming events
January 16: Mars will reach its opposition, meaning it will be directly opposite the Sun from Earth's perspective. This results in Mars being fully illuminated by the Sun, making it appear larger and brighter in the night sky. It's an excellent opportunity for observation, as Mars won't be this visible again for another two years.
January 17-18: Venus and Saturn will appear very close to each other in the evening sky, an event known as a conjunction. This close approach will be visible after sunset, offering a beautiful sight for sky enthusiasts. Look towards the western horizon shortly after dusk to observe this planetary pairing.
Mobile wallpaperToday’s wallpaper is from Andrew McCarthy. It captures an amazing view of the Milky Way. Our galaxy, our home. If you were in a place with no light pollution. You would be able to see something similar in the night-sky with your bare eye. |
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