Skywatchers' Journal

[Turtle]

___If you are stopped, show your binoculars & sky chart & claim you were just hurrying to catch the fading nebulosity of comet Imadaupa.
___Observing conditions here aren't good lately, but I noted a new sunspot has emerged & is growing. The Sun has been relatively blank the last few weeks.
___Keep looking skyward!

[Turtle]

___Meteor shower coming May 5 & 6 composed of debris from Halley's Comet.
Find more specifics at:
http://www.spaceweather.com/

or your favorite astronomy source.

[Turtle]

___Anyone watching the skys tonight in mid to high lattitudes may have an opportunity to see some aurora as a CME (Coronal Mass Ejection) is speeding our way.
http://www.spaceweather.com/

[Turtle]

___Well, it was too cloudy with rain here for skywatching last night, but the aurora were seen widely. A photo is now up at spaceweather of the aurora borealis from California.
http://www.spaceweather.com/
___Any of you get a chance to look, or better yet any of you see some aurora? How 'bought down under? Keep looking skyward!

[Turtle]

___Many more reports & phtots now at spaceweather of the fabulouse aurora. Now, NOAA has issued a space weather warning after the largest class of electrogmetic storms erupted from the Sun on Sunday. They are wwarning when it reaches Earth it may intterupt power systems and other electrical equipment.
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2005/s2437.htm

[Turtle]

___Warm & clear weather upon us & skywatching is looking more appealing. Venus is once again in our sky as the evening star; look to the west just after sunset near the horizon.
___I am moving to a new location where I have no longer a view to the West out my window, but I have a South window with a view from about 35 degrees to about 80 degrees altitude. I did see the moon out the South window briefly last night, but I was too tired from moving to spend any time observing.
___Keep looking skyward!

[orbsycli]

when's the full moon? looked pretty full last night.

[Turtle]

___NOCTILUCENT CLOUDS
___Any of you in Europe see the noctilucent clouds? Apparently their cause is yet undiscoved! Here's a link to start you off:
Strange Clouds

[Turtle]

___Perseid meteor showers coming up in August & a very actice sunspot system is emerging.
http://www.spaceweather.com/

[Turtle]

___Just a final reminder for skywatchers that the Perseid meteor showers start ramping up tonight & peak on the night of August 12th. The SpaceWeather site is already posting peoples' photos of some early meteors. Maybe if it's warm enough tonight I'll set up a chair outside & watch a few hours.