Astrogeol 🇨🇦🇺🇦

Space & Earth Science communicator, writer & photographer. Regular contributor on CBC Radio & Television. Member of the RASC, SWCC, CEGA & a fellow of the RCGS.

[Astrogeol 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @astrogeol]

After sunset on June 9, I was able to observe a planetary conjunction involving Venus & Jupiter (see photo below). The two planets appeared to be about 1.5 degrees apart or 3 lunar diameters. On June 16 & 17, a thin waxing crescent Moon will join the two bright planets.

[Astrogeol 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @astrogeol]

If you have clear skies, step outside after sunset and look to the west as the twilight dims. You will see two bright star-like objects, which are in fact Jupiter and Venus. The pair will be only 1.5 degrees apart on the evening of June 9. Enjoy!
Photo below was taken on June 5.

[Astrogeol 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @astrogeol]

It was great to be on the @AlbertaatNoon show today with Joel Powell & host @DeyellSue. Thank you to all who phoned in. It was incredibly special listening to @Astro_Jenni sharing her thoughts while being on console as CapCom during the #ArtemisII lunar flyby. Photo credit: #CSA

[Astrogeol 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @astrogeol]

If you are able to listen right now, tune into #NASA Live (link below) & listen to the crew of Artemis II provide real time visual descriptions of the lunar surface from their windows in the Orion spacecraft. It’s been over 50 years! Image from NASA Live.

https://t.co/04HVrynGjO

[Alan Dyer @amazingskyguy]

Look at the painting of the night view of Earth from “35,000 miles out,” from the 1949 book The Conquest of Space by Willy Ley and artist Chelsey Bonestell. It almost exactly matches the photo released April 3 from Artemis II. The continents shown and the zodiacal light match!

[Astrogeol 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @astrogeol]

I just finished presenting a lesson about #NASA’s Artemis II mission to a group of students in Ukraine (via Zoom).
These students were very interested in learning about this historic mission and many were hoping to travel to the Moon one day in the future.
#ArtemisII #vchysia

[Astrogeol 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @astrogeol]

Here is a sample of images recorded by my remote camera located inside the pad perimeter.
I must thank the amazing Kennedy Space Center Public Affairs Office team. They were all outstanding & handled the ~800 journalists & photographers with incredible patience & professionalism.

[Astrogeol 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @astrogeol]

Here are three Artemis II launch images from the KSC press site!
Congratulations to #NASA, the #CSA and all the International partners for a successful start to this historic mission for human spaceflight.
#ArtemisII

[Astrogeol 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @astrogeol]

At liftoff about 75% of the thrust required to lift the massive moon rocket off the launch pad is provided by the two white solid rocket motors. Together they produce 7.2 million lbs of thrust.

Here is a link to a test at Northrop Grumman’s test facility

https://t.co/kUW284YndN

[Astrogeol 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @astrogeol]

The Artemis II mission will send a crew of 4 around our Moon & back to Earth about 10 days later. This is similar to the Apollo 8 mission launched in 1968. What makes this mission more daring is that the Orion capsule has never flown with a life support system or a crew before.

[Astrogeol 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @astrogeol]

@LaunchPhoto @ulalaunch Great shot Ben!

[Astrogeol 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @astrogeol]

Last night (March 31), before trying to go to sleep, I stepped out onto the balcony and looked up at our Moon high in the SE.
It was amazing to think that human eyes will soon have closeup views of this celestial world in just a few days. @CBCEyeopener @LorenMcGinnis #ArtemisII

[Astrogeol 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @astrogeol]

This afternoon the Artemis II crew arrived at the Kennedy Space Center. The crew consists of Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist 1 Christina Koch & Mission Specialist 2 Jeremy Hansen. Backup astronauts Andre Douglas & Jenni Gibbons were also present.

[Astrogeol 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @astrogeol]

Today NASA arranged for a special sunrise photo opportunity with the SLS on the launch pad.
Here are some of my images.
The start of Artemis II’s launch window opens on April 1.
Thank you to NASA’s KSC Office of Communications for this amazing opportunity. @CBCEyeopener #CBCnews

[Astrogeol 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @astrogeol]

Happy Vernal Equinox!
According to the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s Observer’s Handbook… at 8:46 MDT, the Sun crossed the celestial equator heading north. We will experience longer days and shorter nights in the coming days
(in the northern hemisphere). @CBCEyeopener

[Astrogeol 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @astrogeol]

@theauroraguy Cooool!!

[Astrogeol 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @astrogeol]

This afternoon, SLS appears ready to rollout to launch pad 39B. NASA stated first motion is expected to occur around 20:00 EDT. The 6.75 km journey is estimated to take about 12 hrs.
The Artemis II crew will now begin their quarantine keeping April 1 as the 1st launch opportunity

[Astrogeol 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @astrogeol]

The first crewed mission to the Moon in over 50 years is starting to feel very real.
NASA announced the SLS moon rocket will be rolled out to the launch pad beginning around 20:00 EDT on March 19. @CBCEyeopener @LorenMcGinnis #CBCnews

[Astrogeol 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @astrogeol]

Today at ~14:30 EDT marked the 100 year Anniversary of Robert Goddard’s first liquid fueled rocket launch. The Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center offered a free public lecture to recognize this historic event. Steve Agid gave a wonderful lecture about the life of Goddard.

[Astrogeol 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @astrogeol]

Yesterday, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying another batch of Starlink satellites into low earth orbit. The launch produced one of the most beautiful jellyfish effects I have ever seen.
My time lapse video posted here on YouTube.
https://t.co/XqJoB4hXJm