General Astronomy/Cosmology Thread

[Dreckly]

More information 

SLS Block 1 | Artemis I

NEXTSPACEFLIGHT.COM

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NASA will launch a SLS Block 1 rocket with Artemis I from LC-39B, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA.

 

[weatherobsuk]

Depending on what time the Artemis team is looking at launching another attempt on Friday, if it's late afternoon FL time then that favors us in the UK as the inclination will take the upper stages + main fuel tank well within viewing range some 20 minutes after launch. A shame they didn't manage it for today due to the engine-bleed issues and time constraints but a Friday evening launch is more than ideal to be seeing Artemis 'in person' even if it's some hundred miles above.

[summer blizzard]

2 hours ago, RebsAbbo said:

I have to admit I am completely torn on the subject of space travel as the sheer amount of money spent should be going towards rectifying the problems on this planet. HOWEVER, I’m am totally fascinated by the science and can’t help but be excited by any ventures.

Economic multipliers mean that funding a space industry will generate far more jobs and taxes than anything government would do themselves. The UK telecoms industry (satellites and stuff) is actually quite valuable.

Also, space mining has the potential to render modern economics obselete.

[Beverley Lass]

The US space agency will attempt once again in the coming hours to launch its most powerful ever rocket.

Saturday's attempt to launch the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket has been scheduled for the start of a two-hour window that begins at 14:17 local time (19:17 BST; 18:17 GMT).

[Beverley Lass]

Not looking good for the rocket launch as it is said to still be leaking and this
is preventing fuelling.

[Beverley Lass]

Oh dear, it has been cancelled for today.
Possibly trying again on Monday 5th Sept.

[summer blizzard]

They are taking it back to the vehicle repair hangar and delaying launch until late in the month. 

[RebsAbbo]

If anyone gets chance to see Professor Brian Cox’s Horizons Live tour - it’s mind blowing but fab.  Certainly nothing dumbed down for a ‘general’ audience! Yeah, I got lost in parts but totally blown away! Highly recommend.

Thought I’d post now as I’m stuck in the car park waiting to get out to get home. Think it’ll be 13.8 billion years before I do!!

 

[Jo Farrow]

JUPITER opposition and closest approach - Plenty of gaps between the showers for inland Britain and clearing eastern and southern areas later today 

Jupiter viewing UK weather - clear skies with just a scattering of showers tonight

WWW.NETWEATHER.TV

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Binoculars or telescopes at the ready as Jupiter will appear larger and brighter in the night sky on the 26th/27th September. The UK forecast does include clear skies but also showers in the cool flow.

 

[Jo Farrow]

8 hours ago, Jo Farrow said:

JUPITER opposition and closest approach - Plenty of gaps between the showers for inland Britain and clearing eastern and southern areas later today 

Jupiter viewing UK weather - clear skies with just a scattering of showers tonight

WWW.NETWEATHER.TV

---

Binoculars or telescopes at the ready as Jupiter will appear larger and brighter in the night sky on the 26th/27th September. The UK forecast does include clear skies but also showers in the cool flow.

 

Jupiter is very bright in the eastern sky and not too low down.

[Allseasons-Si]

Anyone tracking the Dart satellite that is heading for an asteroid named Dimorphos,...just over 1 hour until impact.

 

[Allseasons-Si]

6 minutes to impact guys...

5  minutes to impact

[Allseasons-Si]

3 minutes.

[AderynCoch]

That was awesome. The clarity of the images as the spacecraft approached was impressive.

[weatherobsuk]

DART was pretty impressive to watch in near-real time as the impactor got closer to the target with the camera resolution being 30cm, had a quick peek outside to see Mars shining red just beneath the Pleiades with Jupiter bright to the south and Saturn not too far away. Hopefully Hurricane Ian isn't too impactful and we'll finally get to see Artemis 1 launch some-time in early October.

[RebsAbbo]

Yes, watched the live feed last night, it was amazing seeing the close up of an asteroid! Took screen shots
    

On the Jupiter front….too much cloud cover here

[RebsAbbo]

Just been outside and the sky is fantastically clear. Seen a couple of faint meteorites, would these be draconids?

[Wold Topper]

4 minutes ago, RebsAbbo said:

Just been outside and the sky is fantastically clear. Seen a couple of faint meteorites, would these be draconids?

Probably lesser spotted Stubbingoids?

[RebsAbbo]

1 minute ago, Wold Topper said:

Probably lesser spotted Stubbingoids?

Wrong direction….stop looking at your navel!

[Wold Topper]

1 minute ago, RebsAbbo said:

Wrong direction….stop looking at your navel!

Navel gazing, thats me!

[RebsAbbo]

Is this our very own SpaceX?  The interesting paragraph is:

“The missions of these satellites span a wide range of activities aimed at improving life on planet Earth, including reducing the environmental impact of production, preventing illegal trafficking, smuggling, and terrorism; and a host of national security functions.”

What on earth does that all mean?? Tells us nothing really….national security

RAF C-17 delivers rocket ahead of first UK space launch

UKDEFENCEJOURNAL.ORG.UK

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The space launch, from a converted Boeing 747 taking off from Cornwall, is on track for next month.

 

[Methuselah]

2 minutes ago, RebsAbbo said:

Is this our very own SpaceX?  The interesting paragraph is:

“The missions of these satellites span a wide range of activities aimed at improving life on planet Earth, including reducing the environmental impact of production, preventing illegal trafficking, smuggling, and terrorism; and a host of national security functions.”

What on earth does that all mean?? Tells us nothing really….national security

RAF C-17 delivers rocket ahead of first UK space launch

UKDEFENCEJOURNAL.ORG.UK

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The space launch, from a converted Boeing 747 taking off from Cornwall, is on track for next month.

 

You took the words straight out of my mouth!

[summer blizzard]

It means that its a spy satelite. 

[RebsAbbo]

Has anyone else watched the tv prog The Elon Musk Story? 
So many people throughout history who are geniuses are also seen as “mad”……he’s certainly a unique person! The most bizarre statement made was about his project to colonise Mars, which he has already sent a rocket (and a Tesla car ) to…..

“He plans to set off a series of nuclear explosions on Mars, vaporising the ice caps & heating the planet to make it more habitable for humans and plants.”  

[Beverley Lass]

Yay, Artemis 1 is finally on the way to the Moon.
Successfully launched in the last few minutes.  Spectacular sight in
the night sky.