The aurorae phenomenon has been confirmed on Mars by the infrared atmospheric spectronometer on the Mars Express Orbiter. The lights are not visible in regular light. Mars doesn't generate a planet-wide magentic field like here on Earth, so our aurorae will always be prettier.
Artist's rendition of the Mars Express Orbiter
Intersystem Visitor
Comet Machholz 1, discovered in 1986, has such a bizarre chemical makeup that scientists now believe it may have come from beyond our solar system. David Schleicher, a planetary astronomer at Lowell Observatory in Arizona.believes that Machholz 1 could be an interstellar interloper. He's found that the comet contains much less of a carbon-nitrogen molecule called cyanogen compared with the average found in other comets.
This image taken by the ESA-NASA sunwatching spacecraft SOHO reveals Comet Machholz 1 close to the sun on Jan. 8, 2002. SOHO's coronograph hid the bright sun, the size of which is shown by the inner ring. Credit: SOHO/LASCO (ESA & NASA).
Exoplanetary News
A newly discovered exoplanet nearly six times the mass of Jupiter was discovered orbiting the red giant star HD 102272, which is located 1,200 light-years away in the constellation Leo. The researchers detected the planet with the Hobby-Eberly Telescope of McDonald Observatory in Texas. They used the radial velocity method, which involves measuring the slight wobbles of a star caused by the tug of an orbiting planet.
This artist's impression shows a red supergiant engulfing a Jupiter-like planet as it expands. The red giant HD 102272 will likely not engulf its planet for another 100 million years when it begins to mushroom dramatically. Credit: NASA
Great Conjunction
I hope y'all got a good look outside last night at the amazing skyshow of the Moon, Jupiter and Venus. I tried to get some pics, but forgot to set up the tripod in time so I missed it. However, here are some shots for your enjoyment.
Lunar Conjunction
Romanian photographer Stanescu Octavian took this picture of the moon running over Venus. These happen just twice a year with the next being February 28, 2009 and will be wonderfully visible here in North America.
NEO News
On December 2, 2008 there were 1002 potentially hazardous asteroids.
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Dec. 2008 Earth-asteroid encounters:
| Asteroid | Date(UT) | Miss Distance | Mag. | Size |
| 2008 WY94 | Dec. 5 | 3.2 LD | 19 | 35 m |
| 2008 WG14 | Dec. 5 | 4.8 LD | 17 | 49 m |
| 2006 VB14 | Dec. 14 | 36 LD | 15 | 795 m |
| 2008 EV5 | Dec. 23 | 8.4 LD | 13 | 435 m |
That's all!
--->Susan
