David Dickinson
@astrodave.bsky.social
Writer, Space pundit, Skywatcher
Pinned
Jan Astro Events
3-Earth perihelion
3-Full Moon
4-Quadrantids
6-Moon occults Regulus (NE Asia)
8-Venus v Mars
10-Jupiter opposition
14-The Moon occults Antares (Australia)
18-Mercury v Mars
18-New Moon
27-The Moon occults M45 (Arctic)
29-Mercury v Venus
www.universetoday.com/articles/top...
3-Earth perihelion
3-Full Moon
4-Quadrantids
6-Moon occults Regulus (NE Asia)
8-Venus v Mars
10-Jupiter opposition
14-The Moon occults Antares (Australia)
18-Mercury v Mars
18-New Moon
27-The Moon occults M45 (Arctic)
29-Mercury v Venus
www.universetoday.com/articles/top...
Refresh, refresh, refresh... Let the 'eclipse weather worries' begin: eclipsophile.com/tse2026/
Total Solar Eclipse 2026 August 12 | Eclipsophile
Eclipsophile.com presents climate studies of cloud cover and weather along the tracks of upcoming solar eclipses in order to help select viewing locations and travel destinations. Cloud-cover maps and...
eclipsophile.com
January 6, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Refresh, refresh, refresh... Let the 'eclipse weather worries' begin: eclipsophile.com/tse2026/
Reposted by David Dickinson
Models of what these super massive stars match observed spectra. They also explain how we got super massive black holes pretty instantly. These results have been published before, but this is first conference presentation I think.
January 6, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Models of what these super massive stars match observed spectra. They also explain how we got super massive black holes pretty instantly. These results have been published before, but this is first conference presentation I think.
Coming up in just a few hours: the waning -86% illuminated gibbous Moon occults (passes in front of) the +1.4 magnitude star Regulus (Alpha Leonis) in the first bright star lunar occultation of 2026. The action goes down for central/NE Asia, centered on 17:00 Universal Time (UT).
January 6, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Coming up in just a few hours: the waning -86% illuminated gibbous Moon occults (passes in front of) the +1.4 magnitude star Regulus (Alpha Leonis) in the first bright star lunar occultation of 2026. The action goes down for central/NE Asia, centered on 17:00 Universal Time (UT).
Yup. @unistellar.bsky.social is doing some amazing science with their network of smartscopes -
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSpb...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSpb...
Can You Do Real Science With Backyard Telescopes?
YouTube video by Scott Manley
www.youtube.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:18 PM
Yup. @unistellar.bsky.social is doing some amazing science with their network of smartscopes -
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSpb...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSpb...
Venus reaches solar conjunction tomorrow at 16UT/11AM EST, 1.7 AU distant and just 25’ from the Sun. And although -4th mag. Venus is lost in the glare of the Sun for the most part, Joerg Schoppmeyer managed to nab the elusive world with his specialized rig: spaceweathergallery2.com/indiv_upload...
January 5, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Venus reaches solar conjunction tomorrow at 16UT/11AM EST, 1.7 AU distant and just 25’ from the Sun. And although -4th mag. Venus is lost in the glare of the Sun for the most part, Joerg Schoppmeyer managed to nab the elusive world with his specialized rig: spaceweathergallery2.com/indiv_upload...
The strange tale of two protostars 1,000 light-years distant: skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-ne... - Via @skyandtelescope.bsky.social
Passing Baby Stars Lock Arms in Rare Astronomical Find
Astronomers have discovered a bridge of gas and dust between two protostars, the signature of a close encounter 15,000 years ago.
skyandtelescope.org
January 5, 2026 at 12:08 AM
The strange tale of two protostars 1,000 light-years distant: skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-ne... - Via @skyandtelescope.bsky.social
Reposted by David Dickinson
I observed the Quadrantid meteor shower on 2026-01-03 from Yuzhno-Morskoy, Nakhodka
My report to the International Meteor Organization www.imo.net/members/imo_...
@astrodave.bsky.social
@davidbflower.bsky.social
#PhotoHour #StormHour #meteors #Quadrantids2026 #Quadrantids #meteorshower #astronomy
My report to the International Meteor Organization www.imo.net/members/imo_...
@astrodave.bsky.social
@davidbflower.bsky.social
#PhotoHour #StormHour #meteors #Quadrantids2026 #Quadrantids #meteorshower #astronomy
January 4, 2026 at 2:50 PM
I observed the Quadrantid meteor shower on 2026-01-03 from Yuzhno-Morskoy, Nakhodka
My report to the International Meteor Organization www.imo.net/members/imo_...
@astrodave.bsky.social
@davidbflower.bsky.social
#PhotoHour #StormHour #meteors #Quadrantids2026 #Quadrantids #meteorshower #astronomy
My report to the International Meteor Organization www.imo.net/members/imo_...
@astrodave.bsky.social
@davidbflower.bsky.social
#PhotoHour #StormHour #meteors #Quadrantids2026 #Quadrantids #meteorshower #astronomy
Two launches by SpaceX (CSG-3 and Starlink Group 6-88) have put the spaceflight calendar in motion for 2026.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeV6...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeV6...
CSG-3 launch and deployment
YouTube video by SciNews
www.youtube.com
January 4, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Two launches by SpaceX (CSG-3 and Starlink Group 6-88) have put the spaceflight calendar in motion for 2026.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeV6...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeV6...
Reposted by David Dickinson
Into the depths of a winter sky…….almost full wolf Supermoon, clouds & Jupiter @astrodave.bsky.social @wtop @capitalweather.bsky.social
January 4, 2026 at 2:17 AM
Into the depths of a winter sky…….almost full wolf Supermoon, clouds & Jupiter @astrodave.bsky.social @wtop @capitalweather.bsky.social
I remember following NanoSail-D2, back in the day... apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26010...
APOD: 2026 January 2 - NanoSail D2
A different astronomy and space science related image is featured each day, along with a brief explanation.
apod.nasa.gov
January 4, 2026 at 12:21 AM
I remember following NanoSail-D2, back in the day... apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26010...
Reposted by David Dickinson
The next time it coincides with a Lunar perigee is January 2045
January 3, 2026 at 3:49 PM
The next time it coincides with a Lunar perigee is January 2045
Happy (Merry?) Perihelion today. It may not feel like it, but Earth reaches its closest point to the Sun today at 17:16 Universal Time (UT)/12:16 PM (EST) at 0.9833 Astronomical Units (AU) or 91.4 million miles/147.1 million km distant, +1815 km off of average.
astropixels.com/ephemeris/pe...
astropixels.com/ephemeris/pe...
Earth at Perihelion and Aphelion: 2001 to 2100
The dates and times of Earth at Perihelion and Aphelion are given for the 21st century (2001 to 2100) for Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
astropixels.com
January 3, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Happy (Merry?) Perihelion today. It may not feel like it, but Earth reaches its closest point to the Sun today at 17:16 Universal Time (UT)/12:16 PM (EST) at 0.9833 Astronomical Units (AU) or 91.4 million miles/147.1 million km distant, +1815 km off of average.
astropixels.com/ephemeris/pe...
astropixels.com/ephemeris/pe...
Reposted by David Dickinson
Almost Full Wolf Supermoon & Jupiter at 6 o’clock position @wtopnews.bsky.social @astrodave.bsky.social @capitalweather.bsky.social
January 3, 2026 at 4:14 AM
Almost Full Wolf Supermoon & Jupiter at 6 o’clock position @wtopnews.bsky.social @astrodave.bsky.social @capitalweather.bsky.social
Reposted by David Dickinson
Oooh, nice! Another application for Seestar observations :-)
Two images, one taken near perihelion, and again near aphelion showing the difference in apparent size (about 3% difference between them). A fixed optical system (Seestar 50) means the image scale is constant.
January 3, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Oooh, nice! Another application for Seestar observations :-)
An end of 2025 look at interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, courtesy of astronomer Gianluca Masi and the Virtual Telescope Project -
www.virtualtelescope.eu/2025/12/31/i...
www.virtualtelescope.eu/2025/12/31/i...
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS (aka C/2025 N1 ATLAS) on its way back to deep space - 30 Dec. 2025. - The Virtual Telescope Project 2.0
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS imaged on 30 Dec. 2025, while showing a nice anti-tail. Gianluca Masi, Virtual Telescope Project, Italy.
www.virtualtelescope.eu
January 2, 2026 at 8:45 PM
An end of 2025 look at interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, courtesy of astronomer Gianluca Masi and the Virtual Telescope Project -
www.virtualtelescope.eu/2025/12/31/i...
www.virtualtelescope.eu/2025/12/31/i...
Reposted by David Dickinson
It's Wolf Moon weekend! The first full moon of 2026 has risen. Currently 99% full (reaches maximum whilst set), it will be a 'Supermoon' tomorrow at 2pm.
#astronomy #astrophotography @stormhour.com @photohour.bsky.social
#astronomy #astrophotography @stormhour.com @photohour.bsky.social
January 2, 2026 at 4:00 PM
It's Wolf Moon weekend! The first full moon of 2026 has risen. Currently 99% full (reaches maximum whilst set), it will be a 'Supermoon' tomorrow at 2pm.
#astronomy #astrophotography @stormhour.com @photohour.bsky.social
#astronomy #astrophotography @stormhour.com @photohour.bsky.social
If skies are clear, keep an eye out for the brief but strong Quadrantid meteors this weekend. The ‘Quads’ have a brief but strong annual January 3rd peak just after New Year’s Day.
Here’s our post on prospects for the 2026 Quads for @universetoday.com www.universetoday.com/articles/the...
Here’s our post on prospects for the 2026 Quads for @universetoday.com www.universetoday.com/articles/the...
The Quadrantid Meteors and Earth at Perihelion Usher in the New Skywatching Year
It sneaks up on us, every annual flip of the calendar into the new year. If skies are clear, keep an eye out for the brief but strong Quadrantid meteors this weekend. The Quadrantids or ‘Quads’ have a...
www.universetoday.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:47 PM
If skies are clear, keep an eye out for the brief but strong Quadrantid meteors this weekend. The ‘Quads’ have a brief but strong annual January 3rd peak just after New Year’s Day.
Here’s our post on prospects for the 2026 Quads for @universetoday.com www.universetoday.com/articles/the...
Here’s our post on prospects for the 2026 Quads for @universetoday.com www.universetoday.com/articles/the...
Jan Astro Events
3-Earth perihelion
3-Full Moon
4-Quadrantids
6-Moon occults Regulus (NE Asia)
8-Venus v Mars
10-Jupiter opposition
14-The Moon occults Antares (Australia)
18-Mercury v Mars
18-New Moon
27-The Moon occults M45 (Arctic)
29-Mercury v Venus
www.universetoday.com/articles/top...
3-Earth perihelion
3-Full Moon
4-Quadrantids
6-Moon occults Regulus (NE Asia)
8-Venus v Mars
10-Jupiter opposition
14-The Moon occults Antares (Australia)
18-Mercury v Mars
18-New Moon
27-The Moon occults M45 (Arctic)
29-Mercury v Venus
www.universetoday.com/articles/top...
January 2, 2026 at 1:45 AM
Jan Astro Events
3-Earth perihelion
3-Full Moon
4-Quadrantids
6-Moon occults Regulus (NE Asia)
8-Venus v Mars
10-Jupiter opposition
14-The Moon occults Antares (Australia)
18-Mercury v Mars
18-New Moon
27-The Moon occults M45 (Arctic)
29-Mercury v Venus
www.universetoday.com/articles/top...
3-Earth perihelion
3-Full Moon
4-Quadrantids
6-Moon occults Regulus (NE Asia)
8-Venus v Mars
10-Jupiter opposition
14-The Moon occults Antares (Australia)
18-Mercury v Mars
18-New Moon
27-The Moon occults M45 (Arctic)
29-Mercury v Venus
www.universetoday.com/articles/top...
Be sure to celebrate the dumpster fire of a year that was 2025, and welcome in 2026 with the New Year's Eve Dumpster Fire bidding farewell (& good riddance) to 2025, courtesy of Ambient Renders: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xkw...
www.youtube.com
December 31, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Be sure to celebrate the dumpster fire of a year that was 2025, and welcome in 2026 with the New Year's Eve Dumpster Fire bidding farewell (& good riddance) to 2025, courtesy of Ambient Renders: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xkw...
Calling it. Assuming there aren’t any unannounced ‘rogue launches’ in the next few hours (looking at you, N.Korea/Iran) yesterday’s launch of Shijian-29A/B from Wenchang Space Center in China will close out 2025, with a record-setting 315 launches worldwide reaching orbit. youtu.be/GPYaaa7mc-o?...
Long March-7A launches Shijian-29A & B
YouTube video by SciNews
youtu.be
December 31, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Calling it. Assuming there aren’t any unannounced ‘rogue launches’ in the next few hours (looking at you, N.Korea/Iran) yesterday’s launch of Shijian-29A/B from Wenchang Space Center in China will close out 2025, with a record-setting 315 launches worldwide reaching orbit. youtu.be/GPYaaa7mc-o?...
Reposted by David Dickinson
Musk critics on X face AI-driven suppression and reach collapse
oecd.ai/en/incidents...
oecd.ai/en/incidents...
December 31, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Musk critics on X face AI-driven suppression and reach collapse
oecd.ai/en/incidents...
oecd.ai/en/incidents...
Still on X? (I'm sayin', on BlueSky)
petapixel.com/2025/12/29/x...
petapixel.com/2025/12/29/x...
X Users Have the Power to Edit Any Image Without Permission
The new tool was announced by Elon Musk.
petapixel.com
December 30, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Still on X? (I'm sayin', on BlueSky)
petapixel.com/2025/12/29/x...
petapixel.com/2025/12/29/x...
Reposted by David Dickinson
The new object, 2025-002C (62734), is likely an inert jettisoned piece of equipment (docking adapter? refuelling system?) but not impossible it's a subsatellite - will monitor the tracking data for any manuevers
December 30, 2025 at 3:54 PM
The new object, 2025-002C (62734), is likely an inert jettisoned piece of equipment (docking adapter? refuelling system?) but not impossible it's a subsatellite - will monitor the tracking data for any manuevers
Reposted by David Dickinson
So, how about our New Year's CME? Well, NASA is the most bullish with a flanking hit late on Dec 31. NOAA has a glancing blow early on Jan 1. HUXt just outputted a ~60% chance of arrival with high uncertainty for impact around Jan 1 midday UT.
December 30, 2025 at 3:41 PM
So, how about our New Year's CME? Well, NASA is the most bullish with a flanking hit late on Dec 31. NOAA has a glancing blow early on Jan 1. HUXt just outputted a ~60% chance of arrival with high uncertainty for impact around Jan 1 midday UT.