David Dickinson
@astrodave.bsky.social
Writer, Space pundit, Skywatcher
Pinned
Top Nov Astro Events
1-Comet 3I/ATLAS (dawn)
5-Full Moon, closest 2025 perigee
6-Moon occults M45
13-Moon occults Regulus
17-Moon occults Spica
17-Leonids (-5% Moon, ZHR~10)
20-New Moon, farthestv2025 apogee
21-Moon occults Antares
21-Uranus at opposition
25-Mercury passes 1.0 degree N of Venus
1-Comet 3I/ATLAS (dawn)
5-Full Moon, closest 2025 perigee
6-Moon occults M45
13-Moon occults Regulus
17-Moon occults Spica
17-Leonids (-5% Moon, ZHR~10)
20-New Moon, farthestv2025 apogee
21-Moon occults Antares
21-Uranus at opposition
25-Mercury passes 1.0 degree N of Venus
Here's a great white light vs. Cal-K comparison of the massive sunspot group currently turned Earthward, courtesy of Eliot Herman -
www.flickr.com/photos/eliot...
www.flickr.com/photos/eliot...
White Light and Calcium Sun (colorized) on November 8 2025
Astrophysics 110 mm refractor, first solar use for me, with either Lunt wedge or Calcium filter, ZWO camera.
www.flickr.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Here's a great white light vs. Cal-K comparison of the massive sunspot group currently turned Earthward, courtesy of Eliot Herman -
www.flickr.com/photos/eliot...
www.flickr.com/photos/eliot...
Looks like the FAA’s restriction on U.S. daytime launches is in effect… for now. Blue Origin did get an exception for New Glenn and ESCAPADE, with a new T-0 of Nov 12 at 2:50p EST. Otherwise, the 10PM to 6AM (local) ban on launches has sent ripples through the busy schedule: nextspaceflight.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Looks like the FAA’s restriction on U.S. daytime launches is in effect… for now. Blue Origin did get an exception for New Glenn and ESCAPADE, with a new T-0 of Nov 12 at 2:50p EST. Otherwise, the 10PM to 6AM (local) ban on launches has sent ripples through the busy schedule: nextspaceflight.com
An angry Sol - Here's today's solar shot, taken before Monday's snowstorm rolls in. #Dwarf3 #DwarfLab #smartscope
November 9, 2025 at 9:04 PM
An angry Sol - Here's today's solar shot, taken before Monday's snowstorm rolls in. #Dwarf3 #DwarfLab #smartscope
Reposted by David Dickinson
Today’s the day we go to Mars. Who’s ready? The countdown is on for ESCAPADE’s launch, set to lift off from Cape Canaveral NET: 🚀 2:45 PM EST / 🚀 19:45 UTC
Find out more about our mission with NASA and @ucbssl.bsky.social: bit.ly/4qWB519
📷: Blue Origin
Find out more about our mission with NASA and @ucbssl.bsky.social: bit.ly/4qWB519
📷: Blue Origin
November 9, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Today’s the day we go to Mars. Who’s ready? The countdown is on for ESCAPADE’s launch, set to lift off from Cape Canaveral NET: 🚀 2:45 PM EST / 🚀 19:45 UTC
Find out more about our mission with NASA and @ucbssl.bsky.social: bit.ly/4qWB519
📷: Blue Origin
Find out more about our mission with NASA and @ucbssl.bsky.social: bit.ly/4qWB519
📷: Blue Origin
This afternoon: New Glenn is launching from Cape Canaveral, with the EscaPADE Mars mission. It’s a Blue Origin rocket, with a University of Berkeley mission on a @rocketlabcorp.com Photon Explorer stage bus. The 1 hr, 28 launch window opens today at 2:45 PM EST.
nextspaceflight.com/launches/det...
nextspaceflight.com/launches/det...
ESCAPADE | New Glenn | Next Spaceflight
Blue Origin will launch a New Glenn rocket with ESCAPADE from LC-36 at Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA.
nextspaceflight.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:23 PM
This afternoon: New Glenn is launching from Cape Canaveral, with the EscaPADE Mars mission. It’s a Blue Origin rocket, with a University of Berkeley mission on a @rocketlabcorp.com Photon Explorer stage bus. The 1 hr, 28 launch window opens today at 2:45 PM EST.
nextspaceflight.com/launches/det...
nextspaceflight.com/launches/det...
Here's today's look at the massive sunspot group, currently turned Earthward. If you have eclipse glasses, take a look. #Dwarf3 smartscope
November 9, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Here's today's look at the massive sunspot group, currently turned Earthward. If you have eclipse glasses, take a look. #Dwarf3 smartscope
Interesting. As with most things new, the glow may be coming off of Ozempic -
laughingsquid.com/ozempic-pros...
laughingsquid.com/ozempic-pros...
The Pros and Cons of Ozempic
Hank Green of SciShow looked at popular Semaglutide medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy, noting their pros and cons.
laughingsquid.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Interesting. As with most things new, the glow may be coming off of Ozempic -
laughingsquid.com/ozempic-pros...
laughingsquid.com/ozempic-pros...
Reposted by David Dickinson
I measured the magnitude of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS from my photos (July 17th - October 2nd) using Tycho Tracker v.12.6 software. I used the ATLAS catalog and 10000 km aperture radius.
I am attaching the light curve.
#astronomy #interstellarcomet #comet3I #comet3IATLAS
@astrodave.bsky.social
I am attaching the light curve.
#astronomy #interstellarcomet #comet3I #comet3IATLAS
@astrodave.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 8:54 PM
I measured the magnitude of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS from my photos (July 17th - October 2nd) using Tycho Tracker v.12.6 software. I used the ATLAS catalog and 10000 km aperture radius.
I am attaching the light curve.
#astronomy #interstellarcomet #comet3I #comet3IATLAS
@astrodave.bsky.social
I am attaching the light curve.
#astronomy #interstellarcomet #comet3I #comet3IATLAS
@astrodave.bsky.social
That's not good. Looks like the FAA's recent drawdown effects U.S. spaceflight, limiting launches to nighttime only starting Monday, November 10th: youtu.be/hYd9DoWsMbw?... Let's hope that Blue Origin's New Glenn launch with Mars EscaPADE makes it out tomorrow...
Daylight Launches Are Banned In The USA - For Now... | This Week in Spaceflight
YouTube video by NASASpaceflight
youtu.be
November 8, 2025 at 3:33 PM
That's not good. Looks like the FAA's recent drawdown effects U.S. spaceflight, limiting launches to nighttime only starting Monday, November 10th: youtu.be/hYd9DoWsMbw?... Let's hope that Blue Origin's New Glenn launch with Mars EscaPADE makes it out tomorrow...
Comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon reaches perihelion today, 0.53 AU from the Sun. Currently shining at magnitude +4, the comet has been a dependable performer low to the west at dusk. We’re seeing lots of great photos out there of the comet, as it now begins its long journey out of the solar system.
November 8, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon reaches perihelion today, 0.53 AU from the Sun. Currently shining at magnitude +4, the comet has been a dependable performer low to the west at dusk. We’re seeing lots of great photos out there of the comet, as it now begins its long journey out of the solar system.
Reposted by David Dickinson
L-2 days until ESCAPADE launches! Soon, the twins will be on their way to Mars for NASA & UC Berkely to reveal how the planet’s real-time response to space weather and how the Martian magnetosphere changes over time. Who’s ready to make history?
November 7, 2025 at 10:36 PM
L-2 days until ESCAPADE launches! Soon, the twins will be on their way to Mars for NASA & UC Berkely to reveal how the planet’s real-time response to space weather and how the Martian magnetosphere changes over time. Who’s ready to make history?
It's a bird, it's a plane... it's a suborbital military resupply: www.twz.com/space/arc-or...
Arc Orbital Supply Capsule Aims To Put Military Supplies Anywhere On Earth Within An Hour
Deorbiting small cargo-laden spacecraft on demand to troops in need is the vision of Inversion Space and its Arc spacecraft. The U.S. military has a longstanding interest in concepts for transporting ...
www.twz.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:03 AM
It's a bird, it's a plane... it's a suborbital military resupply: www.twz.com/space/arc-or...
Some fast-spinning space rocks: skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-ne... - Via @skyapp.bsky.social
Near-Earth Asteroids Spin Faster Than We Thought
The fast spin of small near-Earth asteroids suggests scientists need to revise their ideas about what holds these rocky bodies together.
skyandtelescope.org
November 7, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Some fast-spinning space rocks: skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-ne... - Via @skyapp.bsky.social
Inbound. Two active sunspot groups are now rotating Earthward going into this weekend: AR 4274 and AR 4276. Both already kicked off a pair of X-class flares in quick succession earlier this week, delivering an oblique blow to Earth’s spaceweather environment.
November 7, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Inbound. Two active sunspot groups are now rotating Earthward going into this weekend: AR 4274 and AR 4276. Both already kicked off a pair of X-class flares in quick succession earlier this week, delivering an oblique blow to Earth’s spaceweather environment.
An intriguing puzzle piece in the story of human migration -
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Mystery group lived in central Argentina for millennia, ancient DNA reveals
New study fills major gap in genetic map of ancient human migrations
www.science.org
November 7, 2025 at 12:49 AM
An intriguing puzzle piece in the story of human migration -
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
We’re now into the encore act for interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, as it passed perihelion on Oct 29, and is now on its outbound leg out of the solar system. Holding at mag +11, the comet is emerging low in the dawn sky in November, crossing through Virgo into Leo, skimming the ecliptic plane.
November 6, 2025 at 1:57 PM
We’re now into the encore act for interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, as it passed perihelion on Oct 29, and is now on its outbound leg out of the solar system. Holding at mag +11, the comet is emerging low in the dawn sky in November, crossing through Virgo into Leo, skimming the ecliptic plane.
The Mauve UV Space Telescope launches on the Transporter-15 rideshare mission this coming Monday - via @us.theconversation.com -
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Startup pioneers subscription service for space-based astronomy
Blue Skies Space will sell data from its tiny, low-cost UV telescope
www.science.org
November 6, 2025 at 1:22 AM
The Mauve UV Space Telescope launches on the Transporter-15 rideshare mission this coming Monday - via @us.theconversation.com -
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
The Moon reaches Full today at 13:20UT, and passes its closest perigee for 2025 at 22:30UT (~9 hours later) at 356,832 km UT distant. Yes, this is the ‘Supermoon’ for 2025, though we prefer the term Proxigean Moon. This means that tonight’s rising Full Moon will appear slightly larger, ~33’ across.
November 5, 2025 at 2:33 PM
The Moon reaches Full today at 13:20UT, and passes its closest perigee for 2025 at 22:30UT (~9 hours later) at 356,832 km UT distant. Yes, this is the ‘Supermoon’ for 2025, though we prefer the term Proxigean Moon. This means that tonight’s rising Full Moon will appear slightly larger, ~33’ across.
That explains why there wasn't a landing this morning...
China's human spaceflight agency stated today that the Shenzhou-20 crew spacecraft may have been struck by a small piece of debris. Impact analysis and risk assessment are underway, delaying the crew's return to Earth, originally scheduled for Nov. 5.
mp.weixin.qq.com/s/G3ikYCQLEv...
mp.weixin.qq.com/s/G3ikYCQLEv...
November 5, 2025 at 1:46 PM
That explains why there wasn't a landing this morning...
Reposted by David Dickinson
November 4, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Seen over Brazil, on the Insta. Definitely looks like a rocket vent: www.instagram.com/p/DQl_GLgDiu...
November 5, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Seen over Brazil, on the Insta. Definitely looks like a rocket vent: www.instagram.com/p/DQl_GLgDiu...
Any word on what time Shenzhou-20 is undocking tonight?
Shenzhou-20 crew have handed over control of Tiangong space station to the Shenzhou-21 astronauts. SZ-20 Trio heading home Nov. 5. mp.weixin.qq.com/s/W77mDnEmjG...
November 4, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Any word on what time Shenzhou-20 is undocking tonight?
Reposted by David Dickinson
One of the simulation exercises made them face a solar storm of extreme magnitude. While we wait for the next launch preparation phase, we encourage you to take a look at the consequences of this nightmare scenario: www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
📷ESA & NASA/Solar Orbiter/EUI Team
📷ESA & NASA/Solar Orbiter/EUI Team
November 4, 2025 at 5:48 PM
One of the simulation exercises made them face a solar storm of extreme magnitude. While we wait for the next launch preparation phase, we encourage you to take a look at the consequences of this nightmare scenario: www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
📷ESA & NASA/Solar Orbiter/EUI Team
📷ESA & NASA/Solar Orbiter/EUI Team
Early November is Taurid fireball season, as the Earth makes its biannual encounter with fragments of Comet 2P/Encke. Tonight sees the Southern Taurids peak and do battle with this week’s Full Moon, while the Northern Taurids have a peak centered on November 12th. www.amsmeteors.org/meteor-showe...
Meteor Shower Calendar
Browse all the major meteor showers for 2025
www.amsmeteors.org
November 4, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Early November is Taurid fireball season, as the Earth makes its biannual encounter with fragments of Comet 2P/Encke. Tonight sees the Southern Taurids peak and do battle with this week’s Full Moon, while the Northern Taurids have a peak centered on November 12th. www.amsmeteors.org/meteor-showe...
Here's an interesting citizen science project, to monitor impact flashes on the Moon during the December Geminids:
lif.mi.imati.cnr.it/home_page.ph...
lif.mi.imati.cnr.it/home_page.ph...
Lunar Impact Flashes
Lunar impact flashes (LIFs) are generated when a meteoroid, a solid object in the Solar System, hits the lunar surface at many kilometers per second and makes a small crater. Part of the energy of the...
lif.mi.imati.cnr.it
November 3, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Here's an interesting citizen science project, to monitor impact flashes on the Moon during the December Geminids:
lif.mi.imati.cnr.it/home_page.ph...
lif.mi.imati.cnr.it/home_page.ph...