AkaSci 🛰️

SatCom Scientist
Writing occasionally about science, space missions, astronomy, planetary science, satellites, Democracy and human rights.
He/Him
#science #space #technology #astronomy #satcom #Democracy

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Last Notes

2026-07-15 21:51:17 UTC

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Molecular cloud Sgr B2 is known for harboring several organic molecules.
In 2016, astronomers discovered the first interstellar chiral molecule — propylene oxide (CH3CHCH2O), a mirror image of the more commonly found molecule.
In 2022, propanol (C3H7OH), an alcohol, was detected in Sgr B2 in both isomer versions. It was the first detection of iso-propanol in the interstellar medium and normal-propanol in a star forming region.
https://www.sci.news/astronomy/chiral-molecule-interstellar-cloud-sagittarius-b2-03950.html
https://www.mpg.de/18884791/sanitizer-in-the-galactic-centre-region
#Space
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2026-07-13 21:17:47 UTC

trump plans to give a speech to the nation Thursday evening at 9 p.m.. ET to ... rant about foreign interference in the 2020 presidential election based on some ginned up declassified intelligence.
Seems to be naked attempt to gaslight the nation so that he can ram through the SAVE act, which will help guarantee republican election victories forever.
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/13/trump-2020-election-intelligence-speech.html
#UsPol
1/n

2026-07-11 20:27:25 UTC

"If I was trying to ruin American leadership in scientific research this is pretty much the kind of rule I would write."
The rule Prof. Daniel Drezner is referring to is the OMB proposal which would require all federal grants to be approved by the president’s political appointees.
"This dismantles the post-WWII system used by NIH, NSF, DOE, NASA, ... of independent expert peer review as the primary measure of scientific merit."
https://danieldrezner.substack.com/p/the-trump-administrations-existential
#UsPol #Science
1/n

2026-07-08 04:02:50 UTC

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@nprofile…2wxk
Also, NASA has active programs for -
- Space Nuclear Propulsion
- Lunar Surface Fission Reactor (100 kW)
https://www.nasa.gov/space-technology-mission-directorate/tdm/space-nuclear-propulsion/
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/space-reactor-1-freedom/
https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-department-of-energy-to-develop-lunar-surface-reactor-by-2030/

2026-07-07 23:03:36 UTC

Switzerland beats Columbia 4-3 on penalties after remaining scoreless through extra time.
The semi-finals roster is now complete.
See graphic below for pairings and dates.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jul/07/switzerland-v-colombia-world-cup-2026-last-16-live
#WorldCup
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2026-07-06 13:30:00 UTC

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We have data being received from Hyabusa2 at the 34 meter antenna at NASA DSN Madrid at a "speedy" rate of 2 kbps.
So, it might take a while for all the data to get downloaded.
https://eyes.nasa.gov/apps/dsn-now/dsn.html
8/n
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2026-07-06 10:43:09 UTC

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A gallery of various asteroids that have been imaged by deep space missions.
This graphic is from the press conference conducted by the JAXA Hyabusa2 team earlier today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptnVCeR3rqI
#Science #Space
7/n
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2026-07-06 10:33:54 UTC

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Fascinating hi-res image of asteroid Torifune taken by the JAXA Hayabusa2 spacecraft on July 5, as it flew by at 5 km/s.
The asteroid, like many other, seems to consist of two lobes, joined or touching each other, with boulders scattered across its surface.
Note that its size is estimated at 591 × 461 × 392 m and rotation period at 5 hours.
Data from other instruments will be downloaded later.
https://global.jaxa.jp/press/2026/07/20260706-3_j.html
#Science
6/n
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2026-07-05 12:46:30 UTC

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Average Sea Surface Temperature (SST) across the world is at an all time high for this period of the year.
SST is the primary driver of global climate, governing the exchange of heat and moisture between the ocean and the atmosphere.
https://climatereanalyzer.org/clim/sst_daily/?dm_id=world2
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/sea-surface-temperature.html
#ClimateChange
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2026-07-05 12:23:26 UTC

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Niño Region SST anomaly (departure from normal) from NOAA
In November 2026- January 2027, there is a 63% chance of a very strong El Niño.
SST = Sea Surface Temperature
https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/lanina/enso_evolution-status-fcsts-web.pdf
#Climate
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2026-07-05 12:13:56 UTC

WMO (World Meteorological Organization) Secretary-General Celeste Saulo: “El Niño conditions are already underway and are forecast to strengthen rapidly into a strong event - as accurately anticipated by WMO forecasts.
This will intensify the chances of drought and heavy rainfall and the risk of heatwaves on land and marine heatwaves in many regions of the world."
https://wmo.int/media/news/el-nino-forecast-intensify-increasing-likelihood-of-extreme-weather
#Climate
1/n

2026-07-05 11:20:38 UTC

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Confirmation from JAXA of the successful flyby of asteroid Torifune by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft at 0935 UTC.
https://www.hayabusa2.jaxa.jp/
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2026-07-05 10:35:56 UTC

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Livestream from JAXA of the Hayabusa2 flyby of asteroid Torifune this morning around 0930 UTC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVC3KP3FdQM
4/n

2026-07-03 20:14:15 UTC

While we deal with our daily struggles on Earth, the venerable Voyager spacecraft are quietly and boldly going where no spacecraft has gone before, 23.6 and 19.8 light hours away resp.
Moments ago, both were sending data at 160 bps to the 70m dishes at NASA DSN in Madrid and Canberra.
As power levels from their radioisotope thermoelectric generators diminish after 49 years in space, most instruments have been shut off, but they trudge on.
https://eyes.nasa.gov/apps/dsn-now/dsn.html
https://science.nasa.gov/mission/voyager/where-are-voyager-1-and-voyager-2-now/
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2026-07-02 11:14:19 UTC

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The launch of the NASA Swift Boost Mission has been postponed again.
After takeoff of the L-1011 aircraft carrying the Pegasus XL rocket, a launch vehicle issue temporarily prevented teams from deploying the rocket.
No new launch date announced yet as teams review the data.
😞
https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/swift/2026/07/02/launch-of-swift-boost-mission-delayed-teams-reviewing-data/
12/n

2026-07-01 11:48:47 UTC

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The launch of the NASA Swift Boost Mission was postponed again today due to bad weather.
Next launch attempt: Thursday, July 2, at 9:09 p.m. local time (UTC+12), 5:09 a.m. EDT.
https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/swift/2026/07/01/weather-delays-launch-of-mission-to-boost-nasas-swift/
11/n

2026-06-30 23:45:09 UTC

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The Hayabusa2 flyby of asteroid Torifune is a tricky operation.
Hayabusa2 was designed for rendezvous operation, not distant observations. It lacks telescopes.
Hence, it needs to get very close to the asteroid to gather meaningful data in a few seconds as it swings by at 5 km/s. The 1 km distance is close enough and safe, given the asteroid is ~450 m diameter and perhaps elongated. There is a small risk of collision given uncertainties in size and navigation.
https://www.isas.jaxa.jp/en/topics/004151.html
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2026-06-30 23:24:00 UTC

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Remember Hayabusa2, the plucky JAXA spacecraft that visited asteroid Ryugu in June 2018, scooped up some rock samples and returned them to Earth in December 2020?
It's still out there. It will fly by asteroid Torifune on Sunday July 5, at a relative speed of 5 km/s and a closest distance of 1 km. The data from this flyby will help accurately guide probes to impact and deflect small asteroids in future.
In 2031, Hayabusa2 will rendezvous with asteroid 1998 KY26.
https://global.jaxa.jp/press/2026/06/20260609-1_e.html2/n

2026-06-30 19:37:45 UTC

Today, June 30, is Asteroid Day. On this UN designated day, events are held globally to educate the public and to raise awareness about asteroids, and about the science of defending our planet from future asteroid impacts. June 30 marks the date of Earth’s largest asteroid impact in recorded history, the Siberia Tunguska event, in 1908.
https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/stats/totals.html
#Asteroid
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2026-06-27 12:53:45 UTC

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Two Iran deals compared - Obama's JCPOA vs trump's racketeering.
Besides, one can bet that a substantial portion of the promised $300 billion will end up in the pockets of the war-profiteers.
We and our children will be stuck with the bills.
https://stevenrattner.com/2026/06/trumps-iran-deal-billions-for-iran-a-huge-bill-for-taxpayers-steve-rattner-on-morning-joe/
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2026-06-27 12:25:55 UTC

The cost of the Iran war is lot more than the $29B number touted by the White House.
"The Pentagon has already asked Congress for $80 billion. Meanwhile, Moody’s Analytics has put the likely total at $132 billion while two other experts think the tab could ultimately reach as much as $1 trillion, once costs like veterans’ benefits and rebuilding damage to American bases are incorporated."
More analysis and charts at https://stevenrattner.com/2026/06/trumps-iran-deal-billions-for-iran-a-huge-bill-for-taxpayers-steve-rattner-on-morning-joe/
#UsPol
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2026-06-26 12:33:19 UTC

Land temperatures in Europe, as measured by the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite on Wednesday, 23 June.
Note that ground temperatures are considerably higher than air temperatures.
The current European heatwave is caused by an atmospheric pattern of persistent high pressure – a ‘heat dome’ – trapped between low pressure systems.
On 23 June, France recorded its hottest June day ever.
🔥
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDt54AMgfmI
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2026/06/Europe_feels_the_heat_beneath_our_feet
#ClimateChange #ESA
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2026-06-23 19:19:24 UTC

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Vint Cerf posted this short essay yesterday on his perspectives on how tech has changed lives over six decades and his view of the future.
It is one in a series from experts to celebrate Computer Weekly's 60th anniversary this year.
https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/CW60-On-longevity-a-career-spanning-60-years-of-modern-computing
2/n

2026-06-23 12:47:45 UTC

Happy 83rd Birthday to Vint Cerf.
https://fosstodon.org/@[email protected]/116799485606250848

2026-06-17 18:18:03 UTC

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His mind is mush. It's on auto-pilot.
https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3moirmilo3u23
#UsPol
5/n
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2026-06-17 18:16:02 UTC

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O the insecurity.
And the utter lack of self awareness.
https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3moijdia5tt2v
#UsPol
4/n
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2026-06-17 14:53:28 UTC

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The insecurities run deep in this White House and in MAGA world in general.
Many bear deep scars from being shunned by their peers all their life and bear strong grudges. They need therapy, not appointments in the administration.
#UsPol
3/n
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2026-06-17 14:45:37 UTC

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More from Amanda Marcotte's article:
"The UFC event was a pitch-perfect illustration of how fragile traditional, right-wing masculinity really is. These men live in what appears to be daily terror that the slightest misstep — getting caught cooing over a kitten or shaking their hips to a Beyoncé tune — will emasculate them. The over-the-top violence is a grasping effort to stave off this fear."
#UsPol
2/n

2026-06-17 14:41:54 UTC

Amanda Marcotte :
"Trump’s White House is run by men obsessed with looking tough, but who are, in actuality, weak and incompetent. The more they fail, the more they grasp for these theatrical but ineffectual displays of masculine preening, hoping that the public mistakes loud and violent displays for strength. This may fool the hardcore MAGA base into perpetuity, but increasingly, it’s becoming evident to everyone else ..."
https://www.salon.com/2026/06/17/ufc-fight-cant-hide-maga-male-weakness/
#UsPol
1/n

2026-06-17 00:29:10 UTC

Dimwit person, used to unquestioned gaslighting on right-wing media, flails on show run by ladies with brains.
https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mog4pzuauh2x
#UsPol
1/n
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2026-05-27 01:27:08 UTC

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New propaganda from the White House - grocery prices are high because of rules on refrigerants used for cooling equipment, i.e., rules to phase out hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs passed in 2020.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/21/trump-epa-refrigerant-rule-grocery-costs
#UsPol
3/n

2026-05-27 00:27:24 UTC

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New propaganda line from the White House - multi-trillion dollar deficits are the fault of illegal immigrants (and by extension Democrats and Blue states).
https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mmrmvbfzrz23
#UsPol
2/n
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2026-05-27 00:10:11 UTC

Nugget of the day from Thomas Massie.
And we might add that spending on science, research, healthcare, education, green energy, infrastructure, food-stamps, ... will be slashed.
#UsPol
1/n
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2026-05-26 23:42:01 UTC

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New NASA Moon Base contracts announced today worth ~$1B -
1. Astrolab, Crewed Lunar Vehicle (CLV 1) - $219M
2. Lunar Outpost, Pegasus lunar terrain vehicle (LTV) - $220M
3. Blue Origin, rover delivery vehicle - $188m + $280.4M option
4. Firefly Aerospace, four drones for the MoonFall mission - $75M
No mention of transport of humans yet.
Few more robotic missions to be announced later this year.
The White House wants to cut NASA funding from $24.4B to $18.8B.
https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-provides-update-on-moon-base-rovers-landers-missions/
7/n
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2026-05-23 03:02:22 UTC

I missed watching flight 12 of the SpaceX Starship. Here is what is being reported -
- Launch: normal
- Booster lost one raptor engine.
- After Hot-Staging, only 5 of the target 13 Booster Raptors were lit
- Booster crashed uncontrolled with 1 engine in the ocean
- Starship lost 1 of 6 engines but made it close to intended orbit; deployed dummy payloads
- Raptor re-light was skipped
- Starship normal reentry; landed in the ocean with 2 of 3 engines, then exploded
Success 🍾
:eyeroll:
1/n
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2026-05-18 23:11:13 UTC

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The SMILE UVI uses a four-mirror optical system and detectors to provide a wide FOV of 10°, enabling coverage of the entire polar region at altitude > ~50,000 km.
UV light at 160–180 nm is "converted" to green light and imaged by the 1024x1024 CCD.
The micro channel plate (MCP) generates an electron cloud when struck by UV photons. This electron cloud bombards the P43 phosphor screen, resulting in visible light emission at ~545 nm towards the CCD.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11214-025-01160-y
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2026-05-18 22:48:39 UTC

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SMILE will be placed in a highly elliptical 5,000 x 121,182 km 11-month near-polar orbit.
SMILE will spend 80% of its time at high altitude, allowing it to collect continuous wide-angle observations for long periods of time.
The soft X-ray imager (SXI) will record X-ray emission from the Sun-facing edge of Earth’s magnetic field as well as the holes in the magnetic field at Earth’s poles.
The Ultraviolet Imager (UVI) will study auroras in UV wavelengths.
https://sci.esa.int/web/smile/-/59141-operations
2/n
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2026-05-18 22:30:31 UTC

The Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) space observatory will launch tomorrow May 19, at 7:52 UTC, from EuropeSpacePort in French Guiana.
SMILE will study the magnetosphere of the Earth in soft X-rays and UV, improving the understanding of the dynamic interaction between the solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere.
The SMILE mission is a collaboration between ESA and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Smile/Smile_factsheet2
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMILE_(spacecraft)
1/n
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2026-05-13 16:49:57 UTC

Interior Sec. Doug Burgum: When the sun goes down, solar produces zero electricity. The whole machine doesn't work when the sun goes down. And there's examples from around the world of this happening.
Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA): Chairman, I request unanimous consent to enter into the record, this amazing new technology that apparently the secretary is unaware of, it's a battery.
China's figured it out. That's why they're cleaning our clock on clean energy.
https://www.rawstory.com/burgum-solar-battery-hearing-new/
#UsPol
1/n
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2026-05-11 14:57:05 UTC

The plot thickens.
No agreement with Iran yet.
Iran announces its readiness to support a four-point plan from Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
trump travels to China on Wednesday for Trump-Xi Summit.
#UsPol #Iran
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2026-05-11 07:38:14 UTC

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Curious to know how other countries are managing their passengers.
Are they quarantining them?
Are they testing passengers for the virus, even if they exhibit no symptoms?

2026-05-11 01:34:31 UTC

17 Americans aboard MV Hondius will be flown to the U.S. — with a first stop in Nebraska, home of the highly specialized National Quarantine Unit.
The CDC is not considering this a quarantine, but rather a brief visit to monitor their health.
The passengers will be checked for symptoms, but not tested for hantavirus, as testing is not recommended for those without symptoms, according to a CDC official.
🤔
https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/10/us/hantavirus-cruise-passengers-nebraska-facility
#Health
1/n
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2026-05-10 18:22:00 UTC

What's also deeply sad is how such a large portion of this country claims to be religious but follows Caesar, not the Bible or the Pope.
https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-robert-jeffress-bible-pope-b2973812.html
#UsPol
2/n

2026-05-02 04:20:40 UTC

Waves on Titan vs Earth, based on PlanetWaves, a model developed by MIT/NASA to explore waves on planets and moons.
The threshold wind speed to create waves decreases as surface tension decreases, atmospheric pressure increases, or gravity decreases. The wave height increases as liquid density decreases, atmospheric pressure increases, or gravity decreases.
A gentle wind can stir up huge waves in Titan's hydrocarbons filled lakes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kECVsTTetM
https://news.mit.edu/2026/waves-hit-different-on-other-planets-0416
1/n

2026-04-27 00:22:55 UTC

Will Bunch with his incisive take on the big picture:
"Right outside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton, the gunfire was still echoing, a Secret Service agent whose bulletproof vest apparently deflected a bullet was speeding to the hospital, ...
Yet inside, the first instinct of the president and the media superstars of an America comfortably numb to gun violence was to party on."
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/trump-dinner-shooting-violent-america-20260426.html
#UsPol
1/n

2026-04-26 22:28:21 UTC

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Looks like Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) survived its trip around the Sun and is now on its return trip out of the Solar System.
The comet makes its closest approach to Earth today.
These are images captured by the ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) LASCO C3 instrument.
LASCO = Large Angle and Spectrometric COronagraph.
Animation at https://soho.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime/mpeg/
12/n
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2026-04-22 18:17:27 UTC

Alt-Math.
Idiot-Math.
Loony-Math.
Gaslight-Math.
https://bsky.app/profile/drkatemarvel.bsky.social/post/3mk3wv3tmp22y
#UsPol
1/n
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2026-04-20 22:44:15 UTC

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Comet C/2025 R3 beautifully captured by astrophotographer Luc Perrot on April 16 from a volcanic peak overlooking France's Reunion Island.
Featured on NASA APOD on April 18.
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260418.html
Check out Luc's other works at https://www.lucperrot.fr/
11/n
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2026-04-17 21:04:39 UTC

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Post #10 got disconnected from the thread. This is one way to reconnect it and continue the thread.
https://fosstodon.org/@AkaSci/116421250979446601
10/n

2026-04-17 00:56:58 UTC

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This beautiful image of Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) was taken by astrophotographer Marina Prol, early morning on April 14th, from Ayagaures viewpoint in the southern part of Gran Canaria.
https://spaceweathergallery2.com/indiv_upload.php?upload_id=232320
https://www.marinaprol.com/astroandnightscapes
9/n
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2026-04-14 16:32:57 UTC

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Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) with its long tail looming over misty mountains in Nagano Prefecture, Hiratani Village, Japan.
Date: April 13, 2026
Camera: Canon EOS 6D Mark II
Lens: Samyang 135mm f/2.0
Setting : ISO400
60sx40shots
https://www.instagram.com/zoe_zoe0718
Credit: Zoe
8/n
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2026-04-14 11:55:43 UTC

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Check out this earlier thread on why the coma of most comets, including that of Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS), glows green.
https://fosstodon.org/@AkaSci/112252445899850627
7/n

2026-04-14 11:50:34 UTC

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Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) is featured in today's NASA APOD.
This image was taken by astrophotographer Haythem Hamdi, in Rhode Island, USA, on April 12. It captures the comet’s glowing coma and flowing tail shaped by the solar wind. Haythem used an Askar 80PHQ refractor and reducer to get a wide field of view for framing the long tail.
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260414.html
https://www.instagram.com/hamdi_astrophotography/
Image Credit & Copyright: Haythem Hamdi
6/n
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2026-04-14 03:19:42 UTC

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Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) artistically captured by astrophotographer Petr Horálek over the Seč Lake, Czech Republic.
The Andromeda Galaxy can be seen on the left in this pic taken just before dawn.
https://www.petrhoralek.com/?p=26091
Check out Petr's other works at https://www.
petrhoralek.com/ and
https://www.instagram.com/petrhoralek/?hl=en
5/n
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2026-04-13 23:13:37 UTC

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Comet R3 (PanSTARRS) featured on NASA APOD yesterday.
This beautiful image of the comet sporting a tail extending over 10 degrees, was taken on April 9 from Sion, Switzerland with the big mountain Bietschhorn on the left.
The composite image was taken with a 120-300 lens, set at 180mm.
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260412.html
Image Credit & Copyright: José Rodrigues
4/n
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2026-04-13 22:53:31 UTC

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C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) is an Oort cloud comet, traveling from ~6,300 AU away for ~170,000 years. Its hyperbolic trajectory will cause it to be ejected from the Solar System on its way out.
Its trajectory is sharply inclined wrt to the ecliptic. It will cross the ecliptic about halfway between Earth and the Sun, with perihelion on April 19.
Let's see how much it will brighten up due to forward scattering of sunlight by its dusty tail.
https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_lookup.html#/?sstr=c%2F2025%20R3&view=VOP
3/n
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2026-04-13 22:41:12 UTC

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Here is a skymap with the location of Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) in the predawn sky until April 17, within the Pegasus Constellation.
After perihelion on April 19, it will appear after sunset, but remain low in the sky.
It will brighten to Mag 3.5 and even to 0.0 due to forward scattering as it flies between Earth and the Sun.
https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/lifestyle/astro-bob/astro-bob-comet-pan-starrs-makes-brief-bright-appearance-at-dawn
https://astro.vanbuitenen.nl/comet/2025R3
2/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/399/772/492/715/622/original/e5ccb1d448b73c2c.png

2026-04-13 22:20:29 UTC

Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) is now putting on a show, visible low in the predawn sky, with binoculars or telescope.
Perihelion: Apr 19, Mag 3.6, 0.5 AU from Sun, 0.587 AU from earth, inside orbit of Venus
Nearest approach: Apr 26, Mag 1.2, 0.489 AU from Earth
Here is spectacular image of Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS), taken at 03:46 UTC April 13, using a 12” telescope at Farm Tivoli, Namibia, by Gerald Rhemann and Michael Jäger, .
Image source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/236984486729162/user/100003512456563/
1/n
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2026-04-12 19:18:35 UTC

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"With nearly half of all votes counted (45.71%), the opposition Tisza party is now on course to get 135 seats – the much-needed 2/3 majority – in the new 199-seat parliament."
:mastodance:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/apr/12/hungary-election-latest-results-viktor-orban-peter-magyar-fidesz-tisza-russia-europe-live-news-updates#maincontent
5/n

2026-04-12 19:13:09 UTC

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Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has conceded!
4/n
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2026-04-12 18:51:00 UTC

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Hungary Election update: "At 21.54% of votes counted, Tisza is currently projected to get 128 seats – just short of the 133 needed for the 2/3 majority – to Fidesz’s 62 and Mi Hazank’s 8."
This is a projected result.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/apr/12/hungary-election-latest-results-viktor-orban-peter-magyar-fidesz-tisza-russia-europe-live-news-updates#maincontent
3/n
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2026-04-12 18:28:24 UTC

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Hungary's opposition party Tisza off to a good start in the count.
"The state of play at the moment gives Tisza 110 seats, Fidesz-KDNP 71, and Mi Hazank 9 – with Tisza winning single-seat constituency votes, but Fidesz marginally ahead in the national party list votes."
There will be ups and downs in the next few hours.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/apr/12/hungary-election-latest-results-viktor-orban-peter-magyar-fidesz-tisza-russia-europe-live-news-updates#maincontent
🤞
2/n
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2026-04-12 17:34:45 UTC

Polls closed in Hungary at 7 p.m. local.
Record-high 77.8% turnout by 6:30 p.m.
"Two new pre-election day polls suggest significant opposition lead
Two polls conducted before the vote and released as the polling stations closed appeared to suggest a likely win for the opposition Tisza party.
BUT, these are not exit polls, but normal polls conducted before the election, and lots of caveats apply, so we should treat them with caution."
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/apr/12/hungary-election-latest-results-viktor-orban-peter-magyar-fidesz-tisza-russia-europe-live-news-updates
1/n

2026-04-10 00:31:14 UTC

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Here is a hi-res pic taken by Artemis II astronauts of the Sun setting behind the lunar limb.
In this pic, the Sun's Corona is visible as streamers radiating away from the Sun.
The pic's width is ~10 million km at the Sun's distance. The Sun's corona streams out to ~13 million km, as measured by the Parker Solar Probe.
The Moon's jagged backlit topography is visible in this image.
Camera: Nikon D5
FocalLen: 350 mm
DateTime: 2026:04:07 00:35:31 UTC
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/55197506830/
76/n
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2026-04-09 22:52:16 UTC

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Artemis II astronauts are preparing for splashdown off the coast of San Diego tomorrow April 10 at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT).
Here are some graphics from NASA illustrating the sequence and timing of events for re-entry, descent and splashdown.
The crew module will enter Earth's atmosphere at 38,405 km/h south-east of Hawaii with splashdown 13 minutes later.
https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/09/artemis-ii-flight-day-9-crew-prepares-to-come-home/
75/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/377/128/040/116/026/original/9f84fa6f0ffcb8f4.png

2026-04-09 14:22:09 UTC

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A look at Artemis II mission control in Houston, the large number of displays and the enormous amount of data displayed and monitored by mission control personnel.
There are 4 rows of displays and personnel in this image.
At the time of this photograph, ~3 hours into the mission, the Artemis II crew was conducting a manual piloting test called the proximity operations demo.
Camera: Nikon Z 9
DateTime: 2026:04:01 21:21:15 EDT
Full-res image at https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/55196252006/
74/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/375/151/055/828/387/original/ae9439b99a844672.jpg

2026-04-09 12:23:18 UTC

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How do you watch a solar eclipse from space?
The same way you do from Earth - using eclipse glasses 😎
Looking fabulous - Mission Specialist Christina Koch (top left), Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen (bottom left), Commander Reid Wiseman (bottom right), and Pilot Victor Glover (top right).
Camera: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Date: 2026:04:07 01:32:01
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/55193207308/
#Artemis2
73/n
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2026-04-09 03:29:11 UTC

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What a difference when a genuine world leader and gracious human being has a conversation with the Artemis II astronauts!
PM Mark Carney: "I just wonder, a lot of Canadians just want one point of reassurance that the preference is for maple syrup over Nutella on on your pancakes in the morning."
🤣
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzl7WGluYgk
72/n

2026-04-08 23:09:04 UTC

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Some info on the GoPro HERO4 cameras attached to each of the 4 solar arrays of the Artemis II Orion European Service Module (ESM).
These are a WiFi-based GoPro cameras, modified for use in space.
- 5.8 GHz WiFi
- 4kx3k pixels (12 MP)
- Fixed 18-mm lens
- No LED/LCD display
- Shielding?
The primary purpose of these cameras is to check the health and status of the spacecraft and to aid in problem diagnosis.
Go #Artemis2 #Orion #ESM
71/n
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2026-04-08 22:55:18 UTC

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Lovely crisp shot of the Artemis II Orion European Service Module (ESM) and the thrusters at its bottom, taken by one of the GoPro HERO4 Black cameras mounted on each of the 4 solar arrays.
Can you see how the GoPro camera is mounted at the end of the solar array?
Settings for this image:
FocalLength: 3.0 mm
ISO 100
ExposureTime: 1/2400 s
CreateDate: 2026:04:06 22:42:14 UTC
Distance to lunar surface: 6,420 km
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/55194459003/
70/n
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2026-04-08 20:57:31 UTC

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Wake-up music for Artemis II astronauts today - “Under Pressure,” by Queen and David Bowie.
"It's the terror of knowing what this world is about
Watching some good friends screaming, "Let me out"
Pray tomorrow gets me higher
Pressure on people, people on streets
...
Can't we give ourselves one more chance?
Why can't we give love that one more chance?"
Very apt song for these trying times.
And featuring, among others, astrophysicist Sir Brian May.
😎
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a01QQZyl-_I
69/n

2026-04-08 16:30:43 UTC

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Here is the awesome selfie of the European Service Module (ESM) with Earthset over the moon in the background. Taken by one of the 4 GoPro HERO4 Black cameras mounted on the solar panels of the ESM.
Camera: GoPro, HERO4 Black, 12MP
FocalLength: 3.0 mm
ISO 100
ExposureTime: 1/3500 s
CreateDate: 2026:04:06 22:42:14 UTC
Distance to lunar surface: 6,420 km
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/55192657082/
68/n
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2026-04-08 15:44:17 UTC

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From Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency.
Pic taken by GoPro camera mounted on a solar panel on the European Service Module (ESM).
The ESM provides propulsion, water and oxygen for astronauts, electrical power generation and storage, and temperature control.
😎
@nprofile…tcju @nprofile…tk8a
67/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/369/828/982/285/008/original/63dc0f8f2d1a7f54.png

2026-04-08 01:03:48 UTC

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The two newly named craters on the Moon -
1. Carroll - named after astronaut Reid Wiseman's late wife, 18.84°N 86.83°W
2. Integrity - named after the Artemis II Orion spacecraft, 2.67°N 104.92°W
After the mission is complete, the crater name proposals will be submitted to the International Astronomical Union for official review and adoption.
https://quickmap.lroc.im-ldi.com/?camera=8583.1212%2C-4490898.2733%2C12862.3235%2C-0.0019%2C1%2C-0.0029%2C0%2C0.0029%2C1%2C60&showGraticule=true&stack=3314%2C3113&proj=22&defs=N4IgzAjBYgXKB7ADgQwMYEsAuBPOAGAOgBYwBfAGnEmLkVU1zgjLKA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carroll_(crater)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrity_(crater)
66/n
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2026-04-07 17:15:16 UTC

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@nprofile…pt8z
They just updated the description of the image with "We see a glowing halo around the dark lunar disk. The science community is investigating whether this effect is due to the corona, zodiacal light, or a combination of the two."

2026-04-07 15:03:04 UTC

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A fascinating image of the Moon's far side during the total solar eclipse, as seen last night by Artemis II astronauts around 01:06:19 UTC.
The corona forms a glowing halo around the dark lunar disk, revealing details of the Sun’s outer atmosphere typically hidden by its brightness.
The left side of the moon is dimly lit up by Earth-shine, light reflected off the Earth, which is located off the frame in the distance on the left side.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/55193054741/
64/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/364/008/298/722/840/original/aaf21831a71ec603.jpg

2026-04-07 14:54:09 UTC

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Hi-res Earth-set images captured using the Nikon D5 camera by astronauts aboard the Artemis II Orion spacecraft last night.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/55193180468/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/55193178333/
More images at
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/with/55193462360
63/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/363/983/157/179/969/original/32ac9983e4edb511.png

2026-04-07 11:43:27 UTC

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Sun-set and Sun-rise across the Moon as observed by Artemis II astronauts last night.
This is a simple composite of two images taken about 45 minutes apart around the solar eclipse.
Source: https://www.
youtube.com/watch?v=6RwfNBtepa4
62/n
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2026-04-07 11:41:32 UTC

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Earth-set and Earth-rise over the Moon as observed by Artemis II astronauts last night.
This is a simple composite of two images taken about 45 minutes apart.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RwfNBtepa4
61/n
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2026-04-07 10:31:48 UTC

Can't find any info on the status of the TACHELES 6U CubeSat from Germany, deployed by Artemis II. Except that it is in a 156.4 x 70,254.4 km elliptical inclined orbit.
The satellite is designed to test the effect of radiation on electronics for lunar rovers being built by the German company NEUROSPACE.
The name comes from the German Tacheles, "straight talk," which is itself derived from Yiddish תּכלית (takhles, 'purpose, result').
@nprofile…tcju @nprofile…pt8z
https://www.neuro-space.de/portfolio-collections/missions/project-title-5
60/n

2026-04-06 23:18:50 UTC

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@nprofile…00ee
The moon is blocking signals as Orion is traveling behind it.
DSN can receive signals from Voyager 1 which is over 25 billion km away! Orion is just 413,000 km away.

2026-04-06 01:35:30 UTC

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The Moon imaged from Artemis II earlier today.
Compared to the image of the near side of moon taken from Earth (the 2nd image), this image is rotated right by about 45°, since Orion's look-angle is towards the "left side" on the moon. See post #49 for look-angles from Orion and Earth.
Camera: NIKON D5
Lens: 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6
FocalLength: 400 mm
ISO 400
ExposureTime: 1/1000 s
CreateDate: 2026:04:05 04:02:50 UTC
Distance to Moon: 142,000 km
From Earth: 311,200 km
https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e009057
51/n
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2026-04-05 22:02:18 UTC

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OK, you figure out which torsos, hands and legs belong to which astronaut in this scene aboard Artemis II Orion, as the astronauts "conduct a full sequence of suit operations, including putting on and pressurizing their suits, performing leak checks, simulating seat entry, and assessing mobility and their ability to eat and drink."
😄
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3kR2KK8TEs
https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/05/artemis-ii-flight-day-5-crew-starts-day-with-suit-demo/
50/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/354/344/850/851/393/original/7d95de1106b0a01f.jpg

2026-04-05 21:48:53 UTC

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Pic of a shrinking Earth, taken earlier today from Artemis II, as the spacecraft approaches the moon.
Camera: NIKON D5 (DSLR, 20.8 MP)
Lens: 14-24mm f/2.8
FocalLength: 24 mm
ISO 400
ExposureTime: 1/1250 s
CreateDate: 2026:04:05 06:35:18 UTC
Distance from Earth: 318,900 km
Still another 24 hours for lunar flyby, as Orion slows down in its orbital path, now traveling at 2,436 km/h.
https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e009186
49/n
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2026-04-05 18:49:12 UTC

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Artemis II astronauts woke up on Easter Sunday to the catchy tune of "Working Class Heroes (Work)” by CeeLo Green."
"Get up, get out, go get that money
It's time to work, eh alright
Work, eh alright
Early in the morning
I'm ready and I go
It's feel like struggle
We can open up the doubts
Everybody cans crack
I got hustle in my blood
A little bit is not enough"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a1Nz-iojfY
48/n

2026-04-05 16:22:17 UTC

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Pope Leo in his first Easter Mass -
"On this day of celebration, let us abandon every desire for conflict, domination and power, and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars.
Let those who have weapons lay them down. Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace. Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue. Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them.”
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crk1zgjj7y1o
#UsPol
2/n

2026-04-05 14:25:50 UTC

Easter Sunday message by the President of the United States.
A message to blow up power plants and bridges of a sovereign state and rain death and destruction upon its civilians. In the name of Allah?
How many Christians agree with this message and the messenger?
#UsPol
1/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/352/538/859/435/252/original/6b866627b0b1133f.png

2026-04-05 01:47:31 UTC

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Visualization of what Artemis II astronauts will see during the lunar flyby as Integrity approaches the Moon and flies around its far side.
The flyby will last from 2:45 – 9:40 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 6, 2026.
Highlights in the 420x time-compressed video:
00:35: Earth sets behind the lunar llimb
00:35 - 00:40: Earth is eclipsed by the moon for about an hour
00:40: Earth-rise on the other side of the moon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMr86Yrvzlo
Also at https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/04/artemis-ii-flight-day-4-deep-space-flying-lunar-flyby-prep/
NASA/Ernie Wright
47/n

2026-04-04 19:30:51 UTC

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Wake-up music at Artemis II Integrity earlier today - "Chappell Roan – Pink Pony Club."
"I know you wanted me to stay
But I can’t ignore the crazy visions of me in LA
And I heard that there’s a special place
Where boys and girls can all be queens every single day
I’m having wicked dreams
Of leaving Tennessee
Oh, Santa Monica
I swear it’s calling me
Won’t make my mama proud
It’s gonna cause a scene
She sees her baby girl
I know she’s gonna scream
..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR3Liudev18
46/n

2026-04-04 18:46:31 UTC

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Pics of a crescent Earth and the Moon, taken from Artemis II at about the same time last night.
Earth:
Camera: NIKON D5 (DSLR, 20.8 MP)
Lens: 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6
FocalLength: 150 mm
ISO 500
ExposureTime: 1/640 s
CreateDate: 2026:04:03 23:38:59 UTC
Distance: 198,200 km
Moon:
Camera: NIKON D5 (DSLR, 20.8 MP)
Lens: 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6
FocalLength: 400 mm
ISO 500
ExposureTime: 1/500 s
CreateDate: 2026:04:03 23:44:47 UTC
Distance: 233,800 km
https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e004437
https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e004438
45/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/347/905/266/132/784/original/9b79a572399fe984.png

2026-04-04 13:16:01 UTC

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Two of the 4 CubeSats deployed by Artemis II failed to enter proper orbit.
"The Artemis II cubesats TACHELES, SWC-1 and K-RADCUBE have now been identified on Space-Track.
ATENEA was not cataloged+was expected to have reentered at 1st perigee since it had no propulsion to raise its orbit. K-RAD may also have reentered, and is reported to have failed."
https://fosstodon.org/@[email protected]/116345118308094276
44/n

2026-04-04 11:04:34 UTC

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@nprofile…m34q
Note that this is an engineering camera meant for inspection of the spacecraft exterior.
See post #26 in this thread for the list of 28 camera systems on board, including 2 Nikon D5s and 4 unspecified cameras from NatGeo.
https://fosstodon.org/@AkaSci/116335626727868830

2026-04-04 10:33:03 UTC

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Photo take by the GoPro camera, located on the tip of one of the 4 solar array wings, shows part of the Orion spacecraft with the Moon in the distance.
The ESA European Service Module (ESM) and its thrusters are clearly visible.
Camera: GoPro, HERO4 Black
FocalLength: 3.0 mm
ISO 100
ExposureTime: 1/3900 s
CreateDate: 2026:04:03 14:21:47UTC
Distance to moon: 238,900 km
Image and EXIF data at https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e004429
Another image at https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e004411
43/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/345/930/344/658/604/original/c3c37f8ffd00718e.png

2026-04-04 04:54:01 UTC

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@nprofile…0rz0 @nprofile…vj68
Values at https://artemis.cdnspace.ca/ match well with those at NASA at https://eyes.nasa.gov/apps/solar-system/#/sc_artemis_2/distance?to=moon.
https://artemis.cdnspace.ca/ seems to be better designed.
https://fosstodon.org/@AkaSci/116336036333134666

2026-04-04 04:40:06 UTC

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A closeup of the aurora australis over the Antarctic in the Blue Marble image highlights the thin fragile atmosphere that sustains all life on Earth. Note that South is up.
These images, the first such images taken by humans in over 54 years, remind us of the beauty and the fragility our planet, and of our shared responsibility to care of it and of each other.
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 🌍
https://
images.nasa.gov/details/art002e000192
40/n
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2026-04-04 04:37:15 UTC

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@nprofile…0nzw
Sorry, I used the original image from NASA for this closeup, not the rotated one I used in the thread. I will fix the text.
Also, this post get detached from the thread, so I will delete and re-post.
🙁

2026-04-04 03:30:35 UTC

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The view from the Artemis II Orion spacecraft 45 minutes later at 23:20 UTC April 6 of a crescent Earth rising over the dark lunar surface, as visualized using the NASA Eyes on the Solar System tool. In this image, Orion has traveled past the moon and is looking over its far side.
https://eyes.nasa.gov/apps/solar-system/#/sc_artemis_2?rate=0&time=2026-04-06T23:20:00.000+00:00&surfaceMapTiling=true&lighting=flood
41/n
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2026-04-04 03:13:51 UTC

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A possible view from the Artemis II Orion spacecraft at 23:35 UTC April 6 of a crescent Earth rising over the limb of a crescent Moon, as visualized using the NASA Eyes on the Solar System tool. Orion has traveled past the moon and is looking over its far side.
https://eyes.nasa.gov/apps/solar-system/#/sc_artemis_2?rate=0&time=2026-04-06T22:35:00.000+00:00
40/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/344/250/345/389/971/original/934f620f6b9deda4.png

2026-04-04 01:44:15 UTC

A closeup of the aurora over Europe in the Blue Marble inage highlights the thin fragile atmosphere that sustains all life on Earth.
These images, the first such images taken by humans in over 54 years, remind us of the beauty and the fragility our planet, and of our shared responsibility to care of it and of each other.
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 🌍
https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e000192
40/n
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2026-04-04 00:26:00 UTC

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The Artemis II Orion spacecraft is now just over half way through on its journey to the vicinity of the moon.
It will take 2 more days to arrive near the moon as its velocity decreases over time, currently at 5,218 km/h.
Go #Integrity
https://eyes.nasa.gov/apps/solar-system/#/sc_artemis_2
39/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/343/576/876/141/199/original/b9648c2d7b21fdbc.png