AstroMH

[world-beauty]

Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, Mars

Credits: Mike Salway

[apod]

2026 February 8

Active Sunspot Region 4366 Crosses the Sun Image Credit & Copyright: Daniel Korona

Explanation: An unusually active sunspot region is now crossing the Sun. The region, labelled AR 4366, is much larger than the Earth and has produced several powerful solar flares over the past ten days. In the featured image, the region is marked by large and dark sunspots toward the upper right of the Sun’s disk. The image captured the Sun over a hill in Zacatecas, Mexico, 5 days ago. AR 4366 has become a candidate for the most active solar region in this entire 11-year solar cycle. Active solar regions are frequently associated with increased auroral activity on the Earth. Now reaching the edge, AR 4366 will begin facing away from the Earth during the coming week. It is not known, though, if the active region will survive long enough to reappear in about two weeks’ time, as the Sun rotates.

∞ Source: apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260208.html

[lonestarflight]

The first stage of the Saturn V, that will carry the Apollo 11 astronauts to the moon, under construction at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana.

"The major components of S-IC-6 – its base, its kerosene and liquid oxygen tanks, and its forward and center sections – were completed in September, 1966, or 10 months after the start of assembly.

Vertical assembly of the 12-story high booster started Sept. 30, 1966. This is the process in which the major parts are stacked one atop the other. It was completed Jan. 4, 1967.

The vehicle then was lifted from its assembly tower in the vertical assembly building to the adjoining factory building, where its engines, electronic equipment and other internal systems were installed. The stage was completed May 8, 1967, and it was rolled out June 1, 1967.

Then began computer simulations of flight and other post-manufacturing tests handled in the stage checkout building at Michoud. These tests were completed July 26, 1967.

The rocket was taken by barge on March 1, 1968, to the Mississippi Test Center in Hancock County. It was successfully test fired for 125.10 seconds on Aug. 13, 1968.

It was returned to Michoud by barge on Aug. 29, 1968, and underwent refurbishment and checking until Dec. 9, 1968. It was placed in storage before being loaded onto a barge which departed for Cape Kennedy last Feb. 16.”

Date: January 4, 1967

NASA MSFC photo no. 12871-11

[gemini-enthusiast]

Central station of Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package, Apollo 14.

[nocternalrandomness]

Santa passing on the right

[apollomission8]

Chris Kraft appreciation post because I love him and I don't see yall talking about him enough

He's so cool. He's the original flight. He's sooo from Tidewater Virginia. He invented mission control. His name is Christopher Columbus Kraft.

[gemini-enthusiast]

Forward flight deck documentation aboard Space Shuttle Challenger, STS-8.

[gemini-enthusiast]

Sun glare against lunar module Antares, beside American flag and S-band antenna, Apollo 14.

[gemini-enthusiast]

On approach to command module Kitty Hawk, Apollo 14.

[gemini-enthusiast]

Commander Alan Shepard on the lunar surface next to shadow of lunar module Antares, Apollo 14.

[inefekt]

Dreaming Frog Rock - Jelcobine, Western Australia

Nikon d810a - 35mm - ISO 3200 - f/1.8 Foreground: 8 x 6 seconds Sky: 20 x 25 seconds iOptron SkyTracker

[inefekt]

Milky Way at Beringbooding Rock, Western Australia

Nikon d810a - 35mm - ISO 4000 - f/2.8 Foreground: 39 x 25 seconds Sky: 36 x 20 seconds H-alpha: 8 x 60 seconds Nomad Move Shoot Move sky tracker

[4mtns]

NASA just dropped the closest image ever taken of Jupiter.

[hodgepocalypse]

I reserve the right to make bad science jokes.

[the-wolf-and-moon]

Mars, Luna, and Milky Way

[earthanthem]

(via Christmas in Manhattan ~ St. Patrick’s Cathedral | Facebook)

[mariacedmed]