October 2023
Thursday October 12
- All Day
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NASA could launch the Psyche mission to the asteroid belt.
In the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, there is an object that may be mostly made of metal, perhaps the leftover core of a would-be planet, called Psyche. A NASA mission of the same name aims to study it up close. A scheduled launch in 2022 was postponed because the spacecraft’s software was late. The mission will launch from a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and it will enter orbit around the asteroid in 2029, three years later than originally planned.Read more about the Psyche mission here: https://nyti.ms/3H1ZMRR
Saturday October 14
- All Day
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An annular solar eclipse will cross the western United States and parts of Latin America
Some of the United States will be visited by what is sometimes called a “ring of fire” eclipse because the moon is too far from Earth to fully block the sun, creating a ring-like effect when it reaches totality. The eclipse’s path runs through parts of Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas before dipping into Central and South America. Where the weather cooperates, it should be a great solar show and a nice lead up for the total eclipse on Apr. 8, 2024, which will cross the United States from Southwest to Northeast. Read about a recent annular eclipse: https://nyti.ms/3vbgfzg
Friday October 20 – Saturday October 21
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The Orionids meteor shower will peak in night skies
Starting in the evening of Oct. 20, through the next day’s dawn, you might get your best chance to catch a glimpse of the Orionids meteor shower. Learn more about how to watch meteor showers here: https://nyti.ms/3Z5d89W
November 2023
Wednesday November 15
- All Day
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Intuitive Machines may launch a commercial lunar lander mission
NASA has relied on private companies to create new capabilities for the government agency, such as building spacecraft to carry astronauts and cargo to orbit. It is now trying a similar approach for transporting scientific instruments to the moon. A Houston company, Intuitive Machines, may launch its IM-1 mission, using its Nova-C spacecraft to carry payloads to the lunar South Pole region, potentially making it the second spacecraft to land there. Intuitive Machines, flying on a SpaceX rocket, says it will launch as soon as Nov. 15.
Friday November 17 – Saturday November 18
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The Leonids meteor shower will peak in night skies
Starting in the evening of Nov. 17, through the next day’s dawn, you might get your best chance to catch a glimpse of the Leonids meteor shower. Learn more about how to watch meteor showers here: https://nyti.ms/3Z5d89W
Event details and information on how to add events to your personal calendar can be found on the New York Times website.