Need to see something beautiful and calming? These breathtaking images from the New Zealand astrophotography competition will do the trick! https://www.universetoday.com/169293/our-breathtaking-cosmos-new-zealand-astrophotography-winners-announced/

Not fun to report on this .... Another round of layoffs at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, lab Director Laurie Leshin said in a memo to staff, “This is a message I had hoped not to have to write." https://www.universetoday.com/169291/nasas-jpl-lays-off-another-325-people/

Here's a fun way to use astronomy! An astronomer used 19th-century maps to discover the exact location of a famous painting by Vincent van Gogh, and then used astronomical calculations to determine which date the Sun would be in the exact position as the painting. https://www.universetoday.com/169086/astronomer-calculates-when-van-gogh-painted-this/

The 2024 Astronomy Photographer of the Year winners have been announced by the Royal Observatory Greenwich , and like every year the photos are STUNNING! Take a look!! https://www.universetoday.com/168457/and-the-winner-is-astronomy-photographers-of-the-year-2024-announced/ Image here is by Tom Williams in the UK.

What are some of the biggest challenges for human exploration of Mars? My latest article for The Planetary Society: https://www.planetary.org/articles/challenges-facing-the-human-exploration-of-mars

Ok all you procrastinators, this is your last chance to order ECLIPSE GLASSES and have them arrive in time for the big day, APRIL 8! You can get the glasses you need & support astro4equity , a wonderful org that uses astronomy and space to create STEM programs in marginalized communities around the world. Order/find out more here: https://astro4equity.org/product/solar-eclipse-glasses/

NASA has announced three science instruments and their plans for planetary science during the Artemis III mission, currently planned for 2026. https://www.universetoday.com/166321/nasa-reveals-its-planetary-science-goals-for-artemis-iii/

ECLIPSE GLASSES! Do you have yours yet? The clock is ticking and here's a great way to get the glasses you need to enjoy the April 8 total solar eclipse while also supporting @astro4equity . This great org uses astronomy and space to improve lives and communities for the most marginalized communities. Order/find out more here: https://astro4equity.org/product/solar-eclipse-glasses/

@michaelgemar Definitely! Really fun to see!

Unfortunately, it appears Starship broke apart during reentry, but today's launch and performance was impressive!

Starship during re-entry, wow. Waiting now for data to see if it splashed down in the Indian Ocean or if it broke apart during entry.

These views from #starship wow!

"The best climate change movies and TV series of 2023" by Michael Svoboda for Yale Climate Connections
https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2024/03/the-best-climate-change-movies-and-tv-series-of-2023/

The historic solar #eclipse on April 8 is fast approaching!! Have you found eclipses glasses yet? A great group called Astronomy for Equity is selling eclipse glasses with 100% of proceeds supporting their nonprofit programs, using astronomy to benefit marginalized communities. They have glasses in stock (others are running out), can handle large orders, work with schools etc, These glasses are certified and approved by the American Astronomical Society. Find them here: http://astro4equity.org/product/solar-eclipse-glasses

The folks at
@ShepardBooks
asked me to choose my 5 favorite books on the Apollo missions to the Moon. It was hard to choose just 5, but here they are, led by the two Andys,
@andrewchaikin
's classic "A Man on the Moon" and andysaunders_1 new classic, "Apollo Remastered." Read my choices here: https://shepherd.com/best-books/books-about-the-apollo-missions-to-the-moon and add your favorites to the thread!

So cool: music, cosmology, astronomy, particle physics and more, all together in one piece. "Composer expresses the origins of the universe using string instruments," from @npr https://one.npr.org/?sharedMediaId=1225142459:1225142460

What message would YOU send to an alien civilization? You might have a chance to do so with a next-generation "Voyager Golden Record"-type project called "Message in a Bottle," https://www.supercluster.com/editorial/a-golden-record-for-the-next-generation

Thinking of purchasing a telescope this holiday season? I review the @unistellar
eQuinox 2 and new solar filter on
@universetoday https://www.universetoday.com/164740/review-unistellars-equinox-2-telescope-and-new-smart-solar-filter/ Lots of upsides for beginners and even for seasoned observers!

A new paper says that the Chinese Long March rocket booster that struck the Moon last year (yes, it really was theirs) must have had an additional undisclosed payload on board because the impact created two craters. https://www.universetoday.com/164379/a-chinese-booster-and-additional-secret-payload-caused-a-double-crater-on-the-moon/

The Sun today, just a few moments ago as seen by the
@unistellar Equinox2 with a solar filter. A sunspot group can be seen near the right limb; the Suns granulation —or the bubble-like features due to convection currents in the solar interior— are also visible across the entire surface.