I honestly wasn't prepared for how much space and space-related imagery there is. I need to find a way to be selective, so here's the ground rules for this week:
- Comets and Aurora, because there are so many good shots
- No SpaceX, because as much cool stuff as there has been, I've already written about Musk twice this week.
Other than that, I think this week is about sitting back and admiring.
We start off in Iceland. As it says, a night to remember.
A Night To Remember - October 10, 2024 - Iceland
— Black Hole (@konstructivizm) October 17, 2024
by extremekc pic.twitter.com/XESRn6eQXh
With another shot from a little farther south.
Aurora Borealis last night in Malagen, Norway (source: Night Lights Films)
— Black Hole (@konstructivizm) October 18, 2024
by KremlinHoosegaffer pic.twitter.com/wQx44yuxxs
The Aurorae aren't the only show this week. Comet C/2023 A3, also named Tsuchinshan-ATLAS because it was independently discovered by the Purple Mountain (紫金山) observatory in China, and the ATLAS robotic sky survey in South Africa.
Beautiful image of the comet by Adam Block. pic.twitter.com/fQTZR4guOT
— Con Stoitsis (@vivstoitsis) October 17, 2024
Denmark gets in its shot.
An absolutely spectacular display of northern lights I photographed at 4 in the morning... In Denmark! In Denmark! 🤯🤩 pic.twitter.com/H6NfFAWLKO
— 🇺🇦 Mads Peter Iversen (@MadsPeterIverse) October 17, 2024
We tend to think of the Northern Lights, the aurora borealis. Here's the Southern Lights, the aurora australis.
gm universe ✨
— 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗻 ✨️ (@paulwilsonimage) October 14, 2024
photos from when the sky dances with the aurora australis- captured from new zealand pic.twitter.com/L8w98gyGMp
More comet. Honestly, what's to say except, "Ain't it cool?"
Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas seen over Mt. Adams a few hours ago! 🤯☄️ pic.twitter.com/rEWua6NKa9
— KRL (@KennethLerose) October 14, 2024
Finland makes its appearance in the Aurora parade.
Aurora Borealis
— Black Hole (@konstructivizm) October 15, 2024
Finland pic.twitter.com/dvBeDizf8U
Seriously, this is the best comet in a long time.
Absolutely stunning image of the comet by @astrofalls taken yesterday 🤩 Although the comet is still a bit faint visually, the structure of the tail looks truly impressive ! #Comet #Astronomy #TsuchinshanATLAS #cometa #CometC2023A3 #Tsuchinshan #C2023A3 #FollowTheComet pic.twitter.com/jiEGTXeoyb
— Yuri Beletsky (@YBeletsky) October 13, 2024
A pilot friend of mine captured this last night (10/13) while flying home!!
— Black Hole (@konstructivizm) October 15, 2024
by Least-Scientist pic.twitter.com/hXvdRYcEjl
And that's it for this week. Comment and tell me if you want planetary photography — there are some great Jupiter and Saturn pictures, along with some gorgeous false-color Moon and Mercury and an amazing constructed view of Valles Marinaris — or some equally amazing nebulae and galaxies.
