"Just really thrilled that it all went off really ideally," says Bob King about NASA's Artemis II mission. "Everything worked, including the heat shield. I know there was some concern about that... everything just worked splendidly." With the first human trip to the moon in over half a century now concluded, there's reasons for any space enthusiast to be excited.
Although the craft didn't land on the moon, Artemis II sets the groundwork for a successful Artimis III mission, and eventually an actually moon landing with Artemis IV in just a few years' time. From sparkling sights on the dark side of the moon, and a new perspective on the meaning of 'crew,' Artemis II brought plenty back to Earth. "This is the beginning of, hopefully, a long-term exploration of the moon," says King. "The building of a small colony on the moon, and then the next leap to Mars and so on."
If the clouds part, the night skies could offer views of Comet Panstarrs. Early in the morning, between 4:30-4:45am, look to the east. With a pair of binoculars, you'll be able to make out what looks like a fuzzy star with a tail. If you're looking for something easier to spot, Venus will also be positioned rather aesthetically in the coming days. The planet will share the sky with a slim crescent moon soon, and later it will slink into the foreground with the Pleiades star cluster in the background.
Information and photos about the night sky are being shared on a regular basis on Bob King's Facebook page, Astronomy for Everyone.
You can hear Astro Bob's Backyard Astronomy every other Tuesday at 8:20am on Northland Morning.
