[uujudy]

Hi Folks! Some of you requested that I notify you of visible space events. Here's the latest:

GOODBYE, JULES VERNE: Earlier today, European mission controllers commanded the robotic cargo carrier Jules Verne to re-enter Earth's atmosphere over the south Pacific Ocean. The disintegrating spacecraft made a spectacular fireball observed by at least one NASA aircraft and possibly the International Space Station. First pictures are coming in now and may be found at http://spaceweather.com

GREAT PROMINENCE: Sunspot counts remain very low, but solar activity is not zero. For the third day in a row, astronomers are monitoring one of the best solar prominences in years. The plume of hot gas, twisted into complex shapes by solar magnetic fields, is nearly 10 times taller than Earth and an easy target for safely-filtered backyard telescopes. Visit http://spaceweather.com for photos and movies.

We start our road trip to TV on Thursday! I hope to get there before the midnight space shuttle launch on October 9/10. According to what you all have said, we should be able to see it from our lanai. I'm excited!