Newly found planet has wild temperature swings

Strange hot Jupiter planets has wild swings in temperature
http://news.aol.com/article/planet-with-hot-flashes/320901

Annular eclipse in Pacific 1/16/2009

Here is a beautiful photo of an annular eclipse. It's not as spectacular as a total solar eclipse but it is still eerie (the Moon is too far away so a bright ring surrounds the Moon). We in the US won't be able to see this eclipse but we will "see it" by watching videos and seeing photos. Here is a really nice annular photo.
1/25/2009
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/
can't find it? use the archives and go to earlier date other then this one

Beautiful Lenticular cloud format

These rare clouds are very interesting. Sometimes they have been mistaken for "flyin saucers".
1/21/2009
not this date check archives
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

Ice flowers

I've never heard of these things before today. They look something like gypsum flowers and the those that I have seen while caving.

http://my.ilstu.edu/~jrcarter/ice/

also more ice flowers at
http://www.spaceweather.com/
(if not this date go to this link/website and then go to archives link which is on the spaceweather page lower portion)

Close up view of Saturn's cratered moon Hyperion

Saturn's Hyperion: A Moon with Odd Craters
1/18/2009
(if not this date go to this link/website and then go to archives link which is on the APOD page lower portion)
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

Methane gas on Mars : might it indicate life

Interesting development finding methane gas
http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2009/01/15/methane_plume_on_mars_a_sign_of_life/?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed5

Beautiful Saturn in a whole different light

Actually this photo taken by the Cassini probe is from inside Saturn's shadow . Very different type of view yielding several extraordinary aspects of the planet's ring system and more.
1/11/09
(if not this date go to this link/website and then go to archives link which is on the APOD page lower portion)
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

A halo like cloud around the moon is called a-----

Sometimes when you look up in the sky, whether day or night, you can see interesting phenomenon. Perhaps you have seen one like this but did not know what to call it.
Lunar coronas
http://www.atoptics.co.uk/droplets/cormoon.htm

check out the rest of this site Atmpospheric Optics. Interesting stuff

More yellowstone earthquakes- is a big one coming?

Yellowstone is a big volcanic area that has a lot of volcanic activity but is a possible site for future eathquakes, Here is information about the latest rumblings.

http://news.aol.com/article/yellowstone-earthquakes-raise-fears/292261

Orbital animation and Quadrantid meteor shower jan/3-4

The Quadrantid meteor shower is coming up Jan 3-4. Best time in the morning (maximum 7am Eastern, 6 am Central) The source of this meteor shower is possibly a dead comet or asteroid. Read more below and take a look at the cool animation.

http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/our_solar_system/meteors/quadrantid_shower.html&edu=high

http://meteorshowersonline.com/quadrantids.html

I will be out there if it is clear.