ASTRONOMY NEWS - January 3, 2024

📰 ASTRONOMY NEWS

🗓 Edition of January 3, 2024 🚀

📌 Focus on Aerospace Technology

🕕 Recent Updates 🌌

🗺 Global Space Exploration News

🗓 Wednesday, January 3, 2024

⏳ 3rd day of the year

🌖 Moon Phase: Last Quarter on January 4, New Moon on January 11, First Quarter on January 18, Full Moon on January 25

☀ Last X-class solar eruption: 12/31/2023 (X5)

☀ Last M-class solar eruption: 01/02/2024 (M1.1)

🌪️ GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY:

On January 2, an R1 (Minor) level radio blackout occurred due to solar activity, primarily affecting the sunlit side, including weak or minor degradation of HF radio communication and occasional loss of radio contact. swpc.noaa.gov

🛰️ SPACE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Roscosmos: Continues cooperation with NASA on the ISS, including seat exchanges on Soyuz and Crew Dragon missions for 2023 and 2024. roscosmos.ru
• NASA - Expedition 70: Various research and maintenance activities on the ISS. nasa.gov
• United Launch Alliance: Preparation for the inaugural flight of Vulcan Centaur. ulalaunch.com
• ESA: Various launches and missions planned for 2024. esa.int

🚀 ROCKET LAUNCH CALENDAR:

Jan 3: SpaceX Falcon 9 • Ovzon3 spacex.com

Jan 8: SpaceX Falcon 9 • Starlink 7-10 spacex.com

Jan 8: Vulcan Centaur • CERT-1 ulalaunch.com

🌟 CELESTIAL OBSERVATION:

Astronomical Events: Peak of the Quadrantids Meteor Shower on January 3-4. timeanddate.com

Earth's Perihelion: On January 3, Earth will be at the closest point in its orbit to the Sun. timeanddate.com

🚀 SPACEX - STARSHIP AND RAPTOR ENGINES:

Boca Chica Update: Successful static fire test of Super Heavy Booster 10 with 33 Raptor V2 engines on December 29, 2023. Booster 10 was removed from the OLM after the test, possibly for upgrades or due to uncertainty about the Flight 3 date. spacex.com

Stay updated on the latest news in space exploration and aerospace technology.