Today At 1:21 In The Morning, We Welcomed The Winter Solstice, Marking The Longest Night Of The Year.

Epic Journey Across America!

We passed through the majestic mountains of Colorado, the vast plains of Kansas, the lush Hoosier forests, and the breathtaking Appalachian scenery. Every moment was an adventure, filled with awe-inspiring landscapes and unforgettable experiences.

Here's to new beginnings and the road ahead!

From the high deserts of Nevada to the rolling hills of Virginia, we made an incredible trek! In just 3 days, we covered 2,311 miles in 37 hours and 26 minutes of just driving, witnessing the diverse beauty of this country.

What an great experience at the astronomy camp with over 200 young explorers!

We kicked off the day by setting up tents, firing up the BBQ, and indulging in delicious s’mores. As the sun began to set, the kids got their first glimpse through the telescope, watching the sun in all its glory.

Later that night, we dived into an Astronomy 101 session and embarked on a breathtaking constellation tour. Through my 8-inch telescope, they marveled at the Moon (they LOVED it!), Jupiter and its satellites, and the mysterious Mars.

With the Seestar, we explored deep-space wonders like M13, M42, M81, and M82 bringing distant galaxies and nebulae to life.

To wrap up this magical night, we lit floating lights, sending glowing lanterns into the sky—just like stars finding their way home.

This night was more than just stargazing, it was an adventure beyond Earth, sparking curiosity and awe in every child.

Had an amazing morning at career Day.

Today, I had a full rotation of classes where I talked to the children about exciting careers in space, the importance of healthy eating, and gymnastics for keeping the bones healthy.

The children were so engaged and curious, I have a few who had fantastic questions. It was inspiring to see their interest in topics like black holes.

One of them tell me that after her PhD, she dreams of becoming a marine biologist on a moon base!

Today's adventure on Mt. Charleston was both breathtaking and brisk! We tackled the Upper Bristlecone Trail without success, so we try the Lower Bristlecone Trailhead. Despite our determination, we only made it a few miles before hitting some serious ice.

With temperatures at a chilly 28°F, it was a true standoff with Mother Nature, but she won this round. Even so, the views and the experience were worth every frozen step!

Our morning was truly magical as we gathered with over 500 enthusiastic people, including many kids, to witness the partial solar eclipse event! 🔭🌞✨ Through the telescope, we marveled at the beauty of the sun's dance in the sky and were delighted to spot some sun spots! 🌟☀️ What an incredible experience of nature's wonders! 🌌🔭 #SolarEclipse #AstroAdventures #SunSpotSpectacular 🌒✨

Mars Opposition is Coming! Prepare for a celestial show this winter!

Get ready, stargazers! It has been 2.2 years. It is not the best opposition, but we can try. From late December 2024 to January 16th, 2025, Mars will reach its closest point to Earth (opposition).

This means the Red Planet will be brighter and bigger, and we'll even have a chance to see its icy south pole!

Don't miss this rare opportunity to gaze at the Red Planet's southernmost point. It's a once-in-a-while treat that will leave you starstruck! Share with friends and family who love space, and astronomy, or want to experience the thrill of witnessing something truly cosmic.

Check out this amazing AI-generated image of Mars' south pole!

I captured the magic of the full moon through the telescope tonight!

Isn't it amazing how the universe reveals its wonders when we take a closer look? This lunar beauty never ceases to mesmerize me.

Exciting Discovery Alert!

Hey space enthusiasts, did you know that NASA's TESS has just uncovered a cosmic wonder?

NASA's exoplanet hunter just discovered a "weird" world named Phoenix that's defying expectations! This hot Neptune-sized planet is surprisingly small, old, and hot - and it's still got an atmosphere despite being super close to its red giant star.

According to the scientists, Phoenix should be a bare rock due to its proximity to the star, but instead, it is emerged from the flames with a nice and puffy atmosphere. It's a real mystery how it's managed to hang on!

Phoenix is part of a rare class of planets that orbit close to their stars, and its discovery shows just how diverse exoplanets can be. The team predicts that Phoenix will eventually spiral into its star in about 100 million years.

What can we learn from this peculiar planet? For one, it's giving us new insights on the late-stage evolution of planetary systems - including our own Earth! Who knows what secrets Phoenix holds about our planet's future?

So, let's get excited about this cosmic discovery and see what other mysteries NASA's TESS spacecraft will uncover!

I left an illustration shows the exoplanet Phoenix in the glare of its red giant parent star. (Image credit: Roberto Molar Candanosa/Johns Hopkins University)

Here's a revised version of your social media post:

I spent a truly inspiring morning at Career Day sharing the wonders of space exploration and the groundbreaking opportunities of the Artemis program at the Luna base with children of all ages Their enthusiasm was contagious as I showed them videos of eating, drinking, and doing gymnastics in Leo orbit! From kindergarteners to high school students, their dreams and curiosity about living and working on the Lunar Base were palpable. A huge thank you to the teachers and students for this unforgettable experience!

#CareerDay #ArtemisProgram #SpaceExploration #LunaBase #InspiringTheNextGeneration"