2015 is truly the Year of Pluto.
NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft is on the final leg of its journey to Pluto, which was discovered at Lowell Observatory by Clyde Tombaugh (1906-1997) in 1930.
New Horizons will make its closest approach to Pluto on Tuesday. I am certain we will be astounded by what New Horizons finds.
In addition to tracking media accounts as the spacecraft approaches, follow its adventures on the New Horizons website at: www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/newhorizons/main/index.html (the website also gives you tips on throwing a Plutopalooza).
Also of note this week, Venus is at its “greatest illuminated extent” this year after sunset Thursday. The bright planet will be easy to find it in the western sky, only 3.8 degrees to the left (south) of Jupiter.
Sunday, after viewing the early morning passage of the International Space Station, turn your attention toward the eastern horizon. The thin 26-day-old moon will sit in the middle of Taurus the Bull just 2½ degrees above the bright star Aldebaran. This is a must-see sight through binoculars.
