Biggest, best astronomy events coming in 2012
2011 is nearly out of breath. This past year we've seen two close asteroid flybys - 2011 MD on June 27 and 2005 YU55 on November 8, the Dawn spacecraft's successful mission to Vesta, a total lunar eclipse in December, the return of Venus to the evening sky, and two big satellites - UARS and Roentgen - fall back to Earth.
The sun also cooked up some big flares in 2011 and sparked two spectacular auroral displays for mid-latitude skywatchers this fall.
Comet Elenin, the comet we all expected would brighten to naked eye visibility, went poof!
Given all the doomsday talk surrounding this hapless hunk of ice, its disappearance was sweet irony.
Meanwhile Comet Lovejoy, which many expected to vaporize during its searingly close approach to the sun earlier this month, survived and became one of the prettiest comets in years for southern hemisphere skywatchers.
I love surprises.
What lies ahead for 2012?
Below you'll find a selection of interesting astronomical events to look forward to in the coming year.
Posted: 9:49:35 AM
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