h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, it looks furry, I find. Cosy and soft.

Thanks for keeping us updated, I'd never know without your column.

Between you and that lovely Prof Brian Cox with his Wonders programme, we're spoilt for choice! There's so much to be amazed at in the skies.

it's addictive, isn't it? Glad to be of service, thanks ladies

Yes, that struck me when I looked at the photographs, too. A suede-ish finish.

There was an excellent view in the west tonight not long after dark - Mercury and Venus were both very clearly visible and very close together.

It was too cloudy here but I'm glad someone saw Mercury and for reporting back KB

I watched Venus and Mercury together for about an hour last night (4 April 8pm-9pm), although Mercury was difficult to see by naked eye, in my binos it was quite bright. They appeared to be lined up, and were in the same field of view through my binos

Prof Cox tweeted a photo of both, taken from his bedroom window

er... any chance you could provide a link? Although I am not a member of Tweet and it's prob too early for APOD

If I've managed to find the right link, it's this one:

http://www.twitpic.com/1d8ia9

Seems it was the right link then.

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2010/04/05/flying-through-the-aurora-at-28000-kph/

Another cool picture courtesy of Twitter.

That's better than some of the effects in Star Wars.

Today's APOD:
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap100407.html

and I've just looked at 4 planets tonight

Mercury, Venus, Mars and Saturn.

Here, have another Aurora one - this time with a volcano erupting in front of it.


http://news.discovery.com/earth/iceland-volcano-aurora.html

(new wallpaper)

and this morning I was up before the sun and was rewarded by a gorgeous with Jupiter not far off, barely visible in the brightening sky. Almost full sun now

It's a dramatic one, so I can see why it's your wallpaper. Sometimes space seems like a lot of inert bodies hanging in a vacuum, so it's eye-catching when they start spitting fire at each other like that!