For the first time in a decade, five of the twelve planets in our solar system will align in a diagonal row before dawn of January 20 , 2016. These will remain visible until before dawn of Februay 20, 2016. These five planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars , Jupiter and Saturn) were last visible from our planet 10 years ago, from December 15 to January 15, 2005.

Jupiter will rise first, followed by Mars after midnight. Saturn, Venus and Mercury will follow suit.

So, unearth your telescope, look for an outdoor spot where you can see the sky clearly, and monitor weather updates to better plan your planet-gazing spree!

Have you ever dreamed of becoming an astronaut? This might be the time to make your celestial dreams come true.

In a press statement last Wednesday, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced its search for a new batch of space explorers.

With more human spacecraft development in the United States (US) today than at any other time in history, NASA added that future astronauts will launch from the Space Coast of Florida on an American-made commercial spacecraft, and carry out deep-space exploration missions that will advance future human missions to Mars.

To date, NASA has selected more than 300 astronauts to fly on its increasingly challenging missions to explore space and benefit life on Earth. There are 47 astronauts in the active astronaut corps, and more will be needed to crew future missions to the space station and destinations in deep space.

Applications will be accepted from December 14 until mid-February of 2016 while selected candidates will be announced in mid-2017.

Applications for consideration as a NASA Astronaut will be accepted at: http://www.usajobs.gov

Here are some of the requirements:

– Candidates must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Engineering, Biological Science, Physical Science or Mathematics. An advanced degree is desirable.

– Candidates must have at least three years of related progressively responsible professional experience, or at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft.

– Astronaut candidates must pass the NASA long-duration spaceflight physical exam.

For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts.

SOURCE:

http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/be-an-astronaut-nasa-seeks-explorers-for-future-space-missions