Time for a seasonal interlude to address items of interest happening on or around Earth, even a little farther. The probe Messenger recently copped a boost (the first of two) from Venus on its ponderous way to the swift-footed, sun-sodden planet Mercury some fifty months from now. Messenger has already deployed its sunshade and is at superior conjunction right now, literally opposite the sun from earth, seriously compounding the problem of communicating with the craft. Expect better Venusian data from it during the second boost in about six months. (And don't forget to watch the transit of Mercury across the sun next week as well!)

Speaking of our sister planet, its scrutiny under the Venus Express probe has begun. So far it's peered down into that boiling turmoil to return mesmerizing images of the at the "south" pole of Venus. Then on to Mars and the Little Rovers That Could. Spirit remains dormant awaiting brighter Martian spring yet still provides useful if lethargic data. Opportunity meanwhile at long last reached its destination Victoria Crater, pausing to pose for one of the year's better photos from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter orbiting overhead (or robotic head equivalent!). Another personal favorite would be this gorgeous sun-shadow of Saturn snapped by Cassini not too long ago. Those afraid of knowledge fear beauty as well.

Despite dings from its critics the Space Shuttle returned to service with great gusto, impressing NASA sufficiently to announce a mission in two years to reinvigorate the Hubble telescope. Also particularly impressive (and invaluable) was the renewed construction of ISS with Atlantis' installation of the P3/P4 truss, tremendously improving the station's power capacity. (In December Discovery aims to continue construction and activate the truss solar panels.) ISS continues to grow, thankfully beyond the safe return of Expedition 13 and transfer (and Godspeed!) to Expedition 14.

Not to lose the human focus, equally impressive was the stellar visit of entrepreneur and X-Prize advocate Anousheh Ansari to ISS. (Some discourage her motives, I think that relieves hope of its potential.) And simple as they are the "Genesis tubes" are encouraging, as is the reveal of SpaceShip Two, ambitious successor to the awesome SpaceShip One. Amongst all this good news sadly lies some silly: Star Trek the Franchise stumbles trying to find a non-laughable box office draw, launched by rumor into genuine fan interest. Given those put forth so far I'm not holding my breath but oh well, there's always something good on at home. On to Season Two next week!