Astronomy Anarchy

[mainsheetsister]

Heads up for meteors this weekend!

The Lyrids Meteor Shower is an average shower, usually producing about 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, which was discovered in 1861. The shower runs annually from April 16-25. It peaks this year on the night of the night of the 21st and morning of the 22nd. These meteors can sometimes produce bright dust trails that last for several seconds. The nearly full moon on April 25 will be a problem this year, blocking out all but the brightest meteors. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Lyra, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

 

[Snaggletooth]

thackes sis!

 

[Guitar]

Last year we got the special surprise with the Sutter's Mill meteorite coming down on the 22nd. Wife and I heard it break up over our heads. Weird noise.

 

[Point Break]

Hmmmmmm we're hiking in Sedona. We should be able to see these. Thanks for info!

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t88/pointbreaksb/image_zpse96bb6a2.jpg

 

[mainsheetsister]

Full Moon and Partial Lunar Eclipse on 25 April.

The Moon will be directly opposite the Earth from the Sun and will be fully illuminated as seen from Earth. This phase occurs at 19:57 UTC.

This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full Pink Moon because it marked the appearance of the moss pink, or wild ground phlox, which is one of the first spring flowers. This year, it is also known in the Northern Hemisphere as the Paschal Full Moon because it is the first full moon of the spring season.

The partial lunar eclipse will occur when the Moon passes through part of the Earth's shadow, or penumbra, and only a portion of it passes through the darkest shadow, or umbra. During this type of eclipse a part of the Moon will darken as it moves through the Earth's shadow.

The eclipse will be visible throughout most of Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

 

[4ktsb]

Next she'll claim the Earth is round, I just don't know what to make of this.

 

[mainsheetsister]

Next she'll claim the Earth is round, I just don't know what to make of this.

Blasphemy!

 

[mainsheetsister]

Saturn at Opposition on 28 April

The ringed planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. This is the best time to view and photograph Saturn and its moons. A medium-sized or larger telescope will allow you to see Saturn's rings and a few of its brightest moons.

To view the solar system's second largest planet, look directly overhead at midnight.

 

[Charlie Foxtrot]

Anything further on the Russki meteorite?

Last I heard, they had found a few dime size fragments and increased the original weight by several orders of magnitude....

 

[mainsheetsister]

Although not yet officially endorsed by the International Astronomical Union, it appears that names have been chosen for P4 and P5, the two moons most recently discovered orbiting dwarf planet Pluto.

(...drum roll please...)

Vulcan (endorsed by William Shatner via Twitter in honor of Mr. Spock) and Cerberus/Kerberos (spelling yet to be decided) will soon join Pluto's three other named natural satellites, Charon, Hydra, and Nix.

Traditionally, the names of Pluto's moons are to be associated with the underworld in Greco-Roman mythology.

http://cosmiclog.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/23/17879795-scientists-go-with-peoples-choice-for-pluto-moons-vulcan-cerberus

 

[nolatom]

Sis, you're a sky girl! Cool.

Best free show in town....especially out on the water with no other bright lights to dim the show.

 

[mainsheetsister]

Sis, you're a sky girl! Cool.

Best free show in town....especially out on the water with no other bright lights to dim the show.

Yes, I want to be an astronomer when I grow up.

 

[mainsheetsister]

4-5 May

Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower!

The Eta Aquarids is an above average shower, capable of producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak.

Most of the activity is seen in the Southern Hemisphere.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the rate can reach about 30 meteors per hour.

It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet Halley, which has known and observed since ancient times.

The shower runs annually from April 19 to May 28. It peaks this year on the night of May 4 and the morning of the May 5.

The last quarter moon will block out some of the less bright meteors this year but you should still be able to see quite a few good ones if you are patient.

Best viewing will be after midnight, after the setting of the last quarter moon.

Meteors will radiate from the constellation Aquarius, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

 

[nolatom]

Thanks. It seems we look generally southeast, not too long before first light.

Oh, and you need clear sky.....

 

[mainsheetsister]

4-5 May

Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower!

The Eta Aquarids is an above average shower, capable of producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak.

Most of the activity is seen in the Southern Hemisphere.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the rate can reach about 30 meteors per hour.

It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet Halley, which has known and observed since ancient times.

The shower runs annually from April 19 to May 28. It peaks this year on the night of May 4 and the morning of the May 5.

The last quarter moon will block out some of the less bright meteors this year but you should still be able to see quite a few good ones if you are patient.

Best viewing will be after midnight, after the setting of the last quarter moon.

Meteors will radiate from the constellation Aquarius, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

Oops...last quarter moon rises around midnight.

 

[mainsheetsister]

9-10 May (depending on your time zone)

New Moon

The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth.

This phase occurs at 00:28 UTC.

This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.

Annular Solar Eclipse

An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is too far away from the Earth to completely cover the Sun.

This results in a ring of light around the darkened Moon.

The Sun's corona is not visible during an annular eclipse.

The path of the eclipse will begin in western Australia and move east across the central Pacific Ocean.

 

[??????????]

9-10 May (depending on your time zone)

New Moon

The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth.

This phase occurs at 00:28 UTC.

This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.

Annular Solar Eclipse

An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is too far away from the Earth to completely cover the Sun.

This results in a ring of light around the darkened Moon.

The Sun's corona is not visible during an annular eclipse.

The path of the eclipse will begin in western Australia and move east across the central Pacific Ocean.

is that time 00:28 UTC on the 10th May?

 

[mainsheetsister]

9-10 May (depending on your time zone)

New Moon

The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth.

This phase occurs at 00:28 UTC.

This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.

Annular Solar Eclipse

An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is too far away from the Earth to completely cover the Sun.

This results in a ring of light around the darkened Moon.

The Sun's corona is not visible during an annular eclipse.

The path of the eclipse will begin in western Australia and move east across the central Pacific Ocean.

is that time 00:28 UTC on the 10th May?

correct

 

[??????????]

Googled it. It could put the wind up some of the natives in PNG & the Solomons.