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Celestial Events

Happenings in the night sky and information about astronomical events.

Waning Moon Occults the Star Aldebaran

September 2, 2015 by Brian Ventrudo Filed Under: Celestial Events


The last-quarter Moon will pass through the Hyades star cluster this weekend, on September 4-5, and for observers in eastern North America and western Europe, the Moon will pass in front of the adjacent bright star Aldebaran, the brightest star in the constellation Taurus. During this occultation, the star will disappear behind the lit edge of the Moon, then reappear nearly an hour later, rather dramatically, from behind the dark edge, apparently reemerging out of nowhere. If you’re not in the right place this month, the video above shows Aldebaran as it emerged from behind a waning crescent Moon during an occultation last month [Read more…] about Waning Moon Occults the Star Aldebaran

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Filed Under: Celestial Events lunar, moon, occultation

August’s Full “Corn Moon”

August 29, 2015 by Brian Ventrudo Filed Under: Celestial Events

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The full “Corn Moon” arrives today at 18:35 UTC. This Moon is also a “Super Moon”, appearing 7% larger than an average full Moon. Look for it rising over the eastern horizon after sunset. It makes for a great photo-op, or for a little end-of-summer contemplation as the air turns cooler and the nights grow longer.

The August Full Moon is also called the “Grain Moon”.

(Image credit: Julie Falk)

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Filed Under: Celestial Events moon

Ten Excellent Places to See the Total Solar Eclipse of August 2017

August 27, 2015 by Brian Ventrudo Filed Under: Celestial Events, Solar System

Anticipation is building for the great solar eclipse of August 21, 2017, the first total solar eclipse to be visible in the continental United States since 1979, and the first to run from coast to coast in nearly a hundred years. Most North Americans live within a one or two day drive of the eclipse path, so this will be one of the most watched astronomical events in history. Thousands of towns and highways lie along the path, which runs from Oregon to South Carolina. But where’s the best place to see this solar eclipse? Here are ten places, listed from east to west, to consider as you plan your eclipse-observing expedition for 2017:   [Read more…] about Ten Excellent Places to See the Total Solar Eclipse of August 2017

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Filed Under: Celestial Events, Solar System solar eclipse

A Good Year for the Perseid Meteor Shower

August 5, 2015 by Brian Ventrudo Filed Under: Celestial Events

2012 Perseids Meteor Shower over the Snowy Range in Wyoming (credit: David Kingham)
2012 Perseids Meteor Shower over the Snowy Range in Wyoming (credit: David Kingham)

The Perseid meteor shower, the most reliably active meteor shower of the year, peaks on the night of August 11-12, 2015.  The Perseids are a favorite of many stargazers. They happen in the northern summer, which makes for comfortable viewing. They display more bright meteors than most showers, usually about 50-60 per hour. And this year, the nearly-new Moon will not get in this way of the Perseids, so 2015 will be an excellent year to see this meteor shower [Read more…] about A Good Year for the Perseid Meteor Shower

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Filed Under: Celestial Events meteor shower, solar system

See the Southern Delta Aquarid Meteor Shower

July 22, 2015 by Brian Ventrudo Filed Under: Celestial Events

MeteorThe Delta Aquarid meteor shower peaks this year around July 28. This annual event favors observers in the southern hemisphere and southerly latitudes in the northern hemisphere, though all observers can see some of these slow-moving meteors. The meteors of the Delta Aquariids appear to radiate from a point near the star Skat (δ Aquarii) in the constellation Aquarius. The shower peaks around July 27-30, but unlike most meteor showers, the Delta Aquarids lack a sharp peak so meteors are visible from mid-July through early August. The maximum hourly rate can reach 15-20 meteors in a dark sky. Because of their angle of entry into the atmosphere, the Delta Aquariids tend to leave long lingering trails which sets them apart from most other meteors.

It’s still a bit of a mystery as to what causes the Delta Aquariids. Some astronomers suspect the event happens when the Earth passes through a stream of debris left by the periodic Comet 96/P Macholtz. The comet was only discovered in 1986, though the meteor shower has been observed since at least the 1870s.

In late July 2015, near the time of the shower’s peak, a waxing gibbous moon will be out until after midnight. So the skies will be darkest and most favorable for seeing meteors a few hours before dawn as the shower peaks on July 27-30.

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Filed Under: Celestial Events aquarius, meteor shower, solar system

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