The Night Sky Guy

“Shocking” Finding On Solar System’s Shield.

Hubble image of distant star with gaseous bubble-like shield

According to a new discovery by NASA probe, our sun is moving through our part of the galaxy slower than previously thought,

From its orbit around Earth, the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) satellite measured the speeds of interstellar particles entering at the fringes of our solar system, 9 billion miles (14.5 billion kilometers) from the sun.

Plugging the new data into computer models, the IBEX team calculates that the sun is moving at about 52,000 miles (83,700 kilometers) an hour—about 7,000 miles (11,000 kilometers) slower than thought.

Why is this shocking for scientists and what does this mean for our search for life? Read the rest of my story on National Geographic News

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2012 Supermoon Rising – A Grand Spectacle

Here is my shot of the May 5th supermoon rising above the St. Lawrence river off the island of Montreal. I was fortunate enough to  be with over hundred people gathered by a local dock to enjoy the event. It was nice to see so many people interested enough to get outside with their families and enjoy nature at its best!

credit: Andrew Fazekas

While many in astronomy circles debate all the unnecessary hype given in the general media to this somewhat regularly occurring lunar event the fact is that it got people to look up at the heavens who might otherwise not have. As an astronomy popularizer I would say that while yes it may be a ‘non’event’ to professional eggheads – it is something that everyone, ie. casual skywatchers -  in the world can connect to and enjoy. It also offers a wonderful educational opportunity to space geeks like me to explain the real science that is going on behind what they are seeing. It also offers the chance to get folks excited about stargazing and the wonders of the universe.

I mean, just look at how poetically beautiful that full moon looked this weekend. Makes you start pondering what the silvery orb actually is and how humans have gazed at it for countless generations and even walked on it. Having been a skywatcher for 30 years now i can tell you it gets me excited still.

I recommend everyone at one point to take the time and look at a full moon rising. It’s a beautiful and awe-inspiring thing. So in my opinion -  while all the hype might be a little overboard – in the end it’s all worth it when you are outside with your family and friends soaking up all the moonlight.

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Saturday’s Supermoon: What’s all the Hype?

Skywatchers looking up this Saturday night (May 5) at the full moon may sense it’s a bit more striking than usual- and they won’t be imagining it. Thanks to coincidental timing of the moon being at its closest approach to Earth for 2012 while in its full phase, our planet’s companion will appear 16% larger and 30% brighter than usual. While some are calling it a supermoon, astronomers say that the hype surrounding its supposed ’super-effects’ on Earth are unwarranted.

For thousands of years connections between the motion and phase of the moon have been made with various happening here on Earth from timing of harvests to ocean navigation, so making the leap that the Moon not only reflects, but actually controls natural occurrences is very understandable, astronomers say. But now we have physics and astronomy on our side and we know pretty well what’s possible and what is not.

Read the rest of my Supermoon story at National Geographic News

Also check out this great NASA video explaing the details of Supermoons.

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Night Sky Hits for May 2012

When it comes to stargazing, clear May nights are among the best with the cool but pleasant nighttime air.

As soon as the sun sets on May 5, check out the full moon rising in the east. It’s traditionally known as the flower moon by some Native American cultures. This month, however, it has also taken on the popular name of “supermoon” because it may appear more impressive than usual.

The moon will be at its closest approach to Earth in its orbit for the month – known as perigee by astronomers – and, in fact, closest it will get to our planet at 356,955 kilometres, until 2014!

This closeness will also make the moon appear a bit bigger in the sky than usual, hence the name “supermoon.” While the visual effect may not be all that “super” to the unaided eye, it will offer some great photo opportunities with telephoto lenses, as it rises above your local horizon at sunset on the 5th.

Let’s just hope for clear skies.

Also worth a quick mention is the Eta-Aquarid meteor shower that peaks on the 5th as well. Skywatchers int he southern hemisphere will get a better show as the radiant is quite far south. While its main claim to fame is that the meteors we see are actually parts of Halley’s comet shed centuries ago, the fact that the full moon is in the sky at the same time as the peak of the shower, means that we won’t get much of a show this year. According to Spaceweather.com the best time to look will be in the hours before sunrise on Sunday, May 6th with expectations of under 30 shooting stars per hour from locales far from city light pollution.

The grand sky event for this month will be an annular solar eclipse on May 20th – the first visible from the U.S. in 18 years. An annular eclipse is different from a total in that when the moon slips in front of the sun it does not cover the entire solar disk – leaving visible a ring of sunshine – what is called the ‘Ring of Fire’. According to eclipse-maps.com (get great eclipse charts here) after moving over China and Japan, the eclipse shadow sets down in North America at “the California/Oregon border, passes in the late afternoon over Nevada, Utah, Arizona, a corner of Colorado, New Mexico, and ends at sunset in Texas.”

Considering local sky conditions at this time of the year – the best chance of seeing it will be from the southwestern U.S. region – not to mention the spectacular local scenery that can act as a backdrop for the event.

Meanwhile much of Western and Central US.S. and Canada will get to have a consolation prize of experiencing a partial solar eclipse. According to SkyNews magazine, if you want to see the biggest bite taken out of the Sun you will want to head as far south and west as possible (Ex: Vancouverites will see 73% eclipse, while Torontonians get to observe only 18% of the sun’s disk covered by the moon).

Remember never to look directly at the Sun even when eclipsed as it can seriously damage your eyes. Always use proper solar filters on eyeglasses, binoculars or telescopes.

In terms of planet watching, two neighbouring planets – Mars and Saturn – dominate high in the southern sky long after dusk all month long.

Look just to the lower right of orange hued Mars and find the 78-light-yeardistant brilliant white star named Regulus, the brightest member of the constellation Leo.

Saturn is to the far lower left of Mars in the southern sky after sunset. The ringed planet appears as a brilliant yellow coloured star. Amazing to think that we see this 1.5-billion-kilometre-distant gas giant, like we do all the other planets on display, due to sunlight reflecting of its surface.

Just like the Red Planet, Saturn is also paired with a bright star; its companion, shining just below is 263-light-year-distant Spica, in the constellation Virgo.

As an added cosmic treat, watch for the first quarter moon to first pair up with Mars on May 28. Then with Saturn on May 31.

Meantime, Venus is still the brightest in the western evening skies.

As the month progresses, observers will notice that it is making a steady plunge toward the glow of the sunset each progressive night. But by training a steadily held pair of binoculars or a small telescope at the planet, it’s crescent shape is easily revealed under high magnification.

By the end of the month, the goddess of love will be lost in the sun’s afterglow as it heads for a historic transit across the sun’s disk on June 5.  The rarest of astronomical events that won’t repeat until the year 2117!

Don’t forget you can always get late-breaking, instant stargazing news anytime by joining my fanpage on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, or get email alerts sent directly to your inbox

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New Night Sky Episode

While Astronomy Day may come and go the celestial wonders highlighted in this latest episode will be around for the next couple of weeks – including Saturn and Mars. So grab the next clear skies and enjoy the planetary sights.

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Astronomy Day is Here!

If you see a bunch of telescopes turned to the heavens somewhere in your city Saturday, April 28th then that’s because it’s International Astronomy Day. Local astronomy clubs are organizing tons of  events around the world with tons of telescopes manned by dedicated amateur astronomers offering views of the universe for everyone.  If you ever wanted to buy a telescope or have never looked at the cosmos through one – then this is your chance to get the real scoop about the hobby.

For more info about the festivities, where you can go in  your area and what celestial sights you can expect to see this weekend read my story on Nat Geo News.

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Asteroid Mining in our Future?

Mining asteroids in outer space and bringing the valuable resources back to Earth … sounds like science fiction. In fact, it’s the tantalizing plan unveiled today by a company in California. And that company – Planetary Resources – isn’t your average start-up … it’s backed by a few well-known billionaires, including Hollywood director James Cameron and Google founder Larry Page.

Here is the company’s promo video:

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New Night Sky episode

Just in time for Earth Day weekend here is my latest Night Sky episode on the Lyrid meteor shower that peaks Saturday and Sunday nights of April 21 and 22. Check it out…

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Meteor Shower this Weekend

Skywatchers should get ready for some April showers but of a cosmic kind. This weekend should offer the best view of the Lyrid meteor shower in years, with a dark moonless night during the peak of the annual sky show.

The annual Lyrid meteor shower is set to peak overnight from April 21 into April 22, and with the moon out of sight at that time, it should make for great viewing under dark skies.

Lyrids is expected to produce modest number of  shooting stars -  falling at rates of 15 to 20 per hour – with the best performance centered  between 2 am and 4 am on April 22.

Read the rest of my viewer’s guide to the Lyrid meteor shower at National Geographic News.

Skywatching EXTRAS: If you do get stuck in the light polluted city and/or get clouded out this weekend for the sky show then you can still experience the Lyrids virtually at least with NASA. The Space Agency will have all sky cameras looking out for shooting stars during the overnight period and will also have a meteor expert on hand to can answer any of your questions.

According to the NASA website, “If you’re looking for a fun way to spend an early spring weekend, make plans to stay “up all night” with NASA experts to watch the Lyrids brighten the skies. On Saturday, April 21, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. EDT — meteor experts Dr. Bill Cooke, Danielle Moser and Rhiannon Blaauw from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center will answer your questions about the Lyrids via a live Web chat.”

Here’s the the NASA link.

Also while you are making those wishes on all those shooting stars, watch out for the International Space Station too.  The orbiting lab will be making flybys over most North American and European cities the next few evenings too.  To get your viewing times for your neck of the woods then click here.

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Moon Points to Mercury at Dawn

Skywatchers get a great observing challenge on April 19th before dawn when a razor-thin crescent Moon helps point the way to elusive little planet Mercury.  The trick with this observation is that you need to have a very clear line of sight to the VERY low eastern horizon to see this celestial pair. So try and find a spot that does not have any trees or building obstructing your view of the eastern horizon. About a half hour before the sun rises you get a short window of opportunity to catch faint Mercury before it’s lost in the glare of the rising sun.  The Moon will be less than 8 degrees north of the little planet so the pair should fit within the view of a wide-field binocular like an 8 x 50… BTW – Uranus will be even more of a challenge for telescope users as it will be embedded within the glare of the rising sun.

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