(The following is a revised version of an Update article from 2008. My thoughts on this subject have changed over the years and this version reflects my current understanding. This article is long-ish so be advised. If you just read the previous article, you might like to read this one at another time between now and Christmas.) One of our … Continue reading
If you’ve been reading this newsletter or following our Facebook page in 2020, you’re aware that the bright planets Jupiter and Saturn have been drawing closer, approaching their “Grand Conjunction,” an alignment that only occurs every 20 years. (Check out our archive of previous issues to learn more.) The time is quickly approaching so keep your eyes on this pair … Continue reading
COMET THROUGH BINOCS: This is my “artist’s depiction” of the view of Comet NEOWISE as seen through binoculars. It was visible with the unaided eye, but we were viewing over water and mist was forming. To spot this comet in the evening, get to a very flat horizon, free of trees, buildings or mountains. Look to the northwest, at least … Continue reading
The Earth reaches its point of aphelion at July 4, 2020, 7:34 AM EDT. At this precise moment, the Earth is at its greatest distance from the Sun of any time of the year. This occurs in the summertime over the northern hemisphere. Some people mistakenly believe that summer is caused to the Earth being close to the Sun, but … Continue reading
The Moon is approaching the planets Jupiter and Saturn, which will be having a great conjunction in 2020. On the evening of July 4, look for the Moon to fall into a mostly straight line with these bright planets. Be sure to look around midnight EDT to see the Moon at a maximum phases of penumbral eclipse. The next night, … Continue reading
THE SUMMER SOLSTICE: Today is the first day of summer for the northern hemisphere, the longest day of the year. On this day, the Sun reaches it’s maximum northern declination of the year. Thus, this day is the winter solstice for the southern hemisphere, the shortest day of the year for the lands south of the equator. For a detailed … Continue reading
THE SUMMER SOLSTICE is the northernmost extreme of the Sun’s annual passage through the zodiac. In 2020, the Sun reaches this point at precisely 5:44 PM EDT on Saturday, June 20. The day when this event occurs is also commonly called “the summer solstice,” which is “the first day of summer” and “the longest day of the year.” On the … Continue reading
FALCON 9: A new era of American space flight has dawned with the successful crew launch of the Dragon capsule. The Falcon 9 spacecraft corrects the 40 year mistake of the Space Shuttle program, and finally demonstrates the potential of the private development of space, This graphic compares the Falcon 9 to the Space Shuttle. As we know, in spaceflight, … Continue reading
After a prominent evening apparition, the bright planet VENUS is sinking toward the western horizon, as seen in the evenings after sunset. After appearing as the “Evening Star” since wintertime, Venus will vanish into the sunset and be lost in the Sun’s glare for about a week. After that it will emerge from the sunrise, becoming visible as the “Morning … Continue reading
AMERICAN ECLIPSE! WHERE WILL YOU BE FOUR YEARS FROM TODAY??? Hopefully you will be in CLEVELAND, OHIO or one of many other fine locations along the path of totality. This well be the second total solar eclipse of the AMERICAN ECLIPSE CENTURY. Others will follow in 2044, 2045, 2052, 2071, 2078 and 2099. It’s not too early to start making … Continue reading
