May 13
What’s Up in the Sky
Scientific Literacy Still Important
One of the reasons I write this column is to promote an understanding of science in general and astronomy in particular. Many wonder why I consider this goal to be so important. Well, I recently heard an interview with David Morrison, NASA space scientist and main author of NASA’s web page, “Ask the Astrobiologist”.
Currently there is much hubbub on the internet involving the predicted December, 2012, Earth-ending collision with Nibiru, aka “planet X” as supposedly predicted by the Mayan calendar. Dr. Morrison stated that he gets 5 to 10 emails a day asking about this and at least once a week he hears from people, usually eleven or twelve years old, who say they are contemplating suicide because of these predictions. He was also contacted by a young mother planning to kill her children to spare them the agony of the earth being destroyed.
This is extremely disturbing. It drives home the fact that vast numbers of people are grossly uninformed when it comes to science. This leads to the inability to distinguish bogus claims from real science, which in turn affects our decisions ranging from monetary to global.
What is based on real science, however, is knowing where and when to look for things in the sky. Three planets remain easily visible this month, Venus, Saturn, and Mars. Venus reaches its maximum brightness early in May, when it is still well above the western horizon at dusk. Mars can be found in the southern sky below the constellation Leo and to the left of the star Regulus. Both are above the Moon on May 1. Further east is Saturn, just to the left of the equally bright star, Spica. Look for them above the Moon on May 4. Speaking of brightness, Venus actually shines 100 times brighter than Saturn although our eye-brain system perceives the difference to be much less. There are also a number of bright stars visible. In fact, nine are as bright or brighter than Regulus.
Finally, look for the Big Dipper. Face north and you may be surprised to see it almost overhead and upside down. So, even though there won’t be a lot of tulips, May should be a good month to enjoy what’s up in the sky.
This month in history:
May 5: Alan Shepard becomes first American in space – 1961
May 6: Neil Armstrong ejects safely before Lunar Landing Research Vehicle crashes – 1968
May 14: Skylab is launched – 1973
May 18: Hubble Space Telescope serviced for the 23rd (and last)time – 2009
May 25: President Kennedy gives speech challenging nation to land astronaut on Moon before the end of the decade – 1961
May 29: First experimental test of Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity performed during total solar eclipse – 1919
This month’s question is: what was the first spacecraft to successfully land on the surface of Mars?
Post your answer in the comments!
Apr 09
April Outreach
Starlight: Secrets of the Stars
Shoreline Amateur Astronomical Association (SAAA) along with the Ottawa County Parks, ,
is offering another in a series of Astronomy Programs and Sky Viewings on Friday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m.
This program begins at the Ottawa County Parks Nature Education Center
with a one hour indoor program followed by an outdoor viewing session (weather permitting).
The indoor program, held rain or shine, is titled Starlight: Secrets of the Stars.
The light from stars gives many clues as to the makeup, size, and age of stars.
Spectroscopes allow astronomers to reveal these star secrets and learn more about the universe.
For the outdoor viewing, telescopes will be provided. Bring a lawn chair, binoculars (if you have them), and dress to be outside.
There are no program fees and advance registration is not required.
Programs are for adults and older children.
Call 616-786-4847 for more information.
The Nature Education Center is located at Hemlock Crossing County Park in Port Sheldon Township.
From US 31, travel west on Croswell St. a short distance to
West Olive Rd. Travel south on West Olive Rd. about 0.3 miles to the park entrance.
The Nature Education Center is located at the end of the park road.
Apr 02
April What’s Up in the Sky
What’s Up in the Sky – April, 2012
By Peter Burkey
Planets Continue to Dazzle This Month
With warm evenings, clear skies, and two bright planets to watch, March has been a tough act to follow. But April offers its share of celestial sights as well beginning right at the start of the month.
If you have been following the planets in the west after sunset, then you are well aware of brilliant Venus dominating that part of the sky. Although its partner for the past several weeks, Jupiter, gets lower in the sky as the month progresses, Venus will continue to climb for about three weeks. On the 2nd and 3rd of April, use binoculars or a small telescope to observe the planet as it passes close to a familiar star cluster, the Pleiades. They will be much closer to each other than Venus and Jupiter were two weeks ago.
Two other planets are well placed for viewing this month – Mars and Saturn – and you can use the Moon to help you find them. On April 3rd, look high in the southeast for an almost-full Moon forming a narrow triangle with two “stars” above it. On the right is the star Regulus in the constellation Leo, the Lion. On the left and shining somewhat more brightly is the planet Mars. Then on the 6th with the Moon lower and farther to the east, you can find Saturn just to its left. Once you have these two planets located, you can view them each night all month. Both are excellent targets for telescopes.
The Lyrid meteor shower will peak on the night of April 21 – 22 with no moonlight interfering. Best viewed after midnight, this is usually a modest shower with only about twelve meteors visible per hour. However, meteor showers can be unpredictable and in 1801 a newspaper in Richmond, VA, reported meteors in such abundance that they resembled a “shower of sky rockets”.
The next night, the 22nd, find a clear view of the western horizon 45 minutes after sunset and look for Jupiter very close to the horizon. Use binoculars to see if you can spot a very thin crescent Moon just above the planet. On the 23rd the Moon will be right next to the Pleiades and on the 24th just to the left of Venus, all lovely sights and good photo ops.
This month in history:
April 2: First photograph of Sun taken – 1845
April 5: Pioneer 11 launched – 1973
April 12: Yuri Gagarin becomes first human in space – 1961
April 17: Apollo 13 returns to Earth – 1970
April 25: Deployment of Hubble Space Telescope – 1990
April 28: Eugene Shoemaker is born – 1928
Mar 13
March Outreach
When: Friday, March 16, 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Where: Hemlock Crossing
Join members of the Shoreline Amateur Astronomical Association!
French astronomer Charles Messier was an avid comet hunter. He was frustrated by objects which resembled them but were not comets. He therefore compiled a list of these objects so that he would not keep confusing them during his comet searches. We will talk about what they are and, weather permitting, look at some of the brighter ones through telescopes. The Moon will be 3 days past first quarter.
There will be a viewing session after. (weather permitting)
For the outdoor viewing, telescopes will be provided, or you may bring your own.
Bring a lawn chair and binoculars (if you have them). There are no fees and advanced registration is not required. The program and viewing are for adults and older children. The Nature Education Center is located at Hemlock Crossing in Port Sheldon Township. From US 31, travel west on Croswell St. to West Olive Rd. Travel south on West Olive Rd. to the park entrance. The center is at the end of the park drive. Call 616-786-4847 if you need more information.
Feb 09
February Outreach
Wonders of the Universe
When: Sat, February 11, 7pm – 8pm
Where: Hemlock Crossing
Join members of the Shoreline Amateur Astronomical Association!
The Universe is a vast, infinite place.
Is our Sun the only star with planets around it?
Modern technology has allowed astronomers to discover that other stars have planets orbiting them.
What are these planets like? Come and hear about exoplanets and more.
This program will be held rain, snow, or shine (as long as road and weather conditions are safe).
There will be a viewing session after. (weather permitting)
For the outdoor viewing, telescopes will be provided, or you may bring your own.
Bring a lawn chair and binoculars (if you have them). There are no fees and advanced registration is not required. The program and viewing are for adults and older children. The Nature Education Center is located at Hemlock Crossing in Port Sheldon Township. From US 31, travel west on Croswell St. to West Olive Rd. Travel south on West Olive Rd. to the park entrance. The center is at the end of the park drive. Call 616-786-4847 if you need more information.
