Author: Guest Writer

By Heather Durham | April 28, 2023

Hey there, everyone! Ready for this month’s adventures? This month, I’m beginning with a few words about the new or even occasionally referred to as the black Moon … when the night sky is at its darkest. May 19 is the date of the new Moon this month.

During a new moon in New Hampshire, the night sky is at its darkest, making it an excellent time to spot stars and planets. You can look for constellations like the Big Dipper and Orion, as well as bright stars like Sirius and Vega. On nights with clear skies, you might even be able to see the Milky Way, a beautiful band of light created by the billions of stars in our galaxy. The new moon also provides a perfect backdrop for observing planets like Venus and Mars, which shine brightly and are easy to spot with the naked eye.

Now, let’s explore the exciting celestial events happening in May:

May 3. Venus, the dazzling evening star. On May 3rd, Venus will be at its highest altitude in the evening sky, making it shine brighter than ever. Look up to see this beautiful, bright planet lighting up the sky.

May 5. Full Flower Moon, a blooming beauty. The Full Flower Moon on May 5th gets its name because of the many flowers that bloom in May. Watch as the moon lights up the night sky with its full, round shape.

May 6. η-Aquarid Meteor Shower, a sky full of wishes. On May 6th, the η-Aquarid meteor shower will put on a dazzling display. Gaze at the sky to see lots of shooting stars, and remember to make a wish for each one you see!

May 9. η-Aquarid Meteor Shower, more twinkling wonders. The η-Lyrid meteor shower on May 9th will bring more shooting stars to the sky. Keep making wishes and enjoy the sparkling show!

May 12. Last Quarter Moon, a half-lit wonder. On May 12th, the Moon will be at its last quarter, meaning half of it will be illuminated. Observe the half-bright moon and see if you can spot any differences from its other phases.

May 13. Moon and Saturn, a cosmic friendship. The Moon and Saturn will rise together on May 13th, appearing close and forming a celestial pair. Watch these two cosmic friends as they journey through the night sky.

May 23. Moon and Venus, a sky-high playdate. On May 23rd, the Moon and Venus will rise together towards the right, looking like they’re having a fun playdate in the sky. See if you can spot this friendly duo.

May 24. Moon and Mars, a bright and bold meeting. On May 24th, the Moon and Mars will rise together towards the right. Keep an eye out for Mars, the Red Planet, looking like a bright, fiery dot next to the Moon.

May 27. First Quarter Moon, another half-lit adventure. On May 27th, the Moon will be at its first quarter, meaning half of it will be illuminated again. Compare this phase to the last quarter and see if you can spot any differences.

May 29. Mercury’s big day in the sky. On May 29th, Mercury will be at its greatest distance from the Sun, which is called “greatest elongation west.” Look for this tiny, bright dot shining in the evening sky.

References:

Ford, D.F. (n.d.). April 2023. Retrieved from in-the-sky.org

By Heather Durham | March 30, 2023

Greetings one and all!  Spring is the season for renewal.

April is an exciting month for astronomy enthusiasts as it presents several opportunities to observe various celestial events. One of the most anticipated events in April is the Lyrid meteor shower, which typically occurs around April 22-23. With the Lyrids, viewers can expect bright, fast-moving meteors that leave persistent trains, making it a stunning spectacle to witness.

Another exciting event to look out for in April is the conjunction of the Moon and the planet Mars. This conjunction will take place on April 25, and it will be visible in the eastern sky just before sunrise. Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun, is known for its distinctive reddish hue, and it will appear as a bright, reddish point of light next to the Moon.

In conclusion, April is a month that offers several exciting opportunities to observe the wonders of the universe. Whether it is the Lyrid meteor shower or the conjunction of the Moon and Mars, astronomy enthusiasts are sure to be thrilled with what the night sky has to offer. With clear skies and a little bit of patience, viewers can experience these celestial events firsthand and marvel at the beauty of the cosmos!

April 6: Get ready for the Full Pink Moon.

April 8: Look out for Mercury as it reaches its half-phase, also known as dichotomy.

April 11: Mercury will be at its highest point in the night sky and will be at its furthest point to the east from the Sun, also known as its greatest elongation east.

April 13: The Last Quarter Moon will be visible.

April 15: The Moon and Saturn will appear very close to each other in the sky, a phenomenon known as a conjunction.

April 16: The Moon and Saturn will make their closest approach.

April 23: Keep an eye out for the Lyrid meteor shower, which will be visible just before sunrise from the Constellation Hercules. The Moon and Venus will also be visible and will appear to be close together.

April 25: The Moon and Mars will be in conjunction, followed by a close approach of the two celestial bodies.

April 27: The Moon will be at its first quarter.

References:

Ford, D. (2022, March 26). Astronomy news for April 2023. In the Sky. Retrieved March 26, 2023, from https://in-the-sky.org/newscal.php?month=4&year=2023&maxdiff=1#datesel

Anonymous. (2022, August 5). Lyrids. In Wikipedia. Retrieved March 26, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyrids

By Heather Durham | December 30, 2023

Happy New Year one and all! Before we begin discussing the new year, let’s travel back to last month for an Artemis update.

The space.com website gives us a brief but informative overview as follows:

NASA’s Artemis 1 moon mission, the agency’s first big step toward returning astronauts to the lunar surface, launched to the moon on Nov. 16 on a critical test flight to return astronauts to the moon. It splashed down on Dec. 11.

Artemis 1 is the first test flight of the agency’s new Space Launch System megarocket and the Orion spacecraft. The SLS rocket launched the uncrewed Orion spacecraft on a 26-day mission, during which it will orbit the moon before returning to Earth (Howell, Malik, 2022).

In addition, universe.com gives us a glimpse of what can be expected during this year.

Astronomy 2023 highlights include two fine solar eclipses, the Sun heading towards solar maximum, a series of spectacular lunar occultations and much more.

Been out enjoying the sky in 2022? The past year saw two fine total lunar eclipses, a surprise meteor outburst from the Tau Heraclids, a fine occultation of Mars by the Moon and more. Astronomy 2023 promises more of the same, plus much more” (Flannery, 2022).

Now, let us review January’s events.

January 3. Our Moon and Mars will travel close to each other and rise to the right.

January 4. The Quadrantid meteor shower will be its most prolific today. As well, our Earth will be at its closest point towards the Sun.

January 6. Today brings the full Wolf Moon.

January 12. Mars appears to reverse its direction.

January 14. The Moon will be in its final quarter.

January 19. The γ-Ursae Minorid meteor shower should peak today.

January 23. Mercury will reach its highest place in the sky.

January 24. Mercury will be at half phase and will shine brightly.

January 25. The Moon and Jupiter will rise to the right and orbit close to each other.

January 30. Mercury will be shining brightly as it reaches its greatest separation from the Sun. The Moon and Mars will travel close to each other and rise to the right.

References:

Ford, D.F. (n.d.). December 2022. Retrieved from in-the-sky.org

By Heather Durham | December 1, 2022

Happy holidays and winter solstice my friends! Welcome to the final edition of this blog for the year 2022. There is no shortage of meteor showers this month along with a planet that will glow in the evening sky as long as Mother Nature cooperates this time.

Winter solstice is near and as for me, I am happy about it for there is so much to enjoy whether you’re inside or out. I will be out and about as much and as often as possible!

Thanks everyone and enjoy yourselves New Year’s Eve as well!

December 1. The Moon and Jupiter will rise and travel close to each other.

December 6. The December φ-Cassiopeid meteor shower will be most prolific today. Coming from the Constellation Andromeda, the best prospects for viewing will be just before dawn on the 6th, but the brightness of the Moon might interfere.

December 7. The Puppid-Velid meteor shower will occur today, but once again, with the Moon so close to being full, they might not be easily visible. Today, the full Cold Moon should be viewable. The Moon and Mars will travel close to each other and rise to the right.

December 8. Tonight brings a special opportunity to view Mars. Mars will be opposite to the Sun. It will be at its largest and brightest this evening-weather dependent.

December 9. The Monocerotid meteor shower will be on display this evening. Coming from the Constellation Monoceros, this shower should put on its best display just before dawn.

December 12. The α-Hydrid meteor shower from the Constellation Hydra will peak on this date with the best show just before dawn. However, the Moon will be at last quarter and may be a viewing hindrance.

December 14. Today brings the Geminid meteor shower from the Constellation Gemini peaking at its best at 2:00 am.

December 16. The Comae Berenicid meteor shower will put on a show tonight. This one comes from the Constellation Leo may be visible from 11:30 pm the previous evening until the break of dawn. The Cold Moon will be in its final quarter.

December 20. Today brings our December Leonis Minorid meteor shower from Leo Minor. It should begin to be visible near 20:21 and remain active until the break of dawn around 6:35. am.

December 21. Mercury will travel to its furthest extent from the Sun during which time it should be very bright. This day also brings with it the December solstice, occurring as the Sun reaches its furthest southern point in the sky, a.k.a, the first day of winter.

December 22. The Ursid meteor shower from Ursa Minor will be at its peak, close to 17:00.

December 24. Mercury will shine very brightly tonight and will be at its highest in the sky.

December 26. The Moon and Saturn will rise and travel close to each other.

December 29. The Moon and Jupiter will rise to the right and orbit close to each other. The Moon will be at first quarter.

References:

Ford, D.F. (n.d.). November 2022. Retrieved from in-the-sky.org

YouTube. (14 November 2022). December 2022 Astronomical Events.Retrieved from https://youtu.be/bahPCu18hEU

By Heather Durham | October 31, 2022

Autumn by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Thou comest, Autumn, heralded by the rain,
With banners, by great gales incessant fanned,
Brighter than brightest silks of Samarcand,
And stately oxen harnessed to thy wain!
Thou standest, like imperial Charlemagne,
Upon thy bridge of gold; thy royal hand
Outstretched with benedictions o’er the land,
Blessing the farms through all thy vast domain!
Thy shield is the red harvest moon, suspended
So long beneath the heaven’s o’er-hanging eaves;
Thy steps are by the farmer’s prayers attended;
Like flames upon an altar shine the sheaves;
And, following thee, in thy ovation splendid,
Thine almoner, the wind, scatters the golden leaves!

November 1. The Beaver Moon will be at first quarter. The Moon and Saturn will rise and travel close to each other.

November 3. NASA will be providing an Artemis update today. (You can listen here: www.nasa.gov/live).

November 4. The Moon and Jupiter will rise to the right together and appear to travel close to each other.

November 8. There will be a total eclipse of the Moon, but our chances of viewing it are not great for the Moon will only be at -2 degrees on the horizon at the time of the beginning of the eclipse. Today also brings the full Beaver Moon.

November 11. Both the Moon and Mars will travel close to each other and seem to rise towards the right.

November 12. Today, the Northern Taurid meteor shower brighten up our evening sky with best viewing occurring around midnight. While normally a minor shower, this year will most likely be different for this particular shower becomes more prolific every 7 years and 2022 is the year. Fireballs may be seen throughout the night sky.

November 16. Our Beaver Moon will be in its final quarter today.

November 17. The Leonid meteor shower from Leo will liven up tonight’s sky. After 6:00 EST, this show will be at its best.

November 21. α-Monocerotid meteor shower from Canis Minor may be visible from 11:30 pm until the break of dawn.

November 23. Jupiter will stop appearing as if it were traveling backwards – commonly referred to as Retrograde. From today onwards, it will appear to travel towards the east.

November 28. The November Orionid meteor shower will be active. The best display should be around 1:00 EST, The Moon and Saturn will rise to the right today.

November 29. The Moon and Saturn will rise together.

November 30. The Moon will be at first quarter. Today will be the best day to view Mars.

References:

Ford, D.F. (n.d.). 2022. Retrieved from in-the-sky.org

Now Next. (2022, October 27). November 2022 Astronomical Events. Retrieved from youtu.be/Wixh93aiTo8