‘Earth & Sky’ Archives
Earthsky Tonight — May 2, Drive a spike to the star
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org Yesterday we talked about learning to ‘follow the arc’ to the star Arcturus in the constellation Bootes. You just follow the curve in the Big Dipper’s handle until you see this orange star. Tonight, let the Big Dipper introduce you to another bright star. This star is Spica in the constellation Virgo the Maiden. You can ‘follow the arc’ to Arcturus AND ‘drive a spike’ or ’speed on’ to Spica. Today’s chart ... Full Story
Earthsky Tonight — May 1, Follow the arc to the star
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org It is now the perfect time to look outside in the evening and learn a phrase useful to sky watchers. The phrase is: ‘follow the arc to Arcturus.’ First, locate the Big Dipper asterism in the northeastern sky. Then draw an imaginary line following the curve in the Dipper’s handle until you come to a bright orange star. This star is Arcturus in the constellation Bootes, known in sky lore as the ‘bear guard.’ Arcturus is ... Full Story
Earthsky Tonight — April 30, Star hopping from
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org Rebecca wrote, “What is ’star hopping?’ What does that mean?” Rebecca, amateur astronomers use star hopping to go from stars and constellations they know … to ones they don’t know yet. First, look for noticeable patterns on the sky’s dome. One very easy pattern to find at this time of year is the constellation Orion the Hunter. You will find it descending in the west after sunset. Orion is easy to find because it ... Full Story
Earthsky Tonight—April 29, Moon and Scorpion rise as
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org Like clockwork, the constellations rise and set 4 minutes earlier with each passing day. Four minutes doesn’t sound like much, but it adds up after a while. For instance, the stars rise and set one-half hour earlier with each passing week, or 2 hours earlier with each passing month. That is 6 hours difference after one 3-month season. In late April, the red supergiant star Antares rises in the southeast around 11:00 p.m. local ... Full Story
Earthsky Tonight — April 28, Orion descends in the
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org At this time of year, the famous constellation Orion is descending in the southwest to west in the hours after sunset. Orion is noticeable for its bright stars and its distinctive pattern on the sky’s dome. Look for three stars in a short, straight row. Then look for Betelgeuse and Rigel, Orion’s brightest stars. If you didn’t come to know it this winter, check it out now. It is one of the most distinctive of all star ... Full Story
Earthsky Tonight — April 27, April full moon, Saturn
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org Astronomically speaking, the moon turns full tomorrow – on Wednesday, April 28 – at precisely 12:18 Universal Time (7:18 a.m. Central Time). An astronomical full moon occurs at that fleeting instant when the moon stands most directly opposite the sun in Earth’s sky. For general reference, however, we can say that the full moon shines from dusk until dawn tonight. This April full moon is the second full moon of the spring ... Full Story
Earthsky Tonight — April 26, Moon, Spica and Saturn
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org Tonight, the almost-full waxing gibbous moon sits close to Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo the Maiden. The star-like point of light above the moon this Monday evening is actually no star at all but Saturn, the 6th planet outward from the sun. Although the moon pairs up with Spica for only a day or two each month, you can always use the Big Dipper to star-hop to Spica after the moon goes down the pike. Once ... Full Story
Earthsky Tonight — April 25, Bright object near moon
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org It is a big and bright waxing gibbous moon that you will find beaming for most the night tonight. That is a moon that is more than half lighted but less than full. Full moon will come on April 28. In the northern hemisphere, people have called the April full moon by many names but with a common theme – Planter’s Moon, Seed Moon, Flower Moon, Growing Moon, Awakening Moon. Between now and April 28, you’ll see the moon nearly ... Full Story
Earthsky Tonight — April 24, Waxing gibbous moon
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org Tonight, the oval-shaped waxing gibbous moon shines close the ringed planet Saturn. At this time yesterday, a somewhat thinner waxing gibbous moon shone close to Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo the Lion. Why has the moon moved? The fact is that – every day – the moon travels about 13 degrees eastward in front of the backdrop stars. (The moon’s diameter equals about 1/2 degree, and your fist held at an ... Full Story
Earthsky Tonight — April 23, Waxing gibbous moon
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org Tonight, the waxing gibbous moon shines fairly close to the silvery-blue star Regulus in the constellation Leo. To the east of the moon shines the golden planet Saturn. If you cannot distinguish color with the unaided eye, try binoculars. By tomorrow night, a somewhat fuller waxing gibbous moon will have moved away from Regulus and closer to Saturn. Regulus is the brightest star in the constellation Leo the Lion, and it represents ... Full Story
