Spot the Station Alert!!

Scottsdale, Arizona

Time: Tuesday, February 13 @ 7:03 p.m.
Visible: 6 minutes
Max Height: 64 degrees
Appears: 10 degrees above NW
Disappears: 10 degrees above SE

If you do not live in the Scottsdale area, go to Spot the Station to enter your location. You can also set up an auto alert that will send you an email when the station will be flying over your area.

Remember the International Space Station (ISS) circles the earth every 90 minutes.  It travels 17,500 miles per hour, which gives the crew 16 sunrises and sunsets every day. You can learn more about the ISS on the NASA International Space Station site.

Lunar Eclipse

August, 2017 saw a total eclipse of the sun. Although not quite as show-stopping, 2018 has some gems in its line up too.  To kick off a new year of wonder and design tracking, be sure not to miss the total lunar eclipse in the early hours of Wednesday, January 31. It is also a super moon and a blue moon. It is easy to watch, requires no special eye protection, and has an off the charts wow factor.

There are at least two lunar eclipses each year.  This heavenly wonder event occurs when the moon's orbit takes it into the earth's shadow. As the moon slips into the earth's shadow, it takes on a reddish hue, giving it the creepy moniker of "blood moon." Due to predictable order and patterns in space, we know that two or three eclipses tend to occur within a short period of time.  A solar eclipse always happens two weeks before or after a lunar eclipse.

The only problem with the January 31 eclipse is that it begins in the Phoenix area at 3:51 a.m., so you will have to pry your warm bones out of bed to see it the earth's shadow begin to sweep across the moon. However, complete coverage will occur at 6:29 a.m. so take your breakfast outside and start your day with a magnificent wonder. Look to the north/northwest low on the horizon. If you do not live in Phoenix, check the eclipse map to see if the eclipse will be visible in your area. As expected and right on schedule, also watch for the partial solar eclipse on February 15, 2018.

Wonder Questions for Young Trackers

• What causes the light we see coming from the moon?  
• Why does the moon's appearance change each night?
• What causes the moon to look red during an eclipse?
• What do you think people a long time ago thought was happening when they watched  a lunar eclipse?
• Do you think animals notice the changes in the moon?
• Does a lunar eclipse help us or hurt humans in any way?
• What do you wonder about a lunar eclipse?

References and Resources
timeanddate.com - Total Lunar Eclipse

Image: Public Domain Pictures

Supermoon!

2018 began with a big, bright moon floating in a clear desert sky.  We regularly enjoy a soothing bath of moon glow over our open landscape, but every so often the moon appears larger and brighter, which is yet another reason to get outside and let the delicious sense of wonder kick in. On bright Supermoon nights, we like to walk out into the open desert, as far away from artificial light as possible.  The desert landscape takes on a cool, ethereal glow.  Sharp edges soften, hues darken, surface minerals shimmer, and the soft sounds of nature are more distinct. 

So what is the allure of a Supermoon or Super Full Moon? For starters the moon's orbit path is elliptical rather than circular, causing its distance from earth to vary as it makes its 30 day trek around our blue planet. During those times, full moons can appear 14% larger and a whopping 16% brighter than the average full moon.  Supermoons are also somewhat rare.  Although the term Supermoon is not an official astronomical term, it is an easily remembered one for an event that only happens 4-6 times a year and some of those Supermoons are new moons so they are not visible.

The most dramatic time to view a full moon is at moon rise.  As the moon peeks over the horizon, it appears even larger due to an optical illusion.  When this giant heavenly body is seen beside earthbound features such as mountains or buildings it looks larger in comparison. It is interesting to note that the moon rises about an hour later each night and into the morning. Challenge your family to a moon tracking contest and see who can spot the moon first each night. Try to guess where it will rise. Look for patterns. Paint or draw the moon phases. Study the surface of the moon through a telescope or binoculars. 

Wonder Questions:

• Does the moon always rise in the same place on the horizon?
• What causes the moon to change shape?  Why does it look like a sphere sometimes and a crescent at other times?
• Does the moon change plant or animal behavior? 
• Is it harmful to look at the moon? Why or why not?
• Does the moon have features that make it unique from other moons in the solar system?
• Where is the moon on moonless nights?
• What is a blue moon?  A red moon? 

References and Resources
timeanddate.com - What are Supermoons and When is the Next One?
The Telegraph - Full Moons in 2018

Dark Sky Tracking

As the Valley of the Sun has grown to a sprawling, sun-drenched metropolis, we are quietly losing our magnificent and unique dark skies.  The Grand Canyon state has been a magnet for professional and amateur astronomers for over a century, yet places in which to view the wonders of the universe with the naked eye are dwindling. City lights that shine 24/7 create what scientists call "light pollution" and can begin to obscure what lies above us. Light pollution also impacts wildlife, like migrating birds, as well as human health. The impact of artificial light is a very interesting study in itself.

There are still many places in Arizona where you can experience a truly black night sky.  The International Dark Sky Association based in Tucson provides a wealth of information about the benefits of our night skies, as well as lists of locations throughout the world where dark skies prevail. 

Oracle State Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Wupatki National Monument and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument are four designated "dark sky" parks in Arizona, and many towns strive to minimize unnecessary light. The area to the east of Phoenix and Scottsdale still offers some amazing sky gazing opportunities, especially during the new moon.

January 17, 2018 is the next new moon, meaning that it is on the same side of the earth as the sun so it won't be visible. New moon nights are the best nights to get out and search for constellations, planets and even galaxies. A good pair of binoculars help, but to start, just scan the sky for patterns and objects. Phone apps like Skyview, Night Sky, or Night Sky Tools can help you identify the constellations and names of the heavenly bodies. 

Enjoy tracking the moon and its phases throughout the month and be sure to calendar upcoming sky events. 

References and Resources
International Dark Sky Association
Arizona Republic - Where are the Darkest Places in Arizona?
timeanddate.com - Where is the Moon? (in real time)

Image - Public Domain Pictures

Geminid Meteor Shower

December 13 - I love any excuse to be in natural places in the dark of night.  It makes me feel so adventurous.  In north Scottsdale, we are blessed with a velvety black sky that is usually studded with thousands of stars.  A few weeks ago, we enjoyed a night walk under a super moon, but tonight the moon is hiding and it's a good thing too for tonight is the best bet for seeing the annual Geminid Meteor Shower. We decided to drive to the edge of the desert wilderness and search the sky for any flashes of light. We were not disappointed.  We saw about two dozen meteors during the 40 minutes we stood marveling at the sky.

Every December, earth cross the orbital path of a "rock comet" or asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon, which is the parent body for the Geminid meteors flashing past our planet. The term "Geminid" refers to the fact that these meteors appear to originate from the constellation Gemini (the twins), even though one has nothing to do with the other.  As a general rule, the higher the constellation Gemini climbs in the sky, the more the number and intensity of meteor sightings increases. 

If you missed the Geminid shower this year, it is an annual event and will occur next December once again on the 13th and 14th.  At the beginning of the new year, mark your calendar with major sky happenings found on sites like Sea Sky's Astronomy Calendar. There are also phone apps that send alerts or help you navigate the night sky. Viewing celestial events with your family or others can be a fun after dark activity.   Children love the excitement of being outside in the dark.  Sit under the stars with snacks and hot chocolate, as well as lots of cozy blankets. 

References and Resources

earthsky.org - Don't miss the Geminids in 2017!

space.com - Geminid Meteor Shower 2107

seasky.org - Astronomy Calendar 2018

Image: zyzixun.net

Night Sky Travelers

Another crisp December evening.  We joined our neighbors to attend an astronomy presentation under a classic Arizona star-studded sky.  We were treated to many fantastic views of the heavens through a celestron telescope.  Without visual assistance, we were also able to witness various satellites that appeared like fast moving stars, here and gone as they continued in their orbit.  According to our presenter, satellites and other space craft can be seen with the naked eye many times a night, depending on the situation.  

The perfect balance of gravity and inertia (forward momentum) is required for natural or man-made satellites to complete their orbits flawlessly.  Craft designers must adjust the speed of a satellite to "match" the curve of the earth. Imagine throwing a ball through the air. It gradually curves downward until it meets the ground.  Satellites also curve downward, but due to the curve of the earth, they don't crash.  The perfect amount of gravitational pull coupled with the speed of the object keeps it moving in a circular or elliptical path.

The same is true for planets and moons. The earth orbits the sun and the moon orbits the earth as each body moves due to a precise interplay of forces acting on one another. Amazingly, the design of the earth's orbit positions our beautiful planet not too close or too far to the sun, which would cause it to be too hot or cold for life.  Instead, all life on earth exists because of our perfect place in space. Seasons are caused by the tilt design of our earth and is another incredible concept to explore.

Objects orbiting in space are not easy for the average person to observe, but there are a few exceptions. One intriguing craft that is fairly easy to spot is the International Space Station (ISS). International Space Station orbits earth (and catches a sunrise) every 90 minutes as it races along at 5 miles per second! You can see where the Space Station is at any given moment and view the tracker to see where it was 90 minutes ago and where it will be in 90 minutes at the ESA site. Enter your location in Spot the Station and learn when and from what direction you can expect to see ISS move over your area.  There are people on board so be sure to wave!

References and Resources
Space Answers - Night Sky: How to catch the International Space Station
International Space Station
How Stuff Works - How do Satellites Orbit the Earth?
Northwestern - What Causes an Orbit?
Spot the Station - Scottsdale, Arizona
Astronomy Nights - Pinnacle Peak Park


Images: NASA - Public Domain