Hey folks, well just to let you know that the July 2010 - July 2011 calendar is available now. Laminated & Magnetised so you can keep it on your fridge. All the lunar phase data, planetary hangouts, eclipses, meteor showers & occultations info so you can scan the upcoming events in advance (& plan your skywatching nights!)
Available from the usual outlets & directly from me at market stalls or by emailing me. Still trying to figure out the how, when & whats of an ebay shop. Especially when I'm tempted to kit out a van head across Europe meeting and working with interesting folk, exploring the wilds meeting new species of plants and critters, all the natural world has to offer. And of course the sky! Thinking that big sunroof in the back of a van is the way to go! any ideas, inspirations and destinations would be welcome! ooh exciting!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Naming of Moons, July
The July Full Moon on the 28th is called Thunder Moon (common time for storms in certain areas), Buck Moon (as this is when the bucks push out their velvety nubs which branch and develop into a major rack of antlers), Summer moon and mid summer moon, Full hay moon & my personal favourite the medieval reference - mead moon (for recipes on meads, hydromels, methglins & melomels see “thedockleaf” herblog on this blog site) Ooh yeah, gonna make some rose mead & maybe try some fruity mead too… I’ll keep you posted. Of course I may have to rename the moon 6-9 months ahead to mead ready moon… In fact I could probably rename all the moons based around the herbal home made wines I make. Dandelion, Lovage, Cherry, Elderflower… hmmm and then some of the tinctures and other bits I make… gosh I think I’m to something there… I think it may be similar to some cultural reference somewhere though – Moon when berries are ripe, Rose moon … EXCITING!
Perseids Meteor shower
Between July 18 and August 18th there is a meteor shower, the best show of the year – The Perseids. It peaks on August the 12th. The persieds is a high frequency shower, as in 60 per hour! Minimum! with all sorts of amazing variations. NE after midnight, more definite pointers will be on the way… but some strays have been seen already so keep your eyes relaxed and scoping the whole sky (rather than peeled – OUCH!)
Astronomical Dates in July
1st July – Disseminating Moon in Aquarius at 21:25
4th July - 3rd Quarter Moon in Pisces at 14:35
7th July - Balsamic Moon in Aries at 4:36
11th July – New Moon in Gemini at 9:40
16th July – Crescent Moon in Leo at 13:39
18th July – 1st Quarter Moon in Virgo at 10:10
20th July – Gibbous Moon in Libra at 20:06
26th July – Full Moon in Capricorn at 1:36
4th July - 3rd Quarter Moon in Pisces at 14:35
7th July - Balsamic Moon in Aries at 4:36
11th July – New Moon in Gemini at 9:40
16th July – Crescent Moon in Leo at 13:39
18th July – 1st Quarter Moon in Virgo at 10:10
20th July – Gibbous Moon in Libra at 20:06
26th July – Full Moon in Capricorn at 1:36
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The Naming of Moons in June
Moon of strawberries, June (reference in Hiawatha, but also the Alonquin tribe)
Rose Moon, as this is the time of year when the roses bloom profusely
I still reckon you can name your moons as you wish, as there are so many refernces in many different cultures describing a local activity, usually a natural or agricultural occurence (which reoccurs each year and is hence cyclical). Other June Moon names include Blood Moon & Buck Moon.
Rose Moon, as this is the time of year when the roses bloom profusely
I still reckon you can name your moons as you wish, as there are so many refernces in many different cultures describing a local activity, usually a natural or agricultural occurence (which reoccurs each year and is hence cyclical). Other June Moon names include Blood Moon & Buck Moon.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Planetary Hangouts in June
Mercury moves into Taurus on the 7th & into Gemini on the 23rd June
Venus moves into Cancer on the 10th of June
Mars is in Leo throughout June
Jupiter is in Pisces June til October
Saturn is in Virgo all year
Uranus is in Pisces for the remains of the year
Neptune is in Aquarius for the remains of the year
Pluto is in Sagittarius all year
Venus moves into Cancer on the 10th of June
Mars is in Leo throughout June
Jupiter is in Pisces June til October
Saturn is in Virgo all year
Uranus is in Pisces for the remains of the year
Neptune is in Aquarius for the remains of the year
Pluto is in Sagittarius all year
Deep Space Objects – Skywatching with binoculars
Last chance this year to a get a good view of the M81 & M83 galaxies in Ursa Minor & the M51 whirlpool galaxy, But on the other hand the Epsilon Lyrae (double double) is just coming into a good focus as is the M13 great cluster in Hercules.
Partial Lunar Eclipse 26th June
First Lunar eclipse of the year - On June 26th, a partial Lunar Eclipse seen from Eastern Asia, Australia, Pacific Ocean & Western America at 11:38 (UT). The maximum eclipse was 54% approx. There are a few vids out there, but all the ones I've seen are animations of the projected eclipse. I'll be in France at this time (all going well and I won't be able to see it from there!) I'll check youtube for any footage of it afterwards... i'm looking forward to winter solstice this year as we will be able to a total lunar eclipse from here (Ireland) if I'm here... It will be seen from Asia, Australia, Pacific ocean, America & all of Europe, so chances are I may see it?? 8:16am in the morning, so here's hoping for clear skies that day.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Astronomical Dates in June
2nd June - Disseminating Moon in Capricorn at 4:14
4th June - 3rd Quarter Moon on the border between Aquarius and Pisces constellation
7th June - Balsamic Moon in Pisces at 14:30
12th June – New Moon in Taurus at 11:14
16th June – Crescent Moon in Leo at 12:27
19th June – 1st Quarter Moon in Virgo at 4:29
21st June – Gibbous Moon in Virgo at 12:16
26th June – Full Moon in Sagittarius at 11:30
4th June - 3rd Quarter Moon on the border between Aquarius and Pisces constellation
7th June - Balsamic Moon in Pisces at 14:30
12th June – New Moon in Taurus at 11:14
16th June – Crescent Moon in Leo at 12:27
19th June – 1st Quarter Moon in Virgo at 4:29
21st June – Gibbous Moon in Virgo at 12:16
26th June – Full Moon in Sagittarius at 11:30
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Astronomical Dates in May
1st May – Mayday, however the exact cross quarter point is 5th May
3rd May – Disseminating Moon 10:57 in Sagittarius
4th/7th May – Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower peaks evening of the 5th
East after midnight 10 per hour, mild shower
6th May – 3rd Quarter Moon in 4:14 on the cusp between Capricorn and Pisces
8th May – Balsamic Moon 22:10 in Pisces
14th May – New Moon 1:04 in Aries
16th May – Occultation of Venus (81%) 10:16UT, visible from Ireland
18th May – Crescent Moon 17:06 in Gemini
20th May – 1st Quarter Moon 23:42 in Leo
23rd May – Gibbous Moon 6:17 in Virgo
27th May – Full Moon 23:07 in Scorpio
3rd May – Disseminating Moon 10:57 in Sagittarius
4th/7th May – Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower peaks evening of the 5th
East after midnight 10 per hour, mild shower
6th May – 3rd Quarter Moon in 4:14 on the cusp between Capricorn and Pisces
8th May – Balsamic Moon 22:10 in Pisces
14th May – New Moon 1:04 in Aries
16th May – Occultation of Venus (81%) 10:16UT, visible from Ireland
18th May – Crescent Moon 17:06 in Gemini
20th May – 1st Quarter Moon 23:42 in Leo
23rd May – Gibbous Moon 6:17 in Virgo
27th May – Full Moon 23:07 in Scorpio
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Lyrids Meteor Shower update
Its looking a wee bit overcast out there! But here's hoping...
Moon (& Mars) sets around at 3am, Due East is the Summer Triangle comprised of Vega, the radiant of the lyrids, Altair & Deneb.
Star hopping to Vega...
Find the big dipper, now imagine that there is a person holding the pan by the handle, Vega will be roughly eye level, on a tall person anyway. If you are familiar with the surrounding constellations, draco is in between Lyra and the big dipper.
Here is a pic with the constellation lines showing the big dipper and Lyra, Vega is indicated with the crosshairs.
Here's a pic with the constellation art...
And without lines or art... nearer to the real thing...
Best viewing of the shower is in the dark hours between moonset and sunrise approximately 3am. Happy Star Gazing, hope you have clear dark skies where you are, that you keep warm and have someone to share it with, good night!
Moon (& Mars) sets around at 3am, Due East is the Summer Triangle comprised of Vega, the radiant of the lyrids, Altair & Deneb.
Star hopping to Vega...
Find the big dipper, now imagine that there is a person holding the pan by the handle, Vega will be roughly eye level, on a tall person anyway. If you are familiar with the surrounding constellations, draco is in between Lyra and the big dipper.
Here is a pic with the constellation lines showing the big dipper and Lyra, Vega is indicated with the crosshairs.
Here's a pic with the constellation art...
And without lines or art... nearer to the real thing...
Best viewing of the shower is in the dark hours between moonset and sunrise approximately 3am. Happy Star Gazing, hope you have clear dark skies where you are, that you keep warm and have someone to share it with, good night!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
New Moon in Pisces 14th April
New Moon, when the Moon and the Sun is in conjunction. At this time we can't see the Moon, its between us and the Sun. Some perceive this exact conjunction as the dark of the moon and the actual New Moon, the moment we can see it's first slither of a crescent. If we could see the location of the Sun & the Moon in terms of the surrounding constellations we would see its in the Pisces constellation symbolised as 2 fish swimming in different directions, the big V between which the Sun and Moon are nestled. Venus is not far away, but of course we can't really see this either. The moon is indicated by the red cross hairs and the black spot.
If you have come across references to this months new moon being in Aries, this source must have been using astrology software instead of astronomy sources. Please google precession of the equinoxes or vedic astrology & the moving point to understand more about this. Although I think I shall tackle this in a blogpost sometime soon I haven't resolved all the kinks yet. Its an obvious difference when looking at the Full Moon, because you can quite literally look at the full moon, not only can we not see the Moon during its new phase we can't see the surrounding constellations either. But you can now, thanks to the beauty of technology, this picture was a screenshot from Stellarium program a free download availble from Stellarium.org. Please follow the astronomical link on the right column to find out more about this program. It's an easy to use desktop astronomy prgram which will enable you to understand so much more about astronomy than just looking at the night sky (which of course is my favourite bit!) There are also a number of iPhone applications which will fill you in on so much about astronomy, even while you're out and about.
Enjoy your New Moon, look out for the first slither!
Monday, April 12, 2010
The Lyrids Meteor Shower
The Lyrids – the April showers… 21st/22nd April
Ok, so the Lyrids aren’t (usually) the most blazingly brilliant meteor shower, at about 10-20 fast showers per hour. BUT, occasionally the Lyrids have a huge outburst of about 100-150 & we don’t really understand why. It can’t be predicted (so far) so it may just be that this year there will be a huge light show. After a quiet few months only seeing a few random stray streaks, I love this shower because it heralds the coming of more regular night shows. The Lyrids have been seen for almost 2500 years, perhaps because it has such a sharp peak & the absence of activity during the winter. This makes us believe that the mother comet, Thatcher has been on this present course for over 2500 years.
The moon will be in the 1st Quarter, so there will be a little light interference but not too much. Whilst you’re skywatching you can check out Mars near the moon and the Beehive cluster (M44). On the "other side of the sky" you will find the constellations Lyra, Hercules and Cygnus and locate the radiant. Spot Vega. The Lyrids are very fast, so you may have to chase them backwards. Here’s hoping that’ll it’ll be an unpredicted large display!
Best viewing time is between Midnight & Dawn on the Thursday 22nd April, although the day before or after may also have some meteors too. Enjoy the show!
If you're out the night of the 21st or the wee hours of the 22nd before the moon sets you will be able to check out the moon and mars in the cancer constellation. Between them is the beehive cluster. If like most folk, Orion is your nearest anchor point in the sky, track from Orion to Gemini, to Cancer (a fairly faint constellation, with moon and mars), Leo and Virgo with Saturn above Spica.
If you only go out Skywatching one night this month - the evening of the 21st, into the wee hours of the 22nd is the night for you. Dress warmly, find a dark skies spot and try and get in a position that takes in as much of the sky as possible. A camp bed or blankets to lie and view the whole sky is the best spot. Company and a hot drink, possibly with added warming qualities such as a hot toddy or my favourite at the moment - chai with lemocello. Enjoy.
The Naming of Moons - April
April's Moon
Egg Moon, Pink Moon, Sprouting Grass Moon, Fish Moon, Seed Moon, Waking Moon.
My favourite is from the song of Hiawatha – the moon of bright nights.
If the full moon were to fall before the 14th it would be Alder, if after the 14th like this april it’s a Willow moon, according to the new fangled version of the ancient Celtic tree lunar calendar. But some sources will just group April with Alder, without the split mid month. I believe the best way to celebrate any type of tree lunar calendar is to watch the trees, depending on where you are, the temperature and weather you’ve been having the trees leaves will emerge at slightly different times. The weeping willow’s leaves have just emerged in the last week, I would watch, observer and see what emerges with the new and full moons and celebrate those links rather than those laid out by any arbitrary system.
Other names – planting moon, growing moon & moon of utility.
Any other names where you are? In different cultures?
Egg Moon, Pink Moon, Sprouting Grass Moon, Fish Moon, Seed Moon, Waking Moon.
My favourite is from the song of Hiawatha – the moon of bright nights.
If the full moon were to fall before the 14th it would be Alder, if after the 14th like this april it’s a Willow moon, according to the new fangled version of the ancient Celtic tree lunar calendar. But some sources will just group April with Alder, without the split mid month. I believe the best way to celebrate any type of tree lunar calendar is to watch the trees, depending on where you are, the temperature and weather you’ve been having the trees leaves will emerge at slightly different times. The weeping willow’s leaves have just emerged in the last week, I would watch, observer and see what emerges with the new and full moons and celebrate those links rather than those laid out by any arbitrary system.
Other names – planting moon, growing moon & moon of utility.
Any other names where you are? In different cultures?
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Pink Moon by Nick Drake (from his final album, the bleakest)
Saw it written and I saw it say
Pink moon is on its way
And none of you stand so tall
Pink moon gonna get ye all
And it’s a pink moon
I saw it written and I saw it say
Pink moon is on its way
And none of you stand so tall
Pink moon gonna get ye all
And it’s a pink moon
Yes, a pink moon
Pink moon is on its way
And none of you stand so tall
Pink moon gonna get ye all
And it’s a pink moon
I saw it written and I saw it say
Pink moon is on its way
And none of you stand so tall
Pink moon gonna get ye all
And it’s a pink moon
Yes, a pink moon
April Moon a poem by Walter M Lindsay
This April moon will tempt thee forth
To stand beneath the sky;
No Gloomy shadows of the night
Upon the meadows lie.
A veil of beauty robes the earth.
The distant waters are
Unto her breast a silver shield.
Encrowned by the star
She sleeps, and God above
Keeps watch with his eternal love.
Thine eyes are on the earth and heaven.
Thy silent thoughts outpour
In solitude the breath of prayer.
In life can e’er restore
The grace, which unto nature clave,
When angels sang on high
The beauty of the new born world,
Thy spirit draweth nigh
Unto the type, created when
God walked among our fellow men
I can’t hope that in the calm
Of thy deep thoughts, there came
Remembrance of my love, or yet
A murmur of my name.
But if the wandering spirit may
Its nearing presence tell,
My soul has whispered to thy ear.
I trust the words may sell
The current of thy heart above
Its shores, and deepen it to love.
May angels guard thy rest tonight
Thy childlike sleep shall seal
Thy vision to the things of earth;
But slumber shall reveal
The land, in which thy spirit dwells.
I may not enter there;
And yet I trust thy lips, in dreams
Will breathe an earnest prayer,
That in this world, and that to come,
We both may find a common home.
To stand beneath the sky;
No Gloomy shadows of the night
Upon the meadows lie.
A veil of beauty robes the earth.
The distant waters are
Unto her breast a silver shield.
Encrowned by the star
She sleeps, and God above
Keeps watch with his eternal love.
Thine eyes are on the earth and heaven.
Thy silent thoughts outpour
In solitude the breath of prayer.
In life can e’er restore
The grace, which unto nature clave,
When angels sang on high
The beauty of the new born world,
Thy spirit draweth nigh
Unto the type, created when
God walked among our fellow men
I can’t hope that in the calm
Of thy deep thoughts, there came
Remembrance of my love, or yet
A murmur of my name.
But if the wandering spirit may
Its nearing presence tell,
My soul has whispered to thy ear.
I trust the words may sell
The current of thy heart above
Its shores, and deepen it to love.
May angels guard thy rest tonight
Thy childlike sleep shall seal
Thy vision to the things of earth;
But slumber shall reveal
The land, in which thy spirit dwells.
I may not enter there;
And yet I trust thy lips, in dreams
Will breathe an earnest prayer,
That in this world, and that to come,
We both may find a common home.
Skywatching in April
Interesting deep space objects
seen with naked eye or binoculars
M44 Beehive cluster in Cancer
M81 & M82 Galxies in Ursa Major
Mizar & Alcor double in the plough
M51 Whirlpool galaxy in Ursa Major
M35 cluster in Gemini
Hyades loose cluster in Taurus
M36, M37 & M38 Cluster in Auriga
seen with naked eye or binoculars
M44 Beehive cluster in Cancer
M81 & M82 Galxies in Ursa Major
Mizar & Alcor double in the plough
M51 Whirlpool galaxy in Ursa Major
M35 cluster in Gemini
Hyades loose cluster in Taurus
M36, M37 & M38 Cluster in Auriga
Astronomical Events in April
3rd April - Disseminating Moon 18:23 in Scorpio near Antares
4th April – Mercury near Venus
6th April - 3rd Quarter 09:36 in Sagittarius
9th April - Balsamic Crescent 3:52 in Capricorn
11th April – Moon near Jupiter (morning sky)
14th April - New Moon 12:28 in Pisces
17th April – Moon near Pleiades evening sky
17th April – Mars near Beehive cluster (M44)
19th April Crescent Moon 10:20 in Gemini
21st April - 1st Quarter 18:19 in Cancer
22nd April - Lyrids Meteor Shower Peaks at 17h UT
The Lyrids are are active between the 16-25th April
22nd April – Moon near Beehive cluster (M44) in evening sky
22nd April – Moon near Mars in evening sky
23rd April – Moon near Regulus in the Evening Sky
24th April - Gibbous Moon 0:39 in between Leo & Sextans
25th April – Venus near Pleiades in the evening sky
25th April – Moon near Saturn (Evening Sky)
27th April – Moon near Spica (Evening Sky)
28th April - Full Moon 12:18 in between Virgo & Libra
30th April – Moon near Antares in the Morning Sky
4th April – Mercury near Venus
6th April - 3rd Quarter 09:36 in Sagittarius
9th April - Balsamic Crescent 3:52 in Capricorn
11th April – Moon near Jupiter (morning sky)
14th April - New Moon 12:28 in Pisces
17th April – Moon near Pleiades evening sky
17th April – Mars near Beehive cluster (M44)
19th April Crescent Moon 10:20 in Gemini
21st April - 1st Quarter 18:19 in Cancer
22nd April - Lyrids Meteor Shower Peaks at 17h UT
The Lyrids are are active between the 16-25th April
22nd April – Moon near Beehive cluster (M44) in evening sky
22nd April – Moon near Mars in evening sky
23rd April – Moon near Regulus in the Evening Sky
24th April - Gibbous Moon 0:39 in between Leo & Sextans
25th April – Venus near Pleiades in the evening sky
25th April – Moon near Saturn (Evening Sky)
27th April – Moon near Spica (Evening Sky)
28th April - Full Moon 12:18 in between Virgo & Libra
30th April – Moon near Antares in the Morning Sky
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Skywatching in March
Interesting deep space objects seen with binoculars
M41 cluster in Canis Major
M44 Beehive cluster in Cancer
M81 & M82 Galxies in Ursa Major
Mizar & Alcor double in the plough
M51 Whirlpool galaxy in Ursa Major
M35 cluster in Gemini
M42 Orion Nebula
Hyades loose cluster in Taurus
M36, M37 & M38 Cluster in Auriga
Double cluster in Perseus
M41 cluster in Canis Major
M44 Beehive cluster in Cancer
M81 & M82 Galxies in Ursa Major
Mizar & Alcor double in the plough
M51 Whirlpool galaxy in Ursa Major
M35 cluster in Gemini
M42 Orion Nebula
Hyades loose cluster in Taurus
M36, M37 & M38 Cluster in Auriga
Double cluster in Perseus
Moon Watching in March
5th March – Disseminating Moon 3:21 Libra
7th March – 3rd Quarter 15:41 Ophiuchus (near Sagittarius & Scorpio)
10th March – Balsamic Crescent Moon 8:41 Sagittarius
15th March – New Moon 21:01 Pisces
20th March – Spring Equinox / Vernal
21st March – Crescent Moon 1:02 Taurus
23rd March – 1st Quarter Moon 11:00 Gemini
25th March – Gibbous Moon 17:57 Cancer
30th March – Full Moon 2:25 Virgo
7th March – 3rd Quarter 15:41 Ophiuchus (near Sagittarius & Scorpio)
10th March – Balsamic Crescent Moon 8:41 Sagittarius
15th March – New Moon 21:01 Pisces
20th March – Spring Equinox / Vernal
21st March – Crescent Moon 1:02 Taurus
23rd March – 1st Quarter Moon 11:00 Gemini
25th March – Gibbous Moon 17:57 Cancer
30th March – Full Moon 2:25 Virgo
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
February Skywatching with binoculars
There are plenty of interesting deep space objects that can be viewed with binoculars. Its easiest to steady them against a surface before viewing & is probably easier to view through one eye piece. Alternatively use a monoscope, as powerful as possible. Here is a list of interesting deep space objects that can be seen in February with binoculars.
M41 cluster in Canis Major
M44 Beehive cluster in Cancer
M81 & M82 Galxies in Ursa Major
Mizar & Alcor double in the plough
M51 Whirlpool galaxy in Ursa Major
M35 cluster in Gemini
M42 Orion Nebula
M45 Pleiades luster in Taurus
Hyades loose cluster in Taurus
M36, M37 & M38 Cluster in Auriga
M33 Pinwheel galaxy in Andromeda
Double cluster in Perseus
M52 cluster in Cassiopeia
Many of the pictures we are used to seeing of these objects have been tinted and coloured, but the real things are still spectacular!If you can see them with binoculars they should be easy to see with telescopes too.
These objects are best viewed on new / dark moons & in dark sky areas.
Try flickr for some excellent pictures! Happy Skywatching!
M41 cluster in Canis Major
M44 Beehive cluster in Cancer
M81 & M82 Galxies in Ursa Major
Mizar & Alcor double in the plough
M51 Whirlpool galaxy in Ursa Major
M35 cluster in Gemini
M42 Orion Nebula
M45 Pleiades luster in Taurus
Hyades loose cluster in Taurus
M36, M37 & M38 Cluster in Auriga
M33 Pinwheel galaxy in Andromeda
Double cluster in Perseus
M52 cluster in Cassiopeia
Many of the pictures we are used to seeing of these objects have been tinted and coloured, but the real things are still spectacular!If you can see them with binoculars they should be easy to see with telescopes too.
These objects are best viewed on new / dark moons & in dark sky areas.
Try flickr for some excellent pictures! Happy Skywatching!
Astronomical February dates
3rd February – Imbolc, Winter’s Cross Quarter Point
3rd February – Disseminating Moon 14:14 Virgo
5th February – 3rd Quarter 23:48 Libra
8th February – Balsamic Crescent Moon 14:16 Ophiuchus
(near Sagittarius & Scorpio)
14th February – New Moon 2:51 Aquarius
19th February – Crescent Moon 12:20 Aries
22nd February – 1st Quarter Moon 0:42 Taurus
24th February – Gibbous Moon 9:01 Gemini
28th February – Full Moon 16:37 Leo / Sextans Constellation
3rd February – Disseminating Moon 14:14 Virgo
5th February – 3rd Quarter 23:48 Libra
8th February – Balsamic Crescent Moon 14:16 Ophiuchus
(near Sagittarius & Scorpio)
14th February – New Moon 2:51 Aquarius
19th February – Crescent Moon 12:20 Aries
22nd February – 1st Quarter Moon 0:42 Taurus
24th February – Gibbous Moon 9:01 Gemini
28th February – Full Moon 16:37 Leo / Sextans Constellation
Astronomical January dates
3rd January – Meteor Shower – the Quadrantids
5th January – Disseminating Moon 3.01 Leo
7th January – 3rd Quarter Moon 10:39 Virgo
15th January – Annular Solar Eclipse,
viewed from Central Africa, Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka, Malymar & China
15th January – New Moon 7.11 Sagittarius
20th January – Crescent Moon 19:54 Pisces
23rd January – 1st Quarter 10:53 Aries
25th January – Gibbous Moon 21:17 Taurus
29th January – Mars in Opposition
best viewing, bright red “star” near the Moon
30th January – Full Moon 6.17 Cancer
5th January – Disseminating Moon 3.01 Leo
7th January – 3rd Quarter Moon 10:39 Virgo
15th January – Annular Solar Eclipse,
viewed from Central Africa, Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka, Malymar & China
15th January – New Moon 7.11 Sagittarius
20th January – Crescent Moon 19:54 Pisces
23rd January – 1st Quarter 10:53 Aries
25th January – Gibbous Moon 21:17 Taurus
29th January – Mars in Opposition
best viewing, bright red “star” near the Moon
30th January – Full Moon 6.17 Cancer
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Quadrantids (or Bootids) Meteor Shower Jan 3-4
Ok so the moon is still very full, this will increase the background light & make it difficult to pick up some of the shooting stars but last year was a very good show, with a sharp peak so it may still be worth braving the cold.
The radiant of this shower is the bootes constellation, between draco, the big dipper & corona borealis. Some of the stars that make up Bootes used to be part of an old constellation Quadrans muralis - which is why the shower is called Quadrantids rather than the Bootids.
Bootes rises in the North East after 11pm, probably best viewing around 2.30 ish. But you could get up early and watch it around 5ish. Watch out for Saturn in Virgo & Mars next to the moon near Leo / Cancer.
Keep warm & Keep looking up!
The radiant of this shower is the bootes constellation, between draco, the big dipper & corona borealis. Some of the stars that make up Bootes used to be part of an old constellation Quadrans muralis - which is why the shower is called Quadrantids rather than the Bootids.
Bootes rises in the North East after 11pm, probably best viewing around 2.30 ish. But you could get up early and watch it around 5ish. Watch out for Saturn in Virgo & Mars next to the moon near Leo / Cancer.
Keep warm & Keep looking up!
Blue Moon by Frank & Ella
Blue moon, you saw me standin' alone
Without a dream in my heart, without a love of my own
Blue moon, you knew just what I was there for
You heard me sayin' a prayer for
Someone I really could care for
And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will hold
I heard somebody whisper "please adore me"
And when I looked, the moon had turned to gold
Blue moon, now I'm no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will ever hold
I heard somebody whisper "please adore me"
And when I looked, the moon had turned to gold
Blue moon, now I'm no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Blue moon, now I'm no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Without a dream in my heart, without a love of my own
Blue moon, you knew just what I was there for
You heard me sayin' a prayer for
Someone I really could care for
And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will hold
I heard somebody whisper "please adore me"
And when I looked, the moon had turned to gold
Blue moon, now I'm no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will ever hold
I heard somebody whisper "please adore me"
And when I looked, the moon had turned to gold
Blue moon, now I'm no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Blue moon, now I'm no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Just once in a very blue moon.... chords & lyrics
ONCE IN A VERY BLUE MOON
Capo 5
C G F
I found your letter in my mailbox today
C G F
You were just checkin' if I was okay
C G F
And if I miss you, well, you know what they say ...
F G C C/B Am
just once ... in a very blue moon
F G C
just once in a very blue moon
F G Em Am
just once ... in a very blue moon
F G C
and I feel one comin' on soon
C G F
No need to tell me, you'd like to be friends
C G F
and help me get back on my feet again
C G F
If I miss you at all ... it's just now and then
F G C C/B Am
just once ... in a very blue moon
F G C
just once in a very blue moon
F G Em Am
just once ... in a very blue moon
F G C
and I feel one comin' on soon
F Em
There's a blue moon shinin'
C F G F C
when I am reminded of all we've been through
F Em C
Such a blue moon ... shinin'
F G
Does it ever shine down on you?
C G F
You act as if it never hurt you at all
C G F
Like I'm the only one who's gettin' up from a fall
C G F
Don't you remember? Can't you recall?
F G C C/B Am
just once ... in a very blue moon
F G C
just once in a very blue moon
F G Em Am
just once ... in a very blue moon
F G C
and I feel one comin' on soon
F G C
just once in a very blue moon
Nanci Griffith
Capo 5
C G F
I found your letter in my mailbox today
C G F
You were just checkin' if I was okay
C G F
And if I miss you, well, you know what they say ...
F G C C/B Am
just once ... in a very blue moon
F G C
just once in a very blue moon
F G Em Am
just once ... in a very blue moon
F G C
and I feel one comin' on soon
C G F
No need to tell me, you'd like to be friends
C G F
and help me get back on my feet again
C G F
If I miss you at all ... it's just now and then
F G C C/B Am
just once ... in a very blue moon
F G C
just once in a very blue moon
F G Em Am
just once ... in a very blue moon
F G C
and I feel one comin' on soon
F Em
There's a blue moon shinin'
C F G F C
when I am reminded of all we've been through
F Em C
Such a blue moon ... shinin'
F G
Does it ever shine down on you?
C G F
You act as if it never hurt you at all
C G F
Like I'm the only one who's gettin' up from a fall
C G F
Don't you remember? Can't you recall?
F G C C/B Am
just once ... in a very blue moon
F G C
just once in a very blue moon
F G Em Am
just once ... in a very blue moon
F G C
and I feel one comin' on soon
F G C
just once in a very blue moon
Nanci Griffith
An Eclipsed Blue Moon on New Year's Eve
So much mythology, superstitions & songs....
Once upon a time, in a land not far away, but long ago, before electric light & batteries the light of the full moon was valued in a way that its hard to appreciate now. We did not have to travel far from the urban centres to find dark skies & our land did not appear like circuit boards from above. We were much more aware of the seasons & cycles, in many ways our work and activity was intensely restricted by them, natural deadlines. The full moon nearest to the Autumn Equinox is known as the Harvest moon as this natural ambient light allowed for extra time in gathering & working the land, which made a difference in laying in the stores for the winter, traditionally gathered in before halloween. Tracking the path of the sun & the moon in order to be able to predict natural patterns. Which is why there are so many superstitions, old wives tales & songs relate to this.
Observing the moon's shape, noticing when it rises & sets in relation to the sun will show specifically what phase its in. This would have been as natural to country living folk in the past as knowing what day it is & how to read a clock is now.
In traditional terms a blue moon is a 4th full moon in a season. If there were 3 full moons in each of the 4 seasons, this would account for 12 moons, but there is a little bit of time left over which occasionally means we have an "extra" moon in the season - the blue moon. This explanation is determined by the seasons & therefore the extra blue moon occurs just before the turn of the season - November, February, May or August.
We no longer have the same attachment to the seasons & natural cycles as we once had. Our very survival doesn't depend on us getting the crop in, gathered and stored before certain seasonal changes as we can get exotic fruits & out of season veg at almost any time. We are now much more aware of which calendar month it is rather than which moon phase in relation to the season. There is a second explanation for the blue moon - which yields slighty different dates. This new interpretation is that a blue moon is a second full moon in the month. There are traditional names for each months moon & if there is a second one it is a blue moon.
The 2009 New Year's Eve full moon was the second in the month, a blue moon by the recent interpretation rather than the traditional description. Made extra special by the eclipse, the time off & the celebration of the New Year.
It was a lovely clear crispy night, great conditions for skywatching. I hope you were influenced by all the mythology, superstitions & songs and that you cultured the spirit of romance & opportunity..... For those who like to read signs, the mythos of the blue moon, really is that anything can happen, open yourself to the opportunity...
There is of course cases when the moon has seemed to become blue - this was usualy die to particles in the atmosphere, for example after Krakatoa erupted the moon appeared blue for 2 years, a different sign entirely eh?
I love to believe that every 3 years or so, there is a full moon, which makes us believe that anything is possible!
Once upon a time, in a land not far away, but long ago, before electric light & batteries the light of the full moon was valued in a way that its hard to appreciate now. We did not have to travel far from the urban centres to find dark skies & our land did not appear like circuit boards from above. We were much more aware of the seasons & cycles, in many ways our work and activity was intensely restricted by them, natural deadlines. The full moon nearest to the Autumn Equinox is known as the Harvest moon as this natural ambient light allowed for extra time in gathering & working the land, which made a difference in laying in the stores for the winter, traditionally gathered in before halloween. Tracking the path of the sun & the moon in order to be able to predict natural patterns. Which is why there are so many superstitions, old wives tales & songs relate to this.
Observing the moon's shape, noticing when it rises & sets in relation to the sun will show specifically what phase its in. This would have been as natural to country living folk in the past as knowing what day it is & how to read a clock is now.
In traditional terms a blue moon is a 4th full moon in a season. If there were 3 full moons in each of the 4 seasons, this would account for 12 moons, but there is a little bit of time left over which occasionally means we have an "extra" moon in the season - the blue moon. This explanation is determined by the seasons & therefore the extra blue moon occurs just before the turn of the season - November, February, May or August.
We no longer have the same attachment to the seasons & natural cycles as we once had. Our very survival doesn't depend on us getting the crop in, gathered and stored before certain seasonal changes as we can get exotic fruits & out of season veg at almost any time. We are now much more aware of which calendar month it is rather than which moon phase in relation to the season. There is a second explanation for the blue moon - which yields slighty different dates. This new interpretation is that a blue moon is a second full moon in the month. There are traditional names for each months moon & if there is a second one it is a blue moon.
The 2009 New Year's Eve full moon was the second in the month, a blue moon by the recent interpretation rather than the traditional description. Made extra special by the eclipse, the time off & the celebration of the New Year.
It was a lovely clear crispy night, great conditions for skywatching. I hope you were influenced by all the mythology, superstitions & songs and that you cultured the spirit of romance & opportunity..... For those who like to read signs, the mythos of the blue moon, really is that anything can happen, open yourself to the opportunity...
There is of course cases when the moon has seemed to become blue - this was usualy die to particles in the atmosphere, for example after Krakatoa erupted the moon appeared blue for 2 years, a different sign entirely eh?
I love to believe that every 3 years or so, there is a full moon, which makes us believe that anything is possible!
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