Tonight’s moon might look full to you. But the moon that shines on January 31, 2015 – appearing fairly close the constellation Gemini’s brightest stars, Castor and Pollux – isn’t astronomically full. In other words, it isn’t most opposite the sun on this date. Instead, the January 31 moon is a waxing gibbous moon. The moon will turn full during the evening hours on February 3, 2015 for us in North America (February 4 for Europe, Africa and Asia).
Although we draw in the stick figure of the Gemini Twins on tonight’s chart, you won’t see much of Gemini in the moonlight glare except for Castor and Pollux.
These bright Gemini stars outline the northeastern part of the Winter Circle.
By the way, that exceptionally brilliant star by the horizon at nightfall is really no star at all. It’s actually the dazzling planet Jupiter. Watch the moon descend toward this brilliant beauty of a planet as darkness falls over the new several days.
When the moon turns full on February 3, the full moon and Jupiter will accompany each other all night long.
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Because the moon orbits Earth in an eastward direction, we find the moon farther east relative to the backdrop stars in a period of 24 hours. The green line shows the ecliptic – the center line of the Zodiac.
Use the bowl of the Big Dipper to find Castor and Pollux.
After the first 10 days or so of February – after the moon drops out of the evening sky – look for Gemini to shine in all its starlit majesty.
If you’re familiar with the winter constellation Orion, draw an imaginary line from the star Rigel through the star Betelgeuse to locate Castor and Pollux.
You can also use the Big Dipper to locate the Gemini stars, Castor and Pollux. Draw an imaginary line diagonally through the bowl of the Big Dipper, as shown on the sky chart on the right.
Bottom line: On the night of January 31, 2015, let the full-looking waxing gibbous moon guide your eye to the bright Gemini stars, Castor and Pollux!
Gemini? Here’s your constellation
EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order today from the EarthSky store
from EarthSky http://ift.tt/15SDyQe
Tonight’s moon might look full to you. But the moon that shines on January 31, 2015 – appearing fairly close the constellation Gemini’s brightest stars, Castor and Pollux – isn’t astronomically full. In other words, it isn’t most opposite the sun on this date. Instead, the January 31 moon is a waxing gibbous moon. The moon will turn full during the evening hours on February 3, 2015 for us in North America (February 4 for Europe, Africa and Asia).
Although we draw in the stick figure of the Gemini Twins on tonight’s chart, you won’t see much of Gemini in the moonlight glare except for Castor and Pollux.
These bright Gemini stars outline the northeastern part of the Winter Circle.
By the way, that exceptionally brilliant star by the horizon at nightfall is really no star at all. It’s actually the dazzling planet Jupiter. Watch the moon descend toward this brilliant beauty of a planet as darkness falls over the new several days.
When the moon turns full on February 3, the full moon and Jupiter will accompany each other all night long.
Donate: Your support means the world to us
Because the moon orbits Earth in an eastward direction, we find the moon farther east relative to the backdrop stars in a period of 24 hours. The green line shows the ecliptic – the center line of the Zodiac.
Use the bowl of the Big Dipper to find Castor and Pollux.
After the first 10 days or so of February – after the moon drops out of the evening sky – look for Gemini to shine in all its starlit majesty.
If you’re familiar with the winter constellation Orion, draw an imaginary line from the star Rigel through the star Betelgeuse to locate Castor and Pollux.
You can also use the Big Dipper to locate the Gemini stars, Castor and Pollux. Draw an imaginary line diagonally through the bowl of the Big Dipper, as shown on the sky chart on the right.
Bottom line: On the night of January 31, 2015, let the full-looking waxing gibbous moon guide your eye to the bright Gemini stars, Castor and Pollux!
Gemini? Here’s your constellation
EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order today from the EarthSky store
from EarthSky http://ift.tt/15SDyQe
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