Hurricane Joaquin approaching Bahamas

Hurricane Joaquin approaching the Bahamas on September 30. Image via NASA’s Aqua satellite.

Here is Hurricane Joaquin sweeping over the record-warm waters east of the Bahamas. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its 5 p.m. EDT (2100 UTC) advisory that top sustained winds in Joaquin were 85 mph, with Joaquin’s center roughly 175 miles (280 km) east-northeast of the Bahamas.

No eye had been evident on Tuesday of this week, but by Wednesday an eye had formed.

Read more: Joaquin likely to cause flooding along U.S. East Coast this weekend.

from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1KMHZMK

Hurricane Joaquin approaching the Bahamas on September 30. Image via NASA’s Aqua satellite.

Here is Hurricane Joaquin sweeping over the record-warm waters east of the Bahamas. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its 5 p.m. EDT (2100 UTC) advisory that top sustained winds in Joaquin were 85 mph, with Joaquin’s center roughly 175 miles (280 km) east-northeast of the Bahamas.

No eye had been evident on Tuesday of this week, but by Wednesday an eye had formed.

Read more: Joaquin likely to cause flooding along U.S. East Coast this weekend.

from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1KMHZMK

What Should (And Shouldn’t) Students Be Allowed to Create for Science Projects?

Featured Video: Irving MacArthur student arrested after bringing homemade clock to school (The Dallas Morning News)
Ahmed Mohamed, an Irving MacArthur High student who invents as a hobby, talks about being detained and interrogated after bringing a homemade clock to school that was Read More …

Source:: DoNow Science

from QUEST http://ift.tt/1FJ0umc

Featured Video: Irving MacArthur student arrested after bringing homemade clock to school (The Dallas Morning News)
Ahmed Mohamed, an Irving MacArthur High student who invents as a hobby, talks about being detained and interrogated after bringing a homemade clock to school that was Read More …

Source:: DoNow Science

from QUEST http://ift.tt/1FJ0umc

Career Spotlight: Robotics Engineer

In seventh grade, after reading a newspaper article about female engineers at NASA, Maria Bualat knew that was what she wanted to be when she grew up. Fast forward to today. Maria is now a robotics engineer NASA Ames Research Center; in Mountain View, CA where she develops robotics systems for space exploration. Her main project at the moment is Astrobee — a free-flying robot for the International Space Station. It will be able to do inspections and also monitor air quality.

As the deputy group lead for the Intelligent Robotics Group at NASA Ames, she does high level thinking, project management and systems engineering. This means she sets the goals and direction of the project and coordinates with different teams and engineers to make sure the project is successful.

Maria earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and was hired at NASA right out of school. She continued her education and earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering with an emphasis in controls while simultaneously working at NASA. For students interested in a career in science or engineering, she recommends cultivating good communication and writing skills.

from QUEST http://ift.tt/1GimeAe

In seventh grade, after reading a newspaper article about female engineers at NASA, Maria Bualat knew that was what she wanted to be when she grew up. Fast forward to today. Maria is now a robotics engineer NASA Ames Research Center; in Mountain View, CA where she develops robotics systems for space exploration. Her main project at the moment is Astrobee — a free-flying robot for the International Space Station. It will be able to do inspections and also monitor air quality.

As the deputy group lead for the Intelligent Robotics Group at NASA Ames, she does high level thinking, project management and systems engineering. This means she sets the goals and direction of the project and coordinates with different teams and engineers to make sure the project is successful.

Maria earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and was hired at NASA right out of school. She continued her education and earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering with an emphasis in controls while simultaneously working at NASA. For students interested in a career in science or engineering, she recommends cultivating good communication and writing skills.

from QUEST http://ift.tt/1GimeAe

Volkswagen’s deceit: public health and my neighbor’s dilemma [The Pump Handle]

I’m still shaking my head and asking out loud, “what were they thinking?” Am I getting this right?: Volkswagen installed software so its diesel-polluting vehicles would deceive EPA-mandated emissions tests. And buyers of the vehicles were deceived by Volkswagen. The company led them to believe they could get a car with power, performance, high miles per gallon, and “clean diesel,” while not suffering from sticker shock.

What those owners and the rest of us didn’t know was the price we were paying in terms of public health. Brad Plumer at Vox offers a back-of-the-envelope estimate on the air pollution-related deaths attributed to Volkswagen’s diesel emissions fraud.  He explains:

”Volkswagen’s 482,000 problematic US cars are currently emitting between 5,800 to 14,200 additional tons of nitrogen oxide pollution (NOx) each year, assuming the cars are driven the US average.”

He extrapolates that to the 11 million affected vehicles worldwide and calculates:

“…between 86,800 and 212,500 additional tons of NOx emissions per year.”

Using EPA’s risk assessment for the number of premature deaths for every ton of NOx emitted from vehicles in the US, Plumer estimates:

“…the extra pollution from Volkswagen’s US cars can be expected to lead to an additional 5 to 27 premature deaths per year. If we extrapolated worldwide to all 11 million vehicles, that would come to somewhere between 74 and 404 premature deaths each year.”

I’ve been following Plumer’s reporting on VW’s pollution scheme after first reading this in his September 23 story:

“Since 2009, Volkswagen had been installing elaborate software in 482,000 ‘clean diesel’ vehicles sold in the US, so that the cars’ pollution controls only worked when being tested for emissions. The rest of the time, the vehicles could freely spew hazardous, smog-forming compounds.”

In my small neighborhood, there are at least four VW diesel Jetta Sportwagens. Here’s a photo of one of them.

Teya Rosenberg’s red, diesel VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI (Sept 2015).

It’s courtesy of Dr. Teya Rosenberg who is a professor in the English Department at Texas State University, where she teaches children’s literature, fantasy, and Canadian literature. She wrote the following on her Facebook page and gave me permission to repost it.

“Here is my car, shiny red in the North Atlantic sun. It is a great road trip car: excellent mileage, fun to drive, enough room for all the books and files and crap I carry around.

“It is also, as we have all recently heard, a symbol for the corruption and cynicism of big business in this world where the free market and big profits are gods and government regulation and oversight is considered bad, bad-bad, bad…..my 2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI (diesel).

“Can’t sell it, can’t park it (at least until I drive the 3,500 miles back to TX), tempted to stop making payments on it.”

Thanks Teya for this well-stated dilemma of a VW diesel owner. I’ve been wondering about the thoughts of other VW owners of the suspect vehicles. What about the family whose child who suffers from asthma? Or an owner who herself is challenged by a respiratory disease. What’s it like to know that the vehicle you thought was a “clean diesel” is actually spewing NOx at 15 to 35 times the EPA limit?  For those who are p.o.’d, you’re in good company.

 

 

from ScienceBlogs http://ift.tt/1O318fr

I’m still shaking my head and asking out loud, “what were they thinking?” Am I getting this right?: Volkswagen installed software so its diesel-polluting vehicles would deceive EPA-mandated emissions tests. And buyers of the vehicles were deceived by Volkswagen. The company led them to believe they could get a car with power, performance, high miles per gallon, and “clean diesel,” while not suffering from sticker shock.

What those owners and the rest of us didn’t know was the price we were paying in terms of public health. Brad Plumer at Vox offers a back-of-the-envelope estimate on the air pollution-related deaths attributed to Volkswagen’s diesel emissions fraud.  He explains:

”Volkswagen’s 482,000 problematic US cars are currently emitting between 5,800 to 14,200 additional tons of nitrogen oxide pollution (NOx) each year, assuming the cars are driven the US average.”

He extrapolates that to the 11 million affected vehicles worldwide and calculates:

“…between 86,800 and 212,500 additional tons of NOx emissions per year.”

Using EPA’s risk assessment for the number of premature deaths for every ton of NOx emitted from vehicles in the US, Plumer estimates:

“…the extra pollution from Volkswagen’s US cars can be expected to lead to an additional 5 to 27 premature deaths per year. If we extrapolated worldwide to all 11 million vehicles, that would come to somewhere between 74 and 404 premature deaths each year.”

I’ve been following Plumer’s reporting on VW’s pollution scheme after first reading this in his September 23 story:

“Since 2009, Volkswagen had been installing elaborate software in 482,000 ‘clean diesel’ vehicles sold in the US, so that the cars’ pollution controls only worked when being tested for emissions. The rest of the time, the vehicles could freely spew hazardous, smog-forming compounds.”

In my small neighborhood, there are at least four VW diesel Jetta Sportwagens. Here’s a photo of one of them.

Teya Rosenberg’s red, diesel VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI (Sept 2015).

It’s courtesy of Dr. Teya Rosenberg who is a professor in the English Department at Texas State University, where she teaches children’s literature, fantasy, and Canadian literature. She wrote the following on her Facebook page and gave me permission to repost it.

“Here is my car, shiny red in the North Atlantic sun. It is a great road trip car: excellent mileage, fun to drive, enough room for all the books and files and crap I carry around.

“It is also, as we have all recently heard, a symbol for the corruption and cynicism of big business in this world where the free market and big profits are gods and government regulation and oversight is considered bad, bad-bad, bad…..my 2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI (diesel).

“Can’t sell it, can’t park it (at least until I drive the 3,500 miles back to TX), tempted to stop making payments on it.”

Thanks Teya for this well-stated dilemma of a VW diesel owner. I’ve been wondering about the thoughts of other VW owners of the suspect vehicles. What about the family whose child who suffers from asthma? Or an owner who herself is challenged by a respiratory disease. What’s it like to know that the vehicle you thought was a “clean diesel” is actually spewing NOx at 15 to 35 times the EPA limit?  For those who are p.o.’d, you’re in good company.

 

 

from ScienceBlogs http://ift.tt/1O318fr

Hurricane Joaquin a major flood threat for U.S. East

Visible satellite imagery of Hurricane Joaquin showing an eye forming on September 30, 2015. Image via NASA

The 10th named storm and third hurricane of the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season formed at 8 a.m. EDT on September 30, 2015. As of the 5 p.m. EDT update on September 30, Hurricane Joaquin is producing sustained winds of 85 miles per hour (mph) and is pushing to the southwest at 8 mph. While everyone seems to be focusing on the intensity and track of Joaquin, the main focus of this post will be this hurricane’s potential impacts across the U.S. Mid-Atlantic states and Northeast. Flooding will be a significant threat. Determining where and how much rain will fall is the biggest question in this forecast.

Even if Joaquin does not impact the United States directly, the overall weather pattern is set to produce extreme rainfall rates and flooding.

Forecast track of Hurricane Joaquin as of 5 p.m. EDT on September 30. Image via NHC

There is high uncertainty as to where Hurricane Joaquin will go. A trough of low pressure is pushing into the U.S. Southeast. Over the next couple of days, an upper level low will break apart from the trough and spin across this region. As it does so, it will likely help grab Joaquin to push further west into the Mid-Atlantia/Carolinas. However, the European model continues to show the storm to push out into the Atlantic Ocean close to Bermuda.

It looks like a battle between the majority of the models versus the European model at this point. Back in 2012, the European model sniffed out the track of Hurricane Sandy over a week before the event occurred.

Who will be victorious? Regardless of where Joaquin will travel, heavy rain will remain a huge issue all along the U.S. East Coast this weekend. With the combination of an upper level low, a stalled front, and plenty of moisture across the area, rain will occur regardless if Joaquin is in the mix.

It is still too soon to specify storm surge, rain, and wind impacts that #Joaquin could cause in the U.S. http://t.co/liRHCUt4KO

— Dr. Rick Knabb (@NHCDirector) September 30, 2015

Unfortunately, it is looking more likely that Joaquin will contribute to the amount of moisture in the area which will likely enhance rainfall totals and result in flooding.

As of September 30, we have already seen significant rains across the U.S. East Coast thanks to a cold front pushing into the region. While several parts of the Northeast are in a drought, this first round of rain has allowed the soils to become saturated.

Now, we wait for even more rainfall to develop. Saturated grounds with more rain on top of it will likely result in flooding. Rain happening today and tomorrow is a precursor of what’s to come. Check out the tweet below from Portland, Maine:

Whole foods in Portland @WCSH6 @sunjournal @PressHerald http://pic.twitter.com/b3POH5763K

— JmeWhite1 (@JmeWhite1) September 30, 2015

With so much uncertainty, it’s important to note that all areas from South Carolina northwards into the Northeast are all in line to see heavy rain, flooding, and gusty winds. With heavy rain likely, soils will become saturated. It will not take a lot of wind to knock over trees and power lines. Along the coast, rip currents and beach erosion will be a threat. If Hurricane Joaquin makes landfall, storm surge will also be a significant threat.

We still have plenty of time before this event takes place this weekend. However, it isn’t too early to prepare now by having a plan. Do you have a safety kit ready? Do you have extra food and water around in case the power goes out?

Check out the amount of rainfall the Weather Prediction Center is forecasting over the next seven days …

Heavy rain is likely across the East Coast over the next seven days. Image Credit: Weather Prediction Center

Here’s what the amount of rainfall the GFS model is showing for the East Coast over the next 10 days. Remember, this is not a forecast. It is simply one model showing one of many solutions.

Possible rainfall totals from the GFS (American) model. Image Credit: 13WMAZ Weather

Finally, here’s the amount of rainfall the GFS model is showing for the East Coast over the next 10 days. Once again, this is not a forecast. It is one model showing one of many solutions.

Potential rainfall totals from the European model over the next ten days. Image Credit: 13WMAZ Weather

NOAA is taking this storm seriously. All National Weather Service offices east of the Mississippi River are launching weather balloons four times a day versus twice a day. It allows us to better sample the atmosphere and hopefully get better solutions from weather models on what will happen. The National Hurricane Center has put some valuable information concerning the forecast for Joaquin. In their discussion, they wrote:

KEY MESSAGES:

1. Preparations to protect life and property within the warning areas in the Bahamas should be rushed to completion.

2. A significant adjustment to the forecast has been made this afternoon, and this shows an increased threat to the mid-Atlantic states and the Carolinas. However, confidence in the details of the forecast after 72 hours remains low, since we have one normally excellent model that keeps Joaquin far away from the United States east coast. The range of possible outcomes is still large, and includes the possibility of a major hurricane landfall in the Carolinas.

3. Every effort is being made to provide the forecast models with as much data as possible. The NOAA G-IV jet has begun a series of missions in the storm environment, and the National Weather Service is launching extra balloon soundings.

4. Because landfall, if it occurs, is still more than three days away, it is too early to talk about specific wind, rain, or surge impacts from Joaquin in the United States. Even if Joaquin stays well out to sea, strong onshore winds will create minor to moderate coastal flooding along the coasts of the mid-Atlantic and northeastern states through the weekend.

5. A hurricane watch for a portion of the U.S. coast could be required as early as Thursday evening.

6. Many areas of the eastern U.S. are currently experiencing heavy rains and gusty winds associated with a frontal system. This inclement weather is expected to continue over the next few days, which could complicate preparations for Joaquin should it head toward the coast, and greatly exacerbate the impacts from the hurricane. Heavy rains are likely to continue over these areas even if the center of Joaquin stays out to sea.

Bottom line: Regardless what happens to Hurricane Joaquin, heavy rain and flooding is looking likely as several models support this solution. Rainfall totals of 5-10 inches could be likely in parts of South Carolina, North Carolina, and into Virginia. Everyone along the East Coast will need to monitor the latest forecasts issued by their National Weather Service office and from the National Hurricane Center.

from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1L4JbMH

Visible satellite imagery of Hurricane Joaquin showing an eye forming on September 30, 2015. Image via NASA

The 10th named storm and third hurricane of the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season formed at 8 a.m. EDT on September 30, 2015. As of the 5 p.m. EDT update on September 30, Hurricane Joaquin is producing sustained winds of 85 miles per hour (mph) and is pushing to the southwest at 8 mph. While everyone seems to be focusing on the intensity and track of Joaquin, the main focus of this post will be this hurricane’s potential impacts across the U.S. Mid-Atlantic states and Northeast. Flooding will be a significant threat. Determining where and how much rain will fall is the biggest question in this forecast.

Even if Joaquin does not impact the United States directly, the overall weather pattern is set to produce extreme rainfall rates and flooding.

Forecast track of Hurricane Joaquin as of 5 p.m. EDT on September 30. Image via NHC

There is high uncertainty as to where Hurricane Joaquin will go. A trough of low pressure is pushing into the U.S. Southeast. Over the next couple of days, an upper level low will break apart from the trough and spin across this region. As it does so, it will likely help grab Joaquin to push further west into the Mid-Atlantia/Carolinas. However, the European model continues to show the storm to push out into the Atlantic Ocean close to Bermuda.

It looks like a battle between the majority of the models versus the European model at this point. Back in 2012, the European model sniffed out the track of Hurricane Sandy over a week before the event occurred.

Who will be victorious? Regardless of where Joaquin will travel, heavy rain will remain a huge issue all along the U.S. East Coast this weekend. With the combination of an upper level low, a stalled front, and plenty of moisture across the area, rain will occur regardless if Joaquin is in the mix.

It is still too soon to specify storm surge, rain, and wind impacts that #Joaquin could cause in the U.S. http://t.co/liRHCUt4KO

— Dr. Rick Knabb (@NHCDirector) September 30, 2015

Unfortunately, it is looking more likely that Joaquin will contribute to the amount of moisture in the area which will likely enhance rainfall totals and result in flooding.

As of September 30, we have already seen significant rains across the U.S. East Coast thanks to a cold front pushing into the region. While several parts of the Northeast are in a drought, this first round of rain has allowed the soils to become saturated.

Now, we wait for even more rainfall to develop. Saturated grounds with more rain on top of it will likely result in flooding. Rain happening today and tomorrow is a precursor of what’s to come. Check out the tweet below from Portland, Maine:

Whole foods in Portland @WCSH6 @sunjournal @PressHerald http://pic.twitter.com/b3POH5763K

— JmeWhite1 (@JmeWhite1) September 30, 2015

With so much uncertainty, it’s important to note that all areas from South Carolina northwards into the Northeast are all in line to see heavy rain, flooding, and gusty winds. With heavy rain likely, soils will become saturated. It will not take a lot of wind to knock over trees and power lines. Along the coast, rip currents and beach erosion will be a threat. If Hurricane Joaquin makes landfall, storm surge will also be a significant threat.

We still have plenty of time before this event takes place this weekend. However, it isn’t too early to prepare now by having a plan. Do you have a safety kit ready? Do you have extra food and water around in case the power goes out?

Check out the amount of rainfall the Weather Prediction Center is forecasting over the next seven days …

Heavy rain is likely across the East Coast over the next seven days. Image Credit: Weather Prediction Center

Here’s what the amount of rainfall the GFS model is showing for the East Coast over the next 10 days. Remember, this is not a forecast. It is simply one model showing one of many solutions.

Possible rainfall totals from the GFS (American) model. Image Credit: 13WMAZ Weather

Finally, here’s the amount of rainfall the GFS model is showing for the East Coast over the next 10 days. Once again, this is not a forecast. It is one model showing one of many solutions.

Potential rainfall totals from the European model over the next ten days. Image Credit: 13WMAZ Weather

NOAA is taking this storm seriously. All National Weather Service offices east of the Mississippi River are launching weather balloons four times a day versus twice a day. It allows us to better sample the atmosphere and hopefully get better solutions from weather models on what will happen. The National Hurricane Center has put some valuable information concerning the forecast for Joaquin. In their discussion, they wrote:

KEY MESSAGES:

1. Preparations to protect life and property within the warning areas in the Bahamas should be rushed to completion.

2. A significant adjustment to the forecast has been made this afternoon, and this shows an increased threat to the mid-Atlantic states and the Carolinas. However, confidence in the details of the forecast after 72 hours remains low, since we have one normally excellent model that keeps Joaquin far away from the United States east coast. The range of possible outcomes is still large, and includes the possibility of a major hurricane landfall in the Carolinas.

3. Every effort is being made to provide the forecast models with as much data as possible. The NOAA G-IV jet has begun a series of missions in the storm environment, and the National Weather Service is launching extra balloon soundings.

4. Because landfall, if it occurs, is still more than three days away, it is too early to talk about specific wind, rain, or surge impacts from Joaquin in the United States. Even if Joaquin stays well out to sea, strong onshore winds will create minor to moderate coastal flooding along the coasts of the mid-Atlantic and northeastern states through the weekend.

5. A hurricane watch for a portion of the U.S. coast could be required as early as Thursday evening.

6. Many areas of the eastern U.S. are currently experiencing heavy rains and gusty winds associated with a frontal system. This inclement weather is expected to continue over the next few days, which could complicate preparations for Joaquin should it head toward the coast, and greatly exacerbate the impacts from the hurricane. Heavy rains are likely to continue over these areas even if the center of Joaquin stays out to sea.

Bottom line: Regardless what happens to Hurricane Joaquin, heavy rain and flooding is looking likely as several models support this solution. Rainfall totals of 5-10 inches could be likely in parts of South Carolina, North Carolina, and into Virginia. Everyone along the East Coast will need to monitor the latest forecasts issued by their National Weather Service office and from the National Hurricane Center.

from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1L4JbMH

030/366: Liquid Optics [Uncertain Principles]

It’s rained fairly steadily for the last couple of days, which is to be expected. This also sent me to the back yard in hopes of getting a very particular effect for the photo of the day, that I had seen on a poster from the APS’s student photo contest a few years ago:

Water drops on the canopy on our deck, with little inverted images of the back yard.

Here you see a large-aperture shot of drops of water hanging off the edge of the canopy over the patio table on our deck. The drops are in focus, but the rest of the yard is blurred out. If you look closely at the drops, though, you can see tiny little in-focus images of the yard. Here’s a zoomed-in section:

Close-up of the water drops, to show the images more clearly.

On the right side of the drop, you see the tall arbor vitae bush that’s right next to the deck, and the red-and-yellow awning of the kids’ playset.

This happens because the drop is basically round and water has a higher index of refraction than air, so it acts like a tiny spherical lens. Which combines with the lens of the camera to make an in-focus image at the sensor of things that would be out of focus in the absence of the drop.

So, there’s a nice combination of physics and aesthetics for a rainy mid-week day.

from ScienceBlogs http://ift.tt/1JDxIOU

It’s rained fairly steadily for the last couple of days, which is to be expected. This also sent me to the back yard in hopes of getting a very particular effect for the photo of the day, that I had seen on a poster from the APS’s student photo contest a few years ago:

Water drops on the canopy on our deck, with little inverted images of the back yard.

Here you see a large-aperture shot of drops of water hanging off the edge of the canopy over the patio table on our deck. The drops are in focus, but the rest of the yard is blurred out. If you look closely at the drops, though, you can see tiny little in-focus images of the yard. Here’s a zoomed-in section:

Close-up of the water drops, to show the images more clearly.

On the right side of the drop, you see the tall arbor vitae bush that’s right next to the deck, and the red-and-yellow awning of the kids’ playset.

This happens because the drop is basically round and water has a higher index of refraction than air, so it acts like a tiny spherical lens. Which combines with the lens of the camera to make an in-focus image at the sensor of things that would be out of focus in the absence of the drop.

So, there’s a nice combination of physics and aesthetics for a rainy mid-week day.

from ScienceBlogs http://ift.tt/1JDxIOU

Could making cigarettes less addictive help people stop smoking?

One way to stop someone wanting something is to make it less appealing.

And that’s been the inspiration behind many of the current strategies and research to help people to quit smoking. But reducing the appeal of something as addictive as a cigarette has been an uphill battle.

So instead of making cigarettes less appealing, what about making them less addictive?

The idea was first proposed in 1994 by two American researchers, Benowitz and Henningfield, who were trying to convince the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that limiting the amount of nicotine in cigarettes to approximately 0.5 mg per cigarette (about 30 times weaker than usual) you could effectively render them non-addictive.

Unfortunately the Supreme Court shot down the idea because the FDA didn’t have “jurisdiction to regulate tobacco products” and, since then, the majority of research has – quite sensibly – focused on finding ways to reduce the demand for tobacco products.

However, a few studies have continued to look into the effects of changing the product itself.

Today, a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine by Dr Michael Fiore and his colleagues adds to the growing body of work that looks at the effect of lowering the nicotine levels in cigarettes.

The results suggest this does reduce smokers’ dependence and the number of cigarettes they smoked. But is this really the way towards a smokefree society?

The study

The relatively large, and therefore fairly robust, study included 840 smokers who were randomly assigned to either smoke normal cigarettes or one of six types of modified cigarettes.

The modified cigarettes contained varying levels of nicotine ranging from 15.8 mg (a typical amount in a normal cigarette) to 0.4 mg (arguably a ‘non-addictive’ amount).

After six weeks, the findings showed that those who smoked cigarettes that contained less than 2.4 mg of nicotine had lower exposure to nicotine, measured using urine samples, as well as lower scores for nicotine dependence, cravings and they smoked fewer cigarettes.

The authors conclude that reducing the amount of nicotine in cigarettes could help people to cut down (although the evidence around cutting down, vs quitting, isn’t clear cut).

While Professor Linda Bauld, Cancer Research UK’s cancer prevention champion, thinks the study is “interesting” she points out some of the limitations.

Limitations

“This trial is at odds with some studies with longer term follow up,” she says, referencing a study published earlier this year by Benowitz.

That study looked at 135 smokers over two years (compared with six weeks in today’s study) and it didn’t find that smokers using reduced nicotine cigarettes smoked less, nor were they more likely to quit.

Bauld further highlights differences between the USA, where the study took place, and policy in other countries.

“The FDA can regulate aspects of the product that authorities in other regions cannot, or are not currently considering, despite it being recommended by the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control,” she explains.

“From a UK perspective we don’t currently have a regulatory authority who can require these types of changes to products.”

In other words, there’s no one in the UK who can force the tobacco companies to make cigarettes with less nicotine in them.

“Also,” she points out, “cigarettes are a global product and you could speculate that, if all cigarettes in one country had reduced nicotine, smokers would just buy cigarettes from another country. This would be particularly the case in places like the EU. For this to make a real difference, the trans-national tobacco companies would need to agree to do this globally.”

Something she thinks is “highly unlikely.”

The final limitation, and possibly the biggest, is that reduced nicotine cigarettes may not help people quit, just cut down how much they smoke.

Bauld thinks more studies that look at changing the product would be a good thing but recommends prioritising what we know works: “existing evidence-based tobacco control interventions to reduce smoking, alongside new ones like standardised packaging.”

– Misha

Reference

Donny, E. C., et al (2015) Randomized Trial of Reduced-Nicotine Standards for Cigarettes. NEJM. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMsa1502403

from Cancer Research UK - Science blog http://ift.tt/1JDwovt

One way to stop someone wanting something is to make it less appealing.

And that’s been the inspiration behind many of the current strategies and research to help people to quit smoking. But reducing the appeal of something as addictive as a cigarette has been an uphill battle.

So instead of making cigarettes less appealing, what about making them less addictive?

The idea was first proposed in 1994 by two American researchers, Benowitz and Henningfield, who were trying to convince the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that limiting the amount of nicotine in cigarettes to approximately 0.5 mg per cigarette (about 30 times weaker than usual) you could effectively render them non-addictive.

Unfortunately the Supreme Court shot down the idea because the FDA didn’t have “jurisdiction to regulate tobacco products” and, since then, the majority of research has – quite sensibly – focused on finding ways to reduce the demand for tobacco products.

However, a few studies have continued to look into the effects of changing the product itself.

Today, a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine by Dr Michael Fiore and his colleagues adds to the growing body of work that looks at the effect of lowering the nicotine levels in cigarettes.

The results suggest this does reduce smokers’ dependence and the number of cigarettes they smoked. But is this really the way towards a smokefree society?

The study

The relatively large, and therefore fairly robust, study included 840 smokers who were randomly assigned to either smoke normal cigarettes or one of six types of modified cigarettes.

The modified cigarettes contained varying levels of nicotine ranging from 15.8 mg (a typical amount in a normal cigarette) to 0.4 mg (arguably a ‘non-addictive’ amount).

After six weeks, the findings showed that those who smoked cigarettes that contained less than 2.4 mg of nicotine had lower exposure to nicotine, measured using urine samples, as well as lower scores for nicotine dependence, cravings and they smoked fewer cigarettes.

The authors conclude that reducing the amount of nicotine in cigarettes could help people to cut down (although the evidence around cutting down, vs quitting, isn’t clear cut).

While Professor Linda Bauld, Cancer Research UK’s cancer prevention champion, thinks the study is “interesting” she points out some of the limitations.

Limitations

“This trial is at odds with some studies with longer term follow up,” she says, referencing a study published earlier this year by Benowitz.

That study looked at 135 smokers over two years (compared with six weeks in today’s study) and it didn’t find that smokers using reduced nicotine cigarettes smoked less, nor were they more likely to quit.

Bauld further highlights differences between the USA, where the study took place, and policy in other countries.

“The FDA can regulate aspects of the product that authorities in other regions cannot, or are not currently considering, despite it being recommended by the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control,” she explains.

“From a UK perspective we don’t currently have a regulatory authority who can require these types of changes to products.”

In other words, there’s no one in the UK who can force the tobacco companies to make cigarettes with less nicotine in them.

“Also,” she points out, “cigarettes are a global product and you could speculate that, if all cigarettes in one country had reduced nicotine, smokers would just buy cigarettes from another country. This would be particularly the case in places like the EU. For this to make a real difference, the trans-national tobacco companies would need to agree to do this globally.”

Something she thinks is “highly unlikely.”

The final limitation, and possibly the biggest, is that reduced nicotine cigarettes may not help people quit, just cut down how much they smoke.

Bauld thinks more studies that look at changing the product would be a good thing but recommends prioritising what we know works: “existing evidence-based tobacco control interventions to reduce smoking, alongside new ones like standardised packaging.”

– Misha

Reference

Donny, E. C., et al (2015) Randomized Trial of Reduced-Nicotine Standards for Cigarettes. NEJM. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMsa1502403

from Cancer Research UK - Science blog http://ift.tt/1JDwovt

Planets, east before dawn

Planets before dawn now, as captured by Niko Powe in Illinois. Thank you, Niko!

The planet action is in the morning sky now, where brilliant Venus and Jupiter and fainter Mars all cluster in the east before sunup. Niko Powe in Illinois captured this image of them on the morning of September 30, 2015. Thank you, Niko!

Click here to read more about October’s planets

October is going to be a fantastic month for planet-watching before dawn. Here’s a preview of what’s to come … May you be blessed with clear skies!

The waning crescent moon will swing by the morning planets Venus, Mars and Jupiter – around October 8, 9 and 10. Read more.

Circle October 10 and 11 on your calendar. That’s when you have the opportunity to view the waning crescent moon and Mercury coupling up in the east before dawn. Read more.

Jupiter will be in conjunction with Mars on October 17. Read more.

A grouping of three planets inside a circle having a 5-degree diameter on the sky’s dome is known as a planetary trio. Venus, Jupiter and Mars will form a planetary trio in the east before dawn from about October 24 to around October 29. Another grouping of three planets won’t happen again until January 10, 2021. Read more.

Bottom line: The brightest planets – Venus and Jupiter – are up before dawn now. Mars is there, too. Mercury will soon join them. During October … wow! They’re going to put on a show.

from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1FIORM5

Planets before dawn now, as captured by Niko Powe in Illinois. Thank you, Niko!

The planet action is in the morning sky now, where brilliant Venus and Jupiter and fainter Mars all cluster in the east before sunup. Niko Powe in Illinois captured this image of them on the morning of September 30, 2015. Thank you, Niko!

Click here to read more about October’s planets

October is going to be a fantastic month for planet-watching before dawn. Here’s a preview of what’s to come … May you be blessed with clear skies!

The waning crescent moon will swing by the morning planets Venus, Mars and Jupiter – around October 8, 9 and 10. Read more.

Circle October 10 and 11 on your calendar. That’s when you have the opportunity to view the waning crescent moon and Mercury coupling up in the east before dawn. Read more.

Jupiter will be in conjunction with Mars on October 17. Read more.

A grouping of three planets inside a circle having a 5-degree diameter on the sky’s dome is known as a planetary trio. Venus, Jupiter and Mars will form a planetary trio in the east before dawn from about October 24 to around October 29. Another grouping of three planets won’t happen again until January 10, 2021. Read more.

Bottom line: The brightest planets – Venus and Jupiter – are up before dawn now. Mars is there, too. Mercury will soon join them. During October … wow! They’re going to put on a show.

from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1FIORM5

The Science Integrity Project and the Statement of Principles for Sound Decision Making in Canada [Confessions of a Science Librarian]

Though not explicitly tied to our current federal election campaign, the début this week of the Science Integrity Project and the publishing of their Statement of Principles for Sound Decision Making in Canada just as the campaign heats up is surely not coincidental.

In any case, election or not, this is a wonderful initiative and I support it wholeheartedly. There’s lots of background on their website about the process for coming up with the principles, an FAQ and a few examples of how the principles work in practice.

From their website:

Welcome to the Science Integrity Project. Our project reflects the collective wisdom of 75 leaders — in science, indigenous knowledge, public policy, civil society, and governance — who are concerned about the erosion of an evidence-based approach to public policy decision-making in Canada.

Why SIP:
The Science Integrity Project was created in response to growing concerns [1] that many public policy decisions made in Canada — and in its cities, provinces and territories — are not consistently supported by solid information derived from the best available evidence — from science and indigenous knowledge.

What is SIP:
Through a series of in-depth interviews and a national forum, we developed principles for improved decision making on the basis of the best available evidence.

We call upon all Canadians, acting individually and collectively, to embrace and apply the principles for evidence-based decision-making. We invite decision makers at all levels to adopt these principles as an enduring standard for public policy development in Canada. We invite scientists, knowledge holders, and research communities to take this commitment a step further by speaking out for science integrity and the use of your research and knowledge in the development of good public policy.

 

There’s a media release that fills in a few more details about the project. And the principles themselves:

Statement Of Principles For Sound Decision-Making In Canada

The Science Integrity Project
There is growing public concern that policy decisions in jurisdictions across Canada are being made without the support of relevant, accurate, and up-to-date information [1]. The Science Integrity Project – a 2-year initiative involving nearly 75 diverse, influential, and experienced thinkers and practitioners nationwide – is an inclusive, constructive, and non-partisan effort aimed at improving the use of evidence in decision making at all levels of government in Canada. The project held a national forum in February 2015 to discuss foundational principles for the generation and use of evidence in decision-making in Canada. This Statement is the product of their work.

The Case For Evidence-Based Decision-Making
Strong public policies, built on the foundations of evidence and analysis, ensure better outcomes for Canadians, increase government accountability and transparency, and improve our democracy. Canadians expect their representatives to seek, consider, and use rigorous, widely sourced evidence to inform decisions. Such evidence may take many forms, including:

• Science in its broadest sense, including the body of knowledge resulting from experiments, systematic observations, statistical data collection and analysis, theory and modeling, and including information from a range of fields in the physical and biological sciences, social sciences, health sciences and engineering; and,
• Indigenous knowledge, the body of knowledge that is the result of intellectual activity and insight gained in a traditional context and adapted over time to modern situations, and which includes the methods, skills, practices, and knowledge contained in codified knowledge systems passed between generations. [2]

Principles for Evidence-based Decision-making
We call upon all Canadians, acting individually and collectively, to embrace and apply the following principles for evidence-based decision-making. These principles are both ambitious and achievable. Real-world applications exist in many Canadian jurisdictions and have been implemented in countries around the world with great success. We believe the robust implementation of these principles will result in a stronger Canada.

Principle 1
The best available evidence – produced by methods that are transparent, rigorous, and conducted with integrity[3] – should always inform decision-making in Canada.

Principle 2
Information should be openly exchanged among scientific researchers, Indigenous knowledge holders, decision makers, and the public[4].

Principle 3
Research results should be preserved, protected, interpreted and shared in a way that is broadly
understandable and accessible.

Principle 4
Decision-making processes, and the manner in which evidence informs them, should be transparent and routinely evaluated.

1. E.g., Professional Institute of the Public Service in Canada (2013) http://ift.tt/1caEFIo; Voices-Voix Coalition (2015) http://ift.tt/1QLxWsJ

2. There are many definitions of indigenous knowledge; we use one adapted from the World Intellectual Property Organization

3. By “integrity” in the use of science and Indigenous knowledge, we mean that public policies are built upon the best available, most relevant knowledge resources and that the transfer and use of knowledge in policy and decision-making is transparent. Integrity in the use of knowledge
in policy-making also requires integrity in the production of knowledge, that is, adhering to professional, ethical, and disciplinary standards in the production of scientific knowledge and codified cultural standards in the production of Indigenous knowledge.

4. Except in rare cases of demonstrated concern regarding privacy and security. For an overview of open access principles see “Concepts of Openness and Open Access” (UNESCO 2015 http://ift.tt/18wfa8C).

from ScienceBlogs http://ift.tt/1VnLlhf

Though not explicitly tied to our current federal election campaign, the début this week of the Science Integrity Project and the publishing of their Statement of Principles for Sound Decision Making in Canada just as the campaign heats up is surely not coincidental.

In any case, election or not, this is a wonderful initiative and I support it wholeheartedly. There’s lots of background on their website about the process for coming up with the principles, an FAQ and a few examples of how the principles work in practice.

From their website:

Welcome to the Science Integrity Project. Our project reflects the collective wisdom of 75 leaders — in science, indigenous knowledge, public policy, civil society, and governance — who are concerned about the erosion of an evidence-based approach to public policy decision-making in Canada.

Why SIP:
The Science Integrity Project was created in response to growing concerns [1] that many public policy decisions made in Canada — and in its cities, provinces and territories — are not consistently supported by solid information derived from the best available evidence — from science and indigenous knowledge.

What is SIP:
Through a series of in-depth interviews and a national forum, we developed principles for improved decision making on the basis of the best available evidence.

We call upon all Canadians, acting individually and collectively, to embrace and apply the principles for evidence-based decision-making. We invite decision makers at all levels to adopt these principles as an enduring standard for public policy development in Canada. We invite scientists, knowledge holders, and research communities to take this commitment a step further by speaking out for science integrity and the use of your research and knowledge in the development of good public policy.

 

There’s a media release that fills in a few more details about the project. And the principles themselves:

Statement Of Principles For Sound Decision-Making In Canada

The Science Integrity Project
There is growing public concern that policy decisions in jurisdictions across Canada are being made without the support of relevant, accurate, and up-to-date information [1]. The Science Integrity Project – a 2-year initiative involving nearly 75 diverse, influential, and experienced thinkers and practitioners nationwide – is an inclusive, constructive, and non-partisan effort aimed at improving the use of evidence in decision making at all levels of government in Canada. The project held a national forum in February 2015 to discuss foundational principles for the generation and use of evidence in decision-making in Canada. This Statement is the product of their work.

The Case For Evidence-Based Decision-Making
Strong public policies, built on the foundations of evidence and analysis, ensure better outcomes for Canadians, increase government accountability and transparency, and improve our democracy. Canadians expect their representatives to seek, consider, and use rigorous, widely sourced evidence to inform decisions. Such evidence may take many forms, including:

• Science in its broadest sense, including the body of knowledge resulting from experiments, systematic observations, statistical data collection and analysis, theory and modeling, and including information from a range of fields in the physical and biological sciences, social sciences, health sciences and engineering; and,
• Indigenous knowledge, the body of knowledge that is the result of intellectual activity and insight gained in a traditional context and adapted over time to modern situations, and which includes the methods, skills, practices, and knowledge contained in codified knowledge systems passed between generations. [2]

Principles for Evidence-based Decision-making
We call upon all Canadians, acting individually and collectively, to embrace and apply the following principles for evidence-based decision-making. These principles are both ambitious and achievable. Real-world applications exist in many Canadian jurisdictions and have been implemented in countries around the world with great success. We believe the robust implementation of these principles will result in a stronger Canada.

Principle 1
The best available evidence – produced by methods that are transparent, rigorous, and conducted with integrity[3] – should always inform decision-making in Canada.

Principle 2
Information should be openly exchanged among scientific researchers, Indigenous knowledge holders, decision makers, and the public[4].

Principle 3
Research results should be preserved, protected, interpreted and shared in a way that is broadly
understandable and accessible.

Principle 4
Decision-making processes, and the manner in which evidence informs them, should be transparent and routinely evaluated.

1. E.g., Professional Institute of the Public Service in Canada (2013) http://ift.tt/1caEFIo; Voices-Voix Coalition (2015) http://ift.tt/1QLxWsJ

2. There are many definitions of indigenous knowledge; we use one adapted from the World Intellectual Property Organization

3. By “integrity” in the use of science and Indigenous knowledge, we mean that public policies are built upon the best available, most relevant knowledge resources and that the transfer and use of knowledge in policy and decision-making is transparent. Integrity in the use of knowledge
in policy-making also requires integrity in the production of knowledge, that is, adhering to professional, ethical, and disciplinary standards in the production of scientific knowledge and codified cultural standards in the production of Indigenous knowledge.

4. Except in rare cases of demonstrated concern regarding privacy and security. For an overview of open access principles see “Concepts of Openness and Open Access” (UNESCO 2015 http://ift.tt/18wfa8C).

from ScienceBlogs http://ift.tt/1VnLlhf

Biofluorescent sea turtle [Life Lines]

Check out this neat video from National Geographic’s emerging explorer, David Gruber (a marine biologist at the City University of New York) in which he discusses coming across what he claims is the first observation of biofluorescence in a sea turtle:

Video source:
YouTube

from ScienceBlogs http://ift.tt/1GhZrEC

Check out this neat video from National Geographic’s emerging explorer, David Gruber (a marine biologist at the City University of New York) in which he discusses coming across what he claims is the first observation of biofluorescence in a sea turtle:

Video source:
YouTube

from ScienceBlogs http://ift.tt/1GhZrEC

October 2015 guide to the five visible planets

Coming up soon! The bow of the waning crescent moon points toward Venus and Jupiter before sunrise on Wednesday, October 7. Read more

The most noticeable planet this month is dazzling Venus in the east before dawn. Look in the direction of sunrise as dawn begins to light the sky. Next, in that same part of the sky, you’ll notice Jupiter, second-brightest planet. Fainter Mars is also in the morning sky beneath Venus. Saturn is the lone evening planet this month, setting at early evening from mid-northern latitudes and at mid-evening from temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere. Mercury will make a fine appearance in the morning sky for the Northern Hemisphere for a few weeks, centered on mid-October. Follow the links below to learn more about October planets.

Sole evening planet in October 2015

Saturn visible at nightfall and early evening

Morning planets in October 2015

Brilliant Venus in the east before sunrise

Mars between Venus and Jupiter before sunrise

Bright Jupiter below Venus and Mars in morning sky

Mercury at early dawn, better from Northern Hemisphere

Like what EarthSky offers? Sign up for our free daily newsletter today!

Astronomy events, star parties, festivals, workshops for September-December, 2015

The waxing crescent moon helps you to find Saturn after sunset on October 15, October 16 and .

Saturn visible at nightfall and early evening. Throughout October 2015, the golden planet Saturn pops into view at nightfall, though quite low in the southwest sky from mid-northern latitudes. At northerly latitudes, Saturn sets at early evening in early October and at nightfall by the month’s end. At temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere, Saturn sets at mid-to-late evening in early October and early evening in late October.

From all around the world, Saturn is sinking toward the glare of sunset all month long. Saturn will disappear from the evening sky in November 2015 and will reappear in the morning sky in December 2015.

How can you recognize this wonderful planet? It’s golden in color, to the eye. It shines with a steady light. Check the chart above for dates when Saturn will appear near the moon this month. If you can identify Saturn, near the moon, and notice the nearby ruddy star Antares, you’ll be able to spot and identify Saturn and Antares when the moon has moved away.

Binoculars don’t reveal Saturn’s gorgeous rings, by the way. For that, you need a small telescope. But binoculars will enhance Saturn’s golden color and Antares’ reddish complexion.

Saturn’s rings are inclined at about 25^o from edge-on in October 2015, exhibiting their northern face. A few years from now, in October 2017, the rings will open most widely, displaying a maximum inclination of 27^o. As with so much in space (and on Earth), the appearance of Saturn’s rings from Earth is cyclical. In the year 2025, the rings will appear edge-on as seen from Earth. After that, we’ll begin to see the south side of Saturn’s rings, to increase to a maximum inclination of 27^o by May, 2032.

The waning crescent moon swings by the morning planets Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Mercury – in the second week of October. The green line depicts the ecliptic – the pathway of the moon and planets. Read more.

Brilliant Venus in the east before sunrise. Here’s a very fun observation to make this month: Venus before dawn. Venus is the brightest planet and third-brightest sky object overall, after the sun and moon. When it’s visible, it’s very, very prominent in our sky.

Moreover, this dazzling world will enable you to locate the fainter yet relatively nearby planets Mars and Jupiter in the morning sky. Be sure to use the waning crescent moon to locate Venus (plus Mars and Jupiter) in the morning sky on October 7, October 8 and October 9.

You won’t want to miss Venus and the early morning planets, especially in late October. Venus, Mars and Jupiter all meet up in the last week of October to present the closest grouping of three planets until January of 2021. And if you live in the tropics and the Northern Hemisphere, you can also see Mercury below this planetary trio.

Planetary trio lights up morning sky in late October 2015

Jupiter will be in conjunction with Mars on October 17, 2015. If you have trouble seeing Mars in the morning sky, aim them at Jupiter to spot Mars nearby. Mars and Jupiter will share the same binocular field from about October 12 to nearly the end of the month.. Read more.

Mars between Venus and Jupiter before sunrise. Mars is nowhere as bright as the more prominent morning planets, Venus and Jupiter, which rank as the third-brightest and fourth-brightest celestial bodies, respectively, after the sun and moon. Even so, modestly-bright Mars is easily visible in the predawn sky. Simply draw and imaginary line from Venus to Jupiter to locate Mars in between these two brilliant worlds.

Day by day, Jupiter climbs upward toward Mars. Jupiter will finally meet up with Mars for a close-knit conjunction on October 17. After that, Jupiter will continue to climb upward, away from Mars, to have a conjunction with Venus on October 26. This date, October 26, also marks Venus’ greatest morning elongation from the sun, and moreover, features the closest grouping of three planets since May 27, 2013. Another grouping of three planets won’t happen again until January 10, 2021. All three worlds – Venus, Jupiter and Mars – will fit within the same binocular field, so be sure to circle October 26 on your calendar.

Let the waning crescent moon help guide your eye to Mars in the morning sky for several days, centered on or near October 9.

Mars will continue to brighten month by month, until the Red Planet culminates in brightness in May, 2016. Believe it or not, Mars will be more brilliant then than Jupiter is now!

From the Northern Hemisphere, Mercury should be in fine view around mid-month. Draw an imaginary line from Venus through Jupiter to find Mercury near the horizon. Binoculars may be helpful! Read more

Bright Jupiter below Venus and Mars in morning sky. Jupiter starts out the month below Venus and Mars. Keep watching, though, and witness Jupiter’s quick ascent upward, toward Mars and Venus. Jupiter will catch up with Mars on October 17, to exhibit their first conjunction since July 22, 2013. The next conjunction of Mars and Jupiter won’t be forthcoming until until January 7, 2018.

Then Jupiter will head toward Venus, showcasing their third and final conjunction of the year in the morning sky on October 26.

By a wonderful coincidence, as Venus and Jupiter show off their final conjunction of the year – on October 26 – Venus will reach its greatest western (morning) elongation from the sun.

Moreover, the year’s closest grouping of three planets – Venus, Mars and Jupiter – will also take place on October 26. That’s a big deal because the next planetary trio won’t occur again until January, 2021!

The waning crescent moon shines close to Venus for several mornings, centered around October 8.

If you have binoculars or a telescope, it’s fairly easy to see Jupiter’s four major moons, which look like pinpricks of light on or near the same plane. They are often called the Galilean moons to honor Galileo, who discovered these great Jovian moons in 1610. In their order from Jupiter, these moons are Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. In September of 2015, however, Jupiter’s moons will have a hard time competing with the sun’s glare in the morning sky.

These moons circle Jupiter around the Jovian equator. In cycles of six years, we view Jupiter’s equator edge-on. So, in 2015, we got to view a number of mutual events involving Jupiter’s moons through a high-powered telescope. Click here or here or here for more details.

Click here for a Jupiter’s moons almanac, courtesy of Sky & Telescope.

Circle October 10 and 11 on your calendar. That’s when you have the opportunity to view the waning crescent moon and Mercury coupling up in the eastern sky at morning dawn. May you be blessed with clear skies! Read more

Mercury at early dawn, better from Northern Hemisphere. Mercury is our solar system’s innermost planet and always stays near the sun in our sky. This planet passed out of the evening sky and into the morning sky on September 30, 2015. From the Northern Hemisphere and southern tropics, you might first see the waning crescent moon near Mercury in the morning sky on October 10 or 11. Mercury will be easier to spot when it’s at its greatest elongation from the sun on October 16.

It’ll be a real challenge to catch Mercury from southerly latitudes, however. This world sits close the the glare of sunrise all month.

For the Northern Hemisphere, October presents Mercury’s best appearance in the morning sky for all 2015. At mid-month, Mercury rises some 90 minutes before sunrise at mid-northern latitudes, and the innermost planet should remain in good view for another week or so after that – or around the time of the Orionid meteor shower.

Look for Mercury over the sunrise point on the horizon as darkness gives way to dawn. Click here for recommended almanacs. They can help you find Mercury’s rising time in your sky, and for the time at which astronomical twilight begins.

Those residing at temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere aren’t as lucky this month. In that part of the world, Mercury – even at its best – rises less than one hour before the sun. From southerly latitudes, the innermost planet will be hard to catch even with binoculars in the glare of dawn. However, binoculars are always recommended to enhance sky views!

Mercury will stay in the morning sky until November 17, 2015. Then it’ll pass into the evening sky, to give both hemispheres a decent evening apparition of Mercury in late December 2015.

Click here for recommended almanacs. They can help you know when Mercury rises in your sky

Eastern sky before dawn now. Photo taken September 18, 2015 and submitted to EarthSky by Greg Hogan in Kathleen, Georgia. Thanks, Greg!

What do we mean by visible planet? By visible planet, we mean any solar system planet that is easily visible without an optical aid and that has been watched by our ancestors since time immemorial. In their outward order from the sun, the five visible planets are Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. These planets are visible in our sky because their disks reflect sunlight, and these relatively nearby worlds tend to shine with a steadier light than the distant, twinkling stars. They tend to be bright! You can spot them, and come to know them as faithful friends, if you try.

Bottom line: In October 2015, Saturn is the lone evening planet, appearing in the southwest at nightfall. Venus, Mars and Jupiter convene in the eastern predawn sky, with Mercury joining the morning planets possibly as early as October 10.

View larger. Evening dusk on August 5: Venus at left. Mercury is climbing higher, toward Regulus (at top) and Jupiter (beneath Regulus).

By the evening of July 12, Venus and Jupiter were farther apart and lower in the western sky after sunset. Photo by Robert Kelly. Thanks, Robert!

Photo taken June 13, 2015 by John Nelson at Puget Sound, Washington. Thanks, John!

View larger. | Photo taken in early June, 2015 by Göran Strand in Sweden. He wrote: “One of the last nights during the spring when the stars were still visible … ” Follow Fotograf Göran Strand on Facebook, or @astrofotografen on Instagram. Or visit his website.

View larger.| Venus near the setting sun on November 18, 2014 by Helio de Carvalho Vital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He wrote, “I managed to capture Venus as it is starting its return to dusk, despite the fact that it is still at a mere 6.2° distance from the sun. The photos show it a few minutes before setting behind the northern side of the 1,021-meter high Tijuca Peak, located some 6.5 km away. It was deeply immersed in the intense glare of the sun, that would set some 13 minutes later.”

Lunar eclipse on the night of October 8, 2014. The object to the left is the planet Uranus! This beautiful photo is by Janey Wing Kenyon of Story, Wyoming.

Debra Fryar in Calobreves, Texas captured this photo of the moon and Jupiter on May 31, 2014. Jupiter was close to the twilight then.

With only a modest backyard telescope, you can easily see Jupiter’s four largest moons. Here they are through a 10″ (25 cm) Meade LX200 telescope. Image credit: Jan Sandberg

Jupiter was rivaling the streetlights, when Mohamed Laaifat Photographies captured this photo in Normandy, France. Visit his page on Facebook.

Venus by Danny Crocker-Jensen

These are called star trails. It’s a long-exposure photo, which shows you how Earth is turning under the stars. The brightest object here is Jupiter, which is the second-brightest planet, after Venus. This awesome photo by EarthSky Facebook friend Mohamed Laaifat in Normandy, France. Thank you, Mohamed.

Skywatcher, by Predrag Agatonovic.

Easily locate stars and constellations with EarthSky’s planisphere.

Don’t miss anything. Subscribe to EarthSky News by email

from EarthSky http://ift.tt/IJfHCr

Coming up soon! The bow of the waning crescent moon points toward Venus and Jupiter before sunrise on Wednesday, October 7. Read more

The most noticeable planet this month is dazzling Venus in the east before dawn. Look in the direction of sunrise as dawn begins to light the sky. Next, in that same part of the sky, you’ll notice Jupiter, second-brightest planet. Fainter Mars is also in the morning sky beneath Venus. Saturn is the lone evening planet this month, setting at early evening from mid-northern latitudes and at mid-evening from temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere. Mercury will make a fine appearance in the morning sky for the Northern Hemisphere for a few weeks, centered on mid-October. Follow the links below to learn more about October planets.

Sole evening planet in October 2015

Saturn visible at nightfall and early evening

Morning planets in October 2015

Brilliant Venus in the east before sunrise

Mars between Venus and Jupiter before sunrise

Bright Jupiter below Venus and Mars in morning sky

Mercury at early dawn, better from Northern Hemisphere

Like what EarthSky offers? Sign up for our free daily newsletter today!

Astronomy events, star parties, festivals, workshops for September-December, 2015

The waxing crescent moon helps you to find Saturn after sunset on October 15, October 16 and .

Saturn visible at nightfall and early evening. Throughout October 2015, the golden planet Saturn pops into view at nightfall, though quite low in the southwest sky from mid-northern latitudes. At northerly latitudes, Saturn sets at early evening in early October and at nightfall by the month’s end. At temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere, Saturn sets at mid-to-late evening in early October and early evening in late October.

From all around the world, Saturn is sinking toward the glare of sunset all month long. Saturn will disappear from the evening sky in November 2015 and will reappear in the morning sky in December 2015.

How can you recognize this wonderful planet? It’s golden in color, to the eye. It shines with a steady light. Check the chart above for dates when Saturn will appear near the moon this month. If you can identify Saturn, near the moon, and notice the nearby ruddy star Antares, you’ll be able to spot and identify Saturn and Antares when the moon has moved away.

Binoculars don’t reveal Saturn’s gorgeous rings, by the way. For that, you need a small telescope. But binoculars will enhance Saturn’s golden color and Antares’ reddish complexion.

Saturn’s rings are inclined at about 25^o from edge-on in October 2015, exhibiting their northern face. A few years from now, in October 2017, the rings will open most widely, displaying a maximum inclination of 27^o. As with so much in space (and on Earth), the appearance of Saturn’s rings from Earth is cyclical. In the year 2025, the rings will appear edge-on as seen from Earth. After that, we’ll begin to see the south side of Saturn’s rings, to increase to a maximum inclination of 27^o by May, 2032.

The waning crescent moon swings by the morning planets Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Mercury – in the second week of October. The green line depicts the ecliptic – the pathway of the moon and planets. Read more.

Brilliant Venus in the east before sunrise. Here’s a very fun observation to make this month: Venus before dawn. Venus is the brightest planet and third-brightest sky object overall, after the sun and moon. When it’s visible, it’s very, very prominent in our sky.

Moreover, this dazzling world will enable you to locate the fainter yet relatively nearby planets Mars and Jupiter in the morning sky. Be sure to use the waning crescent moon to locate Venus (plus Mars and Jupiter) in the morning sky on October 7, October 8 and October 9.

You won’t want to miss Venus and the early morning planets, especially in late October. Venus, Mars and Jupiter all meet up in the last week of October to present the closest grouping of three planets until January of 2021. And if you live in the tropics and the Northern Hemisphere, you can also see Mercury below this planetary trio.

Planetary trio lights up morning sky in late October 2015

Jupiter will be in conjunction with Mars on October 17, 2015. If you have trouble seeing Mars in the morning sky, aim them at Jupiter to spot Mars nearby. Mars and Jupiter will share the same binocular field from about October 12 to nearly the end of the month.. Read more.

Mars between Venus and Jupiter before sunrise. Mars is nowhere as bright as the more prominent morning planets, Venus and Jupiter, which rank as the third-brightest and fourth-brightest celestial bodies, respectively, after the sun and moon. Even so, modestly-bright Mars is easily visible in the predawn sky. Simply draw and imaginary line from Venus to Jupiter to locate Mars in between these two brilliant worlds.

Day by day, Jupiter climbs upward toward Mars. Jupiter will finally meet up with Mars for a close-knit conjunction on October 17. After that, Jupiter will continue to climb upward, away from Mars, to have a conjunction with Venus on October 26. This date, October 26, also marks Venus’ greatest morning elongation from the sun, and moreover, features the closest grouping of three planets since May 27, 2013. Another grouping of three planets won’t happen again until January 10, 2021. All three worlds – Venus, Jupiter and Mars – will fit within the same binocular field, so be sure to circle October 26 on your calendar.

Let the waning crescent moon help guide your eye to Mars in the morning sky for several days, centered on or near October 9.

Mars will continue to brighten month by month, until the Red Planet culminates in brightness in May, 2016. Believe it or not, Mars will be more brilliant then than Jupiter is now!

From the Northern Hemisphere, Mercury should be in fine view around mid-month. Draw an imaginary line from Venus through Jupiter to find Mercury near the horizon. Binoculars may be helpful! Read more

Bright Jupiter below Venus and Mars in morning sky. Jupiter starts out the month below Venus and Mars. Keep watching, though, and witness Jupiter’s quick ascent upward, toward Mars and Venus. Jupiter will catch up with Mars on October 17, to exhibit their first conjunction since July 22, 2013. The next conjunction of Mars and Jupiter won’t be forthcoming until until January 7, 2018.

Then Jupiter will head toward Venus, showcasing their third and final conjunction of the year in the morning sky on October 26.

By a wonderful coincidence, as Venus and Jupiter show off their final conjunction of the year – on October 26 – Venus will reach its greatest western (morning) elongation from the sun.

Moreover, the year’s closest grouping of three planets – Venus, Mars and Jupiter – will also take place on October 26. That’s a big deal because the next planetary trio won’t occur again until January, 2021!

The waning crescent moon shines close to Venus for several mornings, centered around October 8.

If you have binoculars or a telescope, it’s fairly easy to see Jupiter’s four major moons, which look like pinpricks of light on or near the same plane. They are often called the Galilean moons to honor Galileo, who discovered these great Jovian moons in 1610. In their order from Jupiter, these moons are Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. In September of 2015, however, Jupiter’s moons will have a hard time competing with the sun’s glare in the morning sky.

These moons circle Jupiter around the Jovian equator. In cycles of six years, we view Jupiter’s equator edge-on. So, in 2015, we got to view a number of mutual events involving Jupiter’s moons through a high-powered telescope. Click here or here or here for more details.

Click here for a Jupiter’s moons almanac, courtesy of Sky & Telescope.

Circle October 10 and 11 on your calendar. That’s when you have the opportunity to view the waning crescent moon and Mercury coupling up in the eastern sky at morning dawn. May you be blessed with clear skies! Read more

Mercury at early dawn, better from Northern Hemisphere. Mercury is our solar system’s innermost planet and always stays near the sun in our sky. This planet passed out of the evening sky and into the morning sky on September 30, 2015. From the Northern Hemisphere and southern tropics, you might first see the waning crescent moon near Mercury in the morning sky on October 10 or 11. Mercury will be easier to spot when it’s at its greatest elongation from the sun on October 16.

It’ll be a real challenge to catch Mercury from southerly latitudes, however. This world sits close the the glare of sunrise all month.

For the Northern Hemisphere, October presents Mercury’s best appearance in the morning sky for all 2015. At mid-month, Mercury rises some 90 minutes before sunrise at mid-northern latitudes, and the innermost planet should remain in good view for another week or so after that – or around the time of the Orionid meteor shower.

Look for Mercury over the sunrise point on the horizon as darkness gives way to dawn. Click here for recommended almanacs. They can help you find Mercury’s rising time in your sky, and for the time at which astronomical twilight begins.

Those residing at temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere aren’t as lucky this month. In that part of the world, Mercury – even at its best – rises less than one hour before the sun. From southerly latitudes, the innermost planet will be hard to catch even with binoculars in the glare of dawn. However, binoculars are always recommended to enhance sky views!

Mercury will stay in the morning sky until November 17, 2015. Then it’ll pass into the evening sky, to give both hemispheres a decent evening apparition of Mercury in late December 2015.

Click here for recommended almanacs. They can help you know when Mercury rises in your sky

Eastern sky before dawn now. Photo taken September 18, 2015 and submitted to EarthSky by Greg Hogan in Kathleen, Georgia. Thanks, Greg!

What do we mean by visible planet? By visible planet, we mean any solar system planet that is easily visible without an optical aid and that has been watched by our ancestors since time immemorial. In their outward order from the sun, the five visible planets are Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. These planets are visible in our sky because their disks reflect sunlight, and these relatively nearby worlds tend to shine with a steadier light than the distant, twinkling stars. They tend to be bright! You can spot them, and come to know them as faithful friends, if you try.

Bottom line: In October 2015, Saturn is the lone evening planet, appearing in the southwest at nightfall. Venus, Mars and Jupiter convene in the eastern predawn sky, with Mercury joining the morning planets possibly as early as October 10.

View larger. Evening dusk on August 5: Venus at left. Mercury is climbing higher, toward Regulus (at top) and Jupiter (beneath Regulus).

By the evening of July 12, Venus and Jupiter were farther apart and lower in the western sky after sunset. Photo by Robert Kelly. Thanks, Robert!

Photo taken June 13, 2015 by John Nelson at Puget Sound, Washington. Thanks, John!

View larger. | Photo taken in early June, 2015 by Göran Strand in Sweden. He wrote: “One of the last nights during the spring when the stars were still visible … ” Follow Fotograf Göran Strand on Facebook, or @astrofotografen on Instagram. Or visit his website.

View larger.| Venus near the setting sun on November 18, 2014 by Helio de Carvalho Vital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He wrote, “I managed to capture Venus as it is starting its return to dusk, despite the fact that it is still at a mere 6.2° distance from the sun. The photos show it a few minutes before setting behind the northern side of the 1,021-meter high Tijuca Peak, located some 6.5 km away. It was deeply immersed in the intense glare of the sun, that would set some 13 minutes later.”

Lunar eclipse on the night of October 8, 2014. The object to the left is the planet Uranus! This beautiful photo is by Janey Wing Kenyon of Story, Wyoming.

Debra Fryar in Calobreves, Texas captured this photo of the moon and Jupiter on May 31, 2014. Jupiter was close to the twilight then.

With only a modest backyard telescope, you can easily see Jupiter’s four largest moons. Here they are through a 10″ (25 cm) Meade LX200 telescope. Image credit: Jan Sandberg

Jupiter was rivaling the streetlights, when Mohamed Laaifat Photographies captured this photo in Normandy, France. Visit his page on Facebook.

Venus by Danny Crocker-Jensen

These are called star trails. It’s a long-exposure photo, which shows you how Earth is turning under the stars. The brightest object here is Jupiter, which is the second-brightest planet, after Venus. This awesome photo by EarthSky Facebook friend Mohamed Laaifat in Normandy, France. Thank you, Mohamed.

Skywatcher, by Predrag Agatonovic.

Easily locate stars and constellations with EarthSky’s planisphere.

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Sea ice still too thick for Arctic shipping route

New research from York University predicts that it will be decades before the Northwest Passage will be a viable route for regular commercial shipping. Despite climate change, Arctic sea ice remains too thick and treacherous, says the study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters on September 25.

The Northwest Passage is a sea route that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. In the past, the Northwest Passage has been virtually impassable because it was covered by thick, year-round sea ice.

The Northwest Passage. Image credit: geology.com

For commercial shipping, the potential benefits of a clear Northwest Passage are significant. The Northwest Passage is a much shorter route for moving goods between the Pacific and Atlantic regions than the Panama and Suez Canals. Ship routes from Europe to eastern Asia would be 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) shorter. Alaskan oil could move quickly by ship to ports in the eastern United States. The vast mineral resources of the Canadian North will be much easier and economical to develop and ship to market.

In the past few years, as the climate has warmed, it’s been speculated that shrinking Arctic sea ice coverage might open the passage for increasing periods of time, to allow regular commercial traffic to pass through the Arctic Ocean via this once impossible route. At the moment, this year’s annual summer minimum Arctic-wide ice coverage is the fourth lowest on record, with similar low coverage in the Northwest Passage, according to information provided by the Canadian Ice Service.

H.M.S. Intrepid, under the command of Irish explorer Sir Francis Leopold McClintock, is trapped in pack ice in Baffin Bay, circa 1853. McClintock is on his first mission to find the 1845 expedition of Sir John Franklin, which disappeared during a search for the Northwest Passage. From a sketch by Commander May R.N. Image credit:Hulton Archive/Getty Images

But the York University researchers say the ice is still too thick for a regular commercial passage to be viable. Next to ice coverage and type, the researchers said, sea ice thickness plays the most important role in assessing shipping hazards and predicting ice break-up.

Lead researcher Christian Haas is professor of geophysics in the Lassonde School of Engineering and Canada Research Chair for Arctic Sea Ice Geophysics. Haas said:

While everyone only looks at ice extent or area, because it is so easy to do with satellites, we study ice thickness, which is important to assess overall changes of ice volume, and helps to understand why and where the ice is most vulnerable to summer melt.

Haas and his team measured first-year and multiyear ice thickness in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago using via airplane. They surveyed the ice in April and May of 2011 and again in 2015. It is considered the first large-scale assessment of ice thickness in the area.

The surveys found a mean thickness of between two and three meters (6.5 to 10 feet) in most regions of the Northwest Passage. Ice originating from the Arctic Ocean showed a mean thickness of more than three meters on average. Some multiyear ice regions contained much thicker, deformed ice that was more than 100 meters (109 yards) wide and more than four meters (13 feet) thick. Haas said:

This is the first-ever such survey in the Northwest Passage, and we were surprised to find this much thick ice in the region in late winter, despite the fact that there is more and more open water in recent years during late summer.

Although the results were obtained in late winter when no ships travel the route, they will help predict how ice break-up and summer ice conditions develop, and help forecast the opening and navigability of the Northwest Passage during summer. It will also affect how sea ice hazards are assessed during the shipping season and provide baseline data going forward.

How climate change will affect the summer ice in the Northwest Passage in the future is difficult to predict, says Haas. Further melting could cause more multiyear ice from the Arctic Ocean to drift into the passage, making it less, not more passable.

Enjoying EarthSky? Sign up for our free daily newsletter today!

Bottom line: New research published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters on September 25, 2015 predicts that it will be decades before the Northwest Passage will be a viable route for regular commercial shipping. Despite climate change, Arctic sea ice remains too thick and treacherous, says the study.

Read more from York University

from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1j13Gjh

New research from York University predicts that it will be decades before the Northwest Passage will be a viable route for regular commercial shipping. Despite climate change, Arctic sea ice remains too thick and treacherous, says the study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters on September 25.

The Northwest Passage is a sea route that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. In the past, the Northwest Passage has been virtually impassable because it was covered by thick, year-round sea ice.

The Northwest Passage. Image credit: geology.com

For commercial shipping, the potential benefits of a clear Northwest Passage are significant. The Northwest Passage is a much shorter route for moving goods between the Pacific and Atlantic regions than the Panama and Suez Canals. Ship routes from Europe to eastern Asia would be 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) shorter. Alaskan oil could move quickly by ship to ports in the eastern United States. The vast mineral resources of the Canadian North will be much easier and economical to develop and ship to market.

In the past few years, as the climate has warmed, it’s been speculated that shrinking Arctic sea ice coverage might open the passage for increasing periods of time, to allow regular commercial traffic to pass through the Arctic Ocean via this once impossible route. At the moment, this year’s annual summer minimum Arctic-wide ice coverage is the fourth lowest on record, with similar low coverage in the Northwest Passage, according to information provided by the Canadian Ice Service.

H.M.S. Intrepid, under the command of Irish explorer Sir Francis Leopold McClintock, is trapped in pack ice in Baffin Bay, circa 1853. McClintock is on his first mission to find the 1845 expedition of Sir John Franklin, which disappeared during a search for the Northwest Passage. From a sketch by Commander May R.N. Image credit:Hulton Archive/Getty Images

But the York University researchers say the ice is still too thick for a regular commercial passage to be viable. Next to ice coverage and type, the researchers said, sea ice thickness plays the most important role in assessing shipping hazards and predicting ice break-up.

Lead researcher Christian Haas is professor of geophysics in the Lassonde School of Engineering and Canada Research Chair for Arctic Sea Ice Geophysics. Haas said:

While everyone only looks at ice extent or area, because it is so easy to do with satellites, we study ice thickness, which is important to assess overall changes of ice volume, and helps to understand why and where the ice is most vulnerable to summer melt.

Haas and his team measured first-year and multiyear ice thickness in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago using via airplane. They surveyed the ice in April and May of 2011 and again in 2015. It is considered the first large-scale assessment of ice thickness in the area.

The surveys found a mean thickness of between two and three meters (6.5 to 10 feet) in most regions of the Northwest Passage. Ice originating from the Arctic Ocean showed a mean thickness of more than three meters on average. Some multiyear ice regions contained much thicker, deformed ice that was more than 100 meters (109 yards) wide and more than four meters (13 feet) thick. Haas said:

This is the first-ever such survey in the Northwest Passage, and we were surprised to find this much thick ice in the region in late winter, despite the fact that there is more and more open water in recent years during late summer.

Although the results were obtained in late winter when no ships travel the route, they will help predict how ice break-up and summer ice conditions develop, and help forecast the opening and navigability of the Northwest Passage during summer. It will also affect how sea ice hazards are assessed during the shipping season and provide baseline data going forward.

How climate change will affect the summer ice in the Northwest Passage in the future is difficult to predict, says Haas. Further melting could cause more multiyear ice from the Arctic Ocean to drift into the passage, making it less, not more passable.

Enjoying EarthSky? Sign up for our free daily newsletter today!

Bottom line: New research published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters on September 25, 2015 predicts that it will be decades before the Northwest Passage will be a viable route for regular commercial shipping. Despite climate change, Arctic sea ice remains too thick and treacherous, says the study.

Read more from York University

from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1j13Gjh

Star of the week: Gamma Cephei, a future North Star

Although Gamma Cephei – also known as Errai – rates as only a third-magnitude or moderately bright star, it is easy to find and quite visible in a dark country sky. To many stargazers, the constellation Cepheus the King looks like a child’s depiction of a house, with Gamma Cephei marking the peak of the roof. This is a fascinating star – a future North Star. It also plays an important role in this history of our understanding of extrasolar planets, that is, planets orbiting distant stars.

How to find Gamma Cephei

Gamma Cephei as a future North Star

Gamma Cephei has the first planet found in a close binary system

Cepheus can be found in the northern sky. It looks very much like a child’s drawing of a house. The star Gamma Cephei, or Errai, marks the peak of the roof of the house.

How to find Gamma Cephei. Do you know the M-shaped or W-shaped constellation Cassiopeia? If so, then draw a line between the star Caph at one end of the M (or W) toward Polaris, our present-day North Star. Gamma Cephei – aka Errai – is just to one side of that line, a bit more than midway along it.

Think of it this way. Cepheus the King is not a particularly prominent constellation, but you’ll know that you’ve found Cepheus, because you’ll see his more striking wife – the M or W-shaped constellation Cassiopeia the Queen – standing at his side.

Or use the familiar Big Dipper asterism to find Gamma Cephei. The two outer stars in the Dipper’s bowl are Merak and Dubhe, sometimes called the Pointers, because a line between them extended northward points to Polaris. Then jump one fist-width – held at arm’s length – beyond Polaris to Gamma Cephei.

For most of the Northern Hemisphere, orange-colored Gamma Cephei shines as a circumpolar star. Circumpolar stars are stars that neither rise nor set, but always appear above the horizon.

The 26,000-year precession cycle causes the north celestial pole to move counter-clockwise in front of the backdrop stars at about one degree every 72 years

Animation showing 26,000-year precession cycle relative to backdrop stars. This cycle causes Earth’s northern axis to point out at an ever-changing succession of North Stars. Image via Wikimedia Commons

Gamma Cephei as a future North Star. Our present North Star, which we know as Polaris, will continue to reign as the northern pole star for centuries to come.

But our present-day Polaris won’t remain the North Star forever, due to a motion of Earth known as the precession of the equinoxes. Gamma Cephei stands next in line to inherit the North Star title. This star will be closer to the north celestial pole than Polaris around 3000 CE. It will most closely mark the north celestial pole around 4000 CE.

But – due to precession – Earth’s northern axis will continue to trace its great circle among the northern stars. Around 7500 CD, Alderamin – Cepheus’ brightest star – will become the North Star. And ultimately, of course, our present-day Polaris will be the North Star once more.

Artist’s conception of Gamma Cephei’s planet, found in 2002, and its view of the two stars in the Gamma Cephei system. The planet, shown here with rings, orbits the bright yellow star on the right every 2.5 years. This was the first planet found in a close binary system. Image and caption via Tim Jones/McDonald Observatory.

Gamma Cephei has the first planet found in a close binary system Gamma Cephei is a binary star – two stars revolving around a common center of mass. One component is an ordinary main-sequence star, somewhat similar to our sun. The other star has less than half our sun’s mass and is considered a red dwarf.

In 2002, astronomers with the McDonald Observatory Planet Search project found a planet for Gamma Cephei. It was the first planet orbiting a star in a close-in binary star system. The discovery had implications for the number of possible planets in our galaxy, because unlike our sun, most stars are in multiple systems. However, planets in multiple systems have their own inherent challenges. For example, some orbits for planets of multiple star systems are not possible for dynamical reasons; a planet would be ejected from the system, or transferred to a more inner or outer orbit.

That said, there are indeed many planets in multiple star systems known today. As of September 28, 2013, a total of 986 planets in 750 planetary systems have been found, including planets in 168 multiple planetary systems. (Source: Exoplanet.eu)

But Gamma Cephei’s planet will always be the first in a close binary!

Bottom line: The star Errai or Gamma Cephei is a binary star system with at least one planet. This star – at the peak of the “roof” in the house-shaped constellation Cepheus the King – will someday be a North Star for Earth.

Polaris: The North Star

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Although Gamma Cephei – also known as Errai – rates as only a third-magnitude or moderately bright star, it is easy to find and quite visible in a dark country sky. To many stargazers, the constellation Cepheus the King looks like a child’s depiction of a house, with Gamma Cephei marking the peak of the roof. This is a fascinating star – a future North Star. It also plays an important role in this history of our understanding of extrasolar planets, that is, planets orbiting distant stars.

How to find Gamma Cephei

Gamma Cephei as a future North Star

Gamma Cephei has the first planet found in a close binary system

Cepheus can be found in the northern sky. It looks very much like a child’s drawing of a house. The star Gamma Cephei, or Errai, marks the peak of the roof of the house.

How to find Gamma Cephei. Do you know the M-shaped or W-shaped constellation Cassiopeia? If so, then draw a line between the star Caph at one end of the M (or W) toward Polaris, our present-day North Star. Gamma Cephei – aka Errai – is just to one side of that line, a bit more than midway along it.

Think of it this way. Cepheus the King is not a particularly prominent constellation, but you’ll know that you’ve found Cepheus, because you’ll see his more striking wife – the M or W-shaped constellation Cassiopeia the Queen – standing at his side.

Or use the familiar Big Dipper asterism to find Gamma Cephei. The two outer stars in the Dipper’s bowl are Merak and Dubhe, sometimes called the Pointers, because a line between them extended northward points to Polaris. Then jump one fist-width – held at arm’s length – beyond Polaris to Gamma Cephei.

For most of the Northern Hemisphere, orange-colored Gamma Cephei shines as a circumpolar star. Circumpolar stars are stars that neither rise nor set, but always appear above the horizon.

The 26,000-year precession cycle causes the north celestial pole to move counter-clockwise in front of the backdrop stars at about one degree every 72 years

Animation showing 26,000-year precession cycle relative to backdrop stars. This cycle causes Earth’s northern axis to point out at an ever-changing succession of North Stars. Image via Wikimedia Commons

Gamma Cephei as a future North Star. Our present North Star, which we know as Polaris, will continue to reign as the northern pole star for centuries to come.

But our present-day Polaris won’t remain the North Star forever, due to a motion of Earth known as the precession of the equinoxes. Gamma Cephei stands next in line to inherit the North Star title. This star will be closer to the north celestial pole than Polaris around 3000 CE. It will most closely mark the north celestial pole around 4000 CE.

But – due to precession – Earth’s northern axis will continue to trace its great circle among the northern stars. Around 7500 CD, Alderamin – Cepheus’ brightest star – will become the North Star. And ultimately, of course, our present-day Polaris will be the North Star once more.

Artist’s conception of Gamma Cephei’s planet, found in 2002, and its view of the two stars in the Gamma Cephei system. The planet, shown here with rings, orbits the bright yellow star on the right every 2.5 years. This was the first planet found in a close binary system. Image and caption via Tim Jones/McDonald Observatory.

Gamma Cephei has the first planet found in a close binary system Gamma Cephei is a binary star – two stars revolving around a common center of mass. One component is an ordinary main-sequence star, somewhat similar to our sun. The other star has less than half our sun’s mass and is considered a red dwarf.

In 2002, astronomers with the McDonald Observatory Planet Search project found a planet for Gamma Cephei. It was the first planet orbiting a star in a close-in binary star system. The discovery had implications for the number of possible planets in our galaxy, because unlike our sun, most stars are in multiple systems. However, planets in multiple systems have their own inherent challenges. For example, some orbits for planets of multiple star systems are not possible for dynamical reasons; a planet would be ejected from the system, or transferred to a more inner or outer orbit.

That said, there are indeed many planets in multiple star systems known today. As of September 28, 2013, a total of 986 planets in 750 planetary systems have been found, including planets in 168 multiple planetary systems. (Source: Exoplanet.eu)

But Gamma Cephei’s planet will always be the first in a close binary!

Bottom line: The star Errai or Gamma Cephei is a binary star system with at least one planet. This star – at the peak of the “roof” in the house-shaped constellation Cepheus the King – will someday be a North Star for Earth.

Polaris: The North Star

from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1eKwLf2