Last quarter moon is November 19

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Dr Ski in Valencia, Philippines, caught the last quarter moon shortly after it rose around midnight on the morning of September 22, 2019. This moon phase is perfect for helping you envision the location of the sun … below your feet. Thanks, Dr Ski!

A last quarter moon appears half-lit by sunshine and half-immersed in its own shadow. It rises in the middle of the night, appears at its highest in the sky around dawn, and sets around midday.

On a last quarter moon, the lunar terminator – the shadow line dividing day and night – shows you where it’s sunset on the moon.

A last quarter moon provides a great opportunity to think of yourself on a three-dimensional world in space. For example, it’s fun to see this moon just after moonrise, shortly after midnight. Then the lighted portion points downward, to the sun below your feet. Think of the last quarter moon as a mirror to the world you’re standing on. Think of yourself standing in the middle of Earth’s nightside, on the midnight portion of Earth.

EarthSky 2020 lunar calendars are available! They make great gifts. Order now. Going fast!

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | September 22, 2019, photo by Dr Ski. He wrote: “The moon’s southern limb at last quarter. The Straight Wall is either black or white depending on the angle of the sun’s rays. At lunar sunset (now), it’s white. Around full moon, Tycho is one of the easiest craters to find due to the impact rays emanating from it. It’s like the hub of a spoked wheel! At last quarter, Tycho becomes unremarkable. Clavius, on the other hand, becomes remarkable at high magnification.”

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | September 22, 2019, photo by Dr Ski. He wrote: “The Sea of Rains at last quarter. The lunar Alps and Apennines are bisected by the moon’s meridian. You can get an idea of the height of these mountains by how far they extend into the dark side of the terminator. At an elevation of over 5,000 meters [16,000 feet], the Apennines are twice as tall as the Alps.”

Also, a last quarter moon can be used as a guidepost to Earth’s direction of motion in orbit around the sun.

In other words, when you look toward a last quarter moon high in the predawn sky, for example, you’re gazing out approximately along the path of Earth’s orbit, in a forward direction. The moon is moving in orbit around the sun with the Earth and never holds still. But, if we could somehow anchor the moon in space … tie it down, keep it still … Earth’s orbital speed of 18 miles per second would carry us across the space between us and the moon in only a few hours.

Want to read more about the last quarter moon as a guidepost for Earth’s motion? Astronomer Guy Ottewell talks about it here.

A great thing about using the moon as a guidepost to Earth’s motion is that you can do it anywhere … as, for example, in the photo below, from large cities.

Ben Orlove wrote from New York City: “I was sitting in the roof garden of my building, and there was the moon, right in front of me. You were right, this is a perfect time to visualize … the Earth’s motion.”

As the moon orbits Earth, it changes phase in an orderly way. Read more: 4 keys to understanding moon phases

Bottom line: The moon reaches its last quarter phase on November 19, 2019, at 21:11 UTC. In the coming week, watch for it to rise in the east in the hours after midnight, waning thinner each morning. Translate UTC to your time.

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2ze0n1D

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Dr Ski in Valencia, Philippines, caught the last quarter moon shortly after it rose around midnight on the morning of September 22, 2019. This moon phase is perfect for helping you envision the location of the sun … below your feet. Thanks, Dr Ski!

A last quarter moon appears half-lit by sunshine and half-immersed in its own shadow. It rises in the middle of the night, appears at its highest in the sky around dawn, and sets around midday.

On a last quarter moon, the lunar terminator – the shadow line dividing day and night – shows you where it’s sunset on the moon.

A last quarter moon provides a great opportunity to think of yourself on a three-dimensional world in space. For example, it’s fun to see this moon just after moonrise, shortly after midnight. Then the lighted portion points downward, to the sun below your feet. Think of the last quarter moon as a mirror to the world you’re standing on. Think of yourself standing in the middle of Earth’s nightside, on the midnight portion of Earth.

EarthSky 2020 lunar calendars are available! They make great gifts. Order now. Going fast!

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | September 22, 2019, photo by Dr Ski. He wrote: “The moon’s southern limb at last quarter. The Straight Wall is either black or white depending on the angle of the sun’s rays. At lunar sunset (now), it’s white. Around full moon, Tycho is one of the easiest craters to find due to the impact rays emanating from it. It’s like the hub of a spoked wheel! At last quarter, Tycho becomes unremarkable. Clavius, on the other hand, becomes remarkable at high magnification.”

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | September 22, 2019, photo by Dr Ski. He wrote: “The Sea of Rains at last quarter. The lunar Alps and Apennines are bisected by the moon’s meridian. You can get an idea of the height of these mountains by how far they extend into the dark side of the terminator. At an elevation of over 5,000 meters [16,000 feet], the Apennines are twice as tall as the Alps.”

Also, a last quarter moon can be used as a guidepost to Earth’s direction of motion in orbit around the sun.

In other words, when you look toward a last quarter moon high in the predawn sky, for example, you’re gazing out approximately along the path of Earth’s orbit, in a forward direction. The moon is moving in orbit around the sun with the Earth and never holds still. But, if we could somehow anchor the moon in space … tie it down, keep it still … Earth’s orbital speed of 18 miles per second would carry us across the space between us and the moon in only a few hours.

Want to read more about the last quarter moon as a guidepost for Earth’s motion? Astronomer Guy Ottewell talks about it here.

A great thing about using the moon as a guidepost to Earth’s motion is that you can do it anywhere … as, for example, in the photo below, from large cities.

Ben Orlove wrote from New York City: “I was sitting in the roof garden of my building, and there was the moon, right in front of me. You were right, this is a perfect time to visualize … the Earth’s motion.”

As the moon orbits Earth, it changes phase in an orderly way. Read more: 4 keys to understanding moon phases

Bottom line: The moon reaches its last quarter phase on November 19, 2019, at 21:11 UTC. In the coming week, watch for it to rise in the east in the hours after midnight, waning thinner each morning. Translate UTC to your time.

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2ze0n1D

Brief but potent meteor outburst expected November 21-22

View larger. | This chart is set for Philadelphia at 11:50 p.m. EST on November 21. In that location, at that time, you’d be facing southeast to view the location of the sky toward the alpha Monocerotid radiant point. Go to Stellarium to find out which direction to look from your exact location. Notice the 3 Belt stars of Orion, and the bright star Sirius. On this chart, 2 alpha Monocerotid radiants are marked, 1985 and 1995. The exact radiant of the 2019 shower will be somewhere close to this part of the sky. See a simplified chart of this part of the sky below. Chart via SkyandTelescope.com. Used with permission.

This Thursday night (November 21-22, 2019) – if you’re on the right part of Earth, and are looking at exactly the right time in a dark, clear sky – you have a good chance of witnessing a brief but very rich outburst of meteors known as alpha Monocerotids. This shower is normally considered minor, but – this year – it has a high possibility of being unforgettable, although short-lived. Astronomers Esko Lyytinen of the Finnish Fireball Network and Peter Jenniskens of the SETI Institute and NASA’s Ames Research Center have been tracking this shower for many years. They realized that that the circumstances for the shower in 2019 are nearly identical to 1995, when an outburst did occur, sending the rate up to 400 meteors per hour (several meteors per minute) under optimum conditions. That is why they predicted an outburst with a similar rate for this year. They emphasize that your location on Earth and timing – plus a dark sky – are key elements for watching the shower. Writing in Meteor News on November 6, they explained:

If an outburst takes place it is likely to be centered around 04:50 Universal Time on November 22, with a duration of 15 up to 40 minutes maximum.

That time – 4:50 Universal Time on November 22 – is the same as 11:50 p.m. November 21 for those on the east coast of the U.S.; translate Universal Time to your time. To see the shower, you have to be in the eastern part of North America, short of 110 West longitude, or in western Europe or South America, these scientists say.

Also, remember, the time mentioned above is when the shower is centered. You’ll want to get out there earlier to view it from start to finish. Writing at SkyandTelescope.com, sky writer Bob King (@AstroBob_bk on Twitter) explained:

Lyytinen recommends getting out no later than 4:15 Universal Time, November 22 (11:15 p.m. EST on November 21; translate to your time). The radiant, located in eastern Monoceros, rises around 10 p.m. local time [the time on your clocks regardless of your time zone], so it will be relatively low in the eastern sky for observers in the eastern half of the U.S. and Canada at shower maximum.

South Americans have the best seats while skywatchers in Africa and Western Europe will catch it in the hour or two before dawn. No worries about the moon — the 22%-illuminated crescent won’t rise until after 2 a.m. local time.

Monoceros the Unicorn – the constellation from which the meteors will appear to radiate – isn’t a prominent constellation. But it’s located near some of the most easy-to-spot stars in the night sky, including Orion the Hunter (look for Orion’s 3 Belt stars in a short, straight row) and the sky’s brightest star, the Dog Star Sirius. The Unicorn is up in mid-evening now, highest in the sky in the wee hours. Read more about the Unicorn.

How confident are these astronomers that this outburst will take place? They sound very confident. Jenniskens wrote in an email to EarthSky:

These outbursts are caused by the dust trail of an unknown long-period comet. Dust was released during the previous orbit of the comet, when it was last near the sun. Some meteoroids made a short orbit and came back early, others made a wider orbit and will come back late.

So, in the path of the comet now is a stream of meteoroids, quite smoothly distributed.

That stream moves in and out of Earth’s path over the years. That is the reason why we rarely get to see this shower. Only when the dust trail wanders into Earth’s path, just as Earth is passing the stream, are we hosed by the meteoroids. It is like watering a distant flower [Earth] with a water hose [the meteoroid stream]. Last good sighting was in 1995, and a weaker sighting in 2007 …

We are confident that the stream will be in Earth’s path this year, because the motion of the trail is determined by the gravity of the planets and sun, which we can accurately calculate.

How intense the shower will become depends on where exactly we cross the stream and on your location.

Rates are highest (several per minute at the peak) when the meteors come straight down, in parts of southern America. Here in the USA, peak rates are less because [we’re seeing the radiant point lower in the sky when the shower is peaking and thus] the meteors come in more grazing.

He also said that the predicted rate of the meteors at their peak – 400 meteors per hour – will likely last only 15 minutes of the entire 40-minute shower. If a rain shower lasted that long, you’d surely call it an outburst, but – even for rain – such outbursts can be an interesting and beautiful natural event. As Jenniskens commented:

Even if you just see a few of these meteors, that is very special.

Most will not be very bright, brightness of the North Star, Polaris [50th-brightest star in our sky] up to brightness of Vega [5th brightest star overall, 3rd brightest easily visible from mid-northern latitudes].

So go to a dark location with clear field of view around. Look towards the east.

Good luck, skywatchers!

View larger. | A more detailed chart of the constellation Monoceros the Unicorn. Notice the star Sirius and the 3 Belt stars of Orion.

Bottom line: Astronomers are predicting an outburst of meteors on November 21-22, 2019. The shower – called the alpha Monocerotids – is generally considered to be minor. If an outburst takes place it is likely to be centered around 04:50 Universal Time on November 22 with a duration of up to 40 minutes maximum. A rate of 400 meteors per hour is predicted for the 15-minute peak.

Via Meteor News: Likely Alpha Monocerotids outburst

Via Skyandtelescope.com

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/358fBn3

View larger. | This chart is set for Philadelphia at 11:50 p.m. EST on November 21. In that location, at that time, you’d be facing southeast to view the location of the sky toward the alpha Monocerotid radiant point. Go to Stellarium to find out which direction to look from your exact location. Notice the 3 Belt stars of Orion, and the bright star Sirius. On this chart, 2 alpha Monocerotid radiants are marked, 1985 and 1995. The exact radiant of the 2019 shower will be somewhere close to this part of the sky. See a simplified chart of this part of the sky below. Chart via SkyandTelescope.com. Used with permission.

This Thursday night (November 21-22, 2019) – if you’re on the right part of Earth, and are looking at exactly the right time in a dark, clear sky – you have a good chance of witnessing a brief but very rich outburst of meteors known as alpha Monocerotids. This shower is normally considered minor, but – this year – it has a high possibility of being unforgettable, although short-lived. Astronomers Esko Lyytinen of the Finnish Fireball Network and Peter Jenniskens of the SETI Institute and NASA’s Ames Research Center have been tracking this shower for many years. They realized that that the circumstances for the shower in 2019 are nearly identical to 1995, when an outburst did occur, sending the rate up to 400 meteors per hour (several meteors per minute) under optimum conditions. That is why they predicted an outburst with a similar rate for this year. They emphasize that your location on Earth and timing – plus a dark sky – are key elements for watching the shower. Writing in Meteor News on November 6, they explained:

If an outburst takes place it is likely to be centered around 04:50 Universal Time on November 22, with a duration of 15 up to 40 minutes maximum.

That time – 4:50 Universal Time on November 22 – is the same as 11:50 p.m. November 21 for those on the east coast of the U.S.; translate Universal Time to your time. To see the shower, you have to be in the eastern part of North America, short of 110 West longitude, or in western Europe or South America, these scientists say.

Also, remember, the time mentioned above is when the shower is centered. You’ll want to get out there earlier to view it from start to finish. Writing at SkyandTelescope.com, sky writer Bob King (@AstroBob_bk on Twitter) explained:

Lyytinen recommends getting out no later than 4:15 Universal Time, November 22 (11:15 p.m. EST on November 21; translate to your time). The radiant, located in eastern Monoceros, rises around 10 p.m. local time [the time on your clocks regardless of your time zone], so it will be relatively low in the eastern sky for observers in the eastern half of the U.S. and Canada at shower maximum.

South Americans have the best seats while skywatchers in Africa and Western Europe will catch it in the hour or two before dawn. No worries about the moon — the 22%-illuminated crescent won’t rise until after 2 a.m. local time.

Monoceros the Unicorn – the constellation from which the meteors will appear to radiate – isn’t a prominent constellation. But it’s located near some of the most easy-to-spot stars in the night sky, including Orion the Hunter (look for Orion’s 3 Belt stars in a short, straight row) and the sky’s brightest star, the Dog Star Sirius. The Unicorn is up in mid-evening now, highest in the sky in the wee hours. Read more about the Unicorn.

How confident are these astronomers that this outburst will take place? They sound very confident. Jenniskens wrote in an email to EarthSky:

These outbursts are caused by the dust trail of an unknown long-period comet. Dust was released during the previous orbit of the comet, when it was last near the sun. Some meteoroids made a short orbit and came back early, others made a wider orbit and will come back late.

So, in the path of the comet now is a stream of meteoroids, quite smoothly distributed.

That stream moves in and out of Earth’s path over the years. That is the reason why we rarely get to see this shower. Only when the dust trail wanders into Earth’s path, just as Earth is passing the stream, are we hosed by the meteoroids. It is like watering a distant flower [Earth] with a water hose [the meteoroid stream]. Last good sighting was in 1995, and a weaker sighting in 2007 …

We are confident that the stream will be in Earth’s path this year, because the motion of the trail is determined by the gravity of the planets and sun, which we can accurately calculate.

How intense the shower will become depends on where exactly we cross the stream and on your location.

Rates are highest (several per minute at the peak) when the meteors come straight down, in parts of southern America. Here in the USA, peak rates are less because [we’re seeing the radiant point lower in the sky when the shower is peaking and thus] the meteors come in more grazing.

He also said that the predicted rate of the meteors at their peak – 400 meteors per hour – will likely last only 15 minutes of the entire 40-minute shower. If a rain shower lasted that long, you’d surely call it an outburst, but – even for rain – such outbursts can be an interesting and beautiful natural event. As Jenniskens commented:

Even if you just see a few of these meteors, that is very special.

Most will not be very bright, brightness of the North Star, Polaris [50th-brightest star in our sky] up to brightness of Vega [5th brightest star overall, 3rd brightest easily visible from mid-northern latitudes].

So go to a dark location with clear field of view around. Look towards the east.

Good luck, skywatchers!

View larger. | A more detailed chart of the constellation Monoceros the Unicorn. Notice the star Sirius and the 3 Belt stars of Orion.

Bottom line: Astronomers are predicting an outburst of meteors on November 21-22, 2019. The shower – called the alpha Monocerotids – is generally considered to be minor. If an outburst takes place it is likely to be centered around 04:50 Universal Time on November 22 with a duration of up to 40 minutes maximum. A rate of 400 meteors per hour is predicted for the 15-minute peak.

Via Meteor News: Likely Alpha Monocerotids outburst

Via Skyandtelescope.com

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/358fBn3

Awesome nightscape photos from New Mexico’s Very Large Array

Image via Rob Pettengill (NRAO/AUI/NSF)

By Robert Pettengill

Observatories make great locales for nightscape photography. This October 9, 2019 field trip to the Very Large Array in New Mexico illustrates how to plan an observatory astrophotography adventure. Thanks to the Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassadors Program for making this trip possible.

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array, NRAO VLA, is one of the great telescopes of the world. The VLA is located in central New Mexico, just west of the town of Magdalena, New Mexico, on US Highway 60. The nearest city, Socorro on Interstate Highway 25, is about an hour away. The cool dry air at the VLA’s altitude of 7,000 feet makes it a wonderful site for astrophotography. It has been used as a location in feature films, including the 1997 movie Contact (1997), based on the novel by astronomer Carl Sagan and starring actress Jodie Foster. The 10-story, 230-ton, array antennas are a perfect symbol for humanity’s exploration of the universe silhouetted against the brilliant sky.

Because of the safety issues inherent in such a large outdoor facility, and the sensitivity of the telescopes to electronic interference, amateur photography is only permitted from the self-guided walking tour, which is only open during daylight. Nighttime photography on the VLA grounds, amateur or commercial, requires an approved application and payment of a large location fee. Fortunately there is an alternative on a public highway right of way.

Where

Traffic on US highway 60 is usually light late at night, but caution is advised due to the remote location. Emergency services, food, water, and other supplies are many miles away. Cell phone signals are weak and phones should be off except in emergencies. The highway right-of-way is wide. However, the terrain is rough and it is easy to fall in the dark. A fence marks the boundary of the VLA facility. Under these very dark remote conditions, an observing buddy, red light flashlight, water, snacks, warm clothing, and first aid supplies are important for a good experience and safety.

Image via NRAO/VLA and Google Maps.

The antennas can be deployed in configurations ranging from 22 miles in diameter (A) to a tightly packed configuration just 0.6 miles wide (D). The D configuration shows multiple antennas well, but is not accessible to the public at night.

The wider A and B configurations use an antenna location on the north arm just off of US 60 directly across from a public parking area. This is in the highway right of way, past the turn off for the visitor center when headed west, near where the north arm rail tracks cross the highway. Nighttime amateur photography is possible from here which captures the antenna against the northern sky.

Image via NRAO/VLA and Google Maps, annotations Rob Pettengill.

For other locations, tools like The Photographer’s Ephemeris and PhotoPills will help you determine the exact location to set up, for the shot that you want.

When

The NRAO VLA Configurations page can be used to identify dates that the array will be in the A & B configurations. Remember that snow is possible in winter months at this 7,000-foot altitude. Thanks to earlier monsoon rains, we encountered dew problems before dawn and were able to make good use of some hand warmers to keep our camera lenses clear. Don’t forget to check the local weather forecast as your date comes close. Astrospheric is a great resource for detailed astronomical forecasts a few days out. The NOAA National Weather Service has many forecast products for longer range predictions.

How

This location offers many creative possibilities. For your equipment, you need a camera and lens suitable for astrophotography and a sturdy tripod. Short to medium focal length lenses allow you to trade off the size of the antenna and amount of sky captured. Different locations along the fence can juxtapose the antenna with the northern Milky Way or Polaris. Longer exposures can capture star trails around Polaris.

Image via Derek Demeter (NRAO/AUI/NSF).

Creative use of options allow stacking and post processing images for different interpretations.

Image via Amy Barraclough (NRAO/AUI/NSF)

Shorter exposures (20 to 30 sec) capture the Milky Way from a fixed tripod.

Image via Art Borja (NRAO/AUI/NSF).

The antenna can be captured in silhouette or illuminated by passing cars. Headlights from approaching cars are visible for miles. As a car approaches lighting on the antenna and foreground landscape can vary dramatically.

Image via Rob Pettengill (NRAO/AUI/NSF).

Another possibility, capture a time lapse video of the antenna as it switches from target to target. Sunrise an early morning can be spectacular, be sure to wait for daylight images after sunrise, before heading in to Magdalena for breakfast.

Image via R. Pettengill (NRAO/AUI/NSF).

Bottom line: Tips from an astrophotographer

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2COv2of

Image via Rob Pettengill (NRAO/AUI/NSF)

By Robert Pettengill

Observatories make great locales for nightscape photography. This October 9, 2019 field trip to the Very Large Array in New Mexico illustrates how to plan an observatory astrophotography adventure. Thanks to the Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassadors Program for making this trip possible.

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array, NRAO VLA, is one of the great telescopes of the world. The VLA is located in central New Mexico, just west of the town of Magdalena, New Mexico, on US Highway 60. The nearest city, Socorro on Interstate Highway 25, is about an hour away. The cool dry air at the VLA’s altitude of 7,000 feet makes it a wonderful site for astrophotography. It has been used as a location in feature films, including the 1997 movie Contact (1997), based on the novel by astronomer Carl Sagan and starring actress Jodie Foster. The 10-story, 230-ton, array antennas are a perfect symbol for humanity’s exploration of the universe silhouetted against the brilliant sky.

Because of the safety issues inherent in such a large outdoor facility, and the sensitivity of the telescopes to electronic interference, amateur photography is only permitted from the self-guided walking tour, which is only open during daylight. Nighttime photography on the VLA grounds, amateur or commercial, requires an approved application and payment of a large location fee. Fortunately there is an alternative on a public highway right of way.

Where

Traffic on US highway 60 is usually light late at night, but caution is advised due to the remote location. Emergency services, food, water, and other supplies are many miles away. Cell phone signals are weak and phones should be off except in emergencies. The highway right-of-way is wide. However, the terrain is rough and it is easy to fall in the dark. A fence marks the boundary of the VLA facility. Under these very dark remote conditions, an observing buddy, red light flashlight, water, snacks, warm clothing, and first aid supplies are important for a good experience and safety.

Image via NRAO/VLA and Google Maps.

The antennas can be deployed in configurations ranging from 22 miles in diameter (A) to a tightly packed configuration just 0.6 miles wide (D). The D configuration shows multiple antennas well, but is not accessible to the public at night.

The wider A and B configurations use an antenna location on the north arm just off of US 60 directly across from a public parking area. This is in the highway right of way, past the turn off for the visitor center when headed west, near where the north arm rail tracks cross the highway. Nighttime amateur photography is possible from here which captures the antenna against the northern sky.

Image via NRAO/VLA and Google Maps, annotations Rob Pettengill.

For other locations, tools like The Photographer’s Ephemeris and PhotoPills will help you determine the exact location to set up, for the shot that you want.

When

The NRAO VLA Configurations page can be used to identify dates that the array will be in the A & B configurations. Remember that snow is possible in winter months at this 7,000-foot altitude. Thanks to earlier monsoon rains, we encountered dew problems before dawn and were able to make good use of some hand warmers to keep our camera lenses clear. Don’t forget to check the local weather forecast as your date comes close. Astrospheric is a great resource for detailed astronomical forecasts a few days out. The NOAA National Weather Service has many forecast products for longer range predictions.

How

This location offers many creative possibilities. For your equipment, you need a camera and lens suitable for astrophotography and a sturdy tripod. Short to medium focal length lenses allow you to trade off the size of the antenna and amount of sky captured. Different locations along the fence can juxtapose the antenna with the northern Milky Way or Polaris. Longer exposures can capture star trails around Polaris.

Image via Derek Demeter (NRAO/AUI/NSF).

Creative use of options allow stacking and post processing images for different interpretations.

Image via Amy Barraclough (NRAO/AUI/NSF)

Shorter exposures (20 to 30 sec) capture the Milky Way from a fixed tripod.

Image via Art Borja (NRAO/AUI/NSF).

The antenna can be captured in silhouette or illuminated by passing cars. Headlights from approaching cars are visible for miles. As a car approaches lighting on the antenna and foreground landscape can vary dramatically.

Image via Rob Pettengill (NRAO/AUI/NSF).

Another possibility, capture a time lapse video of the antenna as it switches from target to target. Sunrise an early morning can be spectacular, be sure to wait for daylight images after sunrise, before heading in to Magdalena for breakfast.

Image via R. Pettengill (NRAO/AUI/NSF).

Bottom line: Tips from an astrophotographer

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2COv2of

Aurora over Esjan

View larger. | Image via Craig Knight.

Craig Knight took this photo of a small aurora over Esjan, a mountain in southwest Iceland, on November 13, 2019. You can see part of the Big Dipper at the top.

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/32NY6Hj

View larger. | Image via Craig Knight.

Craig Knight took this photo of a small aurora over Esjan, a mountain in southwest Iceland, on November 13, 2019. You can see part of the Big Dipper at the top.

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/32NY6Hj

Leonids peak morning likely November 18

Image at top: A wide angle view of Leonid fireballs on November 17, 1998, via Juraj Toth.

The famous Leonid meteor shower is expected to be at its best in the predawn hours on Sunday, November 17, and Monday, November 18, 2018. We give the nod to Monday, November 18. But this year, in 2019, the waning gibbous moon will somewhat obstruct on this year’s production. In a dark sky, free of moonlight, you can typically see up to 10 to 15 meteors per hour at the shower’s peak.

Will you see what’s shown on the image at the top of this post? Thousands of meteors per hour? No. That image is from 1998, when the Leonids’ parent comet – Comet Temple-Tuttle – was nearby. The Leonids are famous for producing meteor storms when the comet is in our neighborhood, but no meteor storm is expected this year, only a modest 10 to 15 Leonid meteors per hour.

Radiant of the Leonid meteor shower near the star Algieba in the constellation Leo.

Here’s a tip: be aware of the rising time of the shower’s radiant point. As darkness falls in mid-November, the radiant point of the Leonid shower sits below your horizon, as seen from all parts of Earth. As the Earth turns, the constellation Leo the Lion – carrying the meteor shower radiant point – will rise over your eastern horizon around midnight (or around 1 a.m. at temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere).

Around midnight, when the radiant point is at or near the horizon, the Leonid meteors are few and far between.

But the constellation Leo the Lion will climb upward in the sky during the hours after midnight. It reaches its highest point in the night sky just before dawn. That’s why you’ll see more meteors in the predawn sky. The higher that Leo appears in your sky, the more meteors you’re likely to see.

Just remember, you don’t have to locate a meteor shower radiant to watch the meteor shower. The meteors will appear in all parts of the sky. But if you trace the Leonid meteors backward, they appear to come from the constellation.

All is not lost in the evening hours, by the way! Evening is the best time to try to catch a rare earthgrazer – a sloow-moving and loong-lasting meteor that travels horizontally across the sky.

EarthSky lunar calendars make great gifts for astronomy-minded friends and family.

What else can you see on the night of the 2019 Leonids peak? From around the world, the constellation Orion the Hunter climbs above your eastern horizon around 9 p.m. That’s several hours before the constellation Leo enters the stage of sky around midnight.

Look for the constellation Orion the Mighty Hunter to adorn your eastern sky by around 9 p.m. Several hours thereafter, watch for the radiant of the Leonid meteor shower – the constellation Leo the Lion – to climb into your eastern sky around midnight. Read more.

The radiant for the Leonids is near the star Algieba in Leo. This is not Leo the Lion’s brightest star. That distinction goes to Leo’s star Regulus. Both Algieba and Regulus belong to a noticeable pattern on the sky’s dome, in the shape of a backwards question mark. This pattern is called “the Sickle.” The paths of Leonid meteors can be traced backwards to the Sickle pattern, which is a famous asterism – or noticeable star pattern – within the constellation Leo.

By the way, the Leonids are a fast-moving meteor stream. The meteors hit the Earth’s atmosphere at some 45 miles per second (72 km/second)! The Leonid meteor shower is known for having bright meteors or fireballs, which can punch into the atmosphere with the kinetic energy of a car hitting at 60 miles per second (nearly 100 km/second).

Bottom line: In 2019, the Leonid meteor shower is expected to be at its best before dawn on Sunday, November 17, and Monday, November 18. Usually the most meteors fall in the dark hours before dawn.

EarthSky’s top 10 tips for meteor-watchers

EarthSky’s meteor shower guide for 2019

Donate: Your support means the world to us

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2qX93WB

Image at top: A wide angle view of Leonid fireballs on November 17, 1998, via Juraj Toth.

The famous Leonid meteor shower is expected to be at its best in the predawn hours on Sunday, November 17, and Monday, November 18, 2018. We give the nod to Monday, November 18. But this year, in 2019, the waning gibbous moon will somewhat obstruct on this year’s production. In a dark sky, free of moonlight, you can typically see up to 10 to 15 meteors per hour at the shower’s peak.

Will you see what’s shown on the image at the top of this post? Thousands of meteors per hour? No. That image is from 1998, when the Leonids’ parent comet – Comet Temple-Tuttle – was nearby. The Leonids are famous for producing meteor storms when the comet is in our neighborhood, but no meteor storm is expected this year, only a modest 10 to 15 Leonid meteors per hour.

Radiant of the Leonid meteor shower near the star Algieba in the constellation Leo.

Here’s a tip: be aware of the rising time of the shower’s radiant point. As darkness falls in mid-November, the radiant point of the Leonid shower sits below your horizon, as seen from all parts of Earth. As the Earth turns, the constellation Leo the Lion – carrying the meteor shower radiant point – will rise over your eastern horizon around midnight (or around 1 a.m. at temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere).

Around midnight, when the radiant point is at or near the horizon, the Leonid meteors are few and far between.

But the constellation Leo the Lion will climb upward in the sky during the hours after midnight. It reaches its highest point in the night sky just before dawn. That’s why you’ll see more meteors in the predawn sky. The higher that Leo appears in your sky, the more meteors you’re likely to see.

Just remember, you don’t have to locate a meteor shower radiant to watch the meteor shower. The meteors will appear in all parts of the sky. But if you trace the Leonid meteors backward, they appear to come from the constellation.

All is not lost in the evening hours, by the way! Evening is the best time to try to catch a rare earthgrazer – a sloow-moving and loong-lasting meteor that travels horizontally across the sky.

EarthSky lunar calendars make great gifts for astronomy-minded friends and family.

What else can you see on the night of the 2019 Leonids peak? From around the world, the constellation Orion the Hunter climbs above your eastern horizon around 9 p.m. That’s several hours before the constellation Leo enters the stage of sky around midnight.

Look for the constellation Orion the Mighty Hunter to adorn your eastern sky by around 9 p.m. Several hours thereafter, watch for the radiant of the Leonid meteor shower – the constellation Leo the Lion – to climb into your eastern sky around midnight. Read more.

The radiant for the Leonids is near the star Algieba in Leo. This is not Leo the Lion’s brightest star. That distinction goes to Leo’s star Regulus. Both Algieba and Regulus belong to a noticeable pattern on the sky’s dome, in the shape of a backwards question mark. This pattern is called “the Sickle.” The paths of Leonid meteors can be traced backwards to the Sickle pattern, which is a famous asterism – or noticeable star pattern – within the constellation Leo.

By the way, the Leonids are a fast-moving meteor stream. The meteors hit the Earth’s atmosphere at some 45 miles per second (72 km/second)! The Leonid meteor shower is known for having bright meteors or fireballs, which can punch into the atmosphere with the kinetic energy of a car hitting at 60 miles per second (nearly 100 km/second).

Bottom line: In 2019, the Leonid meteor shower is expected to be at its best before dawn on Sunday, November 17, and Monday, November 18. Usually the most meteors fall in the dark hours before dawn.

EarthSky’s top 10 tips for meteor-watchers

EarthSky’s meteor shower guide for 2019

Donate: Your support means the world to us

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2qX93WB

News digest – cancer waiting times, complementary treatments, obesity and a NASA-style training for cancer patients?

Cancer waiting time targets missed since 2015

The most recent figures reveal hospital performance in England is at its worst level on record and cancer waiting time targets have been missed since 2015. According to BBC News, slightly more than 76 in 100 cancer patients are starting treatment within 62 days of being urgently referred by a GP, when the target is 85 in 100.

Tackling melanoma treatment resistance

Blocking a survival mechanism in melanoma cells could tackle resistance to treatment, reports the Mail Online. Our scientists have shown that hitting these advanced cancers with a double whammy attack shrank tumours in mice, as our press release explains.

Women from ethnic minority backgrounds face more barriers to seeking medical help

Our research shows that women from ethnic minority backgrounds report around twice as many barriers than white women to seeking help for potential cancer symptoms. Researchers now hope to find ways to help people overcome some of these barriers so everyone has the best chance of surviving their cancer.

More research needed for hard-to-treat cancers

People with the 6 deadliest forms of cancer are dying due to a lack of research, reports the Mail Online. The figures on research spending were released by the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce, a coalition of charities aiming to double survival rates in diseases such as pancreatic, stomach and lung cancer.

Labour pledges to spend more on NHS

The NHS is already becoming a hot topic for debate in the 2019 General Election campaign. And BBC News reports the latest promise from the Labour party: to spend more on the health service in England.

Some complementary treatments ‘do more harm than good’

Professor Maria Joao Cardoso, speaking at a cancer conference, warned that some herbal products can interfere with cancer drugs and advised doctors to ask their patients what other treatments they might be taking. But a breast cancer surgeon also said that therapies like acupuncture may have a positive impact on people’s quality of life during treatment.

Should doctors give patients a prognosis?

The Telegraph covers thoughts from the same conference in Australia about whether people with cancer should be given a prognosis. Experts discussed whether giving an exact estimate of how long they had left to live was the best way to present information to patients and why these estimates aren’t always accurate.

UK obesity continues to climb

Nearly 30 in 100 people in England are now are obese, reports the Guardian. And the number of people over the age of 16 years old who are obese has almost doubled in the last 20 years. The new stats from Diabetes UK shows that urgent action is needed from the government to support people to eat more healthily.

Ethnic minority researchers receive less funding

The Independent reports new stats that show ethnic minority researchers are less likely to receive funding for their research than their white colleagues. And white applicants were also awarded more money, receiving £670,000 on average while those from minority backgrounds got £564,000.

Private bowel cancer checks miss or fail to prevent more cancers than NHS

Bowel cancer screening tests carried out by private healthcare providers in the UK are less reliable than those done in the NHS, according to new figures compiled by UK Research and Innovation. The new report revealed variation in the number of bowel cancers diagnosed 6 months to 3 years after screening appointments. Read the Mail Online for more.

And finally…

The bodies of astronauts in space may be under similar physical strains as those of cancer patients, according to experts. The Telegraph reports on a study that found some surprising similarities between the two groups of people, such as muscle and bone loss. They suggest doctors could take note of NASA’s training programme to help prepare people for treatment.

from Cancer Research UK – Science blog https://ift.tt/2KpqgSq

Cancer waiting time targets missed since 2015

The most recent figures reveal hospital performance in England is at its worst level on record and cancer waiting time targets have been missed since 2015. According to BBC News, slightly more than 76 in 100 cancer patients are starting treatment within 62 days of being urgently referred by a GP, when the target is 85 in 100.

Tackling melanoma treatment resistance

Blocking a survival mechanism in melanoma cells could tackle resistance to treatment, reports the Mail Online. Our scientists have shown that hitting these advanced cancers with a double whammy attack shrank tumours in mice, as our press release explains.

Women from ethnic minority backgrounds face more barriers to seeking medical help

Our research shows that women from ethnic minority backgrounds report around twice as many barriers than white women to seeking help for potential cancer symptoms. Researchers now hope to find ways to help people overcome some of these barriers so everyone has the best chance of surviving their cancer.

More research needed for hard-to-treat cancers

People with the 6 deadliest forms of cancer are dying due to a lack of research, reports the Mail Online. The figures on research spending were released by the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce, a coalition of charities aiming to double survival rates in diseases such as pancreatic, stomach and lung cancer.

Labour pledges to spend more on NHS

The NHS is already becoming a hot topic for debate in the 2019 General Election campaign. And BBC News reports the latest promise from the Labour party: to spend more on the health service in England.

Some complementary treatments ‘do more harm than good’

Professor Maria Joao Cardoso, speaking at a cancer conference, warned that some herbal products can interfere with cancer drugs and advised doctors to ask their patients what other treatments they might be taking. But a breast cancer surgeon also said that therapies like acupuncture may have a positive impact on people’s quality of life during treatment.

Should doctors give patients a prognosis?

The Telegraph covers thoughts from the same conference in Australia about whether people with cancer should be given a prognosis. Experts discussed whether giving an exact estimate of how long they had left to live was the best way to present information to patients and why these estimates aren’t always accurate.

UK obesity continues to climb

Nearly 30 in 100 people in England are now are obese, reports the Guardian. And the number of people over the age of 16 years old who are obese has almost doubled in the last 20 years. The new stats from Diabetes UK shows that urgent action is needed from the government to support people to eat more healthily.

Ethnic minority researchers receive less funding

The Independent reports new stats that show ethnic minority researchers are less likely to receive funding for their research than their white colleagues. And white applicants were also awarded more money, receiving £670,000 on average while those from minority backgrounds got £564,000.

Private bowel cancer checks miss or fail to prevent more cancers than NHS

Bowel cancer screening tests carried out by private healthcare providers in the UK are less reliable than those done in the NHS, according to new figures compiled by UK Research and Innovation. The new report revealed variation in the number of bowel cancers diagnosed 6 months to 3 years after screening appointments. Read the Mail Online for more.

And finally…

The bodies of astronauts in space may be under similar physical strains as those of cancer patients, according to experts. The Telegraph reports on a study that found some surprising similarities between the two groups of people, such as muscle and bone loss. They suggest doctors could take note of NASA’s training programme to help prepare people for treatment.

from Cancer Research UK – Science blog https://ift.tt/2KpqgSq

Watch for the moon and the Twins

On November 15 and 16, 2019 – before going to bed, look for the moon in your eastern sky. It’ll be a bright waning gibbous moon, and you might notice two bright stars in its vicinity. These stars are noticeable for being both bright and close together on the sky’s dome, and that is why – in legends of the sky – they often represent Twins.

The stars are Castor and Pollux in the constellation Gemini.

From mid-northern latitudes, they appear over your eastern horizon with the moon by around 9 p.m. From the Southern Hemisphere, they all ascend in the east a bit later in the evening. If you’re not one for staying up late, you can always get up before dawn to view the moon and Gemini stars in the morning sky. Then they’ll be in the west!

The bright moon will make it difficult to see the entire, faint starlit figure of the Twins for the next few nights. But Castor and Pollux are bright! You should be able to pick them out, even when the moon is close.

Sky chart of the constellation Gemini via IAU. When the moon is no longer in front of Gemini, draw an imaginary line from the westernmost star of Orion’s Belt and through the bright ruddy star Betelgeuse to locate the Gemini stars, Castor and Pollux.

The constellation Orion is also fairly close to the moon on November 15, and the Giant Hunter might dazzle you with his many bright stars. You’ll always know you’re seeing Orion if you notice its Belt stars: three medium-bright stars in a short, straight row.

Several days from now, when the moon drops out of the constellation Gemini, you can always star-hop to Castor and Pollux from Orion. Simply draw an imaginary line from Orion’s Belt through the bright star Betelgeuse to find the Gemini stars Castor and Pollux. This way of finding Gemini’s two brightest stars works in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Are you familiar with the constellation Orion and the line of three stars known as Orion’s Belt? If, so you can star-hop to the Gemini stars Castor and Pollux.

At mid-northern latitudes – like those in the mainland United States – the constellations Gemini and Orion rise at approximately the same time. However, at more northerly latitudes – like those in Alaska – Gemini rises before Orion. That far north, the Big Dipper is visible at early evening, so you can use the Big Dipper bowl to star-hop to Castor and Pollux.

Use the Big Dipper bowl to star-hop to Castor and Pollux

At more southerly latitudes, as in the northern tropics and the Southern Hemisphere, Orion rises before Gemini.

The starry sky is one great big connect-the-dots book. Learn how to star-hop with certain key stars, and you can more easily orient yourself to the night sky when traveling to faraway latitudes.

By the way, the star Castor in the constellation Gemini very closely marks the radiant point for the Geminid meteor shower, which peaks every year around December 13 or 14.

Bottom line: The waning gibbous moon offers some guidance on the nights of November 15 and 16, as it shines between the constellation Orion and the Gemini stars Castor and Pollux.

EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order yours from the EarthSky store.

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2ScKujF

On November 15 and 16, 2019 – before going to bed, look for the moon in your eastern sky. It’ll be a bright waning gibbous moon, and you might notice two bright stars in its vicinity. These stars are noticeable for being both bright and close together on the sky’s dome, and that is why – in legends of the sky – they often represent Twins.

The stars are Castor and Pollux in the constellation Gemini.

From mid-northern latitudes, they appear over your eastern horizon with the moon by around 9 p.m. From the Southern Hemisphere, they all ascend in the east a bit later in the evening. If you’re not one for staying up late, you can always get up before dawn to view the moon and Gemini stars in the morning sky. Then they’ll be in the west!

The bright moon will make it difficult to see the entire, faint starlit figure of the Twins for the next few nights. But Castor and Pollux are bright! You should be able to pick them out, even when the moon is close.

Sky chart of the constellation Gemini via IAU. When the moon is no longer in front of Gemini, draw an imaginary line from the westernmost star of Orion’s Belt and through the bright ruddy star Betelgeuse to locate the Gemini stars, Castor and Pollux.

The constellation Orion is also fairly close to the moon on November 15, and the Giant Hunter might dazzle you with his many bright stars. You’ll always know you’re seeing Orion if you notice its Belt stars: three medium-bright stars in a short, straight row.

Several days from now, when the moon drops out of the constellation Gemini, you can always star-hop to Castor and Pollux from Orion. Simply draw an imaginary line from Orion’s Belt through the bright star Betelgeuse to find the Gemini stars Castor and Pollux. This way of finding Gemini’s two brightest stars works in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Are you familiar with the constellation Orion and the line of three stars known as Orion’s Belt? If, so you can star-hop to the Gemini stars Castor and Pollux.

At mid-northern latitudes – like those in the mainland United States – the constellations Gemini and Orion rise at approximately the same time. However, at more northerly latitudes – like those in Alaska – Gemini rises before Orion. That far north, the Big Dipper is visible at early evening, so you can use the Big Dipper bowl to star-hop to Castor and Pollux.

Use the Big Dipper bowl to star-hop to Castor and Pollux

At more southerly latitudes, as in the northern tropics and the Southern Hemisphere, Orion rises before Gemini.

The starry sky is one great big connect-the-dots book. Learn how to star-hop with certain key stars, and you can more easily orient yourself to the night sky when traveling to faraway latitudes.

By the way, the star Castor in the constellation Gemini very closely marks the radiant point for the Geminid meteor shower, which peaks every year around December 13 or 14.

Bottom line: The waning gibbous moon offers some guidance on the nights of November 15 and 16, as it shines between the constellation Orion and the Gemini stars Castor and Pollux.

EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order yours from the EarthSky store.

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2ScKujF