The Great 26,000 Year Cycle. There are North Stars and South Stars!
No, Polaris will not always be the North Star. And Yes, sometimes there is a South Star, but that is not the case at this time. We are fortunate to live during a time when the axis of the Earth in the northern hemisphere points very close to the bright star Polaris (remember, Polaris is not the brightest star in the sky but about the 46th brightest star.). The Earth spins on its axis, just like a top, and because of gravitational tugs from the Moon and Sun, the Earth wobbles on its axis, just like tops--especially when they slow down. The Earth's wobble subscribes a BIG circle in the night sky and it takes about 26,000 years for it to complete one wobble. The diameter of the circle is about 46 degrees which is the distance from the horizon to halfway up the sky. There is fairly good evidence that the ancient Egyptians and other cultures who kept continuous records of the night sky knew about this motion because it represents a movement of about the diameter of the Moon every 100 years, a movement that can be detected easily as long as records are kept.
|
MARCH SKY 2010
Last Quarter: Sunday, Mar 7— New Moon: Monday, Mar 15
First Quarter: Tuesday, Mar 23— Full Moon: Monday, Mar 29
Location of PLANETS when it FIRST GETS DARK:
Venus is very low and near the western horizon..
Mars is near the top of the sky in Cancer.. Mars is close to Earth, so this is a good time to view it through a telescope!
Jupiter is not really visible because it rises in the east a little before tthe Sun in the morning.
Saturn is low and rising in the east in the constellation Virgo.
CONSTELLATIONS visible when it FIRST GETS DARK:
Rising in the east: Bootes
Near the southern horizon: Canis Major
At the top of the sky: Gemini
Setting in the west : Aires
Clock position of the bowl of the Big Dipper when it first gets dark is 2 o'clock.
Meteor Shower: Next up are the LYRIDS which peak on April 22nd. During this shower, expect to see around 20 meteors per hour or 1 every 3 minutes. Following the Lyrids are the AQUARIDS that peak on May 5th and features 1 meteor every minute.
Want a really nice star chart of the night sky
that also details celestial events?
Visit SkyMaps. |
Great Astronomy Sites to Visit
Astronomy magazine
Sky & Telescope magazine
SkyNews in Canada
Space.com
NASA
Astronomy Picture of the Day
Lunar Picture of the Day
Satellite Tracking
Rainbows & other neat things in the sky
Daily Sunspot Count & other Space Weather (comets plus)
Spacecraft Mission Sites
Images from the Hubble Space Telescope that orbits Earth
Rovers on Mars • Spirit and Opportunity
Phoenix Mars Mission to analyze soil for water
Cassini spacecraft orbiting Saturn
Messenger spacecraft going to Mercury
New Horizons spacecraft going to Pluto
Questions? • • • Need Telescope Advice?
If you have a question about astronomy or
would like advice on buying a telescope or accessories,
please email me at ASTROINFO.
No charge, no obligation, no hassles.
|
APRIL SKY 2010
Last Quarter: Tuesday, Apr 6 — New Moon: Wednesday, Apr 14
First Quarter: Wednesday, Apr 21 — Full Moon: Wednesday, Apr 28
Location of PLANETS when it FIRST GETS DARK:
Venus is shining bright and low in the western sky.
Mars is near the top of the sky in Cancer.
Jupiter rises in the east, before the Sun, at about 5:30 am
Saturn is halfway up in the eastern sky in Virgo..
CONSTELLATIONS visible when it FIRST GETS DARK:
Rising in the east: Serpens
Near the southern horizon: Hydra
At the top of the sky: Leo
Setting in the west : Taurus
Clock position of the bowl of the Big Dipper when it first gets dark is 1 o'clock
Meteor Shower: The LYRIDS peak on April 22nd. During this shower, expect to see around 20 meteors per hour or 1 every 3 minutes. Next up are the AQUARIDS that peak on May 5th and features 1 meteor every minute.
|
Astronomy Books & Star Charts
Ken Press publishes a series of popular
star charts and
beginning astronomy books
for adults and children. Click here for product info.
Click here for a
PDF brochure.
Contact Ken Press at (520) 743-3200 or email.
|
Bargain Hunters
As of Jan 18, 2010
Ken Press has a limited number of slightly damaged books and star charts for sale.
To order, call (520) 743-3200. Prices are as follows:
What's Out Tonight (1). Retail $39.95/Two pages torn out but included. $12 shipped
The Next Step (3). Retail $29.95/Slightly skuffed and signed, $15 shipped
The Next Step (1). Retail $29.95/Spine slanted, $10 shipped
The Next Step (2). Retail $29.95/Spine cracked, $10 shipped
Our Galaxy & the Universe (1). Retail $15.95/Cover skuffed, $10 shipped
Touring the Universe (5) . Retail $27.95/almost look new, $14 shipped
Student's Guide to the Stars (6). Retail $4ALmost look new, $1 plus shipping
Included shipping is by US Mail, book rate, which might take up to 2 weeks. |
Children's Star Chart
This is the chart that appears in the May 2007 issue of
Family Fun Magazine.
The David H. Levy Guide to the Stars Children's Star chart is an inexpensive way to introduce youngsters to the night sky. This quality star chart is printed in color and made of durable coated card stock paper. The back is loaded with information including Moon facts, Meteor Showers, Space History, Binocular Objects and additional instructions. Price is $4 each (shipping is $4 for 1, 2 or 3 and $7 for 4 or more). To order, Click Here for instructions.
Click on image below to enlarge.
|
