Archive for Celestial Events
The Incredible Super Harvest Blood Moonar Lunar Eclipse
by John Weckerle
Lunar Eclipse, September 27, 2015 as seen from southern Santa Fe County, NM.
This past Sunday, the denizens of New Mexico Central were treated to a rare event: a total lunar eclipse. What made it even more unique was the collection of other monikers applied to the event: Supermoon, Harvest Moon, and Blood Moon. For an explanation of these terms and answers to some other questions, we recommend that our readers take a look at EarthSky.org’s article on Sunday’s eclipse.
Public Service Announcement – Star Gazing Party in Edgewood
by John Weckerle
The Albuquerque Astronomical Society (TAAS) will sponsor a free Star Gazing Party this Friday, October 15, from 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m at the Edgewood Community Library. The library is located at 95 State Rd. North, Edgewood. For those unfamiliar with Edgewood, the library is just over a mile north of the I-40 Edgewood exit on NM 344.
Your editor has attended TAAS Star Parties in the past and found them both enjoyable and informative. As it stands right now, weather is predicted to be clear, with a low temperature in the low forties that night, so bring a jacket and get ready to see some interesting celestial features.
For more information, contact (505) 281-0138.
Look, It’s…
by John Weckerle
Those of us who were out back throwing things this morning just after 6 a.m. and who also happened to look up (this second criterion did not appear to apply to Senior Astronomical Correspondent Wilson) were treated to a spectacular pass by the International Space Station (ISS), as it traveled from southwest to northeast. Visible for about 4 1/2 minutes, the ISS was the brightest object in the sky, other than the Moon. The ISS will be flying over us several times over the next few days, as will a variety of other man-made objects. To find out more about what’s going on over your head, go to Heavens-Above.com and input your town/city!
The Final – Well, You Know…
by John Weckerle
The last couple of nights have brought us some wonderful starscapes in the New Mexico Central area. Such skies are for watching, and if you’re watching, you may want to do so at 8:30 this evening. That’s right: the International Space Station will be gracing our skies over the next few nights. For viewing times, see the schedule, which gives both the time and the direction in which to look. Enjoy it while you can, folks; there’s another storm on the way.
Let’s All Take A Break For A Well-Deserved Howl
by John Weckerle
Fell voices drifting through the night? Maybe so, and maybe not – but regardless, tonight is the Wolf Moon. This month’s “full” moon is closer to the Earth than it will be at any time in 2010.
Enjoy it while you can, folks, because this precious resource is on its way. The Moon is moving away at 1.6 inches every year. For those who didn’t get a chance to see it, we took the New Mexico Central camera outside and took a shot.
2010 Wolf Moon Over The Estancia Valley