I wonder why we have more clouds when there is some super exciting, unique astronomy event?
I hope that you were able to glimpse some of the Venus/Jupiter conjunction, at least on the internet. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap230304.html is a 10-day series of NASA images of the motion of the two planets that might bring you some idea of why the event was so special.
There were a couple of clear nights at the end of the last week that enabled us to see Orion, Taurus, Boötes, and the Pleiades across the southern sky after full dark. Mars and the Moon were also putting on a great display.
Have you been following the on-going exploration of Mars by the rover Perseverance and its companion helicopter Ingenuity? There are some great maps showing the entire path Percy has taken and overhead images of the Martian surface taken by the little helicopter.
Check out this site https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCgwxizcpo0 and https://youtu.be/XaTFwF4wgTk and https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/where-is-the-rover/ – sites of interesting information about our tax dollars at work. And before you fret over that, remember that for every dollar spent on NASA missions, there is a return of $14 to the economy, not to mention all the new methods science now has to improve medical care, from neonatal care to discovering hidden disease within the human body, to recovering stolen items via gps.
Well worth the money, I would say.
When the weather cooperates, we can enjoy the spring constellations rising from the eastern horizon after midnight. Winter’s Orion is followed by spring’s Leo the lion which is stealthily stalking the oblivious Hunter who is in turn chasing Taurus who is running away with the Seven Sisters. Talk about a novella.
If you are an early riser, then you get a sneak preview of the summer giant Scorpius, the S of the scorpion, slowly rising in the east just before morning twilight. The ruddy star Antares will dominate the constellation. If you compare Antares to Mars, which will be far to the west, or perhaps even have sunk into the western horizon by the time you are out looking, you can see for yourself why Antares is called the “rival of Mars” because they appear about the same size, magnitude, and color, although the star will shimmer and the planet will not.
The continuing separation of Jupiter, sinking lower in the west now, and Venus rising higher, due to their respective orbital paths and rate of travel, is still worth observing and collecting data for next year’s science fair project, or a personal quest of observing like the early star-gazers did and recorded in journals and on cave walls and tapestries.
Although folks once thought Venus was Earth’s sister planet, and it is close in size, a day on Venus (one rotation on its axis) takes 243 Earth days…and that is not a typo. A year on Venus is only 225 Earth days. Yes. How can that be? The temperature on Venus is hot enough to melt lead, and you thought a Texas summer day was hot; not so bad when considering one on Venus. Personally, I am thankful I am an earthling who is able to live in South Texas and experience all that entails.
Until next week, do let some stars get in your eyes, and KLU to enjoy the creation in the skies.
