When – astrologically – the sun enters the “sign” of Gemini, it is still nearly one month away from entering the constellation Gemini in the sky. Astronomer Guy Ottewell illustrates and discusses this difference. Source: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/the-difference-between-signs-and-constellations…
Tag: equinox
Don’t miss this week’s moon-Jupiter-Saturn trio
The planets Jupiter and Saturn are exceedingly near each other now on the sky’s dome, heading for a 20-year conjunction later this year. See them with the moon on May 12! Source: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/moon-jupiter-saturn-trio-ottewell-may-12-2020…
Virgo? Here’s your constellation
The constellation Virgo the Maiden fully returns to the early evening sky – with her feet planted on the eastern horizon – in early May. Source: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/virgo-heres-your-constellation…
Zodiacal light juts upward to Taurus
Best seen in west after sunset from N. Hemisphere, east before dawn from S. Hemisphere. Northerners … watch for stars of Taurus behind this mysterious pyramid of light. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/zodiacal-light-juts-upward-to-taurus…
Year’s biggest and brightest supermoon on April 7-8
Watch for the biggest supermoon of the year to shine all night long. It lights up the eastern sky at dusk/nightfall April 7, climbs highest up for the night around midnight and sets in the west around sunrise April 8. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/years-biggest-supermoon-on-night-of-april-7-8…
Venus’ greatest evening elongation on March 24
Today – March 24, 2020 – Venus reaches its greatest elongation from the sun in the evening sky. At northerly latitudes, Venus – the “evening star” – stays out until late night. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/venus-greatest-evening-elongation-on-march-24…
Equinox highlights the wonders of the Sphinx
Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass has dismissed the idea that the Sphinx was carved from a stationary rock. With the body of a lion and the head of a… Source: https://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/news/335734/equinox-highlights-the-wonders-of-the-sphinx…
The equinox reveals one of the secrets of Egypt’s iconic Sphinx
Here’s how the spring equinox and the Sphinx are tied together. Source: https://www.livescience.com/egypt-sphinx-equinox.html
Mercury’s greatest morning elongation on March 24
Mercury, though sitting way below the morning planets Mars, Jupiter and Saturn in the morning sky, swings out to its maximum elongation from the sun for the year on March 24, 2020. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/mercurys-greatest-morning-elongation-on-march-24…
Fastest sunsets happen near equinoxes
We’re talking about the amount of time needed for the body of the sun to sink below the horizon. It’s true. The sun actually sets faster around the time of an equinox. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/when-are-the-fastest-sunsets…