Dr. Sky

Space Weather with Dr. Sky

admin — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 07:00:18 +0000

Asteroid 2012 DA 14 To Pass Earth In 2013

admin — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:06:50 +0000

Astronomers in Spain have discovered a small asteroid that will pass very close
to Earth in 2013!
The asteroid in question is known as 2012 DA 14 and is thought to be around 150 feet in diameter.
This is not a very large object as far as asteroids go; but it will pass within 17,000
miles of Earth on or about February 15th 2013.
That is well within the region of Earth’s geosynchronous satellites….that is VERY close!
I will be on “Coast To Coast AM” through out the year, as we talk about the small
asteroid and what we can expect from the close encounter in 2013.
The most important information regarding this object, is that it will NOT hit us in
2013!

Learn more at:

http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news174.html

http://rt.com/news/paint-asteroid-earth-nasa-767/

http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/neofact.html

http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/risk/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Near-Earth_asteroids_by_distance_from_Sun

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near-Earth_object

Images:

Asteroid Toutatis:

Toutatis Over A City:

Asteroid APHOPHIS Potential Impact:

Images:

Asteroid Toutatis:

Toutatis Over A City:

Asteroid APHOPHIS Potential Impact:

Rare Venus Transit Set For June 5th/6th 2012

admin — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:14:16 +0000

One of the most amazing celestial events; a Venus Transit, is set for June

5th/6th 2012!

The planet Venus will “Transit” the disk of the Sun on June 5th/6th of this

year, for lucky observers in the western USA and the Pacific.

The last time that this occurred, was back on June 8th 2004 and after 8 years,

the transit returns….this will not occur again in your lifetime, with an average of 137 years, between transit cycles….do not miss this event!

Here are some links, to help you be in the right location and safely view and

experience a bit of history!

Links:

http://www.transitofvenus.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transit_of_Venus,_2012

http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/transit/venus0412.html

Images:

Transit Of Venus-

Annular Eclipse Of The Sun / May 20th 2012

admin — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 05:39:06 +0000

Observers in the western USA will be treated to a rare “Annular” solar eclipse, on the afternoon of May 20th. An annular eclipse of the sun occurs when the moon is near apogee or at its farthest distance from the Earth and simply can not cover the sun completely. Thus, we get a “Ring Of Fire” around the eclipsed sun…..an event that may be dangerous to the untrained observer. Observers with clear skies, should take advantage of this rare sight and prepare ahead for the eclipse. Here are some links, to help you with your observations of this interesting sight in nature. Clear Skies…….

Links:

http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2012May20Agoogle.html

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/highlights/A-Preview-of-May-20ths-Annular-Eclipse-141037803.html

http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OH2012.html

Special Link For Arizona Observers:

http://www.eclipseafrique.com/dbimages/document/fichier/677/Schedule_USA_-_ARIZONA.pdf

Images:

Annular Eclipse:

Arizona Skies With Dr.Sky© April / May 2012

admin — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 02:44:00 +0000

Welcome back to our exciting column on the many wonders of the night sky!
With Arizona temperatures returning to seasonal levels, we all want to spend more time outdoors and look skyward.
Here are some of the highlights of what North Valley and surrounding areas should get to see.
April offers up some interesting events in the form of the Easter/Passover seasons.
The dates of Easter and Passover are related to Astronomy, but the actual dates of Easter can range from as early as March 22nd,to as late as April 25th; all this due to the date of the Full Moon. Easter is determined as the first Sunday, after the full moon-on or after the Vernal Equinox (First day of Spring)…the Full Moon of April, is on the 6th and the first day of Spring was on March 20th. Thus, Easter is the next Sunday closest, to the 6th…in this case; April 8th.
The date of Passover is a bit more complicated…..
The rule for the date of how Passover is determined is that Passover , (Pesah) begins at sundown on the evening before the 15th day of the
Hebrew month of (Nisan), which falls in March or April. Passover begins on the evening (sundown), on April 6th.
It’s amazing how the wonders of Astronomy, effect all of our lives! The skies of April show off Earth’s nearest neighbor the Moon, at it’s
full phase on the 6th (Full Pink Moon), followed by last quarter on the 13th, with the New Moon on the 21st. Look for a first quarter moon high
in the south at sunset on April 29th.
For planets, look high in the W at sunset for Venus (brightest on the 30th) Jupiter is low in the W at sunset, followed by Mars, high in the E at sunset. Saturn reaches opposition on April 15th, rising in the SE at sunset.

As we close out April skies, take note of the years first really good meteor shower. Look to the NE skies on the morning of April 22nd, as we get to see the annual Lyrid meteor shower.
May skies get even better, with the Full Flower moon on May 5th and the last quarter moon on the 12th. The dark of the moon, or new moon is on May 20th and a first quarter moon on May 28th.
Pay close attention to the afternoon of Sunday, May 20th, as the North Valley audience get’s to witness a unique solar eclipse! This partial/
ANNULAR ECLIPSE, will begin around 5:28PM local time and reach it’s peak, at 6:38PM local time, with 83% of the sun covered
by the moon. DO NOT stare at the sun, with out proper solar glasses or filters on binoculars/telescopes, as serious eye damage could occur.
The true annular eclipse, the “Ring Of Fire” is seen by lucky observers near Page, Arizona and area’s along the 200 mile wide path of annularity.
This is where the moon fits inside the diameter of the sun!
If you get to see this event, just wait till, June 5th, as the rarest event in Astronomy; the Transit Of Venus, occurs on that date!
Clear Skies!

Annular Eclipse Of The Sun- Defined

A solar eclipse in which the moon covers all but a bright ring around the circumference of the sun.
Learn more about this eclipse at:

http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse.html

Annular Eclipse:

Saturn:

Meteor:

Arizona Skies With Dr.Sky February/March 2012

admin — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 07:28:45 +0000

Welcome to a new and exciting column on the wonders of the night sky! Get set for an amazing journey into the wonders of Astronomy, Space, Aviation and Weather, with me, Dr.Sky, the good stuff of our websites; www.drsky.com; www.drsky.tv

Each month, you will find some useful and interesting informationon how to be a part of the amazing events that occur in our Arizona skies, right here in North Valley magazine. As a talk show host of both radio and TV, I hope to bring you the best of what is going on in our night skies; with some of the best skies in the world!

Let’s see what is in our February/March 2012 skies.

February, from the Latin “Februum”, literally means purification. The shortest month of the year, offers us a great view of the moon. The full moon of February is on the 7th. This full moon is also known as the full Snow Moon, rising in the NE sky at sunset, followed by Last Quarter on Valentines Day and then on to the Dark of the Moon, or New Moon, on the 21st. Look to the skies during the new moon period as the light of the Moon, will not hamper your views of the fainter objects, like the planets. In February, the planet Venus is still high in the SW at sunset and often mistaken as an aircraft or other type of “UFO”. Jupiter is high in the SW sky at sunset and is great in a small telescope.

Mars remains low in the E at sunset and will at its best in March, at opposition. Saturn rises in the SE near midnight. The month of March warms up Arizona and the skies are full of great sights to behold. If you would like to learn about all the great passages of man made satellites, just go to our site at www.drsky.com and click on the link in the Info Center, listed as Satellite Locator. Plug in your location, date and time and you will be amazed at dates and times to see the ISS space station and many of the 9,000 manmade objects in space. The moon is at first quarter on March 1st, the full moon for March, is on the 8th and is known as the Full Worm Moon. Last quarter on the 15th and the New Moon, on the 22nd. Venus and Jupiter are high in the SW at sunset, while Mars it at its best on the night of March 3rd , rising in the E at sunset.

Join us for our many Dr.Sky programs around Arizona and our monthly events at the beautiful Las Posadas Resort in Sedona and the monthly Dr.Sky” Cruise To The Cosmos” on the Dolly Steamboat.
Listen to us weekly on KTAR News Talk 92.3 for the Dr.Sky Show, 3AM Saturday mornings.
E- mail me at drsky@cox.net
Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/people/Steven-Kates/100001527303378

“Always Remember To Keep You Eyes To The Skies”

Arizona Skies With Dr.Sky December 2011/January 2012

admin — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 07:28:24 +0000

Each month, you will find some useful and interesting information on how to be a part of the amazing events that occur in our Arizona skies, right here in North Valley magazine. As a talk show host of both radio and TV, I hope to bring you the best of what is going on in our night skies; with some of the best skies in the world!

Now on to the skies!

With December here to ring in the holiday season, our December skies are full of great objects to see. Let’s begin with our nearest neighbor, the moon! Always a treat to see, look for 1st quarter on the 2nd and then on to a very special full moon on the morning of December 10th, with the last full moon of 2011; the Full Long Night Moon and the start of a total lunar eclipse, before sunrise. Look to the NW skies starting at 5:46AM MST, for the start of the partial phases of the eclipse. Things get better, as the total eclipse starts at 7:07AM MST. You will need a little patience, as the moon will be low in the NW sky and sets around 7:18 AM, so you will just see the start of totality.This is a holiday treat for all to enjoy.

Last quarter is on the 17th and New Moon occurs on the 24th. For planets, Venus is the star of the season! Look for this blazing
orb, low in the SW at sunset. High in the E at sunset, is mighty Jupiter and Saturn rises before dawn in the SE sky.

A happy new year 2012, brings us to January! The first month of the new year has some equally amazing sights. The moon starts off 2012 with a first quarter on January 1st, the First full moon of 2012, occurs on the 9th, as the Full Wolf Moon.

Last quarter on the 16th and back to the new moon on the 23rd. Planets adorn the skies too! Look for Venus, higher in the SW at sunset and Jupiter, bright in the S at dusk.

Two meteor showers occur during this period; first is the peak of the Geminid meteors on the morning of December 14th. Look nearly overhead before dawn and the January Quadrantids peak on January 3rd.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

“Always Remember To Keep You Eyes To The Skies”

Mars Science Laboratory On Its Way To Mars-

admin — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 06:42:11 +0000

The NASA spacecraft , Mars Science Laboratory and its rover Curiosity, launched from Florida on November 26^th, on its way to Mars. The craft along with the rover will arrive at Mars in August of 2012.

The Curiosity rover will deploy to the surface of Mars and land in a region known as Gale crater. This region was selected, due to its target rich environment.

Curiosity is a larger rover than the previous Mars rovers and will be powered by an RTG type power supply, like that of the Viking spacecraft.

To learn more:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Science_Laboratory

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/index.html

New Earthlike Planet Discovered-

admin — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 06:27:47 +0000

One of the most amazing planetary systems has been discovered by the Kepler science team. A star system, some 600 light years from the Sun, harbors a small planet known as Kepler 22b.

The planet is some 2.4 times the size of the Earth, around a G5 spectral class star. Kepler 22b lies in the unique region that astronomers call the “habitable zone”; this is a region around a star, that is favorable to life as we know it.

The planet orbits around its parent star, once every 290 days on average.

Astronomers speculate that Kepler 22b, hay have surface conditions that provide temperatures as high as 72 degrees F. To date, the Kepler mission has found many related earthlike planets, but none that fit the near perfection of being placed so deeply into this “Earth” like location.

To learn more:

http://kepler.nasa.gov/

http://www.space.com/13857-nasa-kepler-mission-extension-alien-planets.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kepler_(spacecraft)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extrasolar_planet

http://exoplanets.org/

International Space Station To De Orbit in 2020-

drsky — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 20:53:21 +0000

News from the Russian News agency NOVOSTI, claims that the ISS, will be placed into a shallow orbit, to burn up over the Pacific ocean sometime around the year 2020. This information was gathered from sources close to the Russian Space Agency and deputy chief, Vitalius Davydov.

The ISS, is near completion and space experts expect many good years of research from this orbital laboratory. The current ISS orbits the Earth once every 90 minutes and can be easily seen from the ground as a very bright “moving” object. The ISS, will be placed into an orbit, forcing it to a fiery grave in the Pacific ocean.

To read the entire news article, please visit these links:

http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?lang=en

http://en.rian.ru/science/20110727/165412055.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Space_Station