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This [space] serves as an ongoing dedication to the late Carl Sagan. I will frequently update this page with all things Sagan, science & cosmos-related, in support of scientific literacy & understanding amongst the ever-increasing hominid population on our organic spaceship, Earth. Keep looking up & remember: we are all star stuff, contemplating the stars, as our origins exist within the cosmos. May this page bring you closer to your own individual enlightenment, further your knowledge of the universe & allow you to achieve wisdom & connectivity toward all living things for which we all share the same biological, chemical & atomic makeup. |
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Conjunction Colours - APOD
Image Credit & Copyright: Phil Hart“During the past week, nightfall on planet Earth has featured Mars, Saturn, and Spica in a lovely conjunction near the western horizon. Still forming the corners of a distinctive celestial triangle after sunset and recently joined by a crescent Moon, they are all about the same brightness but can exhibit different colors to the discerning eye. This ingenious star trail image was recorded as the trio set on August 12 with a telephoto lens from the shores of Lake Eppalock, in central Victoria, Australia. Focused on foreground eucalyptus trees, the image slightly blurs the trails to show more saturated colors. Can you guess which trail is which? Of course the reddest trail is Mars, with Saturn on the right a paler echo of the Red Planet’s hue. Left is hot and luminousSpica, bluish alpha star of the constellation Virgo.”
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Lunar and Planetary Conjunction on August 22, 2012
“Last night — if you were in a good location — the Moon, Spica, Mars, Saturn all came together in a lunar/planetary/stellar conjunction. My attempts to see it and capture it failed because of trees (the conjunction took place low on the horizon), but thank goodness for our astrophotographer friends! John Chumack caught the event from his observatory in Ohio (his specs: Canon Rebel Xsi 85mm Lens at F5.6, ISO 400, 1 second exposure) and Ian Musgrave captured the view in Australia, below.”[Via Universe Today] -
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Red-white-and-blue celestial triangle to light up night sky
About an hour after sunset on Aug. 20, look low on the southwest horizon to see Saturn, Mars and the star Spica in a dazzling display. -
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Saturn, Moon, Star to Offer Triple Night Sky Treat
The conjunction offers a chance to see how quickly the moon moves from night to night.
Look toward the southeast on Thursday night (THAT’S TONIGHT!!) about an hour after sunset, and you will behold a rare and beautiful sight, a triple conjunction of the moon, the planet Saturn, and the bright star Spica.
A conjunction occurs when two or more astronomical objects are close together in the sky. In reality they are far apart in space; their closeness is just an effect of perspective. In astrology such close encounters are supposed to cause serious effects, but astronomers know that conjunctions are nothing more than a beautiful sight and a photo opportunity.
