Solstice & Equinox – Page 4

Apehelion

Today the Earth is furthest from the Sun, a point called apehelion. We will be about 152,096,000km (94,508,000miles) from the Sun. Compare this to the 147,099,000km (91,403,000miles) we were be at perihelion on January 3rd, a difference of about 4,996,000km (3,104,000miles) occurring throughout one orbit.

It may seem odd that we are actually at the furthest for the middle of northern summer, you just have to remember that proximity to the Sun is not the cause of the seasons. The seasons are caused by the axial tilt of the Earth, creating short and long days throughout the year, with a resulting change in the angle and intensity of the sunlight.

2014 Solstices and Equinoxes
	UT		HST
Perihelion	Jan 4	05:59UT	Jan 3	19:59HST
Vernal Equinox	Mar 20	16:57UT	Mar 20	06:57HST
Summer Solstice	Jun 21	10:52UT	Jun 21	00:52HST
Apehelion	Jul 3	22:59UT	Jul 3	12:59HST
Autumnal Equinox	Sep 23	02:30UT	Sep 22	16:30HST
Winter Solstice	Dec 21	23:03UT	Dec 21	13:03HST

Source: NASA Sky Calendar

Summer Solstice

Summer solstice occurs today at 00:52HST. Today the Sun will occupy the most northerly position in the sky of the year. The term solstice comes from the latin terms Sol (the Sun) and sistere (to stand still). On this day the Sun seems to stand still as it stops moving northwards each day and begins move to the south. This is the first day of summer as marked by many cultures in the northern hemisphere. Alternately this is the first day of winter for those living south of the equator.

2014 Solstices and Equinoxes
	UT		HST
Perihelion	Jan 4	05:59UT	Jan 3	19:59HST
Vernal Equinox	Mar 20	16:57UT	Mar 20	06:57HST
Summer Solstice	Jun 21	10:52UT	Jun 21	00:52HST
Apehelion	Jul 3	22:59UT	Jul 3	12:59HST
Autumnal Equinox	Sep 23	02:30UT	Sep 22	16:30HST
Winter Solstice	Dec 21	23:03UT	Dec 21	13:03HST

Source: NASA Sky Calendar

Vernal Equinox

The vernal or spring equinox occurs today at 06:57HST. Today there will be little difference between the length of the night when counted against the number of daylight hours. This is the first day of spring as marked by many cultures in the northern hemisphere.

2014 Solstices and Equinoxes
	UT		HST
Perihelion	Jan 4	05:59UT	Jan 3	19:59HST
Vernal Equinox	Mar 20	16:57UT	Mar 20	06:57HST
Summer Solstice	Jun 21	10:52UT	Jun 21	00:52HST
Apehelion	Jul 3	22:59UT	Jul 3	12:59HST
Autumnal Equinox	Sep 23	02:30UT	Sep 22	16:30HST
Winter Solstice	Dec 21	23:03UT	Dec 21	13:03HST

Source: NASA Sky Calendar

Naked Eye 100 Challenge

Amateur astronomers love lists… The Messier observing list, the Hershel 400, the Hershel II, and on. Some lists can be complete on a night or two, some lists may take years, or even a lifetime to accomplish. Amateur astronomy is not the only avocation to use lists like this. Birders attempt to see all of the birds known to occur in their home country. Aircraft spotters love to see each model of aircraft in the air. Divers keep lists of species seen underwater.

Rainbow Wheel — A rainbow and cloud shadows produce a rainbow wheel

Lists like these are not only fun, but allow the list chaser to sample the wonders our universe has to offer. The challenge of finding and observing each of the items is worthwhile. Each object is a lesson into the science, hunting each object allows skills to be practiced.

Most of the astronomy observing lists require a small telescope to accomplish, or at least a pair of binoculars. One list is a bit different, it does not require any optical aid at all… The Naked Eye 100.

Continue reading “Naked Eye 100 Challenge”

Perihelion

Today the Earth is closest to the Sun, a point called perihelion. We will be about 147,099,000km (91,403,000miles) from the Sun. Compare this to the 152,096,000km (94,508,000miles) we will be at aphelion on July 3rd, a difference of about 4,996,000km (3,104,000miles) occurs throughout one orbit.

It may seem odd that we are actually at the closest for the middle of northern winter, you just have to remember that proximity to the Sun is not the cause of the seasons. The seasons are caused by the axial tilt of the Earth, creating short and long days throughout the year, with a resulting change in the angle and intensity of the sunlight.

2014 Solstices and Equinoxes
	UT		HST
Perihelion	Jan 4	05:59UT	Jan 3	19:59HST
Vernal Equinox	Mar 20	16:57UT	Mar 20	06:57HST
Summer Solstice	Jun 21	10:52UT	Jun 21	00:52HST
Apehelion	Jul 3	22:59UT	Jul 3	12:59HST
Autumnal Equinox	Sep 23	02:30UT	Sep 22	16:30HST
Winter Solstice	Dec 21	23:03UT	Dec 21	13:03HST

Source: NASA Sky Calendar

Winter Solstice

Winter solstice occurs today at 07:11HST. Today the Sun will occupy the most southerly position in the sky of the year. The term solstice comes from the Latin terms Sol (the Sun) and sistere (to stand still). On this day the Sun seems to stand still as it stops moving southwards each day and begins move to the north. This is the first day of winter as marked by many cultures in the northern hemisphere. Alternately, this is the first day of summer for those folks in the southern hemisphere.

2013 Solstices and Equinoxes
	UT		HST
Perihelion	Jan 2	00:59UT	Jan 1	14:59HST
Spring Equinox	Mar 20	11:02UT	Mar 20	01:02HST
Summer Solstice	Jun 21	05:04UT	Jun 20	19:04HST
Apehelion	Jul 5	18:59UT	Jul 5	08:59HST
Fall Equinox	Sep 22	20:44UT	Sep 22	10:44HST
Winter Solstice	Dec 21	17:11UT	Dec 21	07:11HST

Source: NASA Sky Calendar

Fall Equinox

Fall equinox occurs today at 10:44HST. Today there will be little difference between the length of the night compared to number of daylight hours. This is the first day of fall as marked by many cultures in the northern hemisphere.

2013 Solstices and Equinoxes
	UT		HST
Perihelion	Jan 2	00:59UT	Jan 1	14:59HST
Spring Equinox	Mar 20	11:02UT	Mar 20	01:02HST
Summer Solstice	Jun 21	05:04UT	Jun 20	19:04HST
Apehelion	Jul 5	18:59UT	Jul 5	08:59HST
Fall Equinox	Sep 22	20:44UT	Sep 22	10:44HST
Winter Solstice	Dec 21	17:11UT	Dec 21	07:11HST

Source: NASA Sky Calendar

Apehelion

Today the Earth is furthest from the Sun, a point called apehelion. We will be about 152,096,000km (94,508,000miles) from the Sun. Compare this to the 147,099,000km (91,403,000miles) we were be at perihelion on January 1st, a difference of about 4,996,000km (3,104,000miles) occurring throughout one orbit.

2013 Solstices and Equinoxes
	UT		HST
Perihelion	Jan 2	00:59UT	Jan 1	14:59HST
Spring Equinox	Mar 20	11:02UT	Mar 20	01:02HST
Summer Solstice	Jun 21	05:04UT	Jun 20	19:04HST
Apehelion	Jul 5	18:59UT	Jul 5	08:59HST
Fall Equinox	Sep 22	20:44UT	Sep 22	10:44HST
Winter Solstice	Dec 21	17:11UT	Dec 21	07:11HST

Source: NASA Sky Calendar

Summer Solstice

Summer solstice occurs today at 19:04HST. Today the Sun will occupy the most northerly position in the sky of the year. The term solstice comes from the latin terms Sol (the Sun) and sistere (to stand still). On this day the Sun seems to stand still as it stops moving northwards each day and begins move to the south. This is the first day of summer as marked by many cultures in the northern hemisphere. Alternately this is the first day of winter for those living south of the equator.

Many calendars will mark Jun 21 as the beginning of summer this year, this is correct for much of the world. Here in Hawaii the solstice will occur on the 20th when correcting for the time zone difference.

2013 Solstices and Equinoxes
	UT		HST
Perihelion	Jan 2	00:59UT	Jan 1	14:59HST
Spring Equinox	Mar 20	11:02UT	Mar 20	01:02HST
Summer Solstice	Jun 21	05:04UT	Jun 20	19:04HST
Apehelion	Jul 5	18:59UT	Jul 5	08:59HST
Fall Equinox	Sep 22	20:44UT	Sep 22	10:44HST
Winter Solstice	Dec 21	17:11UT	Dec 21	07:11HST

Source: NASA Sky Calendar

Vernal Equinox

The vernal or spring equinox occurs today at 01:02HST. Today there will be little difference between the length of the night when counted against the number of daylight hours. This is the first day of spring as marked by many cultures in the northern hemisphere.

2013 Solstices and Equinoxes
	UT		HST
Perihelion	Jan 2	00:59UT	Jan 1	14:59HST
Spring Equinox	Mar 20	11:02UT	Mar 20	01:02HST
Summer Solstice	Jun 21	05:04UT	Jun 20	19:04HST
Apehelion	Jul 5	18:59UT	Jul 5	08:59HST
Fall Equinox	Sep 22	20:44UT	Sep 22	10:44HST
Winter Solstice	Dec 21	17:11UT	Dec 21	07:11HST

Source: NASA Sky Calendar