IN THIS UPDATE:
- Dance of the Planets
- Conjunction of Saturn, Mars and Spica
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days
come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no
pleasure in them; While the sun, or the light, or the moon,
or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return
after the rain.... - Ecclesiastes 12: 1-2
Dear Friends,
This is the first newsletter since May, when we announced the annular eclipse of the Sun. I have not been inclined to write another since that time, though some readers have emailed to inquire why they have not received a newsletter lately.
Thanks to all who have read this newsletter over the last 10 years, and who have been supportive of our publications and other efforts to promote an understanding of astronomy, especially among homeschoolers. Please be advised that this edition of the Classical Astronomy Update will be the last for the foreseeable future.
It's been a great sacrifice all these years to create astronomy materials like our Signs & Seasons curriculum, while working full-time and managing the cares of a busy homeschool dad. I'm sorry to report that it's a sacrifice that I'm no longer willing to make. We really lost our shirt with our Moonfinder storybook. I had hoped that our newsletter readers and other homeschoolers would have supported that project, and many thanks to the few who did. I then hoped that the Celestial Almanack eZine would save our business, but that didn't pan out either. So God has drawn the curtain on Classical Astronomy, and I have moved on to devote my full-time efforts to my day job, in the hopes of restoring our family finances.
We still have a great inventory of Signs & Seasons and Moonfinder. We might have a sale at some point, so there may be another newsletter someday announcing that. In the meantime, Signs & Seasons is currently a clearance item from Creation Ministries International, and you can get this from that reseller for a very deep discount of greater than 50% off, while their supplies last. We still have an ample quantity of Moonfinder for the very affordable price of $13.49, available through Christianbook.com, in case anyone would like to support our efforts on the way out. Thanks for your kindness.
There are a couple prospects for Classical Astronomy to partner with some other organizations. I will let everyone know if there are any promising developments in these areas. Otherwise, the website will remain active for an unspecified time in the future, until we see if God has any other plans for this work. If you could mention us in your prayers, I'd be grateful.
Thanks to everyone for your kind support since 2002.
Dance of the Planets
Conjunction of Saturn, Mars and Spica
In months past, when we last wrote a newsletter, the constellation Virgo was just becoming visible in the evening sky. Virgo is now inclining toward the west, and will soon disappear into the sunset, as the Sun advances into this constellation in September.
During 2012, the slow-moving planet Saturn is aligned with Virgo. Since springtime, we've been able to see Saturn very near the bright first-magnitude star Spica in Virgo. During August, 2012, we have a special treat of seeing the planet Mars also pass through Virgo, right between Saturn and Spica!
Even if you are not familiar with this constellation, you can easily learn to find it if you know how to find the Big Dipper. The handle of the Big Dipper points in the general direction of the bright star Arcturus. You can find the star by following the curve of the handle of the Big Dipper across the sky, or:
Follow the arc to Arcturus.
From Arcturus, if you "spike" straight ahead in the same general direction, it will lead you to the bright star Spica, or:
Follow the spike to Spica.
This month, it's easier than ever to find Spica, since these two planets are passing nearby. So you can use the Big Dipper to also find your way to Saturn and Mars!
Diligent sky observers will remember that Mars was passing through Leo last winter and spring, and retrograded very near the bright star Regulus in Leo, as we explained in detail in the Celestial Almanack. Since then, the faster-moving Mars has moved through Leo and into Virgo, and is drawing into an alignment with Saturn and Spica.
You'll need a clear, unobstructed view of the west to see these bodies, as they are lying somewhat low toward the horizon. The timing needs to be right also. You'll need to look during late twilight, as night is falling. But if you wait too long, this trio will set, and you'll miss them. I recommend going out the first night and looking a couple times. Once you see them, make a note of the time and look again about the same time every night for the next couple weeks.
During early August, Mars can be seen forming the lower right corner of a triangle with these other celestial objects. On Friday, August 10, these three objects will make a right triangle. Mars will move closer over the coming days, so that they'll pull in even tighter.
On the evening of Tuesday, August 14, Mars will pass right between Saturn and Spica, and these three objects will be nearly perfectly aligned. Don't miss this sight, because it is rare enough for two planets to line up, and even moreso when they are both near one of the 15 bright first-magnitude stars.
Don't stop looking after the night of the 14th, since these objects will continue to be an interesting siht as Mars pulls away. The "triangle" formed by these bodies will get "stretched out" as Mars continues its movement to the east.
Soon Saturn and Spica will disappear into the sunset, and Saturn will pass behind the Sun at its superior conjunction in October. Mars will continue to hover in the western sky as the seasons advance, and will have its own superior conjunction behind the Sun in April, 2013.
2012 has been an amazing year for the sky, with so many rare celestial events. I really hope that some remnant of people will trouble themselves to go outside and look at this sight, and not just forget or blow it off. Looking at the sky and learning to understand the clockwork of the heavens has been a rewarding pastime that has blessed and enriched my life. It has long been my hope that there would be others in our vacuous generation that would also crave to know these things, and understand the Mind of the Creator who placed them in motion. It is my hope and prayer that some of you will seek to learn these things, so that your lives can also be blessed and enriched.
God bless and clear skies!
