List of Astronomical Events for 2016

Transcription

1 List of Astronomical Events for 2016 Phases of the Moon New Moon (Not Visible) Moon phases on Fridays Half Moon First Quarter (Visible: 6pm-12am) (Visible: 8pm-6am) Half Moon Third Quarter (Visible: 1am-8am) Special Moon Dates 22 Apr 2016 Micro ( at its furthest distance from the Earth) 22 May 2016 Blue Moon (Third in a season with four s) 16 Oct 2016 Harvest Moon (First in Autumn) 14 Nov 2016 Super ( at its nearest distance from the Earth) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Third Quarter* 5 th 4 th 6 th New Moon* 3 rd 2 nd 7 th 4 th 5 th (Visible before 9pm) 2 nd (Visible before 9pm) 12 th 11 th 13 th 10 th 12 th 9 th First Quarter 14 th 11 th 9 th 19 th 1 20 th 17 th 19 th (visible until 10pm) 16 th 2 * 1 * 16 th (Visible after 10pm) 26 th * 25 th * 27 th * 24 th * * 26 th 23 rd Third Quarter 2 25 th 23 rd * * 30 th New Moon* 30 th *Not visible during Observatory opening hours 7.45pm 10.00pm.

2 Planets The table below indicates the months in which you can view the planets in the evening sky. Evening Sky (8.00pm-10.30pm) Planet Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Mercury Venus Mars Uranus and Neptune require telescopes to be seen. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn can be seen with the unaided eye or with binoculars. Pluto and other dwarf planets are not visible. Jupiter Saturn Uranus* Neptune* Meteor Showers Every year, on specific dates the Earth travels through several areas of debris left over from a comet or passing asteroid. This debris consists of rock or ice particles similar to grains of sands. As Earth collides with these particles, they streak through the atmosphere, resulting in bright flashes as they burn up. Timings & Rates: Meteor showers are best viewed between midnight and sunrise on the peak dates. The highest rate of meteors usually occurs between 2am-5am. The rates given below are estimates for the best viewing conditions requiring clear, dark skies. Brightly lit, urban environments like Singapore will see significantly less meteors. Origins: This indicates the comet or asteroid from which the debris originates. The comet/asteroid is not visible at the time of the meteor shower. Radiants: This indicates the point/constellation in the sky where the meteors appear to start from. The peak rate usually occurs after the radiant has risen above the horizon. However, there is no need to look directly at the radiant as meteor travel out in all directions and can bee seen at a variety of distances from the radiant, therefore a clear open view of most of the sky is important for observing meteor showers.

3 Peak Date Meteor Shower Name Details Jan 4 th & 5 th Quandrantids Estimated Rate: 120/hr Origin: Minor Planet 2003 EH 1 & Comet C/1490 Y1 Radiant: Bootes April 23 rd & 24 th Lyrids Estimated Rate: 20/hr Origin: Comet Thatcher C/1861 G1 Radiant: Lyra May 6 th & 7 th Eta Aquariids Estimated Rate: 40/hr Origin: Comet 1P/Halley (Halley s Comet) Radiant: Aquarius July & 30 th Southern Delta Aquariids Estimated Rate: 20/hr Origin: Comet 96P/Machholz Radiant: Aquarius August 13 rd & 14 th Perseids Estimated Rate: 150/hr Origin: Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle Radiant: Perseus Oct & 9 th Draconids Estimated Rate: 10/hr Origin: Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner Radiant: Draco Oct 11 th & 12 th, Nov 13 th & 14 th Taurids Estimated Rate: 5-10/hr Origin: Asteroid 2004 TG10 ( ), Comet 2P/Encke (2 nd ) Radiant: Taurus Oct & 23 th Orionids Estimated Rate: 15/hr Origin: Comet 1P/Halley (Halley s Comet) Radiant: Orion Nov 1 & 19 th Leonids Estimated Rate: 15/hr Origin: Comet 55P/ Tempel-Tuttle Radiant: Leo Dec 14 th & Geminids Estimated Rate: 120/hr Origin: Asteroid 3200 Phaethon Radiant: Gemini Dec & 23 rd Ursids Estimated Rate: 10/hr Origin: Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle Radiant: Ursa Minor Reference: Shower Calendar 2016, International Meteor Organisation,

4 Planetary events Oppositions (outer planets only) Alignments between the Sun, Earth and an outer planet such as Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus or Neptune. During this time the planet is near its closest position to Earth and is seen at its brightest and fullest. The planets will mainly be visible after 9pm. Conjunctions Alignments of the planets or stars such that they appear very close to each other when observed from Earth. Date Significant Planetary Events Remarks March Jupiter Opposition Alignment of Jupiter, Earth & Sun. Jupiter at its fullest and brightest. 9 th May Mercury Transit across the Sun Not visible in Singapore. Best view locations are eastern America and western Africa. Mercury will pass in front of the Sun as observed from Earth. On average, 13 transits of Mercury happen each century. May Mars Opposition Alignment of Mars, Earth & Sun. Mars at its fullest and brightest. 3 rd June Saturn Opposition Alignment of Saturn, Earth & Sun. Saturn at its fullest and brightest. 27 th Aug Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter Venus and Jupiter appear in close proximity in the early evening at the Western horizon. This would be visible just after sunset.

5 Eclipses of 2016 Eclipses occur during an alignment of the Sun, Earth and Moon, resulting in the Sun s light being blocked and a shadow being cast on either the Earth or the Moon. Each is eclipse is only visible in a small number of locations. The location of an eclipse depends on the Earth s position and tilt, the time, duration and precision of the alignment. There are two main types of eclipses: Solar Eclipse: The New Moon moves directly between the Sun and Earth, blocking out the Sun in certain locations on Earth. Always occurs in the daytime. Lunar Eclipse: The moves directly behind the Earth. The Moon becomes covered by Earth s shadow. Always occurs in the evening. Date Eclipse type Location & Visibility 9 th March Total Solar Eclipse A partial eclipse is visible in Singapore, from 8am to 11.30am. 23 rd March Penumbral Lunar Eclipse Visible in Singapore, from 6pm to 10pm (after moonrise). September Annular Solar Eclipse Not visible in Singapore 17 th September Penumbral Lunar Eclipse Visible in Singapore, from 1am to 5am. Reference: NASA Eclipse Web Site,