Starry Heavens Newsletter
February 2019
Get Ready All You Pink Floyd Fans . . . . .
The Wall debuts Friday, February 1, at 8:15 p.m. To reserve seats call 235-7433.
How about . . . . .
that "Blood Moon" Lunar Eclipse, Sunday, January 20? I hope you were able to see it. If you missed it, February has some interesting sights to look for in the night sky - namely, quite a few conjunctions.
photo credit Yuri Beletsky
February's Conjunctions -
Some people think conjunctions are mystical and portend ominous circumstances but conjunctions are a very normal part of our astronomical orbital cycles. A conjunction, as a phenomenon of perspective, is an event that involves two astronomical bodies seen by an observer on the Earth.
In astronomy, a conjunction occurs when two astronomical objects or spacecraft have either the same right ascension or the same ecliptical longitude as observed from Earth. Conjunctions involve either two objects in the Solar System or one object in the Solar System and a more distant object, such as a star. A conjunction is an apparent phenomenon caused by the observer's perspective: the two objects involved are not actually close to one another in space. Conjunctions between two bright objects close to the ecliptic, such as two bright planets, can be seen with the naked eye.
During the month of February there will be eight conjunctions but not all of them will be visible from Hawaii. The following are those conjunctions that are visible from Hawaii.
On February 10, the conjunction of the Moon and Mars will be visible to the naked eye in Hawaii. The pair will be visible around 6:38 p.m. (Hawaii Standard Time HST) 62 degrees above the western horizon. They will sink towards the horizon setting below the horizon around 11:07 p.m.
An easy way to measure degrees above the horizon is to use your fist. An adult fist is roughly equivalent to 10 degrees of sky. Six fists from the horizon will be 60 degrees. Some people use the shaka which roughly equals 20 degrees of sky. Thus, three shakas above the horizon will put you at 60 degrees as well.
On Wednesday February 13, the conjunction of Mars and Uranus will be visible but you will need a binoculars. Mars will pass 1 degree to the north of Uranus. The pair will be visible with binoculars around 6:58 p.m. 56 degrees above the western horizon. They will then sink towards the western horizon and set below the horizon around 11:03 p.m.
The conjunction of Venus and Saturn on Monday, February 18 between 3:50 to 4:22 a.m., two hours and 36 minutes before dawn Venus will pass one degree north of Saturn. They will be visible 27 degrees above the south-eastern horizon but fade from view as dawn breaks around 6:43 a.m. They will be visible with the naked eye or a pair of binoculars.
The conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter will be visible with the naked eye on Wednesday February 27, at 4:17 a.m. The moon will be 23 days old and will pass approximately 2 degrees north of Jupiter. The pair will be visible in the pre-dawn sky rising around 1:59 a.m. and reach an altitude of 44 degrees above the southern horizon. They will fade from view as dawn breaks around 6:37 a.m.
On Friday March 1, around 3:43 a.m. the conjunction of the Moon and Saturn will be visible with the naked eye. They will reach an altitude of 32 degrees above the south-eastern horizon before fading from view as dawn breaks at 6:36 a.m.
**********************************************************
Reservations Suggested
Due to limited seating of 84 attendees in the Imaginarium, we recommend making reservations for our programs. Call (808) 235-7433 between 8:30am - 3:30pm, Monday - Friday. Reservation phone line is not available on weekends or holidays.
Our admission prices are:
- $8 General admission
- $7 WCC students, military, seniors (65 years or older), with ID
- $6 Children (ages 4-12 years)
- Free for children under 4 years of age (1 per paying adult), and WCC faculty or staff with university ID
- CASH & CHECK ONLY.
Please pick up and pay for reserved tickets at the Imaginarium Box Office at least 15 minutes prior to showtime. Unclaimed tickets may be sold to waiting customers on a first come, first served basis.
* * * * *
As always, we welcome your feedback or questions, feel free to phone (808) 235-7350 or email to dineene@hawaii.edu. If you would like information regarding our Adopt-a-Show sponsorship program please click here.
Dineene O'Connor
Manager, Hōkūlani Imaginarium
Windward Community College
Hale Imiloa 135A
Office (808) 235-7350
|
|
|
