Image: Smithsonian Magazine
I am beginning to feel a bit like old King Derwin of Did in the story of Bartholmew and the Oobleck in the sense that “I want something new to” be in the sky to talk about. He wanted something new to fall out of the sky which brought Oobleck. We on the other hand may have had a piece of space junk enter our atmosphere last Tuesday to be bright enough to see in the daytime. There are so many objects orbiting the earth now it is impossible not to wonder whether we are seeing a worn-out something or a ho-hum usual something that is always there. I am all for progress, but I am also one of those who wants her cake and be able to eat it too all the while getting younger and thinner.
Now that the leave time alone folks have their way again, the early darkness will provide interested folks opportunities before bedtime to go outside and look up to see what might be seen through the ubiquitous light pollution. Regarding light pollution there is a group beginning in Harlingen attempting to interest folks in dark skies though city ordinance. As our cities spread out all of us soon were unable to enjoy even the brightest stars and planets on our evening walk. Perhaps it is possible to figure out ways to mitigate wasting electricity. The pocketbook does seem to make people stop and think occasionally.
If you have a place to see the brighter constellations to enjoy that would include the winged horse Pegasus, overhead by 8:30 PM. The stars that form this familiar group of stars give us a view outward to the space between galaxies. It is astonishing to know that within the past hundred years we have gone from ‘fuzzy stars’ to understanding that there are uncountable galaxies in the universe, each one with more stars than there are grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth.
The overhead is filled with constellations that might be observed under the proper lighting conditions. The zoo in the sky is just a dot-to-dot kind of zoo that includes a lizard, Lacerta, towards the west; a ram, Aries; a bull, Taurus; and a few sheep in the east. To the southwest there is the small dolphin, Delphinus; horses, Equuleus; a fox, Vulpecula; a half-goat half-fish mythical creature, Capricornus; and a swan, Cygnus. The north is home to the bears, Ursa Major and Minor; Draco the dragon, and a lynx.
In between the square of Pegasus and the sea monster Cetus is the stunningly beautiful ivory-hued ringed planet, Saturn following along the pre-determined path that the Sun and Moon follow throughout the years, the ecliptic.
Lower still, if your southern view is dark and clear then you may see a ‘lone star’ called Fomalhaut calling attention to itself. We are fortunate in our location to be able to see this constellation under good ‘seeing’ conditions. It is part of the Piscis Austrinus constellation, more familiar to folks living in the southern hemisphere.
If any of this has piqued your interest in learning more about astronomy as a hobby or science, you may want to join the South Texas Astronomical Society’s mailing list for scholarly articles. https://starsocietyrgv.org/the-cosmic-current You may also want to participate in the Turkey Trot event that provides scholarships for STEM focused high school seniors to assist their college plans. The event is an annual one, held November 21 this year at the Brownsville Sports Park beginning at 7:00 AM. Your participation is a welcome and worthwhile contribution to students who dream AND plan for their future. https://givebutter.com/42nd-Annual-TurkeyTrot is the place to sign up.
I always look forward to seeing former students and teacher friends there supporting the event. We make model comets as my contribution to the event. Sign up with your Brownsville elementary school or go online to get one of the new race participant shirts. The more people there, the merrier - and the more students receive scholarships.
Until next week, KLU. carolutsinger@att.net
