In the Sky This Week – October 8, 2019
This week is World Space Week! Held annually every October 4-10th, it is the largest space event on Earth, with more than 5,000 events in over 80 countries. The theme for 2019 is: “The Moon: Gateway to the Stars.”
“The General Assembly declares 4 to 10 October World Space Week to celebrate each year at the international level the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition” - UN General Assembly resolution, 6 December 1999
Saturn, Jupiter and the Moon continue to be excellent observing targets all week after sunset.
The waxing gibbous Moon with Saturn and Jupiter in the southern sky after sunset, Oct. 8, 2019. Credit: Stellarium / Bob Trembley
The waxing gibbous Moon is in the southwestern sky at midnight on Oct. 8th.
The waxing gibbous Moon in the southwestern sky at midnight, Oct. 8, 2019. Credit: Stellarium / Bob Trembley
At midnight on Oct. 11th, the waxing gibbous Moon is high in the southern sky.
The waxing gibbous Moon high in the southern sky at midnight, Oct. 11, 2019. Credit: Stellarium / Bob Trembley
The full Moon appears in the southeastern sky at midnight, Oct. 14th.
The full Moon in the southeastern sky at midnight, Oct. 14, 2019. Credit: Stellarium / Bob Trembley
Mars appears a bit higher each morning in the eastern sky just before sunrise.
Mars very low in the eastern predawn sky, Oct. 8, 2019. Credit: Stellarium / Bob Trembley
Constellation Pegasus
Pegasus is a constellation in the northern sky, named after the winged horse Pegasus in Greek mythology. It was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy, and is one of the 88 constellations recognised today.
With an apparent magnitude varying between 2.37 and 2.45, the brightest star in Pegasus is the orange supergiant Epsilon Pegasi, also known as Enif, which marks the horse's muzzle. Alpha (Markab), Beta (Scheat), and Gamma (Algenib), together with Alpha Andromedae (Alpheratz, once also designated Delta Pegasi) form the large asterism known as the Square of Pegasus. Twelve star systems have been found to have exoplanets. 51 Pegasi was the first Sun-like star discovered to have an exoplanet companion. - Wikipedia
Continuing with my plan to get students in my after-school club to recognize constellations in the nighttime sky just after sunset, I've moved to the eastern sky where Pegasus should be easy to spot above the Moon on Oct. 13th - look for the "Great Square."
Constellation Pegasus in the eastern sky after sunset on Oct. 13, 2019. Credit: Stellarium / Bob Trembley
The Western artwork for the constellation Pegasus is that of a winged horse.
Constellation Pegasus with (with Western artwork shown) in the eastern sky after sunset on Oct. 13, 2019. Credit: Stellarium / Bob Trembley
The globular cluster M15 is in Pegasus, just above the horse's snout.
Globular Cluster M15. Credits: NASA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
The Moon is a waxing gibbous, visible to the southeast in early evening, and up for most of the night.
The full Moon occurs on October 14th, rising at sunset, high in the sky around midnight, and visible all night.
After October 14th, the Moon will be a waning gibbous, rising after sunset, visible high in the sky after midnight, and visible to the southwest after sunrise.
The Moon from Oct. 8-14, 2019. Visualizations by Ernie Wright / NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio.
Moon News
In a request for bids to build a human-rated lunar lander to deliver astronauts to the moon’s south pole in 2024, NASA has dropped requirements for lander reusability and using the planned Gateway mini-space station in lunar orbit. FULL STORY: https://t.co/m5RAK7Fic1 pic.twitter.com/M37FXHZfUg
— Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) October 8, 2019
That emerging spot from last week got a designation: AR2749, but is near impossible to see in visible light. The active region is moving across the face of the Sun, and is visible in ultraviolet light just below the equator offset from the center of the Sun's face in both images below. The northern coronal hole has remained open and huge for weeks - the southern hole is much less pronounced.
Sun in 193 angstroms (extreme ultraviolet) Oct. 1, 2019. Image courtesy of NASA/SDO and the AIA, EVE, and HMI science teams.
[Link to 48-hour video of the Sun in 193 angstroms]
Prominences, prominences everywhere!
Sun in 304 angstroms (extreme ultraviolet) Oct. 1, 2019. Image courtesy of NASA/SDO and the AIA, EVE, and HMI science teams.
[Link to 48-hour video of the Sun in 304 angstroms]
The solar wind speed is 385.3 km/sec (↓), with a density of 1.4 protons/cm3 (↑) at 1127 UT.
Animated LASCO C2 Coronograph showing the solar corona above the Sun's limb (the white circle). Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
You can create your own time-lapse movies of the Sun here: AIA/HMI Browse Data.
You can browse all the SDO images of the Sun from 2010 to the present here: Browse SDO archive.
Sun News
ICON heads to space on Wednesday evening! Mark your calendar for live ICON coverage on https://t.co/U8T7pZsiWZ. #NASAICON
🛰 Tuesday, Oct. 8, 1pm ET: Tune in for the mission briefing from @NASAKennedy.
🚀 Wednesday, Oct. 9, 9:15pm ET: Join us for coverage of the launch! pic.twitter.com/eeWjJ8Oa0e
— NASA Sun & Space (@NASASun) October 7, 2019
Upcoming Earth-asteroid encounters:
| Asteroid |
Date(UT)
|
Miss Distance
|
Velocity (km/s)
|
Diameter (m)
|
| 2019 TU |
2019-Oct-08
|
4.4 LD
|
9.8
|
22
|
| 2019 TW1 |
2019-Oct-08
|
1.5 LD
|
11.7
|
10
|
| 2019 RK |
2019-Oct-08
|
16.7 LD
|
3
|
30
|
| 2019 TC1 |
2019-Oct-08
|
3.5 LD
|
13.1
|
12
|
| 2019 SB6 |
2019-Oct-08
|
7.8 LD
|
7.8
|
16
|
| 2019 TM |
2019-Oct-08
|
9.4 LD
|
12.9
|
38
|
| 2019 TS |
2019-Oct-08
|
8.4 LD
|
7.8
|
29
|
| 2019 TV1 |
2019-Oct-09
|
17.1 LD
|
9
|
23
|
| 2019 TZ |
2019-Oct-09
|
8.1 LD
|
11.6
|
18
|
| 2019 SL7 |
2019-Oct-09
|
1.4 LD
|
17.1
|
22
|
| 2019 SX5 |
2019-Oct-10
|
17.7 LD
|
21.8
|
83
|
| 2019 TN1 |
2019-Oct-12
|
12.9 LD
|
8.6
|
15
|
| 2019 SK8 |
2019-Oct-12
|
10.5 LD
|
8.4
|
21
|
| 2019 SV9 |
2019-Oct-12
|
8.6 LD
|
13.5
|
30
|
| 2019 SE2 |
2019-Oct-12
|
19.2 LD
|
10.2
|
55
|
| 2019 TH2 |
2019-Oct-13
|
9.3 LD
|
7.8
|
19
|
| 2019 TT1 |
2019-Oct-13
|
2.9 LD
|
13.3
|
23
|
| 2019 SR8 |
2019-Oct-16
|
13.5 LD
|
9.8
|
26
|
| 2019 TE2 |
2019-Oct-18
|
8.3 LD
|
10.1
|
27
|
| 2019 TA1 |
2019-Oct-18
|
15.5 LD
|
6.4
|
22
|
| 2019 SJ8 |
2019-Oct-19
|
11.6 LD
|
7.4
|
47
|
| 2019 TQ2 |
2019-Oct-25
|
12.8 LD
|
12.4
|
35
|
| 162082 |
2019-Oct-25
|
16.2 LD
|
11.2
|
589
|
| 2017 TG5 |
2019-Oct-25
|
14.4 LD
|
11.9
|
34
|
| 2019 TR2 |
2019-Oct-29
|
19.4 LD
|
13.9
|
73
|
| 2015 JD1 |
2019-Nov-03
|
12.9 LD
|
11.9
|
269
|
| 2010 JG |
2019-Nov-12
|
19.6 LD
|
14.9
|
235
|
| 481394 |
2019-Nov-21
|
11.3 LD
|
7.9
|
372
|
| 2008 EA9 |
2019-Nov-23
|
10.5 LD
|
2.2
|
10
|
| 2017 AP4 |
2019-Dec-03
|
8.5 LD
|
7.5
|
15
|
Notes: LD means "Lunar Distance." 1 LD = 384,401 km, the distance between Earth and the Moon. Red highlighted entries are asteroids that either pass very close, or very large with high relative velocities to the Earth. Table from SpaceWeather.com
Potentially hazardous asteroids: 2018 (last updated Oct. 1, 2019)
Minor Planets discovered: 828,746 (+5945)
On Oct. 7, 2019, the NASA All Sky Fireball Network reported 12 fireballs.
(12 sporadics)
In this diagram of the inner solar system, all of the fireball orbits intersect at a single point--Earth. The orbits are color-coded by velocity, from slow (red) to fast (blue). From: Spaceweather.com
Fireball News
Still managed to get some meteors last night. Exeter and Bideford cameras pic.twitter.com/B2GfV04bKi
— UK Meteor Network (@UKMeteorNetwork) October 6, 2019
Comet C/2019 Q4
Position of the planets and a couple spacecraft in the inner solar system:
Position of the planets and some spacecraft in the inner solar system, Oct. 8 2019. Credit: NASA Eyes on the Solar System / Bob Trembley.
Position of the planets and a couple bodies in the middle solar system:
Position of the planets in the middle solar system, Oct. 8, 2019. Credit: NASA Eyes on the Solar System / Bob Trembley.
Position of the planets and a several bodies in the outer solar system:
Position of the planets in the outer solar system, Oct. 8, 2019. Credit: NASA Eyes on the Solar System / Bob Trembley.
90482 Orcus is a trans-neptunian object (TNO) with a very large moon.
Orbits of trans-neptunian object (TNO) 90482 Orcus, Oct. 8, 2019. Credit: JPL Small Body Database.
Last week, I mentioned that I spent rather more time there than I thought playing around in the Pluto system in SpaceEngine.... yeaaaa.... Same thing with the 90482 Orcus system...
Artist's conception of 90482 Orcus (right) and Asteroid Vanth (left) in the year 2019. Credit: SpaceEngine / Bob Trembley
Vanth could be tidally-locked with Orcus, with an orbital period of 9.7 days; the rotation period of 90482 Orcus is unknown.
Artist's conception of Vanth seen from 90482 Orcus in the year 2019. Credit: SpaceEngine / Bob Trembley
As with Pluto's moons, 90482 Orcus' moon Vanth currently orbits at a very steep angle compared to the plane of the ecliptic. However, in 2174 the orbital plane will be flat-on to the plane of the ecliptic, and the two bodies will eclipse each other with each orbit - just like Pluto and Charon will in 2103! (See my last post for images.)
Artist's conception of an eclipse shadow of Vanth on 90482 Orcus in the year 2174. Credit: SpaceEngine / Bob Trembley
As Vanth's shadow crosses 90482 Orcus it creates this bizarre teardrop shape:
Artist's conception of a teardrop eclipse shadow of Vanth on 90482 Orcus in the year 2174. Credit: SpaceEngine / Bob Trembley
At totality, the shadow of 90482 Orcus completely covers the smaller Vanth.
Artist's conception of an eclipse shadow from 90482 Orcus on Vanth in the year 2174. Credit: SpaceEngine / Bob Trembley
In real-time, the eclipse shadows of both these bodies race over the surface of the other:
Artist's conception of an eclipse shadow from 90482 Orcus on the surface of Vanth in the year 2174. Credit: SpaceEngine / Bob Trembley
NASA's Interactive Real-Time Web-based Orrery:
Solar System News
Hidden no more: 60 years ago, the Luna 3 spacecraft returned the first images revealing the far side of the Moon. Today, our @LRO_NASA mission continues to map it in detail. See more: https://t.co/Qj8em4vpt6 pic.twitter.com/VPnw5rTJ8E
— NASA Solar System (@NASASolarSystem) October 8, 2019
OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission
Evening shadows pour onto Bennu’s surface
Image details: https://t.co/9LKniiybw8 pic.twitter.com/YbOp0SRb6Y
— NASA's OSIRIS-REx (@OSIRISREx) October 7, 2019
Orbit of OSIRIS-REx Oct. 8, 2019. Credit: NASA Eyes on the Solar System / Bob Trembley
NASA Climate
Check out our "Earth Minute" whiteboard animation series, which explains Earth science to the science-curious. https://t.co/mvvEbrvXqq
— NASA Climate (@NASAClimate) October 4, 2019
Landsat Wants YOUR Pictures of Clouds
Get ready to share your pictures📸of clouds☁️-- you could be recognized by a @NASA scientist.
Starts Tuesday, October 15th✏️📅
More details and how to join: https://t.co/T7XMFMYDKB
#EarthScienceWeek pic.twitter.com/sjjJU2iRbF— NASA Earth (@NASAEarth) October 4, 2019
Data from the NASA Exoplanet Archive
* Confirmed Planets Discovered by TESS refers to the number planets that have been published in the refereed astronomical literature.
* TESS Project Candidates refers to the total number of transit-like events that appear to be astrophysical in origin, including false positives as identified by the TESS Project.
* TESS Project Candidates Yet To Be Confirmed refers to the number of TESS Project Candidates that have not yet been dispositioned as a Confirmed Planet or False Positive.
2019 Nobel Prize in Physics Awarded to Exoplanet Researchers
Here's the same post on Twitter: [LINK]
Exoplanet Artwork by Bob Trembley: 51 Pegasi b
51 Pegasi b (abbreviated 51 Peg b), unofficially dubbed Bellerophon /bɛˈlɛrəfɒn/, later formally named Dimidium /dɪˈmɪdiəm/, is an extrasolar planet approximately 50 light-years away in the constellation of Pegasus. It was the first exoplanet to be discovered orbiting a main-sequence star, the Sun-like 51 Pegasi, and marked a breakthrough in astronomical research. It is the prototype for a class of planets called hot Jupiters.
In 2017, traces of water were discovered in the planet's atmosphere. - Wikipedia
Artist's concept of exoplanet Dimidium (51 Pegasi b). Credit: SpaceEngine/Bob Trembley
NASA Infographic: Profile of planet 51 Pegasi b
The first exoplanet discovered around a sun-like star, 51 Pegasi b made us question what we knew of our universe and launched the search for new worlds. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
JPL "Visions of the Future" Retro Travel Poster for 51 Pegasi b:
While there is much debate over which exoplanet discovery is considered the "first," one stands out from the rest. In 1995, scientists discovered 51 Pegasi b, forever changing the way we see the universe and our place in it. The exoplanet is about half the mass of Jupiter, with a seemingly impossible, star-hugging orbit of only 4.2 Earth days. Not only was it the first planet confirmed to orbit a sun-like star, it also ushered in a whole new class of planets called Hot Jupiters: hot, massive planets orbiting closer to their stars than Mercury. Today, powerful observatories like NASA's Kepler space telescope will continue the hunt of distant planets. Credit: JPL
"Chesley Bonestell - A Brush With The Future" screens in Champaign Illinois
The space art of Chesley Bonestell was something I loved during my childhood - I wish I could make this showing!
2 DAYS until "Chesley Bonestell" screens at @StaerkelPlanet at @parklandcollege! #Champaign, Illinois residents can buy their tickets 30 minutes before the movie starts. https://t.co/MeXTWh7OtE pic.twitter.com/jdTfYY0sDC
— Chesley Bonestell: A Brush With The Future (@CKBonestell) October 7, 2019
Here's one of my favorites:
Happy #WorldSpaceWeek everybody! When thinking about the origins of space exploration, does Chesley Bonestell come to mind? He was an artist that helped inspire America's #space program with his #spaceart. We made a movie about him! https://t.co/Cf5AeLfHX3
Courtesy Bonestell LLC pic.twitter.com/anr7TSTO7p
— Chesley Bonestell: A Brush With The Future (@CKBonestell) October 7, 2019
Apps used for this post:
NASA Eyes on the Solar System: an immersive 3D solar system and space mission simulator - free for the PC /MAC. I maintain the unofficial NASA Eyes Facebook page.
Stellarium: a free open source planetarium app for PC/MAC/Linux. It's a great tool for planning observing sessions. A web-based version of Stellarium is also available.
Universe Sandbox: a space simulator that merges real-time gravity, climate, collision, and material interactions to reveal the beauty of our universe and the fragility of our planet. Includes VR support.
SpaceEngine: a free 3D Universe Simulator for Windows. Steam version with VR support available.
Section header image credits:
The Sky - Stellarium/ Bob Trembley
Observing Target - Turn Left at Orion / M. Skirvin
The Moon - NASA/JPL-Caltech
The Sun - NASA/JPL-Caltech
Asteroids - NASA/JPL-Caltech
Fireballs - Credited to YouTube
Comets - Comet P/Halley, March 8, 1986, W. Liller
The Solar System - NASA Eyes on the Solar System / Bob Trembley
Spacecraft News - NASA Eyes on the Solar System / Bob Trembley
Exoplanets - Space Engine / Bob Trembley
The Universe - Universe Today
The 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing on the Moon was July 20, 2019.
World Space Week Lander on the Mun. Credit: Kerbal Space Program / Bob Trembley