The Next Full Moon is the Flower, Corn, or Corn Planting Moon; the Milk Moon; the Hare's Moon; and Vesak, Buddha Jayanti, or Buddha Purnima.
**Hints of Hidden Homesteaders**
Observations have already revealed clues that such primordial black holes may be lurking in our galaxy. Although these black holes would be invisible to direct observation, their presence can be inferred from the subtle effects they have on their surroundings. One key method for detecting these elusive objects is through microlensing, an observational effect that occurs when a massive object warps the fabric of space-time, much like the imprint a bowling ball makes on a trampoline.
**Microlensing: Nature's Magnifying Glass**
Microlensing occurs when a foreground object, such as a primordial black hole, passes between us and a distant star. As the light from the background star travels through the warped space-time around the black hole, it gets bent and focused, causing the star to temporarily brighten. This effect can be measured and used to identify the presence of the otherwise invisible black hole.
**Astronomical Detectives: MOA and OGLE**
Separate groups of astronomers, utilizing data from the Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics (MOA) collaboration at the Mount John University Observatory in New Zealand and the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE), have already detected an unexpectedly large population of isolated Earth-mass objects. These findings suggest that there may be more Earth-mass objects drifting through the galaxy than current models predict.
**Rogue Planets vs. Primordial Black Holes**
The challenge lies in distinguishing between rogue planets and primordial black holes. Both types of objects could explain the observed microlensing events, but their nature is fundamentally different. Rogue planets are worlds that roam the galaxy untethered to any star, while primordial black holes are ancient relics from the early universe. William DeRocco and his team believe that NASA’s Roman Space Telescope will be pivotal in this differentiation. "Roman will be extremely powerful in differentiating between the two statistically," he said, predicting that Roman will find ten times as many objects in this mass range as ground-based telescopes.
**Implications for Cosmology and Particle Physics**
Discovering primordial black holes would have profound implications for both cosmology and particle physics. It would provide new insights into the conditions of the early universe and potentially confirm the theory of inflation, a period of rapid expansion shortly after the Big Bang. Additionally, it could offer clues about the nature of dark matter, which makes up a significant portion of the universe’s mass but remains largely mysterious.
**A Bonus Discovery**
This potential discovery highlights an exciting aspect of scientific research: the possibility of unexpected findings. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, while primarily designed to search for exoplanets, may also unveil these ancient black holes. Kailash Sahu from the Space Telescope Science Institute noted, "This is an exciting example of something extra scientists could do with data Roman is already going to get as it searches for planets."
**The Promise of the Roman Mission**
NASA’s Roman Space Telescope represents a new frontier in our quest to understand the universe. By hunting for primordial black holes, it has the potential to unlock secrets about the early universe, the nature of dark matter, and the evolution of galaxies. As we prepare for the Roman mission, the scientific community eagerly anticipates the wealth of discoveries that lie ahead.
### Evening Sky Highlights
On the evening of Thursday, May 23, 2024, as twilight concludes at 9:30 PM EDT, a celestial show awaits skywatchers. The rising full Moon will be just 4 degrees above the southeastern horizon, closely accompanied by the bright star Antares. For observers in parts of South and Central America, the Caribbean, and the eastern USA, including Washington, DC, the Moon will pass in front of Antares, temporarily blocking it from view. The brightness of the full Moon may obscure this event for some, but the proximity of Antares will still offer a spectacular sight.
At the same time, Arcturus will be shining brightly, nearly overhead at 60 degrees above the east-southeastern horizon. This red giant star, located 36.7 light years away, is about 2.6 billion years older than our Sun, having expanded to 25 times its size and shining 170 times more brightly.
### The Shifting Night Sky
As the lunar cycle progresses, the backdrop of stars will appear to drift westward each evening. This is due to Earth's orbit around the Sun, causing different constellations and stars to dominate the night sky throughout the month. The waxing Moon will journey past several notable stars and constellations: Pollux on June 8, Regulus on June 11, Spica on June 16, and again Antares on June 19.
By the evening of Friday, June 21, the night of the full Moon after next, the Moon will be 7 degrees above the southeastern horizon as twilight ends at 9:49 PM EDT. During this time, the bright planets Venus and Mercury will have already set, with Venus setting 21 minutes and Mercury 43 minutes after sunset. Mercury might still be visible for a short window of about 13 minutes after sunset. Arcturus will once again be the most prominent object in the sky, positioned 69 degrees above the south-southwestern horizon.
### Morning Sky Highlights
On the morning of Thursday, May 23, as twilight begins at 4:40 AM EDT, the setting full Moon will be 7 degrees above the southwestern horizon. Mars will be 10 degrees above the eastern horizon, and Saturn will be 22 degrees above the east-southeastern horizon. Mercury will rise on the east-northeastern horizon 14 minutes after twilight begins. Vega will be the closest bright object to overhead at 78 degrees above the western horizon, with Deneb following closely at 76.5 degrees above the northeastern horizon.
Vega, the brightest star in the constellation Lyra, is one of the three stars that form the "Summer Triangle," along with Deneb and Altair. Vega is the fifth brightest star in the night sky, located about 25 light-years from Earth. It is twice the mass of our Sun and shines 40 times brighter.
### Shifts in the Morning Sky
As the lunar cycle progresses, the positions of Saturn and the background stars will continue to shift westward each morning. Mars will remain low on the eastern horizon, gradually moving leftward. Mercury, rising after twilight begins, will also shift leftward, drawing closer to the Sun and becoming harder to see as it blends into the dawn's glow.
By June 15, Jupiter will join Mars and Saturn in the morning sky, adding to the planetary spectacle. On the morning of Friday, June 21, as twilight begins at 4:31 AM EDT, the full Moon will be just 2 degrees above the southwestern horizon. Jupiter will be the brightest planet in the sky, located 3 degrees above the east-northeastern horizon.
Deneb, the brightest star in the constellation Cygnus, will be nearly overhead at 80 degrees above the northwestern horizon. Deneb, one of the stars forming the "Summer Triangle," is about 20 times more massive than our Sun and has expanded into a blue-white supergiant approximately 200 times the Sun's diameter. Located about 2,600 light years away, if Deneb were in the position of our Sun, its surface would extend nearly to the Earth's orbit.
###Celestial Extravaganza
The coming weeks offer a rich tapestry of celestial events, from the interplay of planets and stars to the movement of the Moon across the night sky. Whether you're an avid stargazer or a casual observer, these highlights provide ample opportunities to marvel at the wonders of the cosmos. So mark your calendars, prepare your telescopes, and get ready to enjoy the show.
On the evening of Thursday, May 23, 2024, as twilight concludes at 9:30 PM EDT, a celestial show awaits skywatchers. The rising full Moon will be just 4 degrees above the southeastern horizon, closely accompanied by the bright star Antares. For observers in parts of South and Central America, the Caribbean, and the eastern USA, including Washington, DC, the Moon will pass in front of Antares, temporarily blocking it from view. The brightness of the full Moon may obscure this event for some, but the proximity of Antares will still offer a spectacular sight.
At the same time, Arcturus will be shining brightly, nearly overhead at 60 degrees above the east-southeastern horizon. This red giant star, located 36.7 light years away, is about 2.6 billion years older than our Sun, having expanded to 25 times its size and shining 170 times more brightly.
### The Shifting Night Sky
As the lunar cycle progresses, the backdrop of stars will appear to drift westward each evening. This is due to Earth's orbit around the Sun, causing different constellations and stars to dominate the night sky throughout the month. The waxing Moon will journey past several notable stars and constellations: Pollux on June 8, Regulus on June 11, Spica on June 16, and again Antares on June 19.
By the evening of Friday, June 21, the night of the full Moon after next, the Moon will be 7 degrees above the southeastern horizon as twilight ends at 9:49 PM EDT. During this time, the bright planets Venus and Mercury will have already set, with Venus setting 21 minutes and Mercury 43 minutes after sunset. Mercury might still be visible for a short window of about 13 minutes after sunset. Arcturus will once again be the most prominent object in the sky, positioned 69 degrees above the south-southwestern horizon.
### Morning Sky Highlights
On the morning of Thursday, May 23, as twilight begins at 4:40 AM EDT, the setting full Moon will be 7 degrees above the southwestern horizon. Mars will be 10 degrees above the eastern horizon, and Saturn will be 22 degrees above the east-southeastern horizon. Mercury will rise on the east-northeastern horizon 14 minutes after twilight begins. Vega will be the closest bright object to overhead at 78 degrees above the western horizon, with Deneb following closely at 76.5 degrees above the northeastern horizon.
Vega, the brightest star in the constellation Lyra, is one of the three stars that form the "Summer Triangle," along with Deneb and Altair. Vega is the fifth brightest star in the night sky, located about 25 light-years from Earth. It is twice the mass of our Sun and shines 40 times brighter.
### Shifts in the Morning Sky
As the lunar cycle progresses, the positions of Saturn and the background stars will continue to shift westward each morning. Mars will remain low on the eastern horizon, gradually moving leftward. Mercury, rising after twilight begins, will also shift leftward, drawing closer to the Sun and becoming harder to see as it blends into the dawn's glow.
By June 15, Jupiter will join Mars and Saturn in the morning sky, adding to the planetary spectacle. On the morning of Friday, June 21, as twilight begins at 4:31 AM EDT, the full Moon will be just 2 degrees above the southwestern horizon. Jupiter will be the brightest planet in the sky, located 3 degrees above the east-northeastern horizon.
Deneb, the brightest star in the constellation Cygnus, will be nearly overhead at 80 degrees above the northwestern horizon. Deneb, one of the stars forming the "Summer Triangle," is about 20 times more massive than our Sun and has expanded into a blue-white supergiant approximately 200 times the Sun's diameter. Located about 2,600 light years away, if Deneb were in the position of our Sun, its surface would extend nearly to the Earth's orbit.
###Celestial Extravaganza
The coming weeks offer a rich tapestry of celestial events, from the interplay of planets and stars to the movement of the Moon across the night sky. Whether you're an avid stargazer or a casual observer, these highlights provide ample opportunities to marvel at the wonders of the cosmos. So mark your calendars, prepare your telescopes, and get ready to enjoy the show.
### Detailed Daily Guide to Celestial Events
#### Friday, May 17, 2024
**Waxing Gibbous Moon at Apogee**
- **Time:** 3 PM EDT
- **Event:** The Moon will be at its farthest point from Earth in its orbit, known as apogee.
#### Saturday, May 18, 2024
**Jupiter at Conjunction**
- **Event:** Jupiter will pass on the far side of the Sun from Earth's perspective, transitioning from the evening to the morning sky. It will begin to emerge in early June on the east-northeastern horizon.
#### Sunday, May 19 to Monday, May 20, 2024
**Spica Near the Waxing Gibbous Moon**
- **Event Timing:**
- Evening twilight ends: 9:26 PM EDT
- Moon's highest point: 10:28 PM EDT
- Moonset: 4:06 AM EDT
- **Details:** The bright star Spica will be 4.5 degrees to the lower left of the Moon as twilight ends, and 4 degrees to the left when the Moon is at its highest. By moonset, Spica will be 2 degrees to the left.
#### Thursday, May 23 to Friday, May 24, 2024
**Antares Near the Full Moon**
- **Event Timing:**
- Occultation: 9:37 to 10:06 PM EDT (Washington, DC)
- **Details:** The bright star Antares will be near the full Moon, and for some locations, including Washington, DC, the Moon will block Antares from view. For details on the occultation in various regions, see [lunar occultations](http://www.lunar-occultations.com/iota/bstar/0524zc2366.htm).
#### Friday, May 31, 2024
**Saturn Near the Waning Crescent Moon**
- **Event Timing:**
- Moonrise: 2:12 AM EDT
- Closest approach: 3:50 AM EDT
- Morning twilight: 4:34 AM EDT
- **Details:** Saturn will be 1.5 degrees to the upper left of the Moon at moonrise, and 1 degree above the Moon by twilight. In southern South America, the Moon will occult Saturn ([details here](http://www.lunar-occultations.com/iota/planets/0531saturn.htm)).
#### Sunday, June 2, 2024
**Moon at Perigee and Mars Near the Waning Crescent Moon**
- **Perigee Time:** 3:23 AM EDT
- **Mars Event Timing:**
- Mars rise: 3:26 AM EDT
- Morning twilight: 4:33 AM EDT
#### Monday, June 3, 2024
**Waning Crescent Moon Shifts Near Mars**
- **Event Timing:**
- Moonrise: 3:29 AM EDT
- Morning twilight: 4:33 AM EDT
- **Details:** The Moon will have shifted to the other side of Mars, now 6-7 degrees to the upper right.
#### Tuesday, June 4, 2024
**Venus at Superior Conjunction**
- **Details:** Venus will pass on the far side of the Sun, transitioning from the morning to the evening sky, emerging in the western horizon around the end of June.
#### Wednesday, June 5, 2024
**Pleiades Near the Thin Waning Crescent Moon**
- **Event Timing:**
- Moonrise: 4:37 AM EDT (5 minutes after morning twilight begins)
- Jupiter and Mercury rise: 5:02 AM and 5:07 AM EDT
- **Details:** The Pleiades star cluster will be 1.5 degrees above the Moon. Binoculars may be needed to see the Moon and these planets due to the brightening sky.
#### Thursday, June 6, 2024
**New Moon**
- **Time:** 8:38 AM EDT
- **Details:** The Moon will be between Earth and the Sun and not visible. This marks the start of a new month in lunisolar calendars.
#### Saturday, June 8, 2024
**Pollux Near the Thin Waxing Crescent Moon**
- **Event Timing:**
- Moonset: 11:06 PM EDT
- **Details:** The bright star Pollux will be 4 degrees above the Moon as twilight ends.
#### Tuesday, June 11, 2024
**Regulus Near the Waxing Crescent Moon**
- **Event Timing:**
- Evening twilight ends: 9:46 PM EDT
- Regulus sets: 12:35 AM EDT (next day)
- **Details:** The bright star Regulus will be 3.5 degrees to the left of the Moon as twilight ends.
#### Thursday, June 13, 2024
**Earliest Sunrise of the Year (Washington, DC)**
- **Event Timing:**
- Morning twilight begins: 4:30 AM EDT
- Sunrise: 5:42:11 AM EDT
- **Details:** The earliest sunrise of the year occurs due to the longer solar days near the summer solstice.
#### Friday, June 14, 2024
**First Quarter Moon and Moon at Apogee**
- **Event Timing:**
- First quarter: 1:18 AM EDT
- Apogee: 9:36 AM EDT
- **Details:** The Moon will be half-full and at its farthest from Earth in this orbit.
#### Friday, June 14, 2024
**Mercury at Superior Conjunction**
- **Details:** Mercury will pass on the far side of the Sun, transitioning from the morning to the evening sky, emerging around June 19.
#### Sunday, June 16, 2024
**Jupiter Above the East-Northeastern Horizon**
- **Event Timing:**
- Morning twilight begins: 4:30 AM EDT
- **Details:** Jupiter will be visible above the east-northeastern horizon as twilight begins.
**Spica Near the Waxing Gibbous Moon**
- **Event Timing:**
- Evening twilight ends: 9:48 PM EDT
- Spica sets: 2:16 AM EDT (next day)
- **Details:** The bright star Spica will be 3.5-5 degrees to the right of the Moon.
#### Wednesday, June 19, 2024
**Mercury Above the West-Northwestern Horizon**
- **Event Timing:**
- 30 minutes after sunset
- **Details:** Mercury will start to emerge from the dusk glow, becoming easier to spot by the end of June.
#### Wednesday, June 19 to Thursday, June 20, 2024
**Antares Near the Waxing Gibbous Moon**
- **Event Timing:**
- Evening twilight ends: 9:49 PM EDT
- Moon's highest point: 11:25 PM EDT
- Moonset: 4:03 AM EDT
- **Details:** Antares will be 5-2 degrees near the Moon throughout the night.
#### Thursday, June 20, 2024
**Summer Solstice**
- **Time:** 4:51 PM EDT
- **Details:** The official start of summer and the longest period of daylight.
#### Friday, June 21, 2024
**Full Moon**
- **Time:** 9:08 PM EDT
- **Details:** The full Moon will be visible from Thursday evening through Sunday morning, peaking on Saturday, June 22 in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
This guide offers a roadmap to the night sky's wonders, ensuring you won’t miss any of the breathtaking celestial events over the next month. Happy stargazing!
#### Friday, May 17, 2024
**Waxing Gibbous Moon at Apogee**
- **Time:** 3 PM EDT
- **Event:** The Moon will be at its farthest point from Earth in its orbit, known as apogee.
#### Saturday, May 18, 2024
**Jupiter at Conjunction**
- **Event:** Jupiter will pass on the far side of the Sun from Earth's perspective, transitioning from the evening to the morning sky. It will begin to emerge in early June on the east-northeastern horizon.
#### Sunday, May 19 to Monday, May 20, 2024
**Spica Near the Waxing Gibbous Moon**
- **Event Timing:**
- Evening twilight ends: 9:26 PM EDT
- Moon's highest point: 10:28 PM EDT
- Moonset: 4:06 AM EDT
- **Details:** The bright star Spica will be 4.5 degrees to the lower left of the Moon as twilight ends, and 4 degrees to the left when the Moon is at its highest. By moonset, Spica will be 2 degrees to the left.
#### Thursday, May 23 to Friday, May 24, 2024
**Antares Near the Full Moon**
- **Event Timing:**
- Occultation: 9:37 to 10:06 PM EDT (Washington, DC)
- **Details:** The bright star Antares will be near the full Moon, and for some locations, including Washington, DC, the Moon will block Antares from view. For details on the occultation in various regions, see [lunar occultations](http://www.lunar-occultations.com/iota/bstar/0524zc2366.htm).
#### Friday, May 31, 2024
**Saturn Near the Waning Crescent Moon**
- **Event Timing:**
- Moonrise: 2:12 AM EDT
- Closest approach: 3:50 AM EDT
- Morning twilight: 4:34 AM EDT
- **Details:** Saturn will be 1.5 degrees to the upper left of the Moon at moonrise, and 1 degree above the Moon by twilight. In southern South America, the Moon will occult Saturn ([details here](http://www.lunar-occultations.com/iota/planets/0531saturn.htm)).
#### Sunday, June 2, 2024
**Moon at Perigee and Mars Near the Waning Crescent Moon**
- **Perigee Time:** 3:23 AM EDT
- **Mars Event Timing:**
- Mars rise: 3:26 AM EDT
- Morning twilight: 4:33 AM EDT
#### Monday, June 3, 2024
**Waning Crescent Moon Shifts Near Mars**
- **Event Timing:**
- Moonrise: 3:29 AM EDT
- Morning twilight: 4:33 AM EDT
- **Details:** The Moon will have shifted to the other side of Mars, now 6-7 degrees to the upper right.
#### Tuesday, June 4, 2024
**Venus at Superior Conjunction**
- **Details:** Venus will pass on the far side of the Sun, transitioning from the morning to the evening sky, emerging in the western horizon around the end of June.
#### Wednesday, June 5, 2024
**Pleiades Near the Thin Waning Crescent Moon**
- **Event Timing:**
- Moonrise: 4:37 AM EDT (5 minutes after morning twilight begins)
- Jupiter and Mercury rise: 5:02 AM and 5:07 AM EDT
- **Details:** The Pleiades star cluster will be 1.5 degrees above the Moon. Binoculars may be needed to see the Moon and these planets due to the brightening sky.
#### Thursday, June 6, 2024
**New Moon**
- **Time:** 8:38 AM EDT
- **Details:** The Moon will be between Earth and the Sun and not visible. This marks the start of a new month in lunisolar calendars.
#### Saturday, June 8, 2024
**Pollux Near the Thin Waxing Crescent Moon**
- **Event Timing:**
- Moonset: 11:06 PM EDT
- **Details:** The bright star Pollux will be 4 degrees above the Moon as twilight ends.
#### Tuesday, June 11, 2024
**Regulus Near the Waxing Crescent Moon**
- **Event Timing:**
- Evening twilight ends: 9:46 PM EDT
- Regulus sets: 12:35 AM EDT (next day)
- **Details:** The bright star Regulus will be 3.5 degrees to the left of the Moon as twilight ends.
#### Thursday, June 13, 2024
**Earliest Sunrise of the Year (Washington, DC)**
- **Event Timing:**
- Morning twilight begins: 4:30 AM EDT
- Sunrise: 5:42:11 AM EDT
- **Details:** The earliest sunrise of the year occurs due to the longer solar days near the summer solstice.
#### Friday, June 14, 2024
**First Quarter Moon and Moon at Apogee**
- **Event Timing:**
- First quarter: 1:18 AM EDT
- Apogee: 9:36 AM EDT
- **Details:** The Moon will be half-full and at its farthest from Earth in this orbit.
#### Friday, June 14, 2024
**Mercury at Superior Conjunction**
- **Details:** Mercury will pass on the far side of the Sun, transitioning from the morning to the evening sky, emerging around June 19.
#### Sunday, June 16, 2024
**Jupiter Above the East-Northeastern Horizon**
- **Event Timing:**
- Morning twilight begins: 4:30 AM EDT
- **Details:** Jupiter will be visible above the east-northeastern horizon as twilight begins.
**Spica Near the Waxing Gibbous Moon**
- **Event Timing:**
- Evening twilight ends: 9:48 PM EDT
- Spica sets: 2:16 AM EDT (next day)
- **Details:** The bright star Spica will be 3.5-5 degrees to the right of the Moon.
#### Wednesday, June 19, 2024
**Mercury Above the West-Northwestern Horizon**
- **Event Timing:**
- 30 minutes after sunset
- **Details:** Mercury will start to emerge from the dusk glow, becoming easier to spot by the end of June.
#### Wednesday, June 19 to Thursday, June 20, 2024
**Antares Near the Waxing Gibbous Moon**
- **Event Timing:**
- Evening twilight ends: 9:49 PM EDT
- Moon's highest point: 11:25 PM EDT
- Moonset: 4:03 AM EDT
- **Details:** Antares will be 5-2 degrees near the Moon throughout the night.
#### Thursday, June 20, 2024
**Summer Solstice**
- **Time:** 4:51 PM EDT
- **Details:** The official start of summer and the longest period of daylight.
#### Friday, June 21, 2024
**Full Moon**
- **Time:** 9:08 PM EDT
- **Details:** The full Moon will be visible from Thursday evening through Sunday morning, peaking on Saturday, June 22 in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
This guide offers a roadmap to the night sky's wonders, ensuring you won’t miss any of the breathtaking celestial events over the next month. Happy stargazing!
No comments:
Post a Comment