A perspective of size ...

Professor Stoddard demonstrating how
small Earth is compared to our own
Sun during the second SSE.

The Solar System Event is one my favorite labs in this course. It is designed to give us an appreciation to how vast our own solar system is, a sensation that usually hits most people by the time we get to Jupiter on our scale. However, it all starts when we compare Earth's size to the size of our Sun. In general, we are already aware of how small we are in comparison to our own Earth. We stand next to mountains, valleys and canyons and we suddenly feel small, and yet that insignificance is suddenly multiplied by a million folds when compared to the Sun. Just try to imagine how many human heads would fit inside the Sun (in 2D first then in 3D) :o)

Location of Mercury at our second SSE.

Where it usually always hits me (I get goosebumps and all) is when I realize how far away the closest star to us is. The fascinating part about all this is knowing that each star in our galaxy is at least that far from the next if not more, and that there are approximately 200 billion stars in our galaxy - the distances are unthinkable!

At Earth ...

At Earth when the BLIZZARD started!

One thing we talked about last semester during the Solar System Event was where the Voyager probes would be right now on our scale. Here's a quick "back of the envelope" calculation:

As of this date, Voyager 1 is about 127 AU from the Sun. On our scale, we said that Saturn (~10 AU) was 1 mile away from the Sun (i.e on Orchard Lake Road). So if 10 AU is equivalent to 1 mile, then 127 AU is equivalent to 12.7 miles (call it 13). This means that on our scale, Voyager 1 right now would be close to Stephenson Highway, right before you hit I-75 if you were driving East on 12 mile. That's a speed of ~ 0.35 miles per year!!! (That's 2.5 inches per hour). Can you imagine driving down 12 mile road at 2.5 inches per hour?

For the first time ever, we had to do the Asteroid Belt inside!

All in all, the solar system is huge - and we have barely ventured out to gain any real perspective of how vast it truly is. While only at Jupiter, we remembered that Earth on our scale was that tiny blue marble in the parking lot close to Farmington Rd, and it is from that location the we were able to discover Pluto, which was all the way on Lahser Rd. It is only proper that I end this entry with the famous words of Carl Sagan from Cosmos:

“The size and age of the Cosmos are beyond ordinary human understanding. Lost somewhere between immensity and eternity is our tiny planetary home. In a cosmic perspective, most human concerns seem insignificant, even petty. And yet our species is young and curious and brave and shows much promise. In the last few millennia we have made the most astonishing and unexpected discoveries about the Cosmos and our place within it, explorations that are exhilarating to consider. They remind us that humans have evolved to wonder, that understanding is a joy, that knowledge is prerequisite to survival. I believe our future depends on how well we know this Cosmos in which we float like a mote of dust in the morning sky.” 

Keep looking up, CLEAR SKIES! 

-SHH

Moons Galore!

Waxing Crescent Moon - Taken Feb 5, 2014

This past week the astronomy class was fortunate to go out viewing twice. Despite the cold, most students appreciated being able to see the waxing crescent Moon, Jupiter, and the Perseus Double Open Cluster through the telescope. The details that non-full moons offer when observing them through telescopes bring to light the ruggedness and topography on the surface of the Moon; it is not smooth! Being able to see the crater shadows, have a sense of their depth, and making out the highlands is worth it. In my opinion, the coolest part of viewing a crescent through a telescope is the high craters and mountains that get illuminated by the Sun in a shadowed area.
This observation was amongst the first evidence that the lunar surface was not a perfect orb.

Jupiter taken with Nikkon D5100 using a 180 mm camera lens.
Feb 3, 2014 (This image was not taken through a telescope!)
Notice some of the moons in this image!

While Orion is still dominating the winter night sky, Jupiter is stealing the show for the time being. It has shifted slightly in its position in the constellation of Gemini, and perhaps it's only my imagination but it seems to get brighter every time we go out viewing. One of the major changes we see in Jupiter is its 4 major moons. the position of these moons changes drastically in a matter of days, and it was nice to see that change between Monday and Wednesdays lab. It is always a good idea to note the locations of these moons in your sky journals every time we look at Jupiter through the telescope.

The weather has been discouraging many of us from spending time stargazing, but don't let it take away from the enjoyment. It's only a matter of time before it starts warming up and we get to finally make our way to the soccer field, out usual observing location. Until then, keep looking up!

Clear Skies,
SHH

The Wolf Moon & The Hunter

Students viewing Orion
and Sirius.

Our first viewing this semester was on January 15 and it featured a full January Moon (aka The Wolf Moon) along with Jupiter and the constellation of Orion. The weather, while cold, was not as cold as some nights I've personally went out observing. Regardless, we deemed it dangerous to make our way to the soccer field, given the amount of icy snow that would have been in our path, but the hill outside of A-Building never seizes to disappoint (despite the parking lot lights).

Speaking of parking lot lights, it was tough to see anything in the Northern skies; wish we had control over when to turn these lights on and off. However, we were still able to make out Polaris, and the Big Dipper. For those of you who were in Astronomy last fall, you might remember how different the position of the Big Dipper is from where it was back in August.
(Check here for that picture).

Parking lot light obstructing our view of the Northern sky.
Notice the Big Dipper, and part of the Little Dipper.

Full Moon through telescope.
Taken by Samer Hariri, 1/15/14

We did have the opportunity to look at Jupiter through the AstroScan telescope, and we were able to see three of its four visible moons. It was around this time that some people started heading back into the building as it was getting colder. Those who braved the cold however got to see the full Moon through the telescope. I must note that I added a polarizing filter to the lens as to not damage our vision. Overall, it was a great first viewing - I hope you all come more prepared for the weather next time! DRESS WARMLY!

Clear Skies!

- SHH

A Delayed Wrap-up , and a New Welcome...

Welcome to a new semester of Astronomy, and of the infamous MW 3-5 Cosmology! The start of this semester was perturbed by some non-before-seen arctic weather in Michigan, but it should all get started on Wednesday. For all the newbies, check my "Welcome Message" to know what we're all about, and for all of those returning in the Cosmology class, welcome back!

The winter nights will offer us many possible clear and crisp skies, in addition to some brilliant constellations visible in our northern hemisphere. We will spend every opportunity we have looking at the sky this semester, and if the start of this week was any indication, we will have nights when it will be extremely cold, so come with extra winter jackets, hats, wool socks, boöts, and don't forget the gloves! Click here for some tips on keeping warm while viewing.

Waning gibbous Moon over OCC-OR "pond" and K-Bldg.
(Nov 20, 2013)

Before we get going here, I would like to make some amends for last semester, as I allowed myself to get caught up in the noisy confusion of life and miss a few blog entries. I decided to sum up the last few weeks of Fall Semester in this blog just to keep the flow going, so here goes!

Stargazing through the haze and clouds. (Nov 20, 2013)

Our last few viewings featured the constellations of Orion, Taurus, and Auriga as the three were rising from the East during the last few weeks of the semester. In addition, Jupiter was finally making its way and we were able to see it rise from the northeast at some point. We've also witnessed how dramatically the sky changes throughout the course of a semester, and some of you will come out this winter and not realize the sky as we last remembered it in late November.

Comet Ison faintly captured in this long
exposure photo.
Notice Mercury too! (Nov 16, 2013)

On November 16 we caught comet Ison, Lovejoy and Encke during our special observing session. That same dawn we also caught Jupiter, Mars, Mercury and several constellations like Orion, Virgo, and Boötes. Those that were able to make it not only enjoyed the awesomeness that was the dawn sky, but also some hot chocolate and coffee as well. This semester, there will be an opportunity outside of class time to view a Total Lunar Eclipse, so keep an eye out for more details as the semester goes by.

Comet Ison (Top and Center) as appeared through the telescope.
It was difficult to focus the image. (Nov 16, 2013)

Jupiter and its four main moons through a telescope.
Notice the colors of Io and Europa - Phenomenal!
(Taken Nov 16, 2013)

The Fall semester provided ample viewing opportunities, and quite the astronomical events such as the arrival and disintegration of comet Ison, a phenomenon that made this event a once in a lifetime. I'm positive the winter skies will provide us with a lot more, so keep looking up and keep watching this space!

Clear Skies!
- SHH

Comet Ison Viewing

UPDATE:

The forecast changed a little, but we should still be okay! The clouds are coming around 6:00 am for a 30% cover, and by 7:00 am it would be 50% cover. Regardless, let's hope that we can view Ison at 5:00 am! Be there earlier than you anticipated!

Saturday's forecast shows some clouds that will roll in by 6:00 am. Earlier
viewing is recommended.

Below is a sky map showing where comet Ison will be in the eastern sky. The best way to locate comet Ison is to find the Big Dipper, follow the arc of the handle to Arcturus (in Bootes) then keep that arc until you hit Spica in Virgo. Comet Ison is right above Spica!

In addition, there will be Mars and Mercury to look at, as well as Jupiter in the western part of the sky. The almost full Moon will be setting in the west at that time, and there is a possibility of spotting some meteors (part of the Leonid meteor shower). So even if we don't spot Ison, there will be plenty for us to see!

Eastern skies about an hour before sunrise - Note how many comets there are!
Mercury and Mars should also be visible.

See you tomorrow! CLEAR SKIES!!!

SHH