Day: March 23, 2016

Astronomy Picture of the Day – The Great Nebula in Carina

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2016 March 23

The Great Nebula in Carina
Image Credit & Copyright: Damian Peach/SEN

 

Explanation: In one of the brightest parts of Milky Way lies a nebula where some of the oddest things occur. NGC 3372, known as the Great Nebula in Carina, is home to massive stars and changing nebulas. The Keyhole Nebula (NGC 3324), the bright structure just above the image center, houses several of these massive stars and has itself changed its appearance. The entire Carina Nebula spans over 300 light years and lies about 7,500 light-years away in the constellation of Carina.Eta Carinae, the most energetic star in the nebula, was one of the brightest stars in the sky in the 1830s, but then faded dramatically. Eta Carinae is the brightest star near the image center, just left of the Keyhole Nebula. While Eta Carinae itself maybe on the verge of a supernova explosion, X-ray images indicate that much of the Great Carina Nebula has been a veritable supernova factory.

Earth Sky News for March 23: First of season’s 4 full moons March 23

First of season’s 4 full moons March 23

Tonight – March 23, 2016 – you might suppose you’re seeing a full moon. The crest of the moon’s full phase is the morning of March 23 at 7:01 a.m. Central Daylight Time (12:01 UTC). In other words, the March full moon – with its penumbral lunar eclipse – will likely have passed by the time that you’re reading this post.

Still, the moon on March 23 will look full to the eye, and your calendar likely says that March 23 is the full moon. And it’s a very special full moon indeed, for a reason besides the eclipse. This March, 2016, full moon is the first of the new season’s four full moons. It’s the Northern Hemisphere’s first full moon of spring and Southern Hemisphere’s first full moon of autumn.

Four full moons in a season? Yes. Normally there are three, and that’s why – soon – we’ll have a Blue Moon (by the seasonal definition of the term): third of four full moons in one season.

What’s a “season,” by the way? In astronomical terms, it’s the time between an equinox and a solstice. The equinox recently took place on March 20, 2016, at 4:30 UTC. It was the spring equinox for the Northern Hemisphere and the autumn equinox south of the equator.

So, tonight, no matter where you live on Earth, look for the moon to look full as it shines from dusk until dawn.

In the Northern Hemisphere, we often call the March full moon the Sap Moon, Crow Moon, Worm Moon or Easter Moon. For the Southern Hemisphere, this March full moon counts as the Harvest Moon – the closest full moon to the autumn equinox.

Looking ahead, the April 22 full moon will feature what is sometimes called a micro-moon – the farthest and smallest full moon of the year.

After that, the May 21 full moon will give us the Blue Moon: third of four full moons in one season.

Then the fourth and final full moon of the season will fall on June 20, less than one-half day before the June solstice:

March 2016 equinox: March 20 at 4:30 Universal Time (UT)

March 2016 full moon: March 23 at 12:01 UT
April 2016 full moon: April 22 at 5:24 UT
May 2016 full moon: May 21 at 21:15 UT
June 2016 full moon: June 20 at 11:02 UT

June 2016 solstice: June 20 at 22:35 UT

Bottom line: This March full moon presents the first of the new season’s four full moons. It’ll be the Northern Hemisphere’s first full moon of spring and the Southern Hemisphere’s first full moon of autumn.

 

Author

Bruce McClure

Bruce McClure

Bruce McClure is the chief writer for the popular EarthSky Tonight pages. Since joining EarthSky in 2004, he has written thousands of astronomy articles, enjoyed here by millions. He also writes, gives planetarium shows and hosts a wide assortment of public astronomy programs in and around his home in upstate New York. If you ask an astronomy question on our site, it’s likely to be Bruce that answers it. His love for the heavens has taken him to Lake Titicaca in Bolivia, and he has sailed the North Atlantic, earning his celestial navigation certificate through the School of Ocean Sailing and Navigation. Bruce is also a sundial aficionado. He says his number one passion – besides his wife Alice – is stargazing.

Article posted on EarthSky

 

Your Daily Influences for March 23, 2016

Your Daily Influences
March 23, 2016 

 

 

Four of Pentacles
Financial gain, success and worldly power seem assured, but lack any higher meaning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ehwaz
Ehwaz represents movement. You may be closing in on reaching your current goals. Your life may be changing for the better. Harmony with others should come easy for you at this time.

 

 

 

The Tau Cross
A journey that your or someone close to you must make will influence this aspect. The reason for the trip nor the outcome will have much bearing on your future, but the trip itself will be journey not soon forgotten. This journey may have a short-term, negative impact.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Daily Influences represent events and challenges the current day will present for you. They may represent opportunities you should be ready to seize. Or they may forewarn you of problems you may be able to avoid or lessen. Generally it is best to use them as tips to help you manage your day and nothing more.

 

Your Charm for March 23 is The Grotesque Figure

Your Charm for the Day

Today’s Meaning:
The good spirits are pleased with you. This period is a happy one. For the immediate future these spirits will protect as you travel through life and reward you with moments of bliss.

General Description:
This curious wooden figure is worn suspended round the neck as a talisman by the natives of New Guinea. It is supposed to terrify and scare away evil spirits. It is also a charm for happiness and is believed to protect the wearer from illness, for the natives believe that illness is caused by a bad spirit entering the body. They are taught by their witch doctors that nature is full of evil, and good spirits, and much of their time is spent in pacifying the good spirits, and frightening away the evil ones.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for March 23rd is The Hawk

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Hawk

High flying and courageous Hawk uses his sharp vision to see all aspects of the world below him in minute detail. He is gifted at taking in all he sees and quickly creating a powerful plan of action. The Hawk suggests that while a broad view of the situation should be taken, the details cannot be overlooked. The Hawk calls for authoritative action based upon a thorough understanding of the circumstances.

As a daily card, The Hawk indicates your vision may be too limited from your current vantage point. You should step back far enough from the situation to see the “big picture.” Then study the details and act commandingly on what you have learned.

Your Daily Witches Rune for March 23rd is The Wave

Daily Witches Rune

The Wave

Meaning: This rune symbolizes your friends and family and their influence upon you. Its meaning is usually derived from the other stones closest to it. This rune is also associated with travel. A journey abroad is indicated especially if the Sun rune is nearby, but a journey for someone close to you if the Moon stone is closest. If it is near to the Rings it foretells a holiday or long distance relationship.