Month: March 2016

Astronomy Picture of the Day – A Phoenix Aurora over Iceland

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 16

A Phoenix Aurora over Iceland
Image Credit & Copyright: Hallgrimur P. Helgason; Rollover Annotation: Judy Schmidt

 

Explanation: All of the other aurora watchers had gone home. By 3:30 am in Iceland, on a quiet night last September, much of that night’s auroras had died down. Suddenly though, a new burst of particles streamed down from space, lighting up the Earth’s atmosphere once again. This time, unexpectedly, pareidoliacally, they created an amazing shape reminiscent of a giant phoenix. With camera equipment at the ready, two quick sky images were taken, followed immediately by a third of the land. The mountain in the background is Helgafell, while the small foreground river is called Kaldá, both located about 30 kilometers north of Iceland’s capital Reykjavik. Seasoned skywatchers will note that just above the mountain, toward the left, is the constellation of Orion, while the Pleiades star cluster is also visible just above the frame center. The new aurora lasted only a minute and would be gone forever — possibly dismissed as an embellished aberration — were it not captured in the featured, digitally-composed, image mosaic.

Earth Sky News for March 16th: Moon and Winter Triangle on March 16

Moon and Winter Triangle on March 16

In our March 15 post, we spoke of the Winter Circle, a large asterism – noticeable pattern of stars – consisting of bright stars from several different constellations. The Winter Circle is so big, it dwarfs even the mighty constellation Orion the Hunter. And, in fact, Orion makes up the southwestern part of the Winter Circle. But there is also a pattern within the Winter Circle that many notice. It’s in the southeastern part of the humongous Winter Circle, and it’s called the Winter Triangle.

As darkness falls on the night of March 16, 2016, look for the three bright stars that form the Winter Triangle to the south of the moon.

In their order of brilliance, these stars are Sirius, Procyon and Betelgeuse.

If you live at northerly latitudes, the Winter Triangle appears below the moon in the southern sky; from temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere, the Winter Triangle appears above the moon in the northern sky.

Bottom line: Once you find the Winter Triangle – consisting of the stars Sirius, Procyon and Betelgeuse – you can go from there to locate the larger Winter Circle pattern. Both of these patterns are asterisms – not official constellations. They’re just noticeable patterns on the sky’s dome.

 

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 published on EarthSky

Your Daily Influences for March 16th

Your Daily Influences
March 16, 2016

 

Queen of Cups
Success and happiness are attainable in all their forms. Visions and dreams are realized. Honesty, devotion and loyalty are enjoyed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isa
The Ice Rune, represents stagnation and a passionless existence. Your life’s course may seem blurry at the moment, but if you persevere you will move onto better days.

 

 

 

 

Book of Charms
Someone will or has invaded your privacy with ill intentions, and created an atmosphere of distrust. The information they obtained will be used against you.

 

 

 

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 Daily Charm for March 16th is The Tau Cross

Your Daily Charm for Today

Today’s Meaning:
A journey that you or someone close to you must make will have a positive influence on this aspect. This trip may be over a great distance.

General Description:
This charm was worn by the ancients to protect the wearer against disease and snake bites. The Jews used it as an amulet for epilepsy and erysipelas. It is still used in Ireland as a talisman against sickness. The Tau is one of the most ancient crosses and the forerunner of the Latin Cross. Moses used the Tau Cross with the brazen serpent attached, to save the Children of Israel in the wilderness from the attacks of the fiery serpents. The Cross has always been the symbol of life eternal. It was this mark, the Tau Cross, that was placed upon the foreheads of those exempted from Divine wrath in Jerusalem.