Astrology of Today – May 9, 2016

Summary:

• The Moon is in Gemini until 1:23 PM.
• The Moon is void from 12:14 AM until 1:23 PM.
• The Moon is in Cancer from 1:23 PM forward (until Wednesday, May 11th, at 5:31 PM).
• The Moon is waxing and in its New Moon phase until 9:33 PM / the Moon is waxing and in its Waxing Crescent phase from 9:33 PM.
• A New Moon occurred on the 6th, and a First Quarter Moon will occur on May 13th.
• Mercury is retrograde (Mercury is retrograde from April 28-May 22).
• Mars is retrograde (Mars is retrograde from April 17-June 29).
• Jupiter stations as it turns direct today.

Weekly Forecast: May 1 – 14, 2016

a message from Kelly M. Beard

To view more of Kelly’s insight, please visit her website, Lunar Reflections

The Karmic Tools Weekly Forecast covers the current planetary transits which affect people in different ways and to various degrees of intensity.  Take notice when it is a Personal planet (Sun / Moon / Mercury / Venus / Mars) interacting with a Social (Jupiter/Saturn) or Collective planet (Uranus / Neptune/Pluto).  And pay extremely close attention when it is a Social planet interacting with a Collective planet because that means something *big* is brewing that will move large groups of people along their evolutionary paths. Tuning in to the energy and rhythm of the planets can serve as a useful *guide* as you move along your Individual Path.  It also helps to understand your place within the context of the larger Social & Collective Story. Below, you will find out how these energies tend to manifest, as well as guidance and direction.

*NOTE*  There are some days when there are NO CONTACTS (besides the Moon), please note that there are no missing entries, we just list the actual Activations of each week + the day they happen.  

5/1 ~ Sun (core essential Self) ~sextile~ Neptune (vision & imagination):
This energy activates your ability to dissolve the ego (momentarily) and allow your SoulSelf to shine through! Your Spiritual center, base or practice comes up – how is it supporting you? If you’ve gotten away from your practice, this energy will make it easier to connect to your Spirit, your intuition and the vision for your life’s purpose, at this time. You may find where your contribution is most valued, when you step outside your Self and see how others’ needs are important. Find a need and fill it … in your own deliciously unique way, as you will be more giving & compassionate naturally, under this influence. Your physical energy may be low as a result of Neptune channeling the Sun’s Source Energy inwardly to re-charge your Spirit. Otherwise, it could be projections of all kinds, yours and other people’s as well. Best to spend some intentional solitude, preferably in nature if/when/where possible.

5/3 ~ Sun (Source & essential Self) ~trine~ Jupiter (expansion):
This is a blessing of Source energy fueling your biggest dreams & visions for your life, this lifetime. You are encouraged to take advantage of the good *vibe* available when these two get together to expand your life’s direction in a big way. This activation is often blessings from previous dedication. You’ve been moving in a certain direction, and it’s like the Path is wider & deeper now, allowing you to connect some huge pieces of your personal Story *together* in a new way. It’s great for learning & exploring anything that will support your forward movement. Some may use the good vibe to veg-out and relax, which for some, may be best. However, if you are stepping up to new levels of your own consciousness, this energy totally supports you as you integrate it all. It is an enthusiastic, optimistic energy that will open doors for you, depending on your attitude. It will allow you to see the big picture and the next necessary step toward your goals at this time.

5/7 ~ Sun (core essential Self) ~trine~ Pluto (purification & transformation):
This energy makes you want to get things done, by any means necessary and you may tend to come on a little strong – but it’s all good. The work you want to do, is work that needs to be done and in doing it and facing things head-on, you will gain insights about your Self that fortify your foundation so that your life can evolve to the next level organically. This intense and powerful energy is transformative in nature and will provoke you to think deeply about your life; what you need, desire and deserve. You may find that some aspects of your life need to be reformed or released – go for it – this energy makes reform and release easier than usual. It’s a good time to make an impression or an impact on others, but be sure to keep it on the Highest level possible. Any actions or statements used to manipulate others for selfish gain can/will backfire on you in a big way. This is a positive, uplifting, transformative energy – use it as such to clear the debris and create the life you were born to live.

5/9 ~ Venus (essence & natural beauty) ~sextile~ Neptune (consciousness & vision):
This energy connects your true values & priorities to the planet of dreams, mysticism & other dimensions (Neptune). You have an opportunity to gain some traction on making your vision tangible just by connecting to the essence you want to experience. Feel the feeling and that will lead to the physical manifestation later. This energy helps you believe in what is possible and supports any artistic expression or active practice (vision boards, affirmations etc) that helps you hone the actual vision. Steps and strategies are for other planets, Venus only cares about the essence of nature & love and Neptune is definitely not who you’d work with for ‘steps/strategies’ ; -) Tune in to the natural beauty around you and suspend any usual inner dialogue for a day or two (as soon as you can) so you can connect to some inspiration guided by your own Heart & Soul (from the inside-out).

5/9 ~ Mercury (ideas, thoughts & concepts) ~conjunct~ Sun (source & essential Self):
This energy will compel you to express yourself on many levels. Communication will be a focus, just make sure it is reciprocated. You will have access to some powerful energy that can (and probably will) make quite an impression on others (if you need to). This is a good time to travel if possible too. However, if not physically, than mentally and certainly within your own area because you will take in more information per square inch than usual. Pay attention! You may even gain the much deserved recognition from others that you have worked so hard for.

5/10 ~ Venus (socialize) ~trine~ Jupiter (optimism & travel):
This is usually a pleasant energy, although short lived. This is a good time to enjoy some kind of social activity. No pressure – just easy, laid-back fun. It can make you prone to laziness or excess, but only if you’re already prone to it. Otherwise, if you are typically busy and constantly on the go, this energy gives you permission to kick back a little and release the usual pressures to produce. Take some time out to “smell the roses” or at least reflect on all that you have accomplished and give your Self due credit for coming this far. This is a good time to travel, go on a vacation or take a short trip. This energy tends to bring forth earned blessings. Take a moment to give thanks to the powers that be which brought you to this point!

5/12 ~ Mercury (ideas, thoughts & concepts) ~trine~ Pluto (rebirth & transformation):       (1 of 2: 5/12 & 5/30)
This activation makes any deep delving within easier and more fruitful. It encourages you to ask the deeper questions, clarify your deeper feelings and trust your intuitive gut feelings that are telling you something has to die so some other aspect of your consciousness can live. You will want to explore your inner Self, sort through recently gathered information and try to understand better what your natural process really is. It is best to be alone for such research. Take a day or a weekend and grab your most powerful books & music and get somewhere beautiful if you can, if not, then your bedroom will do just as well – and dig deep! You are finally ready for the deeper truth, and you will be transformed by what you learn. If you must communicate with others, plan on that being deep as well, so best to talk to a trusted advisor or wise elder. Nothing superficial today. The only warning with this energy is not to become obsessive about one particular idea – and certainly don’t try to force any ideas on others. If you feel the deep need to focus on one particular thing, that is fine but try to keep some perspective or write down all your revelations so you can reflect on them at a later time when you can be more objective and prioritize better.

5/13 ~ Mercury (ideas, thoughts & concepts) ~conjunct~ Venus (values & priorities):
This energy encourages you to see the Divine Order or the unifying theme running through the events of your life ~ good, bad & indifferent as well as past, present & future. This is an initiation of new values around communication, self-expression and the value of your ideas. You may finally be able to express ideas that have been percolating in your head, some people say “I love you” at this time, or articulate their feelings in deeper, more expressive ways. It’s really *juicy* for your Inner Artist, this is the beginning of expressing your creative ideas in altogether new & different ways than ever before. Allow your Imagination to free-flow. Play with ideas with no attachment to outcome. Take advantage and explore all that this energy stirs within you, but don’t give in to over-thinking/processing things. These connections are richer, giving you access to deeper personal growth & development through a new understanding of how all the events of your life work together for good, ultimately. You can see the necessity of certain challenges and clearly see your own personal mastery thus far. Celebrate and choose to create some new thought patterns that integrate and reflect more beauty throughout your life.

5/13 ~ Venus (relationships & resources) ~trine~ Pluto (purification & transformation):
Anytime Pluto’s involved the intensity levels go up and you are able to hear/feel your SoulSelf more clearly than usual. Venus brings up that which is most important to you personally, your individual values & priorities, where your relationships & resources are concerned. This is an easy angle, making purification & transformation smoother than usual too. So, what are you ready to change? How have your values & priorities changed completely in the last year or so? Use this activation to deepen your connection with those you love most and allow the relationship to evolve to a totally new level. If you’re working on your relationship with money or self-worth specifically, this activation is a good time for prayer or ritual that supports positive change and your vision for the future. Pour any intense emotions or revelations into art of any medium or do a vision board, but give expression to the depths you recognize as coming to the surface of your consciousness.

Daily Incantations & Enchantments for Everyday of the Month

DAY 1

This is an enchantment that can be used on jewelry, watches, anything that you will wear throughout the day that you can touch often, whenever you need a burst of positive energy. Hold the item in your left hand and chant over it.

Source

The Power of Positive Witchcraft: Daily Incantations & Enchantments: A Spell a Day for 30 Days
Garden Summerland

Magickal Activity for the 9th Day of May, The Day of Lemuria

Protection Bag

Items You Will Need:
A small black bag
One each of the following stones: Cat’s eye, flint, jet, obsidian, olivine and onyx
10 Black beans
One Black votive candle (in a holder)

Light the votive candle. Chant the following as you place the stones in the bag one at a time:

“To any who shall cause me harm,
Your powers I now disarm.”

Place the bag full of stones next the candle. Allow the candle to burn out. Carry the bag in your purse or brief case, or place it near the main entrance of your home.

Lemuria

In ancient Rome, May 9 through 11 was Lemuria. This was a time of great consequence and set aside to appease the spirits of the household dead, who were believed to be particularly active during the month of May. It seems that the most terrifying of the wandering apparitions were those of children who had died young, because they apparently harbored bored ill feelings for the living. The head of the household would rise at midnight and make the mana fico sign (the thumb between the middle of the closed fingers). He would then walk barefoot through the house and scatter black beans as a ransom som so ghosts or spirits would leave the other household members alone. Otherwise, they might be carried off.

Little is known of the public rites that took place at this time, except that all state affairs were in abeyance, no battles were fought, no business was conducted, and no marriages were contracted. It is, however, believed that the sacrifices made to Mania (mother of the Lares) on May 11 might have been part of the Lemuria, because Mania was a Goddess of death.

The Witches Correspondences for Monday, May 9th

Magickal Intentions: Psychic Sensitivity, Women’s Mysteries, Tides, Waters, Emotional Issues, Agriculture, Animals, Female Fertility, Messages, Theft, Reconciliations, Voyages, Dreams and Merchandise

Incense: African violet, Honeysuckle, Myrtle, Willow, Wormwood

Planet: Moon

Sign: Cancer

Angel: Gabriel

Colors: Silver, White and Gray

Herbs/Plants: Night Flowers, Willow Root, Orris Root, Birch, Motherwort, Vervain, White Rose and White Iris

Stones: Carnelian, Moonstone, Aquamarine, Pearl, Clear Quartz, Fluorite, Geodes

Oil: (Moon) Jasmine, Lemon, Sandalwood

Monday belongs to the Moon. Monday’s energy best aligns itself with efforts that deal with women, home and hearth, the family, the garden, travel, and medicine. It also boosts rituals involving psychic development and prophetic dreaming.

Correspondences for the Moon in Cancer

Attributes: Sensitive, emotional, practical, organized, routine

Herbs: Poppy, willow, lemon balm, mugwort, orris

Stones: Emerald, moonstone, pearl

Element: Water

Day: Monday

Colors: Silver, pale blue

Planet: Moon

Source

A Spell Crafter’s Compendium
Terri Paajanen

About the First Quarter Moon

The First Quarter Moon phase occurs when the Moon is 90 degrees after the Sun.

This is a time of action. We become aware of differences, and this can be a time of stress, clashing, and discord, but also of great energy, motivation, and growth. We may be feeling especially ambitious and competitive. Things are beginning to take off or to turn a corner. This is a time when we want to get something going, but we may not know the next step or the exact direction we want it/us to take. Most suitable activities now include taking action, pushing forward, making offers, researching more options, meeting new people, and gathering new/additional supplies you may need to further a project. Watch for overconfidence or overshooting the mark. Use the stress generated now to make changes.

The Witches Almanac for Monday, May 9th

Monday (Moon): Peace, sleep, healing, compassion, friends, psychic awareness, purification, and fertility.

Lemuria (Roman)

Waxing Moon
The Waxing Moon (from the New Moon to the Full) is the ideal time for magic to draw things toward you.

Moon phase: First Quarter

Moon Sign: Gemini
Gemini: Things begun now are easily changed by outside influence. Time for shortcuts, communication, games, and fun.

Moon enters Cancer 1: 24 pm
Cancer: Stimulates emotional rapport between people. Pinpoints need, supports growth and nurturance. Tends to domestic concerns.

Incense: Narcissus

Color: Ivory

Monday – Magical Days Of the Week

Monday is the day of the moon itself, and it’s a day that’s connected to lunar colors like silver, white, or even a pale blue. Metals and gemstones like silver, pearl, opal and moonstone all come into play today.

There are plenty of deities associated with the moon – Thoth and Diana for instance – and herbal correspondences include many members of the mint family. Utilize wintergreen or peppermint, as well as catnip, comfrey, sage and chamomile in your workings.

When it comes to Monday magic, because of that lunar connection, it’s a good time to focus on workings related to childbearing and family life, purity and virginity, healing, wisdom, and intuition. Do a little bit of self exploration and work on developing your intuition – learn to trust your gut. Celebrate birth and life, and make some magic to fix what is broken.

Source

Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article published & owned by About.com

Monday Is A Day of Witchery, Magick and Enchantment

Think for a moment on all of the witchery, magick and enchantments that you have discovered. Don’t be afraid to adjust spells to suit your own specific needs. Any gentle, illusory, and dreamy charms and spells can be enhanced when you work on the day of the week that is dedicated to the moon. Mondays are a fantastic day to boost your psychic abilities and to tune in to your intuition and empathy. It also gives you the opportunity to work with a different lunar phase each and every Monday, which means in one month you could work four different types of moon magicks on Mondays. How’s that for adding to your repertoire? You are going to have mad skills in no time at all.

So light up those lunar scented candles and add a little mystique to your outfit by wearing an enchanting lunar color. Wear your sparkling silver jewelry and maybe add a pair of dangling silver earrings or a pendant shaped like a crescent moon. Create lunar potions and philters; make a dream catcher and give it as a gift to someone you love. Burn some sandalwood or jasmine-scented incense today to inspire the glamour and magick of the moon. Slice up a favorite variety of fruit that is in season for a snack or share it with your love and enjoy his or her lunar and romantic qualities. Brew up a cup of chamomile tea, enchant it with a little moon magick, and relax and get a good night’s sleep.

Most importantly, get outside tonight and watch the moon for a while. What phase is she in? What color was the moon as she rose? Why not start a journal and write down at what location the moon rises and sets for a few seasons? This is a great way to teach you to tune in and to become more aware of the moon and the influence that she pulls into our lives. Try calling on Selene for her magickal assistance, and call Thoth for wisdom and strength. Get to know the Norse Mani and the Latvian Meness. These gods of the moon have plenty to teach, and if you allow their influence to cycle through your life, you’ll receive many blessings. Be imaginative, and create your own personal lunar magick and witchery. Go on….the moonlight becomes you.

Source

Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan

The Witches Monday

In the word Monday, we can see part of the word Moon. In the romance languages such as Italian or Spanish, this day of the week is called Lunes and clearly relates to the word lunar. On Mondays, a variety of magick may be worked. Because Monday centers on the energies of the Moon, things like dreams, feminine energy, health, success in spiritual pursuits, domestic matters, and things of family origin are especially important this day.

Mondays are best for love magick and anything concerning home or family, thus old saying, Mondays child is fair of face, which seems clearly to relate to the themes of love and health.

Angels of Monday are Gabriel, Arcan, Missabu, and Abuzaha. Arcan is known as the king of the angels of air and the “ruler” of Monday. Abuzaha (Abuzohar) serves Monday, and is very responsive to invocations and ritual magick. Missabu is a ministering angel of Arcan.

Check whether the moon is waning or waxing to determine what your spell will be. During waning moons, do spells to rid yourself of obstacles or for wisdom and protection. During waxing moons do magic for increase of any kind or to draw something into your life.

On Mondays, the best hour to work is moonrise. Get this information from your local newspaper, astrological calendar, or almanac.

Source

Gypsy Magic

The Pagan Book of Days for Monday, May 9th

Lemuria

The Roman lemures are the wandering spirits of dead family members who revisit their former homes on this day. The shades are acknowledged on the three days of the Lemuria. The other two days when the spirits are abroad are 11 May and 13 May.

Source

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

Monday, May 9, 2016

Monday is the sacred day of the moon, personified as the goddesses Selene, Luna, and Mani. The moon is ruler of flow, affecting the changeable and impressionable aspects of people. If a full moon falls on a Monday, then the powers of the moon are at their most potent.

Deity: Mani

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Planet: Moon

Tree: Willow

Herb: Chickweed

Stone: Agate

Animal: Crab

Element: Water

Color: Green

Rune: Lagu (L)

Celtic Tree Month of Saille (Willow) – April 15th thru May 12. The Willow tree is associated with healing and growth. During this phase, work on rituals, involving healing, growth of knowledge, nurturing, and women’s mysteries.

Runic Half-Month of Lagu (flowing water) – April 29th – May 13th

Goddess of the Month of Maia April 18 thru May 15

Source

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick

Monday’s Conjuring

Monday – is associated with the Moon

Candle colors – white or gray

Crossroads work to learn to read cards, dealing with family matters, Protection, Truth, Peace, Justice

—Old Style Conjure Wisdoms, Workings and Remedies
Starr Casas

Transit of Mercury on May 9, 2016

A transit of Mercury – the innermost planet of our solar system – is coming up on May 9, 2016! A transit occurs when Mercury passes directly in front of the sun. At such times, Mercury can been seen through telescopes with solar filters as a small black dot crossing the sun’s face. Mercury will come into view on the sun’s face at 7:12 a.m. EDT (1112 UTC). It’ll make a leisurely journey across the sun’s face, reaching mid-point at approximately 10:47 a.m. EDT (1447 UTC) and finally exiting at 2:42 p.m. EDT (1842 UTC). Translate to your time zone here. The entire 7.5-hour path across the sun will be visible across the U.S. East – with magnification and proper solar filters – while those in the U.S. West can observe the transit in progress after sunrise. Play the video and follow the links below to learn more about the May 9, 2016 transit of Mercury.

How to watch the May 9 transit of Mercury online

How often do transits of Mercury happen?

What part of Earth will see the May 9 transit of Mercury?

Equipment needed to watch a Mercury transit

May 9 transit times in Universal Time

Mercury transit times for select North American cities in your local time

Transit contact times for many more North American cities via Fred Espenak’s EclipseWise.com

Dates for transits of Mercury in the 21st century (2001 to 2100)

Mercury transit cycles

How to watch the transit of Mercury online.

Watch the transit of Mercury online via Virtual Telescope Project (starts May 9 at 7 a.m. EDT, or 11 UTC)

Watch the transit of Mercury online via Slooh (starts May 9 at 7 a.m. EDT, or 11 UTC)

NASA will provide coverage of the transit via several avenues.

– A live program on NASA TV and the agency’s Facebook page from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. ET (1430-1530 UTC). This informal roundtable will offer experts representing planetary, heliophysics and astrophysics who discuss the science behind the Mercury transit. Viewers can ask questions via Facebook and Twitter using #AskNASA.

Click here to find a public presentation of the Mercury transit near you

How often do transits of Mercury happen?

Although much more common than transits of Venus, transits of Mercury happen only 14 times in the 21st century (2001 to 2100).

Transits of Mercury always occur in either May or November.

The last three were in 1999 (November 15), 2003 (May 7) and 2006 (November 8); the next will be on May 9, 2016, and the next after that will be November 11, 2019.

What part of Earth will see the May 9 transit of Mercury? As shown on the worldwide chart above, the transit will be visible (at least in part) from most of the globe, with the exception of shaded-out portion (Indonesia, far-eastern Asia, Australia and New Zealand). Mercury takes some 7.5 hours to cross the sun’s disk, and this transit of Mercury is entirely visible (given clear skies) from the eastern half of North America, most of South America, Greenland, Iceland, far-western Africa, western and northern Europe, plus the Arctic.

For North America, the transit begins in the early morning hours on May 9. The eastern part of North America sees the start of the transit after sunrise May 9, whereas the western part sees the transit already in progress as the sun rises on May 9.

As for the world’s Eastern Hemisphere – Africa, Europe, Middle East and Asia – the transit starts around noon May 9 in the westernmost parts of Africa and Europe, and in the late afternoon May 9 in eastern Asia (China, Mongolia, Thailand). In western Asia and eastern Africa, the transit begins around mid-afternoon May 9.

Equipment needed to watch a Mercury transit. Mercury’s diameter is only 1/158th of that of the sun, as seen from Earth. That’s why eclipse master Fred Espenak recommends using a telescope with a magnification of 50 to 100 times for witnessing the event.

Plus your telescope must be equipped with a safe solar filter to safely watch this transit, or else you risk permanent eye damage. Click here to learn how to view the sun safely

Click here to find a public presentation of the Mercury transit near you

Click here to learn how to watch the Mercury transit online

May 9 transit times in Universal Time

We provide the geocentric (Earth-centered) contact times of the transit of Mercury in Universal Time(UT). If you know how to convert Universal Time to your local time (here’s how to do it), you can get a good approximation of the contact times for the Mercury transit for your part of the world. NOTE: Because the transit is viewed from the Earth’s surface, instead of the Earth’s center, the contact times could differ from the geocentric contact times by up to a minute.

First contact (ingress, exterior): 11:12:19 UT
Second contact (ingress, interior): 11:15:31 UT
Greatest transit: 14:57:26 UT
Third contact (egress, interior): 18:39 UT
Fourth contact (egress, exterior): 18:42:26 UT

Mercury transit times for select North American cities in your local time

The times below are in your local time (meaning no conversion is necessary). We give transit contact times for various North American cities and Honolulu, Hawaii.

NOTE: All places within the same time zone have very similar contact times.

Newfoundland Daylight Time (NDT)

St. Johns, Newfoundland:
First contact (ingress, exterior): 8:43:17 a.m. NDT
Second contact (ingress, interior): 8:46:29 a.m. NDT
Greatest transit: 12:27:26 p.m. NDT
Third contact (egress, interior): 4:07:14 p.m. NDT
Fourth contact (egress, exterior): 4:10:59 p.m. NDT

Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT)

Halifax, Nova Scotia:
First contact (ingress, exterior): 8:13:26 a.m. ADT
Second contact (ingress, interior): 8:16:38 a.m. ADT
Greatest transit: 11:57:38 p.m. ADT
Third contact (egress, interior): 3:37:58 p.m. ADT
Fourth contact (egress, exterior): 3:41:10 p.m. ADT

Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

New York City, New York:
First contact (ingress, exterior): 7:13:34 a.m. EDT
Second contact (ingress, interior): 7:16:46 a.m. EDT
Greatest transit: 10:57:54 a.m. EDT
Third contact (egress, interior): 2:38:12 p.m. EDT
Fourth contact (egress, exterior): 2:41:23 p.m. EDT

Central Daylight Time (CDT)

New Orleans, Lousiana:
First contact (ingress, exterior): 6:13:34 a.m. CDT
Second contact (ingress, interior): 6:16:58 a.m. CDT
Greatest transit: 9:58:25 a.m. CDT
Third contact (egress, interior): 1:38:42 p.m. CDT
Fourth contact (egress, exterior): 1:41:53 p.m. CDT

Mountain Daylight Time (MDT)

Denver, Colorado:
First contact (ingress, exterior): sun below horizon
Second contact (ingress, interior): sun below horizon
Greatest transit: 8:58:18 a.m. MDT
Third contact (egress, interior): 12:38:46 p.m. MDT
Fourth contact (egress, exterior): 12:41:57 p.m. MDT

Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

Los Angeles, California:
First contact (ingress, exterior): sun below horizon
Second contact (ingress, interior): sun below horizon
Greatest transit: 7:58:31 a.m. MDT
Third contact (egress, interior): 11:39:08 a.m. MDT
Fourth contact (egress, exterior): 12:41:57 a.m. MDT

Alaska Daylight Time (AKDT)

Anchorage, Alaska:
First contact (ingress, exterior): sun below horizon
Second contact (ingress, interior): sun below horizon
Greatest transit: 6:57:31 a.m. AKDT
Third contact (egress, interior): 10:38:08 a.m. AKDT
Fourth contact (egress, exterior): 10:41:53 a.m. AKDT

Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time HST)

Honolulu, Hawaii:
First contact (ingress, exterior): sun below horizon
Second contact (ingress, interior): sun below horizon
Greatest transit: sun below horizon
Third contact (egress, interior): 8:39:58 a.m. HST
Fourth contact (egress, exterior): 8:43:10 a.m. HST

What causes a transit of Mercury?

Only planets that orbit the sun inside of Earth’s orbit – Mercury and Venus – ever transit the sun, as seen from Earth. If Mercury orbited the sun on the same plane that Earth does, there would be three to four transits of Mercury each calendar year.

However, Mercury’s orbital plane in inclined at 7^o to the ecliptic (Earth’s orbital plane). That means when Mercury swings in between the Earth and sun at inferior conjunction (see illustration below) every four or so months, Mercury usually sweeps to the north or south of the solar disk. Therefore a transit of Mercury is fairly rare, only happening 13 to 14 times per century.

Each time Mercury circles the sun in its short and swift orbit of 88 Earth-days, Mercury travels north of the ecliptic (Earth’s orbital plane) for about half its orbit, and south of the ecliptic during the other half of its orbit. Twice in its orbit, Mercury crosses the Earth’s orbital plane at points called nodes. When Mercury is traveling from north to south, it’s called a descending node; and when Mercury is traveling south to north, it’s called an ascending node.

Whenever Mercury crosses a node in close vicinity to reaching inferior conjunction, a transit of Mercury is not only possible but inevitable. Mercury crosses its descending node nearly concurrently with Mercury at inferior conjunction on May 9, 2016, to present a rather rare transit of Mercury.

Descending node transits can only happen during the first half of May, and ascending node transits in the first half of November. At other times of the year, Mercury at inferior conjunction would either pass north or south of the sun’s disk.

Dates for transits of Mercury in the 21st century (2001 to 2100). All Mercury transits happen in either May (descending node) or November (ascending node).

May 7, 2003
Nov 8, 2006
May 9, 2016
Nov 11, 2019
Nov 13, 2032
Nov 7, 2039
May 7, 2049
Nov 9, 2052
May 10, 2062
Nov 11, 2065
Nov 14, 2078
Nov 7, 2085
May 8, 2095
Nov 10, 2098

November (ascending node) transits happen about twice as often as May (descending node) transits. This is because Mercury has a very eccentric (oblong) orbit whereby Mercury comes a whopping 24 million kilometers (15 million miles) closer to the sun at perihelion (closest point to the sun in its orbit) than at aphelion (farthest point). In May, Mercury is rather close to aphelion, and quite far from the sun, which severely narrows the window of opportunity for a May transit. In November, Mercury swings rather near perihelion, and quite close to the sun, widening the period of time during which a November transit is possible.

Mercury transit cycles. Note that after a May transit, a November transit faithfully comes 3.5 years later (for instance: May 9, 2016 and November 11, 2019). Transits recur on nearly the same date in cycles of 46 years (for instance: May 9, 2016 and May 10, 2062). November transits, which are more common than May transits, occasionally recur in periods of 7 years, and more frequently in periods of 13 and 33 years.

May transits, which are less common than November transits, frequently recur in periods of 13 and/or 33 years. The 46-year cycle represents a combination of 13 and 33 years (13 + 33 = 46).

Seven century catalog of Mercury transits: 1601 CE to 2300 CE

Bottom line: Our solar system’s innermost planet, Mercury passes directly in front of the sun on May 9, 2016. Who will see it, how to watch, equipment needed, transit times.

Author

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.

The Sky This Week: May 9 – May 15

A New Moon rises, Comet PANSTARRS makes an appearance, and Mercury crosses in front of the Sun.

Monday, May 9
Mercury passes directly between the Sun and Earth today for the first time since November 8, 2006. The innermost planet’s dark disk will transit the Sun’s face for 7.5 hours. Observers across most of the world (excluding Australia, New Zealand, eastern Asia, and the adjacent oceans) can view at least some of the transit. This is a morning event for most North Americans. Mercury first touches the solar disk at 7:12 a.m. EDT, lies closest to the Sun’s center at 10:57 a.m., and leaves our star’s limb at 2:39 p.m. You’ll need a telescope equipped with a safe, full-aperture solar filter to see this event. For complete observing details, see “How to view Mercury’s rare transit” in the May issue of Astronomy.

Tuesday, May 10
The Big Dipper’s familiar shape lies nearly overhead on May evenings. The spring sky’s finest binocular double star marks the bend of the Dipper’s handle. Mizar shines at 2nd magnitude, some six times brighter than its 4th-magnitude companion, Alcor. Even though these two are not physically related, they make a fine sight through binoculars. (People with good eyesight often can split the pair without optical aid.) A small telescope reveals Mizar itself as double — and these components do orbit each other.

Wednesday, May 11
Another comet in the growing throng of such objects discovered by the Pan-STARRS telescope in Hawaii makes its appearance it May’s morning sky. Comet PANSTARRS (C/2013 X1) currently glows between 7th and 8th magnitude in northeastern Aquarius. (This morning, it lies 2° northeast of 4th-magnitude Phi [f] Aquarii.) From most of the United States, you’ll need a clear, flat eastern horizon to spot the comet through a telescope just before dawn breaks.

Thursday, May 12
Brilliant Jupiter appears high in the south as darkness falls and remains on display until 3 a.m. local daylight time. The giant planet shines at magnitude –2.2 — brighter than any other point of light in the night sky — against the backdrop of southern Leo the Lion. Jupiter appears equally dazzling through a telescope, which reveals a wealth of atmospheric detail on a disk that spans 40″. Look carefully tonight and you should see a black dot crossing the cloud tops. This is the shadow of Ganymede, Jupiter’s (and the solar system’s) largest moon. This shadow transit takes place from 11:40 p.m. to 2:51 a.m. EDT.

Friday, May 13
First Quarter Moon occurs at 1:02 p.m. EDT. The half-lit orb rises just after noon local daylight time, appears highest in the south shortly before sunset, and sets around 2 a.m. The Moon spends this evening among the background stars of southwestern Leo the Lion, less than 5° from that constellation’s brightest star, Regulus.

Saturday, May 14
The Moon moves approximately 13° eastward relative to the starry background every 24 hours, and its motion carries it near Jupiter this evening. From North America, the two appear within 5° of each other all night. They will be in conjunction at 6 a.m. EDT tomorrow morning, when our satellite passes 2° due south of the planet.

Sunday, May 15
About 45 minutes after Mars rises, Saturn pokes above the southeastern horizon. Although the ringed planet pales in comparison to its neighbor, its yellow color contrasts nicely with the Red Planet’s hue. Throw in the ruddy glow of nearby Antares, the 1st-magnitude luminary of Scorpius, and you have a colorful trio of bright objects to follow throughout the late evening and morning hours. As you might guess, Saturn’s proximity to Mars means it also will reach opposition and peak visibility soon — in fact, it reaches this orbital highlight June 3. The view of Saturn through a telescope never fails to impress. This week, the world appears 18″ across and sports a beautiful ring system that spans 42″ and tilts 26° to our line of sight.
 

Source

Astronomy Magazine

Your Sun & Moon Data for Monday, May 9th

Sun is in Taurus
Moon is in Gemini

Sun
Sun Direction: ↑ 105.35° ESE
Sun Altitude: 47.52°
Sun Distance: 93.860 million mi
Next Solstice: Jun 20, 2016 5:34 PM (Summer)
Sunrise Today: 5:51 AM↑ 67° East
Sunset Today: 7:51 PM↑ 293° Northwest
Length of Daylight: 14 hours

Moon
Moon Direction: ↑ 78.34° ENE
Moon Altitude: 14.51°
Moon Distance: 228822 mi
Next Full Moon: May 21, 20164:14 PM
Next New Moon: Jun 4, 20169:59 PM
Next Moonset: Today11:05 PM
Moon Phase: Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 11.4%

Source

timeanddate.com