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 17

Close Comet and Large Magellanic Cloud
Image Credit & Copyright: Justin Tilbrook (Astronomical Society of South Australia)

 

Explanation: Sporting a surprisingly bright, lovely green coma Comet 252P/Linear poses next to the Large Magellanic Cloud in this southern skyscape. The stack of telephoto exposures was captured on March 16 from Penwortham, South Australia. Recognized as a Jupiter family periodic comet, 252P/Linear will come close to our fair planet on March 21, passing a mere 5.3 million kilometers away. That’s about 14 times the Earth-Moon distance. In fact, it is one of two comets that will make remarkably close approaches in the next few days as a much fainter Comet Pan-STARRS (P/2016 BA14) comes within 3.5 million kilometers (9 times the Earth-Moon distance) on March 22. The two have extremely similarorbits, suggesting they may have originally been part of the same comet. Sweeping quickly across the sky because of their proximity to Earth, both comets will soon move into northern skies.

Moon and Gemini stars on March 17

onight – March 17, 2016 – the waxing gibbous moon shines in front of the constellation Gemini the twins. If you look carefully, you might be able to see the Gemini stars Castor and Pollux, despite the moonlit glare. Another bright star, Procyon, is also nearby.

Look eastward at nightfall, rather close to the horizon, and you can’t miss the planet Jupiter, the brightest star-like object in the evening sky. Draw an imaginary line from the moon to Jupiter to spot the Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo the Lion, between these two beacons.

The dark side of the waxing moon always points in its direction of travel – eastward – in front of the backdrop stars. As Earth spins beneath the sky, the stars, planets and moon go westward throughout the night. Even so, the moon actually travels eastward through the constellations of the Zodiac. That eastward motion of the moon is a reflection of the moon’s true motion in orbit around Earth.

As a result of the moon’s eastward (orbital) motion, the moon will move away from Castor, Pollux and Procyon and edge closer to Regulus at the same time tomorrow, on March 18. Then it’ll shift closer to the star Regulus on March 19. And it’ll meet up with Jupiter on March 21.

As seen from the Southern Hemisphere, the moon passes between the Gemini stars and Procyon once a month, as well. People living south of the equator will see the moon, Gemini stars, Procyon and Jupiter in their northern evening sky. We in the Northern Hemisphere will see all of these objects more south to overhead. From either hemisphere, the other hemisphere see things “upside down.” From the Southern Hemisphere, Procyon shines above the moon on March 17, and Castor and Pollux below the moon.

Up or down is a matter of perspective. To avoid ambiguity, we can say that Castor and Pollux lie northof the moon (in the direction toward the North Star), and Procyon lies south of the moon (in the direction away from the North Star). Meanwhile, Jupiter is east of the moon – in the direction of sunrise – as darkness falls on March 17.

Bottom line: Tonight – March 17, 2016 – you’ll find the moon, the Gemini stars, the star Procyon in the same part of the sky. See the chart at the top of this post, and, if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, turn this chart upside-down!

Author

Bruce McClure

The Words of Confucius

You cannot open a book without learning something.

Your Daily Influences
March 17, 2016 

 

Ten of Pentacles
Riches either made or inherited may be yours. Attention to family matters may be needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elhaz
Watch for hidden traps. Look for holes in your defenses and fill them.

 

 

 

 

The Food Charm
Your health vibration is very high! You are energetic and feel you can accomplish anything. This aspect reflects positive vibrations due to diet. This will continue for a few weeks.

 

 

 

 

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 Today

Today’s Meaning:
You are at a physical peak–particularly from a sexual perspective. Enjoy the next few weeks, for they can be remarkable if you let them.

General Description:
In India and Tibet the Dorje or Thunderbolt of Jupiter, is a favourite and greatly valued talisman. It is worn to protect against magic, all spiritual evils and to bring abundance, fruitfulness, and riches. The Dorje is shaped much like a dumb bell with pointed ends, and is the symbol of power and indestructibility. It is supposed to overcome the Buddhist gods Ahi and Vrittra, the serpents, which the Buddhists believe swallow up the waters and cause drought, starvation and death; compelling the serpents to disgorge the waters, and to pour down the fertilizing showers.

Your Three Dragon Reading for Today

In Chinese Culture the Dragon is generally considered a sign of great luck and power. However the Red, Green and White Dragons in Mahjong represent three distinct influences that can affect your life. The Dragon Reading creates a relationship between sets of tiles to each Dragon to explore how you will be influenced now and in the near future.

 

The Green Dragon indicates beginnings. The Green Dragon’s tile set will suggest places where you should consider putting your energy.

 

 

 

 

Circles 1
Symbol: Pearl
The Pearl tile denotes the attainment of wealth and a life of luxury. The task will be to balance your spiritual self with your physical self.

 

 

 

Bamboo 2
Symbol: Duck
The Duck tile symbolizes a long lasting relationship with the strength to overcome all obstacles. It suggests fidelity and trustworthiness as well. Regardless of the type of partnership in question, the 2 Bamboo tile indicates a strong, healthy relationship.

 

 

 

Wan 5
Symbol: House
The House tile represents a building in which you spend much time. If your reading is positive it may well be that this building has the important function providing you with a stable environment in which you are comfortable. If the reading is negative it may represent a structure in which you are stressed and uncomfortable.