2018 Week 4: (January 21-January 27)

We are almost through the first month of the year and we have a couple things happening in the sky.  The week after this will be very special as there will be a total lunar eclipse visible from Calgary and throughout Canada.  The chart below highlights the events happening next week.

Date	Event
January 24	First Quarter
January 27	Aldebaran 0.7°S of Moon

The Moon will reach first quarter on Wednesday and an ideal time for observation.  We will be hosting a lunar edition of the McKenzie Lake Star Night which will be a perfect time to bring out the family to a great free event!  On the weekend the bright red star of Taurus will pass just South of the Moon.

The weather for the week looks to be seasonal.  This means it will be fairly chilly with daytime highs below freezing.  There may be a touch of snow throughout the week but nothing significant is forecast.  The McKenzie Lake Star Night will take place inside at the community centre with free hot chocolate and warmth.  We can pop outside in stints to take in a telescopic view of the Moon.  The Moon will be a few days past its first quarter and we should have great views of some of the larger craters such as Copernicus, Plato and Archimedes.  The terminator will be running through the middle of the Bay of Rainbows which will provide a marvelous opportunity to see this amazing lunar feature.

Using the NASA Goddard 2018 Phase Video,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBWeSN66z9M

we can get a good idea of what the Moon will look like throughout the evening of the 26th.

Moon Phase (January 26, 20:00)

We will have a discussion about our nearest neighbour and also talk about other moons throughout the solar system.

For more information about this incredible event check out the link below.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1993774840836998/

We will also be doing a craft whereby we can make our very own Moon that you can take home!

Stay tuned this week for a special blog about the upcoming Lunar Eclipse!  Stay warm!