2019 Week 6: (February 3-February 9)

In Canada we have been experiencing unseasonably cold temperatures that may be keeping astronomers inside.  There are a few highlights this week in which the Moon dances with some objects in our Solar System.  The chart below highlights the events.

Date	Event
February 4	New Moon
February 6	Vesta 1.1°S of Moon
February 6	Neptune 3°S of Moon

On Monday a new lunar cycle begins with a Micro New Moon.  A micromoon is a non-scientific term that refers to a New or Full Moon near the time of apogee (furthest point in Moon's orbit around Earth).  I would not expect the media to jump all over this term like the 'Super Blood Wolf Moon' of two weeks ago.

However, this New Moon marks the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar.  This great event is celebrated worldwide with many festivities happening throughout the days before and after.  This upcoming year is the year of the pig.  So will people be calling this a Micro Pig New Moon?  I certainly hope not.

Happy New Year! 恭禧發財

The Moon, as a waxing crescent, will be seen in the western sky dancing between Neptune and the second largest asteroid in the belt: Vesta.  Both objects have been visited by spacecraft from Earth.  Voyager 2 visited Neptune back in 1989 while Vesta was visited relatively recently in 2011 by the Dawn spacecraft.  It may be difficult to see these objects as the Sun will have just set within the same hour.

The important date to set on the calendar in the coming weeks is February 13 when Mars and Uranus will be in the same telescopic field of view.  A similar situation happened back in December when Mars and Neptune were close friends.

Mars/Neptune Conjunction - December 2018

There are no rocket launches schedule for this week but things will pick up later in February.  Also, stay tuned for March when the second Falcon Heavy will launch from LC-39A at the Kennedy Space Centre with a Saudi communications satellite.  It is an important historical fact that LC-39A was the same launch pad that sent the Apollo 11 mission to space with a Saturn V.

This is a great segue into the next agenda item: public astronomy events.  The Rothney Astrophysical Observatory is hosting another one of their famous open houses.  At this event, space historian Joel Powell will present "The Space Race: From Sputnik to Apollo 11 and Beyond".  Members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada will be out with their telescopes so you're going to want to dress in warm clothes!

Date	Event
February 9	RAO Open House (20:00-23:00)

If you would like more details about this event check out the Facebook page:

 https://www.facebook.com/events/374772506684955/

or the event page:

https://www.ucalgary.ca/rao/node/2276

As always, stay tuned on our Facebook Page for the latest information about what is happening in the sky and the news.

www.facebook.com/simonjastronomy