by Aldo Hugo Olguín
Professor of Mathematics, Physics and Cosmography
Professor of Mathematics, Physics and Cosmography
aldohugoolguin@yahoo.com.ar
March and April are synonyms of autumn in our latitude. Cool days and nice temperatures invite us to contemplate nature in its entire splendor: trees take their foliage off, flying seeds and multicolor leaves dance everywhere to the rhythm of autumn breeze.
When the Sun heads north, moving its light away from the Earth and decreasing the heat it projects to the Earth, nature gets ready for its winter sleep.
Autumn is a period of change and transformations, where energy is stored and preserved as food for winter, when everything that has been produced during summer turns into potential power for a big rebirth.
Today we know our planet moves around the Sun, and it also moves among other stars in the galaxy. However we do not notice that, we just perceive seasonal changes, which are a consequence of these movements.
March 20th is the date when the Earth reaches a point in its orbit known as autumnal equinox in the South hemisphere, and vernal equinox in the North hemisphere. At this point, the day is exactly the same as the night in its length.
On March 17th, Venus will be next to the Moon - between Pisces stars - at dusk (watch the moon).
On March 25th, Mars will be next to the Polux twin stars and the Gemini beaver at midnight.
In opposition, Saturn will be next to the Moon on March 29th (watch to the East at nightfall).
Between April 16th and 25th, after midnight, you will be able to see the Lyriads, a beautiful meteor shower you cannot miss.
Happy Autumn for everybody!
