Prof. of Mathematics, Physics and Cosmography
aldohugoolguin@yahoo.com.ar
January is named after the Roman god Janus, the one with two faces: the face turned towards the past, and looking toward the future.
In summer, we can see more familiar constellations, such as Orion’s Belt (The Three Marys), The Three Kings, The Seven Sisters, the Southern Cross, which like the moon, are easy to recognize and locate at this time of year. The first two are part of the beautiful constellation Orion, the third one is an open cluster of about 25 stars of which only 7 are visible at first glance. The Cross’ mainmast shows us the South in the sky when carried 4.5 times. The stars Alpha and Beta Centauri accompany this constellation; Alpha is the brightest star and the one closest to the Earth. Its light takes only 4.2 years to reach us.
Before leaving I would like to mention other interesting celestial events that you should not miss this summer; they are very easy to visualize:
- At dawn, on January 4, the New Moon will pass in front of the Sun at sunrise, and we will see the moon cover a portion of the solar disk (Partial Eclipse of the Sun.) It will last until 8 pm. approx. Ask about instructions and precautions to view and photograph this safely.
- On the evening of January 10th at 8 pm, the crescent Moon will be near Jupiter (Conjunction of celestial bodies in the sky). The moons of Jupiter will be visible with a binocular!
- At midnight, on January 15th, the Moon will be among the constellation of Orion and the seven kids, to the North.
- At midnight on January 25th, the Moon will be near planet Saturn's beautiful yellow rings.
Happy 2011!
Partial solar eclipse
• Looking directly at the Sun, is dangerous for our eyes. You will need a welding mask or its glasses, which are sold in hardware stores. The most economical and secure way to observe an eclipse –and even to photograph it - is to project the sunlight through a 0.5 cm diameter pinhole made on two thin but stiff pieces of white cardboard.
