Caribbean Compass Yachting Magazine April 2015
Welcome to Caribbean Compass, the most widely-read boating publication in the Caribbean! THE MOST NEWS YOU CAN USE - feature articles on cruising destinations, regattas, environment, events...
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APRIL <strong>2015</strong> CARIBBEAN COMPASS PAGE 32<br />
The Sky from<br />
Mid-<strong>April</strong><br />
to Mid-May<br />
by Jim Ulik<br />
“You get to say the world is flat because we live in a country that guarantees free<br />
speech, but it’s not a country that guarantees that anything you say is correct,” says<br />
astrophysicist Neil Degrasse Tyson. He adds, “Once science has been established,<br />
once a scientific truth emerges from a consensus of experiments and observations,<br />
it is the way of the world. What I’m saying is, when different experiments give you<br />
the same result, it is no longer subject to<br />
your opinion. That’s the good thing about<br />
science: It’s true whether or not you believe<br />
in it. That’s why it works.”<br />
The Game of Thrones author, George R.R.<br />
Martin, is quoted as saying, “When I was 12<br />
or 13, I had teachers take away science fiction<br />
books by [Robert A.] Heinlein and<br />
[Isaac] Asimov and say: ‘You’re a smart kid,<br />
you get good grades. Why are you reading<br />
this trash? They rot your mind. You should<br />
be reading Silas Marner.’”<br />
These quotes were made by two very successful<br />
individuals. The first quote referred<br />
in part to climate change. Obviously it is<br />
about acquiring knowledge. The second<br />
relates to inspiration and following a passion.<br />
Science and science fiction do play a<br />
large role in inspiring young people to help<br />
shape the future. There is a need for more<br />
exposure to science and space to inspire<br />
children’s curiosity. That sets the stage for<br />
individuals to generate new ideas or<br />
advanced technologies. The Apollo 11 mission<br />
in 1969 captivated and inspired a<br />
majority of the people on Earth. What will<br />
be the next mission to do so? It could be the<br />
manned mission to Mars. Or will it be the<br />
mission to send a submarine to Saturn’s<br />
moon Titan?<br />
Thursday, <strong>April</strong> 16th<br />
On its progression north, the Sun will be<br />
positioned over 10 degrees north latitude,<br />
gradually advancing to 19 degrees north by<br />
May 15th.<br />
The Moon will rise at 0400 hours and set at 1625. It will reach perigee (the closest<br />
point to Earth) at 2353. At that moment the Moon will be over the South Pacific.<br />
Saturday, <strong>April</strong> 18th<br />
Look for Venus in the west after sunset. Venus will be at its closest point to<br />
the Sun today. Check its location on Figure 2. It will be very bright and 72<br />
percent illuminated.<br />
THE CARIBBEAN SKY: FREE SHOW NIGHTLY!<br />
The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible.<br />
The New Moon moment occurs at 1457 this afternoon. The new moon period is the<br />
best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters<br />
because there is no moonlight to interfere.<br />
Sunday, <strong>April</strong> 19th<br />
Venus is now positioned seven degrees north of Aldebaran, the eye of Taurus the<br />
bull. Mercury has reached its closest orbital point to the Sun.<br />
Tuesday, <strong>April</strong> 21st<br />
Aldebaran can be found less than one degree south of the sliver Moon at 1235. By<br />
the time you see them setting in the west, the separation will have increased to two<br />
degrees, with Venus remaining nearby. Aldebaran sets at 2100 and the Moon sets<br />
at 2120.<br />
Wednesday, <strong>April</strong> 22nd<br />
At dusk in the west you will begin to see a bright Mars. As it becomes darker look<br />
slightly towards the north and you might see Mercury. You will have a half hour to<br />
find it before both planets set for the night.<br />
Thursday, <strong>April</strong> 23rd<br />
The meteor showers are beginning to return. The Lyrid meteor shower can be visible<br />
from <strong>April</strong> 16th through 25th. However the shower will reach its maximum rate<br />
of activity tonight. Wait until the Moon sets at 2306 and look for the meteors to<br />
appear from the northeast in the constellation Hercules. Watch carefully, these<br />
What next? A concept design of a submarine that<br />
might be sent into the depths of Kraken Mare,<br />
the largest sea on Saturn’s moon Titan<br />
meteors are traveling about 108,000 mph (172,500 km/h).<br />
Sunday, <strong>April</strong> 26th<br />
Jupiter will be just over five degrees north of the Moon around 1900. It is an early<br />
prediction, but the International Space Station might pass from the north-northwest<br />
to the east-northeast around this time.<br />
—Continued on next page<br />
FIGURE 1 NASA / NAIC<br />
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