Caribbean Compass Yachting Magazine January 2016

— Continued from previous page
FIGURE 2
Mars and other missions into deep space. I can only imagine what it would be like
to install lightweight batteries on a boat. Anyway, back to space. NASA is also continuing
to research propulsion technologies that will be better suited to send spacecraft
and humans to asteroids, Mars and beyond. Those systems will use solar
electric propulsion and large-scale solar sails.
All times are given as Atlantic Standard Time (AST) unless otherwise noted. The
times are based on the viewing position in Grenada and may vary by only a few minutes
in different Caribbean locations.
Jim Ulik of S/V Merengue is a photographer and cruiser currently based in Grenada.
FIGURE 2 (left):
Meridian passage
point and the conjunction
of the Moon
and Aldebaran
FIGURE 3
Monday, January 25th
It is two days past the Full Moon. The Moon continues its eastward shift, taking
position near the star Regulus in the constellation Leo. Look for the Moon to rise at
1937 with Regulus to appear a short time later.
Wednesday, January 27th
The Moon is continuing to line up with celestial objects this period. Tonight is the Moon’s
conjunction with Jupiter. Jupiter will break the horizon at 2110. The Moon will rise at
2113. Both objects will be positioned near the head of Virgo as shown in Figure 3.
Monday, February 1st
The Moon is now taking its place near Mars and Zubenelgenubi. Zubenelgenubi, a
star used in celestial navigation, is the second brightest star in the constellation
Libra. The star’s name originates from an Arabic phrase meaning the “Scorpion’s
southern claw”.
Saturday, February 6th
Venus has been closing in on Mercury these past few days. Only illuminated at six
percent, the Moon has joined the conjunction of planets this morning. Look for the
trio to be 10 degrees above the eastern horizon after 0545. Mercury and Venus will
remain close together through the remainder of this period. See Figure 4.
Friday, February 12th
Finding asteroids, determining their orbits and studying their composition has
numerous benefits. Remember past articles covering the mineral wealth of an asteroid?
Even though the original intention to fund such missions was to advance military
technology, there is also a technological benefit to our everyday lives. That is
except for daily computer maintenance and internet connection frustrations. A step
in that positive direction was the NEAR (Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous). It is the
15th anniversary of that orbiter landing on the asteroid Eros.
Sunday, February 14th
Apophis makes another close approach to Earth today. Every pass past any planets
or other celestial bodies will alter this asteroid’s orbital path. The close approach
to Earth and its gravitational pull will have a greater effect on altering Apophis’ orbit.
Researchers at NASA/JPL, Caltech, and Arecibo Observatory are continuing to
monitor the asteroid’s movements. The first close approach of any real concern is on
Friday, April 13th, 2029. Apophis will pass Earth over the mid-Atlantic and within
the orbits of the geosynchronous communication satellites. That pass could make
Apophis the first asteroid in human history to be clearly visible to the naked eye. If
Apophis passes closer than 18,900 miles from Earth it will negatively affect the
asteroid’s orbit. That could alter the orbit enough to cause Apophis to impact Earth
on April 13th, 2036. Following multiple observations, the path of Apophis cannot be
confirmed until 2021.
In the News
NASA has been searching for new battery technology and has accepted two of the
numerous research proposals. Those organizations will get additional funding for
their research. The battery designs proposed will be high-density, yet 50 percent
lighter than conventional batteries. The proposed designs will also be able to withstand
harsh environments. Those qualities will be essential for the future mission to
FIGURE 3: Virgo is
shown in the east at
2358 on January
27th, with Jupiter
and the Moon
FIGURE 4: The conjunction
between the
Moon, Venus and
Mercury at 0545 on
February 6th, with
asteroids Apophis
and Eros in
the distance
FIGURE 5: Artist’s
concept of a
solar electric
propulsion system
FIGURE 4 FIGURE 5 NASA
JANUARY 2016 CARIBBEAN COMPASS PAGE 41
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