Caribbean Compass Yachting Magazine - April 2022

APRIL 2022 CARIBBEAN COMPASS PAGE 26
THE CARIBBEAN SKY: FREE SHOW NIGHTLY!
The Sky from Mid-April to Mid-May
by Jim Ulik
Spock: Fascinating. This atmosphere is remarkably similar to your twentieth
century. Moderately industrialized pollution, containing substantial amounts of carbon
monoxide, and partially consumed hydrocarbons.
Dr. McCoy: The word was smog.
— Star Trek, Bread and Circuses (1968)
Are we alone in the universe? One way to check for life is to analyze the
atmospheres of almost 5,000 exoplanets discovered to date. Do atmospheres of the
exoplanets (planets that orbit stars outside the solar system) contain oxygen,
methane or water? Are there signs of pollutants similar to those generated on Earth?
The study of those atmospheres can help us to further
understand the future of Earth’s atmosphere.
The total lunar eclipse in January 2019 provided an
opportunity to demonstrate the process of analyzing
atmosphere during Earth’s transit across the Sun. The
instrument used was the NASA/ESA Hubble telescope.
The Hubble is too sensitive to face the Earth’s atmosphere
directly while the Earth is backlit by the Sun. The
composition of the gasses encompassing Earth was
ascertained through spectrum readings. Hubble recorded
data from the reflected light off the lunar surface during
the eclipse. Watch for the lunar eclipse on May 15th.
Saturday, April 16th
Five planets line up in the eastern sky before sunrise.
Saturn, Mars, Venus, Neptune and Jupiter can be found
riding along the Sun’s ecliptic. Saturn is the first planet
to rise, before 0300 hours. Jupiter will follow, rising in
another hour. There is also a conjunction between
Jupiter and Neptune. Jupiter, named after the Roman
king of gods, will dominate the sky near the Roman god
of the sea, Neptune.
Looking west this morning around 0500 the Moon is
approaching its full phase. The Full Moon will appear as the
Sun sets this evening just in time for any party celebrating
this monthly event. Left or south of the Moon is Spica, the
16th brightest star in the night sky. Actually Spica is at
least a two-star system. However, there could be at least
four making up that bright blue point of light in the
constellation Virgo.
Friday, April 22nd
The last time comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher crossed
Earth’s orbit was May 11th and 12th, 1861. With an
orbital period of about 416 years it won’t pass near Earth
again until about 2276, plus or minus five years. Earth’s
annual pass through this debris field occurs every April
16th through 25th. The peak shower event tonight occurs
after 2300. The number of meteors radiating out of the
northeast sky could total 90 per hour. Shooting stars will radiate out of the
constellation Hercules near the star Vega.
Saturday, April 23rd
This morning the Moon will join the lineup of five planets in the eastern sky. The
only change over the last eight days has Neptune halfway between Jupiter and
Venus. The Moon reaches third quarter this afternoon.
Sunday, April 24th
Keep an eye out in the southern sky after sunset. The pi Puppid meteor shower
peaks tonight. This shower can produce up to 40 meteors per hour, but only a
limited number may be visible above 10 degrees north.
In the western sky at dusk Mercury can be seen below the Seven Sisters. Somewhat
M. KORNMESSER (ESA/HUBBLE), NASA IMAGE 1
higher is the double star Aldebaran. If you have a clear view of the horizon and a pair
of binoculars you might be able to spot comet C/2021 O3 after it made its closest
approach to the Sun. In five days C/2021 O3 will intersect Mercury’s orbit. Mercury
will reach that point on May 6th.
Sunday, April 24th through Wednesday, April 27th
Over the next five days the Moon will gradually shift towards the east. The Moon
makes a close approach to Saturn on April 24th. On April 25th it will split the
difference between Saturn and Mars. One day later the Moon will be between Mars
and Venus. A lunar triad will occur on April 27th. The Moon will be in close proximity
to Venus and Jupiter. Of course this all is visible in the eastern sky before dawn.
Hubble telescope reading the composition of Earth’s atmosphere
during a lunar eclipse.
Thursday, April 28th
The alpha Scorpiids meteor shower peaks tonight. Meteors will radiate out of the
sky near Antares in the constellation Scorpius. While Antares rises after 2000 the
best time to look for shooting stars is after 2200 when the star is high above the
horizon. This shower is active April 20th through May 19th.
—Continued on next page
BOAT PAINT & STUFF
Time Out Boat Yard Saint Martin
Next to the French Bridge
ANTIFOULING SPECIALIST:
PPG Amron COPPERCOAT
Permanent Antifouling
(10 years and more…)
Fiberglass + Epoxy & Polyester Resins
Epoxy primer + Polyurethane Top Coat
Phone: + (590) 690 221 676
info@boatpaintstuff.com
www.boatpaintstuff.com