SCENIC SPACE IN 2019

Graphic of the moon phases, left to right: new moon to waxing to full moon to waning to new moon.

Graphic by Eli Rankin / the Advocate

The year 2019 is going to be out of this world, for those who enjoy watching our night skies.

On Jan. 8 and 11, the MHCC Planetarium Director Pat Hanrahan hosted “A snapshot of upcoming astronomical events,” featuring information on where to look for planets, constellations, eclipses, and meteor showers in store for us all.

There are so many things happening in space this year. Firstly, the sun will be down to very few sunspots this year, nearing the end of its periodic cycle. Over the course of roughly 11 years, astronomers monitor the number of sunspots on the sun as they increase and decline. These sunspots tell us where the magnetic energy on the sun’s surface is the strongest, and suggest places to watch for solar flares (explosions on the surface).

While on the topic of stellar events we can’t see with the naked eye, 2019 will also provide an opportunity to witness a “transit of Mercury,” but with a catch. On Monday, Nov. 11, Mercury will appear to travel across the surface of the sun. The transit occurs only 13 times per century. Fortunately, it is possible to watch the transit, but you must have solar binoculars or a telescope that is equipped to protect your eyes.

If you don’t have special equipment, not to worry: There will be plenty of stunning astronomic events you can experience with the naked eye.

For example, just this Sunday, Jan. 20, there will be a total lunar eclipse, called the Super Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse. The moon will be completely covered by the earth’s shadow beginning at 8:41 p.m., Portland time, lasting about an hour. This is the only lunar eclipse for 2019 that will be visible in North America. (If you happen to be in Chile or Argentina on July 2, however, you could catch a lunar eclipse with an expected totality of 4 minutes and 33 seconds.

Lunar eclipses are stunning, but meteor showers are a fan favorite. This year, you will have multiple opportunities to catch sight of meteors shooting  through the sky.  A few notable showers to watch out for are the Geminid and Perseid. The Geminid will reach its maximum activity rate on Dec. 14, and is expected to rain 100-120 meteors per hour. The Perseid meteor shower will peak mid-August after the Earth intersects with a dust cloud left behind by the comet Swift-Tuttle.

While it’s nice to have a specific date to go out and look for meteors, Hanrahan reassures his visitors that if he stays out long enough with his telescope, meteors are visible on almost any night. So, if you aren’t free on peak nights, not to worry. Get out there with your telescope (or just your eyeball), and enjoy the astronomical scenery this year.

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