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Courtesy of EarthSky
A Clear Voice for Science
www.EarthSky.org
Can you find the star that is shining close to the big and bright waxing gibbous moon tonight? That is Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo the Lion. Regulus is the only first-magnitude star to sit almost exactly on the ecliptic.
The ecliptic is the Earth’s orbital plane projected outward onto the sphere of stars. The ecliptic is often shown on sky charts, because the moon and planets are always found on or near the ecliptic.
Four first-magnitude stars reside close enough to the ecliptic to be occulted – covered over – by the moon on occasion: Regulus, Spica, Antares and Aldebaran. In fact, the moon occulted Antares during January and February of 2010. Although no more lunar occultations of first-magnitude stars are in the works for this year, lunar occultations of bright stars are not uncommon. However, an occultation of a first-magnitude star by a planet is extremely rare. The last time a planet occulted a first-magnitude star was when Venus occulted Regulus on July 7, 1959. The next time will be when Venus occults Regulus on October 1, 2044.
Before 1959, the most recent planet/first-magnitude star occultation took place on November 10, 1783, when Venus occulted Spica. Venus will again occult Spica on September 2, 2197.
Written by Bruce McClure
Other Links:
Astronomy Picture of the Day from NASA/JPL
The York County Astronomical Society
Scope CityJames S McDonnell Planetarium
How intriquing. I am having a fairly, at least these days,common but risky surgery in the early part of the 30th, as the full moon is at its peak; but I believe should be beginning to wane. some say during the full moon it could be more risky, and some surgeons won't operate that close for scientific reasons. My surgeon said he was not worried–sure, it is not HIS carotid artery! Just kidding, Doc. (I hope); I have faith in his choice. I had triple bypass 8 weeks ago, and it was risky, too, but not as close to the full moon.(6days prior) Our weather is so balmy and soft, but damp and overcast as well; and being a Scorpio my mind is too busy to sleep, and seems to be clear as a bell. I (and others) do not, if at all, sleep as deeply during any full moon phase, but it is comfortable and restful, with thinking more clearly and less anxious about surgery than I was last week. I am optomistic, and I wish I knew more about it all and how it could affect all of us during this time. It is fun and interesting science.