Astronomical phenomena in the year. The most important astronomical events of the outgoing year from astronomer Sergei Popov. August – conjunction of Venus and Jupiter

From August to September 2016, all 5 planets visible to the naked eye will line up in the evening sky. On some evenings, the young Moon will join them, complementing the majestic picture of the parade of planets with the radiance of a thin crescent. Let me remind you that a parade of planets is now called not the alignment of planets in one line in orbit around the Sun - this, alas, does not happen, but - to some extent the close position of the planets in some one area of ​​​​the sky on one side of the daylight.

Unfortunately, observing the summer-autumn parade of planets in 2016 in Russia is unlikely to be possible - in the fall the ecliptic will creep low along the horizon in the evening and the planets will set almost together with the Sun or shortly after sunset during daylight hours. But in the Southern Hemisphere of the Earth this spectacle will be enchanting. And there are even photographs from Chile - what it looks like now.

Even in the southern hemisphere, to successfully observe all the planets at once, you will need to choose a place with the most open view of the western sky.

Throughout the month of August, three planets - Mercury, Venus and Jupiter - will stay relatively close to each other, gradually drawing closer together, so that by the end of the period of joint visibility they will practically merge in the sky for the eye - enter into a close conjunction. This will happen on August 28, 2016 (in the Western Hemisphere - Chile, Argentina,... - it will still be August 27):

Jupiter and Venus will be so close that Venus will be closer to Jupiter than some of its moons. And even the most eagle-eyed people will not be able to see them separately during their closest approach - it will be one gigantic luminary with a brightness of -5 magnitude.

A few days later - September 3 and 4, 2016 (September 2 and 3, respectively, for residents of the Western Hemisphere) the Moon will visit this trinity. How it will look, see the illustrations below:

Pictures are clickable and enlarged

But in the next days, Mercury and Jupiter will disappear with the rays of the evening dawn and only three planets will remain available for observation - Venus, Mars and Saturn. Their community will be complemented by beautiful bright stars - blue Spica (alpha Virgo) and orange-red Antares (alpha Scorpio).

In September, Mars and Saturn, who had previously been paired, will begin to diverge more and more in the sky. And Venus will have to catch up with each of the planets in turn.

But the first meeting will still take place with Spica on the eve of the autumn equinox, these two luminaries will be separated by less than 3 degrees.

On October 4, 2016, the crescent of the young Moon will again appear next to Venus. Both luminaries will be located in the constellation Libra, while Saturn will slowly move through the constellation Scorpio, and the noticeably more agile Mars will move through the constellation Sagittarius.

Next, the Moon will visit each of the remaining evening planets in turn: Saturn (together with Antares) - October 6-7 (October 5-6 - for residents of the Western Hemisphere); Mars - October 8-9 (October 7-8, 2016 - for residents of the Western Hemisphere).

Moon transit near Saturn and Antares on October 6-7, 2016

Moon transit near Mars October 8-9, 2016

It is worth noting that even a day earlier - on October 7 - Mars itself will pass very close to a rather bright star - Lambda Sagittarius "Caus Borealis". This is a double star, although there is no reason yet to talk about a physical connection between the bright component and a faint 10th magnitude star.

At maximum approach, the angular distance between Mars and Lambda Sagittarius will be about 12 arc minutes, which corresponds to the distance between Alcor and Mizar, the double star in the handle of the Big Dipper, which the ancient Arabs used to test the vision of their warriors. It may seem to some that Mars and “Caus Borealis” have merged into one.

On October 18, 2016, Venus will enter the constellation Scorpio. Saturn will have left him by then. But the three luminaries - Venus, Saturn and Antares - will appear separately in the sky from about this day.

On October 28, 2016 (October 27 for residents of the Western Hemisphere), Venus will “slip” between Antares and Saturn. This spectacle will be worthy of the entire past parade of planets.

Venus will be able to catch up with the planet Mars only in the first days of the next year - 2017 - against the backdrop of a flaming evening dawn, in which both planets will already be lost. The evening visibility of Venus in the southern hemisphere of our planet will come to an end. And in our northern hemisphere, excellent conditions for observing the “evening star” will finally arrive. But this is a topic for a separate article, which will certainly be devoted to the visibility conditions of Venus in central Russia in 2016-2017.

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There is probably no person on our planet who does not like star showers. Sometimes they are so beautiful that they simply fascinate with their beauty. This is exactly the astronomical phenomenon that awaits us in August.

2016, like any other, has a constant schedule of meteor showers, since our planet follows the same cosmic route every year. In addition to planets, there are a huge number of celestial bodies in space, among which asteroids can be distinguished. The passage of our planet through the asteroid belts is no less important for astrological forecasts and horoscopes than the state of the stars. It is important to take into account the energy of an astronomical event, and not its physical meaning.

Perseids starfall in 2016

In mid-August, our planet always passes through the Perseid meteor shower. It is quite powerful, as more than 60 meteors burn up in the Earth's atmosphere almost every year during periods of peak activity. The stream was named after the constellation Perseus, from which cosmic particles appear. By the way, these particles are the product of a comet, which moves in its own special orbit, leaving us “messages”. The comet itself flies near our planet only once every 135 years. These particles are made up of ice and dust. Their speed is phenomenal - up to 200 thousand kilometers per second. This has a positive effect on visibility, since pieces of the comet entering the Earth's atmosphere cause powerful flares.

In general, the Earth usually enters the Perseids by the 20th of July, and exits by the 23rd or 25th of August. The peak of activity usually occurs on August 12-13. In 2016, people will be able to see the first shooting stars from July 18th. On August 12, 2016, the shower will reach 100 meteors per hour, which is significant compared to other known star showers. Almost two “stars” per minute are enough to enjoy the show. Naturally, this requires clear skies and distance from the city, because even 10 km from the city visibility is much better.

Meteor showers, as usual, will be observed the longest in northern latitudes. There the visibility is better and the sky is clearer. We are lucky that we are in the northern hemisphere, since the Perseids are almost invisible in the southern hemisphere.

Astrological forecasts for star shower

The Perseids are the first meteor shower discovered to be the product of a comet. It is also one of the first meteor showers, discovered by astronomers and Chinese sages back in the early first century AD.

In ancient times, people had a great desire to explain everything that was happening around them, and they turned, first of all, to the stars and space. It was then that the first major astrological teachings arose, telling us that any meteor shower is incredibly important for making astrological forecasts. It was customary to perform rituals on the waning moon during starfalls.

The Perseids, like other meteor showers associated with the activity of comets, carry warnings for all Zodiac Signs and people in general. The fact is that astrologers have never associated comets with anything positive. They always bring us uncertainty and make us impulsive. The same applies to the meteor showers they cause. That's why from the end of July to the end of August 2016, each of us will be a little sharper than usual. At the moments of greatest activity on August 12-13, 2016, people may experience strange sensations of the presence of a UFO. The flashes, which will appear on average twice a minute, are not associated with aliens, although many eyewitnesses claim to have seen alien ships in the air. This happened in 1992, 1993 and 1997. During these years, the Perseids were very active, so many are skeptical about people's opinions about aliens visiting Earth.

Clairvoyants and psychics say that meteor showers are a time when you can create protective talismans against the evil eye, curses and bad luck. Bright flashes drive away evil spirits. This is the time when even at night evil hides from our eyes. During such periods, folk healers cleanse themselves of negative energy, performing rituals of cleansing from the evil eye, from ancestral negative programs and curses. In terms of energy, such periods are very strong - you can feel the power of the Universe, which gives us time to correct our mistakes.

Many also predict the future during the Perseids and other similar astrological events. In 2016, the best time for fortune telling for the future will be the period from August 5 to August 12. Try to predict future events by looking behind the curtain before the play begins. We wish you good luck and beautiful star rain. Be happy and don't forget to press the buttons and

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Rare astronomical phenomena of 2016

The most striking astronomical phenomena of the summer of 2016:

The peculiarity of the 2016 Summer Solstice is that this astronomical and astrological event coincides with the full moon. The last time the summer solstice and full moon were observed was 49 years ago.

This rare astronomical event is worthy of our attention!

In astrology, there is a special time when the most powerful energies awaken. In combination with the full Moon, the energy of the day of the summer solstice can be so powerful that many of us will have to control our emotions in order to avoid unpleasant consequences.

At the end of July it will be possible to observe a meteor shower. And although this astronomical phenomenon is not uncommon, in astrology and magic, meteor showers are a good opportunity to speed up the fulfillment of cherished desires. Seeing a shooting star in the sky is great luck! Don't miss the Delta Aquarids meteor shower to make your ultimate wish!

August 11-12
The most powerful meteor shower of 2016!

In August, the “starfall” can be observed in the night sky with the naked eye. This beautiful astronomical phenomenon occurs every year; In 2016 we will witness the peak of the Perseid meteor shower.

In astronomy, this phenomenon is called the convergence of planets. In astrology, the aspect of the conjunction of Mercury and Venus is a good opportunity to direct your mind to practical goals, develop diplomatic abilities, establish business connections, and bring clarity and harmony to relationships with loved ones.

Venus and Mercury conjunctions in July 2016 are a time when partnerships (both business and personal) come to the fore.

In astrology, the aspect of the conjunction of Jupiter and Venus is a period of generosity and optimism. Under the influence of the conjunction of Jupiter and Venus, such qualities as sociability and willingness to help those who need it increase. This is the time when each of us can do something good for others, help someone in difficult times, reconcile those who are at odds. However, at the end of August 2016, under the influence of the conjunction of Jupiter and Venus, excessive carelessness and laziness may appear, which you should try to avoid.

The annular solar eclipse on September 1, 2016 will only be visible in central Africa.

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Residents of Russia can observe a rare phenomenon - a small parade of planets - these days. Mars, Jupiter, Venus and Mercury are now in the same sector of the starry sky and are visible in clear weather even with the naked eye. According to astronomers, the most favorable moment for observing the luminaries was October 18. The parade will last until the 20th, so, armed with binoculars and telescopes, you can still try to distinguish four planets in the starry sky that are in close proximity to each other.

the site has compiled a calendar of events that may be of interest to astronomy lovers in 2016.

Solar eclipses

Residents of the Earth will be able to observe a total solar eclipse on March 9. According to experts, this will be the 52nd total solar eclipse of 130 Saros.

The Saros or Draconic Period is a period consisting on an average of approximately 6585.3213 days, after which the eclipses of the Moon and the Sun approximately recur in the same order.

A similar phenomenon occurred on February 26, 1998. Anyone who cannot see it in 2016 will have to wait until March 20, 2034.

The eclipse will be visible in the eastern Indian Ocean and the northern and central Pacific Ocean. Partial phases will be visible from Asia and Australia. So, for example, the edge of the eclipse will affect the Russian Far East and Kamchatka.

Residents of the Caroline Islands will have the best luck. They will be able to see the maximum of the eclipse. The eclipse itself will last about 6 hours, but the total phase will be 4 minutes 9 seconds.

The eclipse lasts for several hours. Photo: AiF-Tula/Dmitry Cherba

In Russia, an annular solar eclipse will not be visible on the first day of autumn. To do this, you will have to go to the countries of Central Africa, Madagascar or to the area of ​​​​the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

The phenomenon got its name - “ring” - due to the fact that the shadow of the month is not able to completely cover the Sun. As a result, a ring glow is observed around the Moon.

According to astronomers, the maximum duration of the annular phase will reach 3 minutes 6 seconds.

Lunar eclipses

Eclipses, when the Moon enters the cone of the shadow cast by the Earth, can be observed twice in 2016 - on March 23 and September 16.

The penumbral lunar eclipse will be able to be observed in Kamchatka and Chukotka, Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, as well as in the Far East. Abroad, residents of Australia, New Zealand, and western North America will witness the eclipse.

Its maximum phase will be 0.8 when the Moon passes through the northern part of the Earth's penumbra.

The penumbral lunar eclipse will be visible on all continents except America. It will be clearly visible to Russians too.

Moon eclipse. Phases Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org

Supermoon

The astronomical phenomenon, when the full moon comes closest to the Earth, will occur, according to preliminary estimates, on November 14, 2016. The approach of the Moon and the Earth will be 356,511 kilometers. The planets will approach such a close distance only in November 2034. Then the distance between them will be 356,447 kilometers.

Last time the supermoon coincided with a total lunar eclipse. It could be observed on the night of September 27-28, 2015.

Note that experts ask astronomy lovers not to confuse a supermoon with a lunar illusion, when the disk of the moon hangs low above the horizon and visually appears larger in size than usual.

The supermoon should not be confused with the lunar illusion. Photo: www.globallookpress.com

Perseids and Draconids

August 2016

Once every 135 years, a comet approaches the Earth, through whose “tail” our planet then passes every year. Small particles of the “tail”, entering the Earth’s atmosphere, burn up. The flashes from Earth look like meteor showers.

This is best seen in the northern hemisphere. Since the stream appears annually from the side of the constellation Perseus, this is where it got its name - the Perseids.

Observation of this phenomenon was carried out in ancient times. There is a mention of it in a Chinese chronicle dating back to 36 AD. e. In Europe, the August meteor shower was often called the “Tears of St. Lawrence.” This was due to the fact that the “rain” was most active on August 10 - the day when the Festival of St. Lawrence takes place in Italy.

In 2016, Russians will also be able to watch the night sky illuminated by flashes of burning comet particles.

Another meteor shower, which the inhabitants of the Earth can observe every year, will take place in October. It is associated with comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner. Since it is visible in the area of ​​the constellation Draco, it is often called the Draconids.

Experts note that the activity of the stream has varied over the years. If in 1946 there was a real “shower of stars”, when the sky was illuminated by flashes of several thousand meteors per hour, then in 2011 the activity of the stream was ZHR=300.

We present the calendar of noteworthy astronomical events for 2016. Here you will find the dates of maximum starfall activity, dates of the best observations of planets (oppositions and elongations), close passages of comets, dates of full moons, solar and lunar eclipses, equinoxes and solstices, close approaches of the Moon with bright stars and planets.

In 2016, two eclipses will occur in the spring (March new moon and full moon), and the other two in the fall (September new moon and full moon). Only lunar eclipses are visible from Russian territory, and both are penumbral. The summer penumbral eclipse on August 18 is unlikely to interest even astronomy buffs, since the Moon will barely touch the very edge of the earth's penumbra, not showing itself in any way in the appearance of the full moon.

The first major astronomical event of 2016 will be a total solar eclipse on March 9, which will pass through Indonesia, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. The second main and rare astronomical event will occur on May 9 - Mercury will pass across the disk of the Sun!

The best visibility of Mars is in May, Jupiter in the spring, and Saturn in the second quarter. The time for fruitful observations of distant planets - Uranus and Neptune - will come in the autumn months.

In 2016, the Moon in the earth's sky will cover the following planets of the solar system: 3 times - Mercury, 2 times - Venus, 3 times - Jupiter, 7 times - Neptune.

Of the occultations of stars by the Moon, the most interesting will be the occultations of the star Aldebaran (alpha Tauri), the series of which began on January 29, 2015 and will continue until September 3, 2018. In 2016, Aldebaran will be covered by the Moon 12 times.

ATTENTION! MATERIAL IS CONSTANTLY UNDER DEVELOPMENT!
The announcement will be updated throughout the year as new interesting discoveries or forgotten events occur. Stay tuned!

some terms about events in the movement of planets across the sky:

Elongation - the angular distance between the Sun and the planet (or Moon) when observed from Earth. In the case of the inner planets, the best conditions for their visibility occur when they are located near their maximum elongations: eastern (evening) and western (morning). The maximum elongations for Mercury and Venus do not exceed 28° and 47°, respectively.

Opposition of the planet (opposition to the Sun) - the position of the upper planet in the orbit in which it is visible from the Earth in the direction opposite to the Sun. Near oppositions, the best conditions for observing planets arise: the planets are at the shortest distance from the Earth and face the hemisphere illuminated by the Sun towards the Earth, that is, they are in the greatest phase.

2016

JANUARY

** Planets in January 2016**

March 24 - superior conjunction of Mercury with the Sun (magnitude -1.8m; El=1.2°). The movements of Mercury against the background of stars from March 15 to March 31 can be observed in the field of view of the SOHO coronagraph (Mercury is a bright object in the images, moving from right to left under the Sun).

April 12 - 55th anniversary of the beginning of human space exploration! International Cosmonautics Day and show marathon "Yuri's Night".

April 22 - full moon and MicroMoon 2016 - coincidence of the lunar apogee (406,350 km from Earth) and the phase of the full moon.

April 22 - International Mother Earth Day - the day of our common cozy home. On this day, everyone can take part in the improvement and landscaping of their yards and streets.

April 22 - maximum effect of the Lyrid meteor shower - up to 20 meteors per hour. Visibility at night is the worst - the full moon hopelessly spoils visual observations. In 2016, the peak of activity in the Irkutsk region will occur during the daytime (6 a.m. UT).

May 14 - Astronomy Day. On this day, thousands of astronomy clubs, science museums, observatories, planetariums in many countries hold many interesting events. Spring Astronomy Day is usually celebrated on a Saturday - from mid-April to mid-May, near or before the 1st quarter of the Moon. The week from Monday to Sunday that includes Astronomy Day is called Astronomy Week.

August 18 - full moon at 9:30 UT and penumbral lunar eclipse with a maximum phase of immersion in the earth's penumbra of 0.018 - the Moon will pass tangent to the earth's penumbra, so this eclipse is actually not observable even in the visibility zone. In addition, in Russia at this moment the Moon will be below the horizon.

August 27 - Venus (-3.9m) passes just 4 arcminutes from Jupiter (-1.6m) in the evening sky! The elongation from the Sun will be 22°.

August 27 - The Earth comes closest to the orbit of Mars, ending up near its perihelion. The planet Mars will not be there at this moment, which means that the Great Confrontation of the Planets will not occur. We will never see “Mars the size of the full Moon” in the earth’s sky in the foreseeable future!

December 14 - maximum effect of the Geminids star shower - up to 120 meteors per hour! Visibility at night is the worst - the full moon hopelessly spoils visual observations.

December 21 - winter solstice at 10:44 UT. The longest night in the Northern Hemisphere.

December 22 - maximum activity of the Ursids meteor shower - 10 meteors per hour. Visibility at night is favorable - the moon in the last quarter phase illuminates only the morning sky. In 2016, the peak of activity in the Irkutsk region will occur during the daytime (9 a.m. UT).

December 29 - inferior conjunction of Mercury (magnitude 7.4m, El=2.5°). The transit is not observed in the field of view of the SOHO space coronagraph - Mercury at the "new moon".

December 31 - perihelion of the short-period comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova at 0.53 AU. from the sun. The expected brightness is about 7th magnitude.