Christoph Clavius Biography Sources

        O'Connor, J.J. and Robertson, E.F. "Christoph Clavius." GAP. December 2008. School of Mathematics and Statistics. September 29, 2010. <http://www.gap-system.org/~history/Biographies/Clavius.html>.


        Müller, Adolf. "Christopher Clavius." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 4. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908. 29 Sept. 2010<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04009a.htm>.

APOD 1.5-Autumnal Equinox and the Harvest Moon

              This year's autumnal equinox occurred yesterday, September 23rd at 3:09 (UT). The autumnal equinox is also called a 'harvest moon' as it is the first day of autumn and the harvesting season. On this day, the full moon is extremely bright because it is at opposition with the sun. Jupiter is also at opposition this time of year, so it could also be seen shining brightly underneath the full moon.

APOD 1.4- Equinox and the Iron Sun

the sun on the day of the equinox

plasma arcs on the sun

Every year on September 23rd 3:09 UT, the equinox occurs where the sun is right on the celestial equator, causing there to be 12 of hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. Yesterday, the sun emitted highly ionized iron atoms as can be seen in the altered photograph above. Along with the emissions of iron atoms, luminescent arcs of highly charged plasma particles can be seen above the magnetic fields of the sun.

Observation 1-Autumnal Equinox

Time: Periodically from sunset to approximately 9:30 P.M.
Place: Casey Key beach

Full 'harvest' moon and Jupiter-picture taken in my backyard

At sunset (nearly 7:15), the sun set due west. Today is the day of the equinox, so the sun is on the celestial equator, meaning the sun will set due west and rise due east. The sky in the early evening was very clear and provided for a beautiful sunset. While the sun went behind the horizon, the moon could be seen in the west. The moon was extremely bright and appeared to be full. The day of the equinox is also the day of the "harvest moon", so the brightness of the moon and cloudy skies did make it a little more difficult to see any surrounding stars. Jupiter was visible underneath the moon, closer to the horizon in the west, and relatively bright since it was at opposition last night. There was one bright star in the northwest, nearly straight up in the sky above me, around 9:30, but it did not appear bright enough to be a planet.

APOD 1.3- Aurora Over Norway

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sa-3DoXHQQ&feature=related

        These northern lights were photographed in Norway over the  weekend. In the photo there are several satellite streaks as well as one from an airplane flying through. This illuminated phenomenon called an aurora is the result of many streams of charged electron particles colliding as they enter the earth's atmosphere. Charged particles are deflected by earth's magnetic fields, which creates a magnetosphere. When electrons hit an obstacle in the magnetosphere, they produce light, and this process is what gives the illusion of colorful lights in the northern sky. When any powerful magnetic event, such as a large solar flare, takes place on the Sun, an aurora on Earth can aurora can be predicted to happen afterwards because the energy will hit earth's atmosphere, and possibly create light. Auroras are also visible in ultra-violet or X-rays as the light bounces off of the layers of earth's atmosphere.

     Streams of charged particles collide with earth after an electromagnetic event takes place on the Sun. This shows earth's magnestosphere.

APOD 1.2- Vela Supernova Remnant

Vela Supernova Remnants

Approximately 11,000 years ago a star in the constellation of Vela located within the Gum Nebula, underwent a massive explosion. The power behind this particular explosion was so great that it left behind X-ray detectable shock waves that are still visible. When a star explodes, it emits enormous amounts of extremely hot gases that linger in the atmosphere for thousands of years to come. The explosion left behind filaments of glowing gas and a rotating stellar core called the Vela Pulsar. The remnants of the explosion extend up to 230 light years across, covering over 100 times the sky-area of the full Moon. The Vela supernova remnants are some of the closest to Earth.

APOD 1.1 -Hole In the Sun

The Sun often appears to have dark spots or "holes" on its surface (the corona). These coronal holes happen in large magnetic fields and are caused by lower density and temperatures that exist there.Usually, the poles of the Sun are the only areas with the conditions for coronal holes, but occasionally the magnetic fields shift further down the hemispheres. A constant stream of plasma streams out of the holes at extremely fast and powerful speeds (nearly a million miles per hour), creating solar winds that move away from the sun on magnetic field lines. The coronal holes and auroral displays are visible to the people on Earth when the solar wind is facing it. The holes are dectected by ultra-violet and x-ray light cameras. Solar winds have stormy affects on Earth and everything in its atmosphere, including spaceships, weather and flight patterns.