The Hunter's Moon and Celestial Resonances
Description
The week of October 13-19 brings a cosmic lineup you won’t want to miss. We’ll explore the Full Hunter’s Moon, a supermoon that’s set to be the biggest and brightest of 2024. Saturn and Jupiter, which will be sharing the sky with the moon this week, creating stunning pairings you can spot just after sunset.
Plus, we’ll explore the fascinating world of orbital resonances, where the gravitational dance between celestial bodies creates predictable patterns. From the three-body resonance of Jupiter’s moons to the distant influence of Neptune on the Kuiper Belt, these cosmic interactions are key to understanding the delicate balance that keeps our solar system running like clockwork.
Don’t forget Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), which could put on a show from October 14th onward. This ancient comet, possibly last seen 80,000 years ago, will be visible near the western horizon after sunset. Grab your binoculars and catch a glimpse of this icy visitor before it’s gone!
For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.
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