Astronomy in the daytime - what’s this all about then?
25/06/12 21:04 Filed in: General
Do you really believe that astronomers only get up
to fun stuff at night? Think again...
So it's after the 6th of June, did you see the
transit? Leading scientists regret to inform the
black dot crossing the surface of the Sun was not
Venus, but in fact the football, (still in orbit)
that David Beckham's used in his failed penalty
attempt from 2004.
If you missed out, (like he did) we will try not to mention it again for another 105 years.
For us, Wednesday started
in snow and cloud as we tried to create our
own transits across the face of the telescope
as snow balls flew in all directions. It was
an excruciating wait, as we watched blue sky
in the south, but there was still thick high
cloud in front of the sun 'till high noon.
"I see something moving in front of the Sun," was what we were all were waiting for. It was actually a cloud, but when it had passed, Venus was observed and the 128 year wait was over. The Earth and Sky Astronomy Guides hosted a strong band of followers from our local community including the primary school through to travellers ‘unfortunately' stranded because the buses wouldn't take them to Christchurch.
We had the eclipse shades, a solar scope and a solar projection along with the University of Canterbury streaming live views to our office's big screen. There were views and photographs and sketches. There were oohs and ahhs and disbelief.
Venus was just a dot in
front of the Sun, but with the art of
telescopes we could zoom in to make it bigger.
A lot of astronomy is looking at what appears
to be small dots or specks of light, which are
in fact quite big, but ridiculously far away.
But for me, to know what it was that you were
looking at, is simply incredible.
This transit was the first one ever to be witnessed from space. Can you imagine how ubsurd Captain Cook's logic would be to think that in only 243 years, the greatest transit explorer would be one from up there in the heavens? Captain Cook witnessed only the third even transit by humans, while we just had the seventh.
But the transit was a daytime event — what else can be done or seen or studied in the day?
My colleagues and I were amazed at how fascinating the Sun is to behold. We were always able to see solar flares with our special Hydrogen-alpha telescope, but the number and size of the sunspots was impressive. It would be something to observe again — even if a transit or eclipse wasn't around. Nonetheless, there will be an eclipse later in November where we can hope to do it all again…
When the Moon isn't
passing in front of the Sun (or being close to
full) it can be viewed in the daytime sky.
Sometimes providing a clearer view as a bright
moon at night is dazzling. A crescent moon in
the day is rather appealing. The shape and
position of the moon will always allow us to
determine which phase it is at in the lunar
cycle.
But back to Venus. If you are fortunate enough to have seen it in the daytime sky with your own eyes you are on the same level as Abraham Lincoln. The brightest stars are also visible, with the help of powerful telescopes, and they truly look like twinkling stars in the daytime atmosphere.
Finally, researchers are allowed to examine the Sun and its affect as it has a direct correlation to us on Earth. Large solar activity create spectacles and headaches for aurora enthusiasts through to those that look after the power grid and orbiting satellites. Huge solar winds have damaged these in the past and this year's solar activity is predicted to disrupt some of our daily activities with power outages, and limited 'phone and television reception.
Scientist, therefore, are very keen to observe the sun. Radio astronomers continue to collect data during the day and even through clouds. These astronomers study our closest star, the Sun, while on the other hand are able to unravel the mysteries of the universe. By concentrating on cosmology and the understandings of the very beginning up to now, we can infer what the future of the universe may bring.
So, hopefully now you can understand that astronomy isn't as one-sided as it can be. Do not fear though, we still adore our night sky, but if you find an astronomer in the daytime, they may not be as far out of their element as you think!
Kristian Wilson — Earth & Sky Education Manager & Astronomy Guide
If you missed out, (like he did) we will try not to mention it again for another 105 years.
"I see something moving in front of the Sun," was what we were all were waiting for. It was actually a cloud, but when it had passed, Venus was observed and the 128 year wait was over. The Earth and Sky Astronomy Guides hosted a strong band of followers from our local community including the primary school through to travellers ‘unfortunately' stranded because the buses wouldn't take them to Christchurch.
We had the eclipse shades, a solar scope and a solar projection along with the University of Canterbury streaming live views to our office's big screen. There were views and photographs and sketches. There were oohs and ahhs and disbelief.
This transit was the first one ever to be witnessed from space. Can you imagine how ubsurd Captain Cook's logic would be to think that in only 243 years, the greatest transit explorer would be one from up there in the heavens? Captain Cook witnessed only the third even transit by humans, while we just had the seventh.
But the transit was a daytime event — what else can be done or seen or studied in the day?
My colleagues and I were amazed at how fascinating the Sun is to behold. We were always able to see solar flares with our special Hydrogen-alpha telescope, but the number and size of the sunspots was impressive. It would be something to observe again — even if a transit or eclipse wasn't around. Nonetheless, there will be an eclipse later in November where we can hope to do it all again…
But back to Venus. If you are fortunate enough to have seen it in the daytime sky with your own eyes you are on the same level as Abraham Lincoln. The brightest stars are also visible, with the help of powerful telescopes, and they truly look like twinkling stars in the daytime atmosphere.
Finally, researchers are allowed to examine the Sun and its affect as it has a direct correlation to us on Earth. Large solar activity create spectacles and headaches for aurora enthusiasts through to those that look after the power grid and orbiting satellites. Huge solar winds have damaged these in the past and this year's solar activity is predicted to disrupt some of our daily activities with power outages, and limited 'phone and television reception.
Scientist, therefore, are very keen to observe the sun. Radio astronomers continue to collect data during the day and even through clouds. These astronomers study our closest star, the Sun, while on the other hand are able to unravel the mysteries of the universe. By concentrating on cosmology and the understandings of the very beginning up to now, we can infer what the future of the universe may bring.
So, hopefully now you can understand that astronomy isn't as one-sided as it can be. Do not fear though, we still adore our night sky, but if you find an astronomer in the daytime, they may not be as far out of their element as you think!
Kristian Wilson — Earth & Sky Education Manager & Astronomy Guide