Crazy Things You Can See in The Arizona Skies Right Now
Over the years, I've met many people with strong beliefs in astrology. They've explained that the planets in certain positions affect humans on Earth. Scientific American reports that there is no scientific evidence to back up the claims of ardent believers.
Obviously, the paper's authors have their sun signs in Virgo, Taurus, or Capricorn, which is why they're so skeptical.
I'm kidding, of course. I'm not sure whether I believe in astrology, but there are things in our universe that have a physical effect on humans and animals.
The moon, for example, can affect us physically, much like our nearest satellite affects the ocean tides. Solar flares can affect Earth's magnetic field, interfering with animals like birds and sea turtles, which rely on the field for navigation and migration patterns.
While I'm not sure if I believe in astrology, I have noticed that things here on Earth have been a little strange lately. I'm not just talking about the insane weather patterns brought on by two back-to-back hurricanes, or the turmoil in the Middle East.
No matter what you believe, you can't deny October is shaping up to be a rather interesting and unusual astronomical adventure.
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Did You See the Partial Lunar Eclipse, Arizona?
It seems to have started with the partial lunar eclipse on September 18th. Remember when the moon looked like it was wearing a jaunty little hat shortly after the harvest moon rose that evening?
Since then, Arizona has had a front-row seat to an ongoing solar system show. With our clear, dark skies, there's no better place to see the cornucopia of celestial events!
How to See the Comet from Arizona
First, from about October 14th on, Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-Atlas) is visible in the western sky about 20 to 40 minutes after sunset from Arizona. Look for the comet just above the horizon at about 18°. The best part is, it can be seen with the naked eye. Using binoculars or a small telescope will give a little more detail.
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Can You See the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) in Arizona?
Second, thanks to a powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun, the aurora borealis is visible from Southern Arizona.
The "northern lights" have been visible since October 8th. If you can't see them with the naked eye, try taking a photo of the northern sky after sunset to capture the bright pink and purple hues.
Is the Mini Moon a Meteor?
If that wasn't enough, there's a meteor the size of a school bus hanging out with our moon. It's a tiny asteroid called 2024 PT5. Some have called it a second moon, and while you can't see it with the naked eye, using a strong telescope and a practiced eye, you might catch a glimpse of this "little moon."
Whether you believe the eclipse launched our planet into turmoil or you're just enjoying the celestial show, don't miss a minute of Arizona's front-row seat in this once-in-a-lifetime series of events custom-made for our dark Arizona skies!
Scientific American | KCRA.com | Space.com | swpc.noaa.gov | AnytimeAstro.com | Boston Globe | AZ Central
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