The Celestial Sphere
Shine on, Harvest Moon By Matthew Johnson “October” comes from “octo,” the Latin word for eight. It was the eighth month in the first, 10-month Roman calendar, but the name stuck after the calendar expanded to 12 months. On Sept. 22, Earth reached the point in its orbit designated as the autumnal equinox. We transitioned […]
The Celestial Sphere
By Matthew Johnson Summer begins on June 20 at 10:42 p.m., the evening of the Summer Solstice. On this date the sun will reach its highest altitude of 67 degrees above the equator. The sun will rise at 5:07 a.m. and set at 8:27 p.m., providing 15 hours and 18 minutes of daylight and eight […]
The Celestial Sphere
Strong Solar Activity Predicted This Month By Matthew Johnson Auroras were viewed over Norfolk on April 16. That night, a uniform layer of thin clouds embraced much of Norfolk, causing the aurora to glow a brilliant yellow, gold and white. This strong solar activity is predicted to continue into May as the sun’s activity approaches […]
The Celestial Sphere
April Brings a Micro Moon, Return of the Morning Star By Matthew Johnson The derivation of the name April is uncertain. It may stem from the Latin Aprilis which possibly is related to the verb aperire, meaning to open, reflecting on the blossoming of nature. In Norfolk, April begins with the sun rising at 6:26 […]
The Celestial Sphere
A Total Eclipse, a Partial Eclipse and the Return of Spring By Matthew Johnson Since the December winter solstice, the frigid weather has continued in the Norfolk Icebox. But the earth’s orbit is carrying us toward the warmer and longer days where we will reach the point in our orbit termed the vernal, or spring […]
The Celestial Sphere
The Days Are Growing Longer By Matthew M. Johnson We have progressed deeper into winter, transitioned into a new White House administration and into a new year since my December/January column for Norfolk Now. And since the Winter Solstice of last December, our days have continued to grow longer if only by a few minutes. […]
The Celestial Sphere
A Black Moon, Bright Mars and the Paradoxical Winter Solstice By Matthew M. Johnson As December unfolds, the nights grow longer and reach a maximum on Dec. 21, the day of the winter solstice, when the sun rises at 7:10 a.m. and sets at 4:15 p.m. This affords us only nine hours and five minutes […]
The Celestial Sphere
INcoming: Five planets, two meteor showers and a comet By Matthew Johnson Daylight saving time will end for the year on Sunday, Nov. 3., returning us to local standard time. Some great news for space exploration occurred on Oct. 13, when SpaceX successfully landed its 20-story Super Heavy booster back on the launch pad, a […]
The Shorter Nights of Summer
The Celestial Sphere By Matthew Johnson As we leave move into May we have a lengthening of daylight. April began with 12 hours and 45 minutes of daylight, and May will end with 15 hours and 4 minutes of daylight. This is a gain of 2 hours and 19 minutes as the Earth in its […]
Solar Eclipse Explained
The Celestial Sphere By Matthew JohnsonDuring the month of April there are events which will capture and hold the interest and minds of bothprofessional scientists and Americans of all ages. On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over parts of Mexico, the UnitedStates and Canada. A total solar eclipse […]
