NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, Dec. 29, 2017
(Friday)
To respond by e-mail, please address your message to the
information line editor nelson@nb.sympatico.ca
Please advise if any errors are noted in wording or photo
labeling.
For more information on Nature Moncton, check the website at
www.naturemoncton.com
Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelson@nb.sympatico.ca
Transcript by: David Christie maryspt@mac.com
Info Line # 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)
** The MISTLE THRUSH [Grive draine] seems to be taking New
Brunswick’s “polar dip” in stride. Peter Gadd reports that it is still spending
time in its two favourite locations, at 473 Manny Drive and at the top of
McMillan Drive, in Miramichi, just two blocks apart. It continues to get a
stream of admirers from many U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Peter got a
nice photo of it enjoying a snack on Thursday.
** John Filliter watched a scenario with a male RING-NECKED
PHEASANT [Faisan de Colchide] in his Cap-Brûlé yard, that left him wondering
what its behaviour meant. It would run around the bushes at break-neck speed,
stop, crouch and look around as if he was being chased or about to be attacked;
then he would resume madly rushing about. Eventually, he settled down and
started strutting about majestically. Yes, the days are gradually getting longer
but it sure seems to be early to be looking for a potential mate. Maybe this
male feels any time is appropriate. John photographed some of the
action.
** Brian Stone and I made a run up the coast to Beresford. A
round of the neighbourhood where the MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS [Merlebleu azuré] were
last seen on Dec. 22 was not successful. As in many areas of New Brunswick at
the moment, there were lots of clinging mountain-ash berries and other fruit.
CEDAR WAXWINGS [Jaseur d'Amérique] and EUROPEAN STARLINGS [Étourneau sansonnet]
were taking the berries. It is interesting to note how common it is now to see
Cedar Waxwings in New Brunswick during the winter. I feel it has changed a lot
in the last 10 to 15 years.
A very snowy, cold stop at Caissie Cape wharf did not
give any observations of the GRASSHOPPER SPARROW [Bruant sauterelle]. We
scattered millet, and a bright SNOW BUNTING [Plectrophane des neiges] came in to
enjoy the booty.
** This week’s “SKY AT A GLANCE” is added to this edition,
courtesy of Curt Mason, pointing out the many stars and constellations to be
seen as January begins.
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, December 30 – January
6
Before, or after, the flash of New Year’s Eve fireworks this weekend, take a look around the sky. As a new year begins, many of the brightest stars are at their best when you face south. Halfway up the sky is the slanted line of three stars that forms Orion’s Belt. Above it are the shoulders of the giant hunter, marked by orange Betelgeuse and Bellatrix. Below, blue-white Rigel and Saiph are parts Orion’s legs. The Belt points to the right at the V-shaped Hyades cluster star, anchored by orange Aldebaran, and the compact, eye-catching Pleiades cluster, which together form the face and shoulder of Taurus the Bull.
To the left of the Belt is the night sky’s brightest star, Sirius, in
Canis Major, the larger of Orion’s two canine companions. Bellatrix and dim Meissa, marking Orion’s head, form an arrowhead with Betelgeuse at the tip, which points toward Procyon in two-star Canis Minor. Auriga and Gemini ride above Orion. Among these New Year’s Eve constellations are five of the ten brightest stars, with four more in the top 25. In addition, 2018 begins with the brightest Moon of the year above Orion’s
head.
Rather than make a resolution that involves great sacrifice and likely won’t see February, why not start an astronomy project to learn the sky over the year. I recommend the RASC Explore the Universe program, which involves observing and describing or sketching objects using your unaided eyes, binoculars or a small telescope. The objects include constellations and bright stars, lunar features, solar system, deep sky, and double stars. By completing 55 of the 110 objects you could earn a certificate and a pin. For details, see https://www.rasc.ca/explore-universe or contact me.
This Week in the Solar System
Saturday’s sunrise in Moncton is at 8:01 am and sunset will occur at 4:42 pm, giving 8 hours, 41 minutes of daylight (8:03 am and 4:50 pm in Saint John). Next Saturday the Sun will rise at 8:01 am and set at 4:49 pm, giving 8 hours, 48 minutes of daylight (8:03 am and 4:57 pm in Saint John). Earth reaches perihelion at 2:34 am on Wednesday, at a distance from the Sun of only 147 million kilometres and change. This is about 3% closer than it is in early July but, still, wear a warm coat outside.
The closest full Moon of 2018 falls on New Year’s Day, with perigee occurring four hours before the syzygy. This Saturday the Moon occults the bright star Aldebaran around 7:30 pm, with the star reappearing a little less than an hour later. On the morning of January 5 the Moon is near Leo’s lucida, Regulus. Mars closes in on Jupiter this week, leading to a close conjunction next weekend. Closer to the southeastern horizon, Mercury reaches its greatest elongation from the Sun on Monday. The short-lived Quadrantid meteor shower, radiating from off the handle of the Big Dipper between Boötes and Draco, peaks around sunset Wednesday
but the low altitude and Moon phase will hamper our ability to see many.
The Saint John Astronomy Club meets on Saturday, January 6 at 7 pm in the Rockwood Park Interpretation Centre. All are welcome.
Questions? Contact Curt Nason at nasonc@nbnet.nb.ca.
Before, or after, the flash of New Year’s Eve fireworks this weekend, take a look around the sky. As a new year begins, many of the brightest stars are at their best when you face south. Halfway up the sky is the slanted line of three stars that forms Orion’s Belt. Above it are the shoulders of the giant hunter, marked by orange Betelgeuse and Bellatrix. Below, blue-white Rigel and Saiph are parts Orion’s legs. The Belt points to the right at the V-shaped Hyades cluster star, anchored by orange Aldebaran, and the compact, eye-catching Pleiades cluster, which together form the face and shoulder of Taurus the Bull.
To the left of the Belt is the night sky’s brightest star, Sirius, in
Canis Major, the larger of Orion’s two canine companions. Bellatrix and dim Meissa, marking Orion’s head, form an arrowhead with Betelgeuse at the tip, which points toward Procyon in two-star Canis Minor. Auriga and Gemini ride above Orion. Among these New Year’s Eve constellations are five of the ten brightest stars, with four more in the top 25. In addition, 2018 begins with the brightest Moon of the year above Orion’s
head.
Rather than make a resolution that involves great sacrifice and likely won’t see February, why not start an astronomy project to learn the sky over the year. I recommend the RASC Explore the Universe program, which involves observing and describing or sketching objects using your unaided eyes, binoculars or a small telescope. The objects include constellations and bright stars, lunar features, solar system, deep sky, and double stars. By completing 55 of the 110 objects you could earn a certificate and a pin. For details, see https://www.rasc.ca/explore-universe or contact me.
This Week in the Solar System
Saturday’s sunrise in Moncton is at 8:01 am and sunset will occur at 4:42 pm, giving 8 hours, 41 minutes of daylight (8:03 am and 4:50 pm in Saint John). Next Saturday the Sun will rise at 8:01 am and set at 4:49 pm, giving 8 hours, 48 minutes of daylight (8:03 am and 4:57 pm in Saint John). Earth reaches perihelion at 2:34 am on Wednesday, at a distance from the Sun of only 147 million kilometres and change. This is about 3% closer than it is in early July but, still, wear a warm coat outside.
The closest full Moon of 2018 falls on New Year’s Day, with perigee occurring four hours before the syzygy. This Saturday the Moon occults the bright star Aldebaran around 7:30 pm, with the star reappearing a little less than an hour later. On the morning of January 5 the Moon is near Leo’s lucida, Regulus. Mars closes in on Jupiter this week, leading to a close conjunction next weekend. Closer to the southeastern horizon, Mercury reaches its greatest elongation from the Sun on Monday. The short-lived Quadrantid meteor shower, radiating from off the handle of the Big Dipper between Boötes and Draco, peaks around sunset Wednesday
but the low altitude and Moon phase will hamper our ability to see many.
The Saint John Astronomy Club meets on Saturday, January 6 at 7 pm in the Rockwood Park Interpretation Centre. All are welcome.
Questions? Contact Curt Nason at nasonc@nbnet.nb.ca.
Nelson Poirier
Nature Moncton
CEDAR WAXWING. DEC. 28, 2017. BRIAN STONE
New Year 2018
RING-NECKED PHEASANT a.DEC 22, 2017.JOHN FILLITER
RING-NECKED PHEASANT b.DEC 22, 2017.JOHN FILLITER
RING-NECKED PHEASANT c.DEC 22, 2017.JOHN FILLITER
RING-NECKED PHEASANT d.DEC 22, 2017.JOHN FILLITER
SNOW BUNTING. DEC. 28, 2017. BRIAN STONE
SNOW BUNTING. DEC. 28, 2017. BRIAN STONE
MISTLE THRUSH. DEC 28, 2017. PETER GADD
