NATURE
MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, October 5, 2018 (Friday)
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Transcript by: Louise Nichols nicholsl@eastlink.ca
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** Attila Fust reports seeing a lone SNOW GOOSE [Oie des
neiges] with a large flock of CANADA GEESE [Bernache du
Canada] in a plowed corn field near the bridge in
Sainte-Marie-de-Kent on Thursday. Canada
Geese flocks are sure worth those scans at this time of year as some surprise
tag-alongs are always possible.
** Shawn Cormier shares a photo of a NORTHERN PAPER
WASP he got a close-up photo of on Thursday.
This, as the name suggests, builds a paper nest that can be quite
variable in appearance and shape, but sometimes can look similar to the nest of
the BALD-FACED HORNET. However, the
yellow in the body quickly differentiates it from the Bald-faced Hornet.
** This week’s Sky-at-a-Glance is included in this
edition, courtesy of sky-guru Curt Nason.
This Week’s Sky at a Glance, October 6 – October 13
This is a good time of year to double your sky observing time. For the next few weeks, before we return to Standard Time, the sky is dark and the stars are blazing when most people are up to start their day. And it is not bitterly cold or snowbound. Orion and his dogs are prominent to the south, with Taurus, Auriga and Gemini arching over them.
In early evening you can see the 4th, 5th and 6th brightest stars. Look for yellow Arcturus sinking to the west, blue-white Vega overhead and Capella in Auriga rising in the northeast. Later, notice the positions of the circumpolar Big Dipper, Little Dipper and Cassiopeia. The next morning go outside and see how they have changed. Sometimes it is nice to have a little assurance that the world keeps right on turning.
This Week in the Solar System
Saturday’s sunrise in Moncton is at 7:24 am and sunset will occur at 6:49 pm, giving 11 hours, 25 minutes of daylight (7:28 am and 6:55 pm in Saint John). Next Saturday the Sun will rise at 7:33 am and set at 6:36 pm, giving 11 hours, 3 minutes of daylight (7:37 am and 6:42 pm in Saint John).
The Moon is new soon after midnight on Tuesday morning, appearing as a waxing crescent low in the west later in the week. The shallow angle of the ecliptic on early autumn evenings makes it very difficult to see Venus and Mercury this week; Mercury is pulling away from the Sun and Venus is heading toward it. Jupiter sets less than 90 minutes after sunset so catch it in twilight when you can. Saturn and Mars take centre stage for evening observers this week. Comet dust provides possible entertainment for early risers. The Draconid meteor shower peaks on Monday but, despite the recent close passage of its parent comet 21P/ Giacobini-Zinner, only a few shooting stars per hour are expected. With the steep angle of the ecliptic on Moonless autumn mornings, skywatchers in rural areas might notice the zodiacal light later this week and all of next week.
The Saint John Astronomy Club meets in the Rockwood Park Interpretation Centre on Saturday, October 6 at 7 pm, and the William Brydone Jack Astronomy Club meets at the UNB Fredericton Forestry / Earth Sciences building at 7 pm on Tuesday. All are welcome.
Questions? Contact Curt Nason at nasonc@nbnet.nb.ca.
This is a good time of year to double your sky observing time. For the next few weeks, before we return to Standard Time, the sky is dark and the stars are blazing when most people are up to start their day. And it is not bitterly cold or snowbound. Orion and his dogs are prominent to the south, with Taurus, Auriga and Gemini arching over them.
In early evening you can see the 4th, 5th and 6th brightest stars. Look for yellow Arcturus sinking to the west, blue-white Vega overhead and Capella in Auriga rising in the northeast. Later, notice the positions of the circumpolar Big Dipper, Little Dipper and Cassiopeia. The next morning go outside and see how they have changed. Sometimes it is nice to have a little assurance that the world keeps right on turning.
This Week in the Solar System
Saturday’s sunrise in Moncton is at 7:24 am and sunset will occur at 6:49 pm, giving 11 hours, 25 minutes of daylight (7:28 am and 6:55 pm in Saint John). Next Saturday the Sun will rise at 7:33 am and set at 6:36 pm, giving 11 hours, 3 minutes of daylight (7:37 am and 6:42 pm in Saint John).
The Moon is new soon after midnight on Tuesday morning, appearing as a waxing crescent low in the west later in the week. The shallow angle of the ecliptic on early autumn evenings makes it very difficult to see Venus and Mercury this week; Mercury is pulling away from the Sun and Venus is heading toward it. Jupiter sets less than 90 minutes after sunset so catch it in twilight when you can. Saturn and Mars take centre stage for evening observers this week. Comet dust provides possible entertainment for early risers. The Draconid meteor shower peaks on Monday but, despite the recent close passage of its parent comet 21P/ Giacobini-Zinner, only a few shooting stars per hour are expected. With the steep angle of the ecliptic on Moonless autumn mornings, skywatchers in rural areas might notice the zodiacal light later this week and all of next week.
The Saint John Astronomy Club meets in the Rockwood Park Interpretation Centre on Saturday, October 6 at 7 pm, and the William Brydone Jack Astronomy Club meets at the UNB Fredericton Forestry / Earth Sciences building at 7 pm on Tuesday. All are welcome.
Questions? Contact Curt Nason at nasonc@nbnet.nb.ca.
Autumn Morning
NORTHERN PAPER WASP (Polistes fuscatus). OCT 4, 2018. SHAWN CORMIER
