Moon Watching: It's just a Phase

Lunar X and V

The Moon is a wonderful object to behold. It brings us ever-changing patterns as it orbits our home planet every 29 days. Each seven days, we reach a new phase and a new and different way to see the Moon. Just after new Moon, it's a fun challenge to find a young Moon. At the first quarter, there is a special window of time to see the Lunar X and V. At full Moon, libration reveals edges that we don't normally see, and special views on the surface. And at last quarter, we can see the Moon guiding our way around the Sun. 

On the March edition of the Translunar podcast, I talk in depth about these four unique ways to see the Moon. Each of these visual experiences are quite challenging yet bring new perspectives on our good friend, the Moon. Enjoy! 

It's Good to be King: Mighty Jupiter

Track of Jupiter

The planets create lovely patterns across the night sky and this February there is a good alignment of planets in the evening sky. Some are close to the horizon and challenging to find, but one reigns from high above us and outshines everything else in the night sky: the mighty Jupiter. 

The chart on the right shows the track of Jupiter in 2026 as it moves through its retrograde path at present, moving back to prograde motion toward the west later this year. 

In my latest podcast on the Translunar podcast series, I talk about how to find the planets and what to look for now and in the coming months. Enjoy! 

Your New Telescope 101: Peering Deep into the Night Sky

A big telescope reveals the beauty and majesty of the universe. It's truly astonishing what you can see when the conditions are just right and you have a powerful telescope at your fingertips. But which telescope is the best for doing this, or if you live in a city, what's the right choice for a telescope? 

I recorded a podcast for the Translunar series from the Munich Public Observatory to explore this subject in more detail. Most people love seeing the night sky and getting a close-up view of impressive galaxies, nebulae and star clusters. Doing this is a challenge, however, because telescopes are scientific instruments and take time and experience to make them work as you wish. 

Have a listen to the podcast before you buy a telescope for yourself. I am sure you will have a few new ideas to consider when you make your purchase. 

Image courtesy of Unsplash.