The Soul Calendar: Astronomy: Tonite Trio Saturn, Moon and Star Spica Triple Threat

The Soul Calendar: Astronomy: Tonite Trio Saturn, Moon and Star Spica Triple Threat: From Denny:  Does this month get any better?  We have a Super Moon on Saturday too.

Tonight, 3 May 2012, is a special treat for skywatchers about an hour after the sun sets.  Look up in the sky and you will get the special eye candy treat to behold a rare beautiful sight: a triple conjunction of the planet Saturn, the bright star Spica and our moon.

What is a conjunction?  It's simple.  It's just when two or more astonomical objects appear to be close together in the sky.  Of course, the reality is that they are definitely far apart but rather it is our perspective viewing them here on Earth that gives the suggestion they are so close together.

Astrologers and astronomers like to argue over whether a conjunction is significant.  The astrologers believe a conjunction can cause serious effects.  Astronomers take a more laid back approach and tell us just to look up and enjoy the beautiful sight.

The Soul Calendar: Astronomy: Sky Watch Biggest 2012 Super Moon Saturday

The Soul Calendar: Astronomy: Sky Watch Biggest 2012 Super Moon Saturday: From Denny:  Look up in the night sky this weekend for the most awesome extra-large and extra-bright moon viewing for the entire year of 2012.  The spectacular Super Moon will be showing off its size and brightness on 5 May 2012 at 11:35PM EDT.  It will swing in closer at 221,802 miles (356,955 kilometers) from Earth.

Why will the moon appear to be so large and bright?  Turns out this month's full moon also coincides with the time when the moon is closest in its approach to Earth, called the moon's perigee.

Another factor for this Super Moon show is because the perigee in this month will be the closest to Earth of any for this year, varying only by three percent.  How is that so?  According to meteorologist Joe Rao, Space.com's skywatching columnist, "it happens because the moon's orbit is not perfectly circular."

How much brighter will the Super Moon be this month?  Try an extra 16 percent brighter than average.  Now that makes for great skywatching, even with the naked peepers (eyes).

The Soul Calendar: 2 Ideas: What Happened to Our Moons Magnetic Personality?

Image via WikipediaThe Soul Calendar: 2 Ideas: What Happened to Our Moons Magnetic Personality?: From Denny: Apollo missions astronauts landed on the moon back in the 60's and 70's, gifting Earth's scientists with loads of moon rocks when they returned from their harrowing journeys.

Scientists were shocked to discover those rocks displayed magnetic properties. How could that be?

They also figured out that some of those moon rocks could possess magnetic north and south as well as individual magnetic fields. That sure started some serious scientific head scratching as to how this could be a fact.

They knew magnetism was possible if the rocks were comprised of the right minerals and, under the right conditions, like the rock cooling while present in a magnetic field. Yes, it was possible the rocks could be magnetic.

How does a magnetic field occur?