Category: Sky scapes


Well,moonitic…

That is a great question!

Is “Non-AI Picture” an Oxymoron?No, “non-AI picture” is not an oxymoron. An oxymoron uses two contradictory terms together (like “deafening silence”). The word “picture” is a general term for an image, and “non-AI” simply specifies that the image was created without the use of generative artificial intelligence (i.e., it was taken with a camera, drawn, painted, etc.). The phrase is commonly used today to distinguish traditional photography and art from AI-generated images.Best Recent Photo of the Harvest MoonHere is one of the best recent photographs of the Harvest Moon:

Photo KDG

The contouring full moon will not be pink so much as the expectations of pink flowers coming as it’s namesake…

April 1st 2026, Pink Moon

Photo KDG, April 1st 10:12 EDT will see a Pink Moon.

Paschal Moon

Makes the Easter work…

The moon will not be pink, Pink is for the color of the flowers that they’re expecting in the natural. It also has to do with fishing and a number of other things like growing grass.

Max illumination 7:12 source Pacific daylight Time…

Good Friday, Easter Sunday April 3rd and 5th….

Usually Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the last full moon in March, That’s what makes this a Paschal Moon.

All the provinces and territories of statutory holidays for Easter in Canada.

Deep Space 9…

CBC

Countdown

The countdown is officially on! As of today, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Artemis II is scheduled to launch tomorrow, Wednesday, April 1, 2026.NASA and the Space Force are currently reporting an 80% chance of favorable weather for the launch. Here is the specific timing if everything stays on track:Launch Details * Target Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 * Launch Window Opens: 6:24 PM EDT (3:24 PM in Merritt) * Window Duration: 2 hours * Location: Launch Complex 39B, Kennedy Space Center, FloridaBackup OpportunitiesIf there is a “scrub” due to technical issues or local weather, NASA has several backup windows already lined up: * Daily backups: April 2 through April 6 * Extended backup: April 30The Mission at a GlanceThis is a historic 10-day mission that will send four astronauts—including Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen—on a trajectory around the far side of the moon. It’s the first time humans have left low Earth orbit since 1972.Since you’re in British Columbia, you can catch the live coverage on NASA’s YouTube channel or NASA+ starting around 9:50 AM PDT tomorrow if you want to watch the fueling process, with full broadcast coverage beginning at 9:50 AM PDT.Would you like me to find the specific streaming links or local TV listings for the launch?

Stephen Hawking’s, the planetary scientist and the theological physicist passed away at the age of 76 a number of years ago on March 14th. So we remember him fondly today as somebody. That was very curious and was a good example for us to be curious and at the same time, productive, stable, and personable.

K

Totality, lunar eclipse,3:04-4:02 AM Pacific time.

Overnight on March 2nd and 3rd moon will be totally eclipsed for this period.

Wednesday charm, Planets again

Blood moon,

Four eclipses and…

Moon

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16pAhTLDAP/

Great conjuctions

Tonight it’s out there.. can you see it? How’s your weather?.

TGIF- Night Sky January 2026

Upcoming:

Since we are already halfway through the month, the first half’s events like the Quadrantids and Jupiter’s official opposition have passed. Here are four significant astronomical events occurring after January 16, 2026, that offer great scientific intrigue and visual appeal.

1. New Moon “Dark Sky” Window (January 18)

On January 18, the Moon reaches its New Moon phase, meaning it will be positioned between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. * Scientific Value: For astronomers, the days surrounding a New Moon are the most critical for “deep-sky” observation. Without the interference of reflected moonlight (light pollution from space), faint objects like the Andromeda Galaxy and the Orion Nebula become visible even through standard binoculars. * What to look for: This is the best time to head to a dark-sky location to see the Milky Way’s winter arm in its full, dusty detail.

2. Comet C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) Perihelion (January 20)

Comet Wierzchos reaches its perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) on January 20. As it swings around the Sun, the heat causes the comet’s ice to sublimate, creating a glowing “coma” and a tail of dust and gas. * Intrigue: Comets are essentially “time capsules” of the early solar system. While this specific comet is expected to be around magnitude 8 (requiring a small telescope or good binoculars), its appearance provides a real-time look at primitive solar system material. * Viewing Tip: Look low toward the southwest horizon shortly after sunset.

3. Conjunction of the Moon, Saturn, and Neptune (January 22–23)

On these two evenings, a thin, waxing crescent Moon will drift remarkably close to the ringed planet Saturn and the distant ice giant Neptune. * Scientific Value: These alignments (conjunctions) are perfect for “star-hopping.” Neptune is usually incredibly difficult to find because of its distance and dimness. On January 23, Saturn and the Moon act as celestial signposts, allowing amateur astronomers to point their telescopes at the exact spot needed to glimpse the tiny, blue-hued disk of the solar system’s outermost major planet.

* Visual: The “Earthshine” effect—where the dark part of the Moon is dimly lit by sunlight reflecting off Earth—will be particularly beautiful on these nights.

4. First Quarter Moon & The Pleiades (January 25–27)

As the month closes, the Moon will reach its First Quarter phase on January 25, moving steadily toward the famous Pleiades (Seven Sisters) star cluster. * Scientific Intrigue: This is a “high-contrast” period. The shadows along the Moon’s terminator line (the line between light and dark) are at their longest, making it the best time to see the staggering vertical relief of lunar mountains and the deep bowls of craters like Copernicus. * The Highlight: On the night of January 27, the Moon will appear very close to the Pleiades. This provides a stunning scale comparison between our singular, rocky Moon and a “nursery” of hundreds of young, hot-blue stars located 444 light-years away.

Would you like me to find the exact coordinates for Neptune during the January 23rd conjunction, or perhaps a guide on how to spot the Orion Nebula during the New Moon?Ai

Beaver Moon and development…

Circa 1900 hrs November 2nd 2025.Merritt BC, Canada.

Photo: KDG

This Beaver Moon in development for November 5th. Fullness has a blue tinge on it we suspect it may be coming from its proximity to Saturn as we have in our attempts to get photos of it, had a blue 💙 hue below and to the right of center of the Moon.

Anybody have any thoughts?

November Sky

Secrets of the universe…

The November 2025 sky promises a spectacular display, headlined by the closest and brightest Supermoon of the year!🌕 The November 5 Supermoon in British ColumbiaThe Full Moon in November is traditionally called the Beaver Moon. This year, it’s also a Supermoon, meaning the Full Moon coincides with the Moon’s closest approach to Earth (perigee), making it appear slightly larger and brighter than an average Full Moon. In fact, this is being called the biggest Supermoon of 2025.| Detail |

Time (PST – Pacific Standard Time) ||—|—|| Exact Peak Illumination | Wednesday, November 5 at 5:19 AM PST || Approximate Moonrise (Vancouver) | Tuesday, November 4 around 4:00 PM PST || Approximate Moonset (Vancouver) | Wednesday, November 5 around 7:37 AM PST |Note on Timing:The Moon is technically “Full” at the exact moment of peak illumination (5:19 AM PST on Nov 5th), but it will appear full to the eye for about three days, from the evening of November 4th through the evening of November 6th.What to Look For 👀The best viewing for the “super” effect is actually when the Moon is low on the horizon on the evenings of November 4th and 5th.

* The “Moon Illusion”:

When the Moon is near the horizon, a psychological phenomenon known as the “Moon Illusion” makes it look even larger next to foreground objects like trees and buildings. This will enhance the Supermoon’s effect.

* Color and Clarity:Photo KDG

Look for a deep orange or yellow colour as the Moon rises due to the Earth’s atmosphere scattering light. Since the Moon is closer, its features may appear slightly sharper if you’re using binoculars or a telescope.✨ 7 Other Celestial Events in November 2025November offers excellent viewing opportunities for planets and two notable meteor showers.1. Planets in the Evening Sky

* Saturn

(All Month):

The ringed planet is an excellent viewing target throughout November. Look to the southeast after sunset; it will be a bright, yellowish “star” visible well into the night. On November 2nd and again on November 29th, the Moon will pass close by Saturn. * Mercury (Early November): The tiny planet reaches its highest altitude in the evening sky around November 1st–2nd. Look low in the west shortly after sunset. It’s usually difficult to spot, so this is your best chance for the month.2. Planets in the Morning Sky

* Jupiter (Late Evening/Morning):

The largest planet rises in the late evening and is brilliantly visible high in the south before dawn. Its Great Red Spot and four largest moons are great targets for a small telescope. * Venus (Early Morning): This incredibly bright “Morning Star” is visible low in the east just before sunrise in the beginning of the month.3. Meteor Showers

* Northern & Southern Taurids

(Peaks Nov 4–5 & Nov 11–12): The Taurids are known for producing slow, bright meteors called fireballs, though their hourly rate is low (around 5 per hour). Look for them after midnight in the region of the constellation Taurus.

* Leonids Meteor Shower

(Peak Nov 17–18):

The Leonids are famous for being one of the fastest meteor showers. It peaks on the night of November 17th into the morning of the 18th. With the Moon being a thin crescent, the skies will be dark, allowing for better viewing of its typical rate of 10–15 meteors per hour. The radiant is in the constellation Leo, best viewed after midnight.

Uranus at Opposition…

* November 21st: The planet Uranus reaches opposition, meaning Earth passes directly between it and the Sun. This is when Uranus is closest to us and at its brightest for the year. Although it will still be too dim to see with the naked eye, it can be spotted with binoculars or a small telescope in the constellation Taurus. Look for its faint, blue-green disk.

Good viewing! Happy Star trails!

it’s a good month to get rings in…

Wednesday charm

Get your air Miles…

post script

Yes we have Space

Super Moon

233581 Miles; this harvest Moon is the first super moon of the year and it is the closest one as yet. Today October 8th 2025 it came as close as it will, as it begins to wane, it will still appear full for a couple days. Enjoy weather permitting. Cloud cover committing.