Space Weather News for July 3, 2008
http://spaceweather.com
WEEKEND SKY SHOW: Saturn, Mars and a slender crescent
Moon are gathering together for a pretty sunset sky show over
the 4th of July weekend. For people in the USA celebrating
Independence Day, it's a bit of heavenly charm among the smoke
and flash of evening fireworks. Check http://spaceweather.com
for the full story and sky maps.
EARTH AT APHELION: On the 4th of July, you will be farther
from the sun than at any other time of the year. Earth's orbit
around the sun is not a perfect circle, it's an ellipse, and on July
4th, Earth is at the end of the ellipse farthest from the sun. Astronomers
call this "aphelion." When we are at aphelion, the sun appears
slightly smaller in the sky (by about 1.7%) and global solar heating
is actually a little less (by about 3.5%) than the yearly average.
This provides scant relief from northern summer heat, however.
Today's edition of http://spaceweather.com explains why.
Terri, Events Coordinator
Email: Events@PASAz.org
Phoenix Astronomical Society
