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A vey rare supermoon will appear in the skies this Monday, November 14, 2016.

The term “supermoon” coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979 is a new or full moon that occurs when the Moon is within 90% of its closest approach to Earth during its orbit. This year, what will occur in astronomical terms is the Perigee Full Moon – a full moon that is closer than average to the Earth.

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According to the PAGASA Astronomy Division, the Moon will reach perigee on November 14, 2016 at 07:21 PM. This will be the closest perigee since January 26, 1948.

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According to National Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASA, a supermoon or perigee full moon can be as much as 14% bigger and 30% brighter than an apogee full moon. However, NASA warned that clouds or the glare of urban lights could easily mask 30% of the lunar brightness.

America’s astronomical body also added that the full moon of November 14 is not only the closest full moon of 2016, but also the closest full moon to date in the 21st century. The full moon won’t come this close to the Earth again until November 25, 2034.

Wherever you are this Monday night, make sure to look up and take a photo of the rare supermoon!

REFERENCES:

https://science.nasa.gov/news-articles/2016-ends-with-three-supermoons
http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/index.php/astronomy/astronomy-in-the-philippines/28-astronomy/424-sky-this-month

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Every year on August, astronomy enthusiasts look forward to a spectacular event known as the Perseid Meteor Shower.
 
But 2016 is not a usual year for sky spectators.
 
In a press statement, NASA meteor expert Bill Cooke dubbed this year’s most popular meteor shower of the year as a surge. “This Perseid outburst coming up in August — you could think of it in simplistic terms as Jupiter’s gravity causing the particles to concentrate in front of Earth’s path… this year, instead of seeing about 80 Perseids per hour, the rate could top 150 and even approach 200 meteors per hour.”
 
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Originating from the constellation Perseus (named after the Greek mythological hero), a few Perseids can be typically seen each night between July 17 and August 24. This year, its peak will happen on August 13.
 
In an interview with PanahonTV, PAGASA Space Sciences and Astronomy Section (SSAS) Chief Engr. Dario L. dela Cruz said that Perseid meteor shower will peak between 11:00 PM of August 12 until 5:00 AM of August 13.
 
However, the weather condition will play an important role for spectators in the Philippines. Currently, the southwest monsoon or habagat prevails in the country, bringing cloudy skies and rains especially over the western part.
 
“Depende sa weather. Kapag maulap, mahirap makita. May iba, ‘yung malalaking meteors, tatagos sa ulap.” (It depends on the weather. We’ll hardly see under cloudy skies, but large meteors might streak through clouds.)
 
Those who are lucky might see roughly 50 meteors per hour under favorable sky conditions.
 
In case you’ll miss the event, NASA will launch an online live streaming which can be accessed through this link: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-msfc
 
 
 
REFERENCES:
http://www.space.com/32868-perseid-meteor-shower-guide.html
http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/index.php/transparency/about-pagasa/28-astronomy/424-sky-this-month

 
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In case some of your wishes have yet to come true, try casting them on some shooting stars this week!
 
Meteors, also known as “falling stars” or “shooting stars”, are streaks of light caused by tiny bits of dust and rock called meteoroids falling into the Earth’s atmosphere. If any part of the meteoroid survives burning up after hitting the Earth, that remaining bit is called a meteorite.
 
The belief of wishing upon shooting stars dates back to around AD 127 to 151 when Greek astronomer Ptolemy wrote that occasionally, out of curiosity or even boredom, the gods peer down at the Earth from between the spheres. Stars sometimes slip out of this gap, flashing towards the earth.
 
 
SOUTHERN DELTA AQUARIDS METEORS
 
On its website, PAGASA announced that the Southern Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower will occur from July 28 to 31, and is estimated to peak starting on the late night of July 29 until early July 30.
 
These meteors will originate from the constellation Aquarius, the Water Bearer.
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(photo from PAGASA)
 
BEST VIEW
 
Though the bright moon might interfere with the activity, those who are lucky might spot about 15 meteors per hour under good sky conditions.
 
According to astronomy website sky.org, the best viewing window for the Southern Delta Aquarids meteor shower from any time zone is between 2:00 to 3:00AM.
 
Before the shower’s peak, find an open sky, away from artificial lights. You may simply look upward at the window or lie down on a reclining chair.
 
Enjoy this astronomical event and remember to share with us your photos!
 
 
 
REFERENCES:

http://earthsky.org/?p=159138
http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/index.php/astronomy/astronomy-in-the-philippines/28-astronomy/424-sky-this-month
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/questions/question12.html

Photo credit: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Photo credit: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

What is the origin of the universe? This was the question that piqued my curiosity and inspired me to study the immensity of space and time. This inquisitiveness fueled my passion for the universe and the unlimited dimensions it held. Everything about it fascinated me: how it worked, how it grew, and many more. I fell in love with the idea of endless discovery.

When I was in grade school, I attended an event entitled “Astro Camp”, where I was given a chance to peek into a telescope for the first time. This was how my love for astronomy began.

When I was in my last year in high school, when my batchmates were critically eyeing the courses they wanted to pursue, I was already certain that I should follow my second love, education. Because of monetary problems, I was willing to relegate my love for astronomy to the backseat. Since it’s not a typical field of study here in the Philippines, limited jobs are offered after graduation.

I tried to submit an application for my college admission at the Philippine Normal University to study education. Unfortunately, when I arrived there, I found out they no longer accept applicants. Then I went to the Rizal Technological University (RTU) – the only institute that offered BS Astronomy at that time – to pursue what I really wanted. Despite having limited cash for my daily trips, I strived to reach my goal. After a month of battling with life’s uncertainties, I finally got in.

I believed that the risk I took was a blessing in disguise. In my early college years, I joined different events which allowed me to expose my talents and abilities. I grew as a person and developed my innate proficiencies such as leadership and confidence. Learning astronomy is not easy unless you have the desire to study it. I firmly believe that whatever course you choose, as long as you really love what you are doing, everything else will fall into place.

BS Astronomy is not just about fascination with the cosmos, it also has its practical use. In our earlier years in this program, we studied the subject, “Solar System,” where comparative planetology was discussed. We analyzed the weather systems in different planets and their capabilities to host life. Detections of exoplanets – planets outside the solar system – was also discussed. Scientists nowadays are keen to find out other places in the universe where life can possibly thrive. Astronomers are also finding ways to prolong the existence of life on Earth. Hence, we have a meteorology subject that deals with the study of the planet’s weather systems, including climate change and disaster awareness.

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Sample Images I took as I study astronomy in RTU
Sample Images I took as I study astronomy in RTU

As the country’s pioneering institute that offered a degree in Astronomy, RTU had only three graduates in its first batch. The University’s department of Earth and Space Sciences (DESS) was established by Dr. Jesus Rodrigo F. Torres, the Vice President for Academic Affairs at that time. Together with recognized physicists, chemists and other scientists passionate about astronomy, they formally introduced the BS Astronomy Technology to the RTU community in 2007. Two years later the RTU-DESS has its very own student organization, the RTU-Astronomy Society, dedicated to spread the idea and exquisiteness of space. The RTU-DESS used to send students to different international activities and seminars annually. Its members also organized outreach programs that aim to disseminate facts and information about astronomy to the public.

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Dept. of Earth and Space Sciences
Dept. of Earth and Space Sciences
Astronomical Equipment used for observations and researches
Astronomical Equipment used for observations and researches

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Last school year, in 2015, the New Era University (NEU), located in Quezon City, also introduced astronomy to their academe. NEU experienced the same struggle RTU encountered: due to the small amount of people who knew about astronomy, there were only few students who enrolled in their program. In spite of this, I remain hopeful that in the near future, astronomy will be a well-known course in the Philippines, and that more young people will be captivated by the mysteries it offers.

When I graduate next year, in 2017, I want to pursue my studies in astronomy by obtaining a scholarship in a master’s degree program. I would like to see myself in my late 20’s as a doctor of philosophy in the field of astronomy, and to be an educator in the different universities here in the Philippines. This way I will finally able to meld my two loves: astronomy and education.

It is true what they say about learning, that it never ends. I still may not know how the universe began, but the process of exploring the answers is one that I will never tire of.

Jeroh P. Hiyastro
5th year student, BS Astronomy Technology, RTU

“I really love the mysteries that the universe holds and I also enjoy sharing them to other people.”

At 4 AM, the low pressure area (LPA) was last spotted at 600 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon. Moving westward, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Gener Quitlong said it is expected to cross the Bicol Region tonight. As it moves closer to landmass, it will start bringing rains over some parts of Southern Luzon.

Bicol Region, CALABARZON and the province of Mindoro will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

Due to the slow pace of the weather disturbance, Quitlong added that rainy weather will prevail over the weekend in most parts of Luzon. However, on Monday, gradual improvement is expected as the LPA traverses the West Philippine Sea.

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Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon or amihan has resurged and is now affecting Northern Luzon. Despite its presence, no gale warning was raised today but all are still advised to take extra caution in venturing out into the sea, mostly over the eastern section of Luzon. Coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

Supermoon occurs this Friday

Tonight’s New Moon is also called the Supermoon, a coincidence of a Full or New Moon with the perigee. New Moon happens when the illuminated part of the Moon facing the Earth is on the back side, blocking the part lit by the sun.

Perigee refers to the point where the Moon is at the closest distance from the Earth, making the satellite appear bigger than usual. However, because it is on its New Moon phase, we will not be able to witness its larger appearance.

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