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A celestial carnival to look out for this month

The month of June promises to be a celestial carnival with fascinating planetary and lunar alignments to look out for in the sky. In 2006, the moon will show extreme swings in its position north and south of the equator, a phenomenon that occurs once every 18.6 years. These extreme swings in the position of the moon are known major lunar standstills.

"The maximum southward swing of the moon will take place on June 13 when one will see the moon rise substantially to the south of west a little late in the night," says Nehru Planetarium Director N. Rathnasree. "The moon will hang low in the southwest even when at its highest point in the sky and will set to the south of west on the morning of June 14."

"By June 26 the moon will swing northward. In the Capital, the moon will be visible almost overhead at around 1 p.m. This phenomenon will be repeated on July 23, August 19 and September 15. In fact, the moon will exhibit its maximum northward swing on September 15. The moon undergoes these north-south swings every month, but once in 18.6 years these swings become extreme. One does not ever see the moon overhead in Delhi other than in the year of the major lunar standstill."

Coming to the planets, just after sunset on June 17, one will be able to see Saturn and Mars in very close conjunction. The two planets will be within half a degree of each other in the sky. "The angular distance between the planets will be just a width of the little finger held against the sky," says Dr. Rathnasree.

"The best way to appreciate the advance of such a conjunction would be to observe the planets a few days before and after June 17. One can use the Ram Yantra at Jantar Mantar, which will allow the viewer to appreciate the changing angular distance between the two planets."

For those wanting to learn more about the lunar alignments, the Capital's Nehru Planetarium will be conducting a series of "Moon Carnival" workshops for all ages beginning June 3. The workshops will consist of many moon-related activities and observations to try and bring home the observational significance of the lunar standstill year. -- Staff Reporter

-- Staff Reporter

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