Each week, TecMundo and #AstroMiniBR bring a selection of the best astronomical curiosities produced by collaborators of the profile at X to share with you a little more about the fantastic universe of astronomy. Check it out below!
#1: The Moon that doesn’t leave the Moon still
The Moon standing still is an interesting astronomical phenomenon and, despite its name, does not mean that the Moon has actually stopped moving. This term refers to the way the Moon “pauses” in the sky when it reaches its maximum declination during the lunar precession cycle, which lasts about 18.6 years.
At this point, the Moon reaches its northernmost and southernmost positions in its monthly motion, causing its height in the sky to vary less from night to night. This gives the impression that the Moon was “at rest” for a short time. The name “Moon standing still” can be misleading because it implies that the Moon has stopped moving, which is not true..
In reality, the Moon continues its regular orbital motion around the Earth. The correct term should emphasize that this is an optical illusion caused by the Earth’s perspective. During these periods, observers notice that the Moon’s changing position from one night to the next is less noticeable, creating the impression of being “at rest.”
Understanding this phenomenon helps clarify the complexity of lunar movements and the importance of perspective in our astronomical observations.
#2: Winter has come to the Southern Hemisphere!
On the 20th, the part of the planet south of the Equator entered winter! This date marked the winter solstice. The day that always occurs between June 20 and 22 and has the shortest day and longest night of the year.
During this astronomical event, the Sun reaches its northernmost position in the sky, resulting in the lowest amount of sunlight observed over the Southern Hemisphere. This phenomenon occurs due to the tilt of the Earth’s axis relative to its orbital plane, causing different parts of the planet to receive different amounts of sunlight throughout the year.
The winter solstice has great cultural and scientific significance, as historically many ancient civilizations such as the Mayans and Incas marked and celebrated this event with festivals and ceremonies, recognizing its importance to agriculture and natural cycles.
In modern science, The winter solstice is crucial for understanding seasonal changes and their effects on climate, ecosystems and human activities..
#3: Beautiful galaxy NGC 4625
The galaxy NGC 4625 is a peculiar spiral galaxy located approximately 31 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Canes Venatic. One of its most interesting features is the presence of only one helical arm.unlike common spiral galaxies, which usually have two or more arms.
This unique arm makes it a fascinating object of study for astronomers trying to understand the dynamics and evolution of galaxies. NGC 4625 is also notable for being a dwarf galaxy with a relatively small diameter compared to other large spiral galaxies.
In addition to its distinctive shape, NGC 4625 exhibits high levels of star formation, as evidenced by its significant ultraviolet emission. This intense star formation activity suggests that the galaxy may have entered into gravitational interactions with other nearby galaxies.Such as NGC 4618, which is located relatively nearby and may have affected the structure of NGC 4625.
Studying galaxies like NGC 4625 helps astronomers uncover the processes that shape galaxies over time and better understand the diversity of galactic structures in the universe.
Did you like the content? Therefore, always stay up to date with the latest astronomical curiosities at TecMundo. To the next one!
Source: Tec Mundo
I’m Blaine Morgan, an experienced journalist and writer with over 8 years of experience in the tech industry. My expertise lies in writing about technology news and trends, covering everything from cutting-edge gadgets to emerging software developments. I’ve written for several leading publications including Gadget Onus where I am an author.
