Flip That Light Switch!

That’s correct. Turn that light off tonight at 8.00pm (local time).

“Why do that?” you ask. Well, two reasons.

The first is to participate/celebrate “Earth Hour,” a world-wide effort to reduce energy consumption around the globe. It’s the idea of the World Wildlife Fund, who started this in 2007 in Sydney Australia.

Going hand in hand this year is “Lights Out America,” which was started in San Fransisco in an effort to reduce energy consumption, and bring the problems of light pollution to the general public.

Even Google is “going dark” for the day.

So do your part. From 8.oopm to 9.00pm tonight, turn off your lights, unplug any appliances you aren’t using. Turn of the television. Heck, turn off and unplug your computer for an hour! (Yes, you’ll survive an hour without being online). Make a difference in your community.

And if you’re looking for something to do for that hour, go outside if it’s clear and watch the sunset and the stars come out. You’ll be taking part in something wonderful.

For more information…

Earth Hour

Lights Out America  

Look Up Tonight! (March 28)

Since it looks like the skies will be clear here in West Michigan, it’s a perfect opportunity to not only look at the night sky, but see a great flyover by the International Space Station.

If you are interested, step outside just after 9.00pm and look to the West-Northwest. At 9.08pm the station will rise and slowly (sort of) traverse the evening sky, going high overhead, and then disappearing in the Northeastern sky  over six minutes later.

Because of it’s location overhead, and the time of day, ISS will be the brightest thing in the night sky, easily outshining all of the stars overhead. At it’s highest point - 72 degrees - the station will be half-way across the sky. Finally, before it disappears, it will pass just below the Big Dipper.

The link to the right will take you to a site with predictions for the ISS, space shuttle, and other satellites as they travel overhead. You can see just when a certain object will be in view.

Over the next few weeks, we will have many opportunities to see the space station in the evening sky. Some will not be as spectacular as tonight’s will, but then again, there are a few that will be better.

And as an added treat, there is something following the space station. You will notice about three minutes later a slightly dimmer point of light following in the ISS path. The is the Jules Verne ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle), a  new supply ship on its maiden voyage to the space station.

So if you can, go outside, look up, and wave as the station (and its crew) fly overhead. They won’t see you, but will appreciate the interest.

March’s Full Moon

The full moon for March 2008 will occur at 2.40pm EDT on the 21st. The March full moon is called the “Worm Moon” as the warmer days of spring bring the thawing of the ground, and the birds finally going after earthworms that are beginning to get active.

(Just a note about the time of full moon: the moon is “full” for only a moment, despite what local meteorologists say. This has been discussed before).

This also happens to be the Paschal Full Moon, which is the first full moon of Spring. What is the significance of this? The date of the first full moon after the vernal equinox determines the date of Easter.

This year Easter will be about the earliest it can be, so expect some colder weather. You might have to hunt Easter eggs in the snow.