Your Astronomy Now

Solar system diagrams help readers visualize the actual positions of the planets in the solar system. They provide an easy understanding of our earth and the solar system.

The orbit diagrams of the solar system show the planes of the earth and the comets. Comet orbit diagrams show the comets’ relative movement with the sun. There are two types of orbit diagrams - outer solar system orbit diagrams and inner solar system orbit diagrams.

Outer solar system orbit diagrams show the positions of all asteroids and comets with semi-major axes. They also show orbits and positions of planets such as Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and comets like Halley and Hale-Bopp. In outer solar system orbit diagrams, asteroids and comets are shown in separate colors or blocks.

The inner solar system diagrams show the positions of all numbered asteroids and all numbered comets. The positions and orbits of the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and Jupiter are also shown. In the diagram, asteroids and comets are represented in separate blocks or colors. Top diagrams and bottom diagrams of the inner solar system can also be plotted. The inner solar system diagram shows the location of the asteroid belt and the distribution of interplanetary dust.

Separate comet and asteroid orbit diagrams can be viewed using a java based orbit applet. The distribution of orbital elements for most known inner solar system asteroids and comets are shown using distribution diagrams such as distribution diagram of elements for comets and asteroids, distribution diagram of elements for asteroids only, and distribution diagram of semi major axis. Bifurcation diagrams show selected stable and unstable orbits and the numerical iterations depending on a parameter.

Earth Hour 2008 has by all accounts been a huge success.

To quote a some the figures of the participating cities:

Toronto: Earth Hour was an astronomical success! At 8:50pm the electricity consumption in the city dropped by 264 Megawatts

Chicago: Nearly 500 golden arches were turned off at McDonald’s restaurants throughout the Chicago region.

Canberra: Canberra’s Parliamentary Triangle and CBD buildings plunged into darkness in an unprecedented spectacle for those who ventured up Mount Ainslie to take in the sights.

Philippines: A developing nation of 7107 isles. A people working together to make a difference in the growing fight against global warming.

What a fantastic result, and this is just a sample of the responses.

So what does this mean for astronomy all around the world ?

When the lights are switched off on the earth the night sky begins to be visible in all its glory.

With earth hour now past for another year, what can be done to keep up the momentum for the sake of the earth and for the night sky.

Here are a few thoughts:

• Does every building really need architectural lighting 365 days a year. ?
• Do security lights really need to be on all night long (perhaps motion sensors might be better?)
• This is not to mention overused Air Conditioning and appliances on “Standby”.

So how does this affect our view of the night sky?

As the level of ambient lighting rises, the number of stars visible in the night sky reduces.

This is due to the effect of sky glow or light “Loom”, sometimes called light intrusion of for what it really is, light pollution.

It is actually lost energy in a large part, in that light directed other than where it is needed (this is usually on the ground) is wasted.

In larger cites the major constellations are not even recognizable much less the Galaxies and Nebulas.

As the Earth hour campaign says “I’m just one person, what can I do” the answer is “A lot”

• By simply having a light on just in the room you are in and turning off your outside lights unless you are actually using them.
• By taking Public transport where possible and using Alternative energy you are making a difference.
• Lobby government and industry to limit their outdoor lighting output and ensure that lighting is designed with the night sky and the environment at the top of design criteria list.
• Perhaps you could spend time outside with family and friends discovering the night sky. You will find far more wisdom in learning the mythology written in the constellations and a in the beauty of deep space that you will ever find on 90% of what is shown on the TV anyhow.

So switch off the lights and the TV, have a candle lit BBQ (with a natural bees wax candle of course) and invite the neighbors over so they turn their lights off too!

Discover the beauty and inspiration that can be found under the dark night sky, and have many “Earth Hours” each and every week.

At nightskysecrets.com we aim to reveal the delights to be found in the beauty of the night sky. Check us out at the links below and decide for yourself.