Tag Archives: Signs In The Heavens

Venus, Jupiter To Provide “Best Backyard Sky Show”

Astronomers around the world are preparing for a major galactic event tonight, when Venus and Jupiter will cross paths in the night sky.

“To the eye they’ll look like a double star,” Sky & Telescope editor Kelly Beatty said on the magazine’s website.

Some of the astronomers say that the convergence of the two planets is so bright and noticeable that it could have been the “star of Bethlehem” that is mentioned in the Bible.  The planets will be a “jaw-dropping one-third of a degree apart” according to NASA.

“You’ll be able to hide the pair not just behind the palm of your outstretched hand, but behind your little pinky finger,” NASA says.

NASA says the convergence of the planets takes place about every 13 months.  However, it’s rare that the planets will come so close together in the night sky.  The next time the planets will be this close will be November 2065 when they will appear to cross paths.

Third Blood Moon Occurs Easter Weekend

The third blood moon lunar eclipse in the 18-month long tetrad will occur this Saturday on the morning of Easter Vigil and within the first night of Passover.

Earth’s shadow will cover the entire moon at 4:58 a.m. PST and the total eclipse will last approximately five minutes, making it the shortest eclipse in a century. The short timing of this eclipse is caused by the moon skimming the outskirts of Earth’s shadow, rather than passing through centrally.

Red light is created around the rim of the Earth when it covers the sun and that red light beams onto the moon, causing the blood red tint.

After Saturday, the next blood moon is expected September 28, 2015.