Comments on: Private: Sun crosses celestial equator at March equinox

By: Bruce McClure

Bruce McClure — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 21:37:11 +0000

Darin,

I’m afraid that you stumped me on that one! Did all the species turn into supernatural beings in 1999? In any event, I think blue moons are special and worthy of celebration!

Best wishes,
Bruce

By: Darian

Darian — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:54:19 +0000

Is it true when two blue moons occur in one year that all species will turn into supernatural beings?

By: Bruce McClure

Bruce McClure — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:34:44 +0000

Mark,

You are quite right. The zero point on the celestial sphere is generally called the First Point of Aries, though I noticed Eric Weisstein refers to this point as the First Point in Aries. Personally, I like to call the March equinox point the First Point of the sign Aries, so as to distinguish Aries the sign from Aries the constellation. According to Guy Ottewell’s 2008 Astronomical Calendar, the sun moves in front of the constellation Aries on Aril 18 (15 hours Universal Time) and into the sign of Taurus on April 19 (17 hours UT).

Bruce

By: Mark Hodges

Mark Hodges — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:21:37 +0000

I believe it is called “the first point of Ares”, not “the first point in Ares”.