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Sky Gazing
9-15-2023
Once upon a time, all I knew about a blue moon was that is saw a singer standing alone without a dream in his heart or love of his own. Thank you Grease. Years later I learned a blue moon was the name given to the second full moon during a single month. When August ended with a super blue moon, I learned even more. The super designation is added based on the moon’s distance from the Earth. In this case it means it is about as close as it can get to paraphrase NBC 15. What I can tell by observation is that it was large, bright and beautiful.
We were talking about it at the library in relation to our new telescope. Part of the Library of Things that was developed this year, a refractory telescope is available for checkout at the library. Patrons may call to reserve it for specific dates of up to a two-week timeframe. We do ask for a deposit as a guarantee it will be returned on time should another family have plans that involve the telescope and all the pieces are there. As we approach the fall equinox, the earlier night fall makes it more practical to use with school age and younger children.
September 28th will bring another supermoon, although this one isn’t leaving anyone blue. October 21st is International Observe the Moon Night. I had hoped to have a library program using the telescope that night. Unfortunately, my daughter’s dance team is hosting a Daddy-Daughter Dance that night in Mukwonago. As that is their major fundraiser of the year and the team is traveling to Florida for Nationals in March, I will be otherwise engaged. That means the telescope is available that night if a patron would like to reserve it.
An eclipse is not the time for using telescope, but the it is worth noting that North America will experience two solar eclipses over the next seven months. The first, an Annular Eclipse will take place on October 14, 2023 and will be best viewed out west. Wisconsin will only see this at 40%. The Total Eclipse on April 8, 2024 will be much closer at 90%. With an Annular Eclipse the sun shines like a halo around the moon while the total eclipse is, well, total.
The library does have Solar-Viewing glasses thanks to SEAL (Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries). We are required to hold two programs related to the eclipse as the condition for the donation. One may still be a night with the stars. The other will be a program with Little Prairie students in the spring. In addition Walworth County libraries will host an event on the day of the Total Eclipse to stayed turned for more information about distribution of the glasses and plans for April 8th.
Reading: Getting Lost by Annie Ernaux