ASTRONOMICAL EVENTS AND WEATHER DISTURBANCES (From August to September 2012)

Anna Marie L. Fajardo Natural Science 2

ASTRONOMICAL EVENTS

AUGUST 7-14, 2012 SPICA, SATURN AND MARS AT DUSKS

The planets Saturn and Mars and the star Spica are close together in the first half of the month, low above the western horizon at dusk. They will form a triangle on the 7th an hour after sunset. Saturn will be the top of the triangle, while Mars will be on the lower right corner. Each side of the triangle is about 5 degrees. On the 14th, they will form an almost straight line: Saturn topmost with Mars lying between Saturn and Spica.

View of the western horizon at dusk on August 7 and 14, 2012 as seen from Manila Philippines. Images were screenshots from Stellarium.

August 12, 2012 OCCULTATION OF JUPITER BY THE MOON

For Philippine observers, the waning crescent Moon will pass in front of Jupiter and its moons during a relatively rare event called occultation on the morning of August 12. In astronomy, an occultation occurs when one object is hidden by another larger object that passes between it and the observer. Prospects and timings for the event vary with location.The event takes

place while Jupiter and the Moon are low in the sky during the were hours of the morning.

Jupiter and its largest satellites passing behind Earths moon.

AUGUST 12-13, 2012 METEOR SHOWER IN THE PHILIPPINES

Filipinos glimpsed and spotted a heavenly spectacle as the annual Perseids meteor shower reaches its peak on August 12-13, 2012. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said August is one of the most popular times of the year to observe meteor showers. The radiant point for this shower will bE in the constellation Perseus. It noted that the Perseids meteor was observed with its peak in the late evening and early morning hours from August 12-13. About 15 bright and swift-moving meteors can be observed per hour. The meteor shower will last until August 13. PAGASA cited that the peak of meteor shower is just one day after full moon. They pointed out that meteors are easiest to see if there is no moonlight, light pollution at all and if the weather permits. The Perseids meteor shower radiates out from the constellation Perseus, which is located in the eastern horizon during August.

The Perseids Meteor Shower

AUGUST 14, 2012 A LINE OF PLANETS ALONG WITH A THIN, WANING, CRESCENT MOON BEFORE DAWN
Before dawn on the morning of the 14th August the planets Mercury, Venus and Jupiter and the Moon lined up in the eastern sky. Look for a very thin crescent Moon to the upper right of Mercury an hour before sunrise in the northeast. Venus is to the upper right of the Moon, and a few degrees above them is Jupiter.

AUGUST 15, 2012 DEVELOPING EL Nio 2012

Atmospheric circulation in the tropical Pacific continued to be near-normal in July 2012, although a persistent warming in the tropical Pacific Ocean trending towards an El Ni & tildeno condition have been observed since June. Warmer sea surface temperature strengthened in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific ocean, a typical development stage of an El Nio. Likewise, observed warmer temperatures below the surface of the entire equatorial Pacific Ocean is a good indicator to sustain the evolving El Ni & tildeno condition. Dynamical and statistical model forecasts suggest the El Nio will likely develop in August or September. El Nio periods are usually characterized by below normal rainfall condition across most areas of the country during the last quarter of the year (OND) and

early months or first quarter (Jan-Mar) of the following year. Climate pattern in the country during the months of July and August was generally influenced by the moderate to strong westerlies, which reflect an active Southwest (SW) monsoon activity, generating enhanced rainfall over most areas of the country. This characterized the seasonal variability of El Ni&tildeno impact, where the reverse happened during the early stages of warm episode, an enhanced rainfall in any time within the months of July, August, September instead of below normal rainfall condition. Based on the probabilistic El Ni & tildeno Southern Oscillation (ENSO) forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Climate Prediction Center (CPC), slightly more than 70% of the ENSO forecast models predict El Ni & tildeno condition developing around August- October season, continuing through the rest of 2012. Initial impact of the likely developing El Ni&tildeno during September is below normal rainfall condition in the eastern portions of Northern and Central Luzon, including Palawan, some portions of Western and Central Visayas and Western Mindanao. The rest of the country will likely experience near to above normal rainfall conditions. Increased areas experiencing drier than normal rainfall are likely during October. The PAGASA will continue to closely monitor these conditions and regular updates/advisories shall be issued as appropriate.

 AUGUST 22, 2012 WAXING CRESCENT MOON JOINS SATURN, MARS AND SPICA
On the evening of the 22nd, a waxing crescent Moon, Mars, and Saturn will all lie within a circle just 6 in diameter.

AUGUST 24, 2010 NEPTUNE AT OPPOSITION

The blue planet will be at its closest approach to earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the sm. This is the best time to view Neptune. Due to its distance, it will only appear as a tiny blue dot in all but the most powerful telescopes.

 AUGUST 31, 2012 BLUE TO MOON LIGHTED UP FRIDAY NIGHT SKY

Blue Moon rose in the night sky on a Friday night last August 1, 2010-- the second full moon in August and it can be seen on the entire Philippines especially in Metro Manila. The Blue Moon will rise 15 minutes before sunset, according to PAG-ASA. The second full moon in a month is called Blue Moon. However, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration said a Blue Moon was not literally blue in color. Most Blue Moons look pale gray and white, indistinguishable from any other Moon youve ever seen. Squeezing a second full Moon into a calendar month doesnt change the physical properties of the Moon itself, so its color remains the same. With that caveat in mind, however, be aware that on rare occasions it can happen. A truly-blue Moon usually requires a volcanic eruption. Back in 1883, for example, people saw blue moons almost every night after the Indonesian volcano Krakatoa exploded with the force of a 100-megaton nuclear bomb. Plumes of ash rose to the very top of Earths atmosphere, and the Moon it turned blue! The state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the moonrise Friday would be at 5:49 p.m. and sunset at 6:09p.m. The next Blue Moon will be on July 31, 2015.

 SEPTEMBER 1,2012 THE SKY THIS MONTH (Planets' whereabouts)

At around 1:00 AM, on September 1, Jupiter will be found at about 25 degrees above the east northeastern part of the earth. It can be seen all throughout the world.

DATE Sep. 7

Sep. 17 Sep. 27

Time (PST) of rise and set of some planets at 10-day interval MERCURY VENUS MARS JUPITER SATURN Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set 4:50 5:29 2:37 3:22 9:31 9:03 11:21 12:12 8:39 8:25 AM PM AM PM AM PM PM PM AM PM 5:32 5:57 2:45 3:26 9:20 8:47 10:45 11:36 8:04 7:49 AM PM AM PM AM PM PM AM AM PM 6:09 6:17 2:54 3:29 9:11 8:33 *10:07 10:58 7:30 7:14 AM PM AM PM AM PM PM AM AM PM

SEPTEMBER 22, 2O12 STARS AND CONSTELLATION Autumnal Equinox

Philippine nights will be longer as the Sun approaches the celestial equator. Autumnal equinox will occur on September 22 when day and night will have equal length on Earth. The rich band of constellations and stars along the Milky Way from the constellations Cygnus, the Swan, in the north to Sagittarius and Scorpius in the south, begin to give way this month to fainter constellations, many of them with watery associations such as the constellations of Capricornus, the Sea Goat, Aquarius, the Water Bearer and Pisces the Fish. The famous asterism Teapot in the constellation of Sagittarius can be observed at about 40 to 47 degrees above the southern horizon, an hour after sunset.

THE PLANET At around 1:00 AM, on September 1, Jupiter will be found at about 25 degrees above the east northeastern horizon. It will be glowing at magnitude -2.3. The largest planet will lie among the background stars of the constellation Taurus, the Bull. Jupiter will be visible in the morning twilight throughout the month. The visibility of the planed Jupiter will last on the entire September. Also, at 4:00 AM, Venus will be found at about 21 degrees above the east northeastern horizon. The brightest planet will be shining brilliantly at magnitude 4.1. This will last until September. On the same date at 7:00 PM, Saturn and Mars will be found at about 23 and 29 degrees above the west southwestern horizon will lie among the background stars of the constellation Virgo, the Virgin and Libra, the Scale, respectively. They will be fine targets for telescoping sessions after sunset until it will no longer be visible in the sky for observation on the last week of the month. Also at 8:00 PM, Uranus will be found at about 15 degrees above the eastern horizon with the background stars of the constellation Pisces, the Fish, while Neptune will be found at about 43 degrees above the east southeastern horizon and will lie among the background stars of the constellation Aquarius, the Water-Bearer. Uranus will glow at magnitude +5.7 while Neptune will be faint at magnitude +7.8. A binocular or a telescope and a star map will be needed to observe these icy planets. Both planets will be visible in the evening sky throughout the month. Mercury will start to climb up the western horizon after sunset on the middle of the month and onward. The planet will be difficult to observe due to its proximity to the horizon and to the Sun. DATE 7 8 10 13 18 18 19 20 22 25 27 29 EVENT Moon at apogee (farthest distance to Earth) Jupiter 0.6 north of the Moon (occn.) Mercury in inferior conjunction Venus 4 north of the Moon Pluto stationary Saturn 5 north of the Moon Moon at perigee (nearest distance to Earth) Mars 0.2 north of the Moon (occn.) Autumnal Equinox Pallas at opposition Neptune 6 south of the Moon Uranus at opposition TIME (LST) 2:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:00 PM 1:00 AM 5:00 AM 10:00 PM 11:00 AM 5:00 AM 11:00 PM 11:00 AM 7:00 PM 3:00 PM

 SEPTEMBER 22, 2012 SEPTEMBER EQUINOX September equinox occurs at 14:49 UTC. The Sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world. This is also the first day of fall (autumnal equinox) in the northern hemisphere and the first day of spring (vernal equinox) in the southern hemisphere.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2012 URANUS AT OPPOSITION The blue-green planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. This is the best time to view Uranus. Due to its distance, it will only appear as a tiny blue-green dot in all but the most powerful telescopes.

WEATHER

AUGUST 4, 2012 TYPHOON GENER

Typhoon (JMA) Category 2 typhoon (SSHS)

Duration July 26 August 4 Intensity 130 km/h (80 mph) (10-min), 960 mbar (hPa)

On July 26, 2012, various forecast models showed that the 7th typhoon to enter Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) for 2012 was named as GENER. it was reported that a tropical depression had developed within an area of strong vertical windshear in the monsoon trough about 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) to the southeast of Manila in the Philippines. During that day the shear relaxed before during the next day, PAGASA issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on the system. Its intensity is 130 kph (8omph), 960 mbar (hPa). Typhoon Gener caused widespread rains in the Philippines due to the enhancement of the southwest monsoon. On July 29, domestic and international flights throughout the country were delayed and cancelled. Small fishing crafts were advised to not engage in the water as a gale warning was issued by PAGASA. The NDRRMC alerted their agency as the storm is expected to bring heavy rains. Seaports were also advised to cancel their trips. Flooding is imminent as different dams are expected to reach its critical level and possibly release huge millimeters of water. Typhoon GENER Forecast Tracks: Coordinates: 20.9N, 124.4E Forecast Tracks: (1) 420 km Northeast of Basco, Batanes on Wednesday (2) 640 km North Northwest of Basco, Batanes on Thursday

Signal Number 3: Batanes Group of Islands Signal Number 2: Cagayan, Calayan Group of Islands, Babuyan Group of Islands Signal Number 1: Isabela, Kalinga, Apayao Movement Speed: 7kph North Northwest Strength: 120kph Gustiness: 150kph Rain Volume: 10 - 20 mm/hr (Heavy to Intense) Distance to Land: 240 km East Northeast of Basco, Batanes

AUGUST 7, 2012 SOUTHWEST MONSOON

Last August 7, 2010, heavy rain brought by the annual southwest monsoon, combined with a tropical storm to the east of the Philippines, has submerged large parts of the capital, Manila, displacing thousands and testing a recently launched web-based early warning system, officials and residents said. The monsoon dumped 323 millimetres of rain on the capital and surrounding areas in the 24 hours of 5 and 6 August - more than half of the average monthly rainfall of 504 millimetres in August - according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the state weather bureau.

AUGUST 12, 2012 TYPHOON HELEN

Typhoon (JMA) Category 1 typhoon (SSHS)

Duration August 12 August 18

Intensity 120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min), 970 mbar (hPa)

Last August 12, 2012, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) started issuing advisories on the system, naming it Helen, as a Tropical Depression. As the time passes by, it became a typhoon. It was the 8th typhoon typhoon that entered Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) for 2012 and sighted over vicinity of Aparri, Cagayan as of 11am August 15, 2012. It enhanced the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat and brought rains over western section of Southern Luzon which triggered flash floods and landslide to prone areas.

Typhoon HELEN Forecast Track Coordinates: 18.3N, 121.5E Signal No. 2: (61-100kph winds): Benguet, Nothern Aurora, Isabela, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, Ilocos Norte/Sur, Abra, Nueva Vizcaya, Mt. Province, Quirino, Cagayan, Babuyan, Calayan Group of Islands and Batanes Group of Islands Signal No. 1: (45-60kph winds) : La Union, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac and rest of Aurora Forecast Tracks: (1) 160 km Northwest of Laoag City - Thursday (2) 510 km Northwest of Laoag City - Friday Movement Speed: 13kph West Northwest Strength: 75 kph near the center Gustiness: 90 kph Rain Volume: 20-35 mm/hr (Intense to Torrential) within 500 km diameter Distance to Land: over vicinity of Aparri, Cagayan Landfall: Palanan, Isabela at 1am August 15, 2012

 AUGUST 17, 2012 TYPHOON IGME

Typhoon (JMA) Category 4 typhoon (SSHS)

Duration August 17 August 30 Intensity 150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min), 950 mbar (hPa)

On August 17, 2012, the 9th typhoon to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility was named as typhoon Igme. In less than a month we are battered by 3 typhoons and weather disturbance Habagat. Hundred people are dead and leaving thousands of families affected with floods and devastated agricultural crops. Some families return to their homes from evacuation center and other low lying areas are still flooded. Despite of good weather condition in past few days, a new LPA (now already a typhoon) is sighted 510 km North Northeast of Basco, Batanes as of 8pm August 28, 2012. It enhanced the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat and brought rains over western section of Southern Luzon which triggered flash floods and landslide to prone areas. Typhoon IGME Forecast Track Coordinates: 25.3N, 123.6E Signal #1: (30-60 kph): None Signal #2: (61-100 kph): None Forecast: (1) 645 km North Northeast of Basco, Batanes Wednesday Strength: 110 kph near center Gustiness: 140 kph

Movement: North Northeast at 22 kph Rain Volume: 10-18mm/hr (Moderate to Heavy) within 500 km Distance to Land: 510 km North Northeast of Basco, Batanes

AUGUST 19, 2012 TYPHOON JULIAN

Typhoon (JMA) Category 4 typhoon (SSHS)

Duration August 19 August 29 Intensity 185 km/h (115 mph) (10-min), 910 mbar (hPa)

PAGASA Tracks New Typhoon JULIAN, the 10th typhoon to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) last August 19, 2012. New Typhoon with International name BOLAVEN was sighted by PAGASA 1550 km East of Northern Luzon as of 11 am August 19, 2012.Because of the sustained winds and strength of the typhoon, Fujiwara Effect happened between the previous typhoon Igme.

Typhoon JULIAN Forecast Track

Coordinates: 25.1N, 129.8E Forecast Track: (1) 830 km Northeast of Basco, Batanes (Outside of PAR) - Sunday Afternoon Strength: 175 kph Gustiness: 210 kph Rain Volume: 10-35mm/hr (Moderate-Heavy) within 700 km.

Movement: Northwest at 15kph Distance from Land: 850 km Northeast of Basco, Batanes as of 4am August 26, 2012 What is Fujiwhara Effect?

There are two typhoons inside Philippine Area of Responsibility as of today, Typhoon JULIAN and IGME and a possible interaction will take effect as they approach at distance of 1500 km between each other. This interaction is called "Fujiwhara Effect" discovered by Sakuhei Fujiwhara - a Japanese Meteorologist in 1921 Aand he determined that two storms will sometimes move around a common center pivot point. The interaction will rotate in a common center pivot point. One scenario of Fujiwhara Effect is Typhoon IGME will make a u-turn while Typhoon JULIAN is traversing Taiwan-Okinawa and the two will dance to each other or act like a seesaw. The Fujiwara Effect is an interesting phenomenon which can happen when two or more hurricanes form very near each other. The National Weather Service defines the Fujiwhara Effect as the tendency of two nearby tropical cyclones to rotate cyclonically about each other. Another slightly more technical definition of the Fujiwhara Effect from the National Weather Service is a binary interaction where tropical cyclones within a certain distance (300-750 nautical miles depending on the sizes of the cyclones) of each other begin to rotate about a common midpoint. The effect is also known as the Fujiwara Effect without an h in the name. Fujiwharas studies indicate storms will rotate around a common center of mass. A similar effect is seen in the rotation of the Earth and moon. This barycenter is the center pivot point around which two rotating bodies in space will spin. The specific location of this center of gravity is determined by the relative intensity of the tropical storms. This interaction will sometimes lead to tropical storms 'dancing' with each other around the dance floor of the ocean.

 SEPTEMBER 10, 2012 TYPHOON KAREN

Typhoon (JMA) Category 5 super typhoon (SSHS)

Duration September 10 September 18 Intensity 205 km/h (125 mph) (10-min), 900 mbar (hPa)

PAGASA active Low Pressure Area (LPA), now a typhoon KAREN was sighted 660 km East of Itbayat, Batanes as of 10 am September 15, 2012 and the 11th Typhoon that entered Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this 2012. KAREN, previously an active LPA was embedded along Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao which will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorm which may trigger flash floods and landslides. KAREN is expected to enhanced Southwest Monsoon or HABAGAT that will bring rains over Luzon and Western Visayas. Fishing boats and small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the Eastern Seaboard of Central and Southern Luzon. PAGASA Typhoon KAREN Forecast Track

Coordinates: 22.7N, 128.9E Signal #1: None

Forecast Track: (1) 70 km South of Okinawa Japan Sunday Strength: 185 kph near center Gustiness: 220 kph Movement Speed: North Northwest at 15 kph Rain Volume: 15 - 30mm/hr (Heavy to Intense Rains) within 550 km. Distance from Land: 660 km East of Itbayat, Batanes

SEPTEMBER 29, 2012 TYPHOON LAWIN

Satellite image

Storm track

Current storm status Typhoon (JMA) Current storm status Category 2 typhoon (1-min mean) As of: Location: Winds: 08:45 UTC September 29 27.3N 129.0E 90 knots (165 km/h; 105 mph) sustained (10-min mean) 90 knots (165 km/h; 105 mph) sustained (1-min mean) gusting to 130 knots (240 km/h; 150 mph) Pressure: Movement: 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) NE at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)

PAGASA Tracks New Typhoon named Lawin, the 11th typhoon to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) last September 29, 2012.
PAGASA sighted LAWIN 480 km Northeast of Itbayat, Batanes 10pm September 28, 2012, the 12th typhoon to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) for this year. LAWIN was previously an active LPA and developed into Tropical Depression (PAGASA technical term) 8 days ago.

A total of four typhoons visited our country last year for the month of September alone. In September 24, 2011 and 2009, typhoon PEDRING and Ondoy make a landfall in our country and there is similarity in typhoon tracks. PAGASA Typhoon LAWIN Forecast Track Coordinates: 24..5N, 125.2E Signal #3 (101-185kph winds): None Signal #2 (61-100kph winds): None Signal #1 (30-60kph winds): None Forecast Track: (1) Out of Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Saturday Strength: 175 kph near the center Gustiness: 210 kph Movement: Northeast at 17 kph Rain Volume: 10-20mm/hr (Heavy to Intense) within 750km Distance to Land: 480 km Northeast of Itbayat, Batanes