From the James Webb Space Telescope’s dazzling images to a “Real Life Armageddon” situation, there were a lot of headlines from space in 2022.
But what does 2023 have in store for stargazers and fans of space?
WWJ’s Erin Vee spoke with Mike Murray of the Delta College Planetarium in Bay City to find out. And it turns out, there’s a lot to look forward to, beginning with Perihelion Day on Wednesday.
“What that means is, the Earth is at its closest approach to the sun in its elliptical orbit,” Murray said.
While it may seem strange that this is happening in the dead of winter, Murray says you have to keep the Southern Hemisphere in mind.
“Remember, the seasons have nothing to do with how close we are to the sun – it has everything to do with how the tilt of the Earth’s axis,” he said.
Murray noted “it’s not very much,” noting it’s only about 3% closer to the sun.
Another big astronomical event is on the horizon near the end of this month. Murray says new comets are “always being discovered,” but they rarely reach naked-eye visibility.
But we just may be in luck in late January and early February with the newly named E3 (ZTF).
“It’s supposed to maybe just barely reach naked eye visibility toward the end of this month and early February when it comes close to the Earth. So get your binoculars ready,” Murray said.
Other things to keep an eye on in space this year include a pair of lunar landers expected to go to the moon, new observations of Jupiter and its moons, and SpaceX taking a huge step towards putting people back on the moon in the near future.
More information on the Delta College Planetarium in Bay City can be found online. Follow the planetarium on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates.
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