Mysteries of the celestial vault

In 2017, a study predicted the merger of two stars. It was expected to produce a bright red nova visible from Earth in 2022. Astronomy enthusiasts rejoiced at the news, but the claim has since been disproved.

Never mind, there’s plenty to contemplate and observe in our skies, as long as the night is clear and we stay away from the light pollution of our cities. This year’s calendar will feature two partial solar eclipses, two lunar eclipses and meteor showers. It will also be easier to observe Jupiter, Mars or Neptune thanks to the opposition of the planets, a period during which the earth is in alignment between these planets and the sun.

So get your diaries ready for some key dates!

In the pre-dawn hours of May 5, the first crescent Moon will set early in the night, leaving a dark sky ideal for spotting all the shooting stars, even the less luminous ones.

At our latitudes, we’ll be able to observe a superb total eclipse of the Moon between May 15 and 16, as well as a partial eclipse of the Sun on October 25.

In June, early risers will be able to see a rare alignment of the major planets visible to the naked eye: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and maybe even Uranus under ideal conditions. To top it all off, the Moon will transit close to each planet between June 18 and 27.

This themed presentation is a nod to Biblioweekend, whose theme is “Reaching for the moon”. From March 25 to 27, libraries all over Switzerland will be setting the scene and welcoming the general public to events at unusual times. To mark the occasion, the Riponne site is offering a family workshop on Saturday March 26, so register now!

“The contemplation of a starry sky provokes an emotion, an aesthetic disturbance that is and remains an object of fantasy, dream, romanticism, a source of artistic and literary inspiration. Indeed, who hasn’t felt dizzy when gazing at a sky studded with stars? ” Nadège Pierotti