Derekscope

Mission communication from Derek
A Q&A for Deaf members about the Artemis landing.
(With signWOW iPads,
our video calls open a clear visual path,
giving Deaf members full sign‑language
access wherever they are.)
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Artemis II is COMPLETE!

• Orion splashed down safely in the Pacific.
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• The crew are healthy and smiling.
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• This is the first human return from the Moon’s neighbourhood since Apollo.
  
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What next now?

• A big step toward humans walking on the Moon again ~ the next human Moon walk is currently targeted for Artemis IV, not Artemis III.
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• Artemis III is now an Earth‑orbit test mission
  – Full Orion spacecraft checkout.
  – Life‑support and long‑duration crew systems.
  – Docking tests.
  – Mission‑duration rehearsal for lunar operations.
  – Possibly testing interfaces needed for future Starship docking.
  – 4 crew astronauts will spend roughly 30 days in space, validating everything needed for Artemis IV.
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• Next Moon walk: planned for 2028 ~ Artemis IV will take two astronauts to the Moon’s South Pole.
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• The Moon reaches its exact Last Quarter phase at 05:51am in the constellation Sagittarius.
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• Moonrise at 03:44am on 10th April, Transit at 07:23am (South 180º) and moonset at 11:02am.
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• The Moon reaches apogee ~ the farthest point in its orbit from Earth.
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• The Moon appears slightly smaller and dimmer in the sky compared to perigee.
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• Mercury reaches its greatest eastern elongation – that’s meaning it will be difficult visible in the early morning sky, so at these times.
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• Mercury will be at its farthest apparent distance from the Sun as viewed from Earth.
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• Spica will be visible close to the Moon ~ easy to spot.
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• The Moon is at full phase (Full Moon), binoculars may help you spot Spica more easily next to the Moon.
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• It will be in the constellation Virgo and is traditionally called the Pink Moon* for the US or Egg Moon* for the UK , it’s not about the Moon turning pink ~ it’s about spring arriving.
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• Best spectacle
  – Moonrise on Wednesday 1st April or moonset on Thursday 2nd April, when the Moon appears oversized due to the Moon illusion.
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• Traditional Full Moon Names and their Meanings
  – Full Moon names reflect seasonal changes and natural rhythms observed by early cultures, particularly those influenced by UK colonial traditions and Native American heritage.
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  – Learn more about traditional Full Moon Names and their Meanings ~ Read more*.
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Lunar occultation of Regulus (Alpha Leonis)
(The Moon occults Regulus in Leo.)

• The Moon really does occult Regulus on tonight, and it’s one of the headline lunar events of the year.
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• The Moon passes directly in front of Regulus, the brightest star in Leo, creating a lunar occultation.
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• This is when the Moon hides a star completely from view.
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• Visibility: Parts of Asia, Africa, Europe, and western Russia.
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(Photo above The Jewelled Handle ~ Image by Derek Rowley)
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• The Jewel Handle or Golden Handle
  The Moon’s Golden Handle is visible from the UK once each lunar month, roughly 2-4 days after First Quarter Moon, when the Sun grazes the Montes Jura and lights their peaks while Sinus Iridum is still in darkness ~ this creates the bright “handle” effect along the terminator.
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• After the First Quarter Moon (half-moonlit), the Moon increases towards the Full Moon in the waxing gibbous phase ~ the time when the Jewelled handle shines brightest.
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• This effect is only visible for a few days each month ~ roughly 2-4 days after the first quarter Moon.
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• Equipment
  You will need a small telescope or binoculars (8×42 or 10×50) are enough to show the arc beautifully.
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• The Moon passes very close to M44, the Beehive Cluster in Cancer.
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• This is called an appulse ~ the Moon doesn’t cover the cluster, but the two appear close together in the sky.
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• This means the Moon will be bright, but the pairing is still easy to spot, and binoculars will show the cluster nicely.
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• Tonight, you get two cool things:
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  – The Moon and Jupiter look close together.
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  – Ganymede reappears into view after hiding behind Jupiter.
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