Winter Solstice A Time Lapse View of the Sun - Winding Trails

[Pages:9]e-Nature Newsletter from Winding Trails - December 2016

Winter Solstice ? A Time Lapse View of the Sun

Source: National Geographic

Hi Everyone,

We will be observing the Winter Solstice or the First Day of Winter on Wednesday, December 21st at 5:44 a.m. EST this December.

Solstice comes from the Latin word ? Solsitium. If we were standing on the Tropic of Capricorn at the specific moment of the winter solstice, the image viewed above would be "the Sun stands still" in the sky. This is the Latin meaning for solstice.

Many people think of this event as an entire day observation. Really, it is a specific moment ? the time that the Sun will be exactly over the Tropic of Capricorn as seen in the diagram.

One needs to remember that this optical illusion of "the Sun standing still" is due to the Earth orbiting around the Sun and the fact that the Earth's axis is always tipped toward the North Star. Because of this tip, the Sun will appear to begin its journey north as the season progresses.

Once the Winter Solstice occurs, the amount of daylight appears to increase. Not so much at first, just a minute or so each day in January to almost three minutes per day in March until the moment of the Vernal Equinox. The Sun will appear over the Equator at that moment and continue to travel north.

The almost three minutes per day increase reached at the Vernal Equinox, now begins to slow at a similar rate to just a minute or so addition in June. At the moment that the "the Sun stands still" in the sky above the Tropic of Cancer, the Summer Solstice occurs. The bit by bit increase of sunlight from the Winter to Summer Solstice has added a little over six hours to our day.

Because the Earth is still orbiting the Sun, the process changes to a decrease in sunlight each day. The amount of decrease will rise to just over 3 minutes per day till the moment of the Autumnal Equinox. From that moment forward, the amount of decrease will slow to just a minute or so until the return of the Winter Solstice.

Hope you enjoyed our journey through this astronomical series of events.

Look forward to seeing you out and about!

Miss Judy

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WINDING TRAILS NATURE EVENTS SHIGHLIGHTS THIS MONTH COMING NEXT MONTH NIGHT SKY WATCHING OTHER NATURE EVENTS IN CONNECTICUT

WINDING TRAILS NATURE EVENTS

Registration is required 3 days prior to event. If not enough people signup, the program is cancelled.

Date/Time

Event

Saturday, December 10th

6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Click on this link to register:

Explore the Night Walks

Fee-based Program ? Coming Winter Solstice Open to the public and Winding Trails' members

HIGHLIGHTS THIS MONTH

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3rd

BABY BIRDS: AN ARTIST LOOKS INTO THE NEST

At White Memorial Conservation Center, 80 Whitehall Road, Litchfield Litchfield Hills Audubon Society and The White Memorial Conservation Center are bringing acclaimed Artist, Author, and Naturalist Julie Zickefoose to Litchfield, December 3, 2016 for an afternoon of musings and mechanics of how her phenomenal book, Baby Birds: An Artist Looks Into the Nest, was conceived and created.

In 2002, Julie Zickefoose began to draw and paint wild nestlings day by day, bearing witness to their swift growth. Over the next 13 years, Julie would document the daily changes in 17 bird species from hatching to fledging. *Baby Birds *is the enchanting result, with more than 500 life studies that hop, crawl and flutter through its pages. In this talk, Julie shares her influences as well as her artistic process, a must-see for the aspiring natural history artist. Art and science blend in every Zickefoose pursuit, as the scientist's relentless curiosity joins the artist's quest for beauty. The work, wonder and fun of studying nestlings, including being foster mother to orphaned hummingbirds, chimney swifts and bluebirds, makes for an irresistible and highly inspirational presentation.

Details: Presentation at 3:00 P.M. in the Carriage House at White Memorial Foundation, 80 Whitehall Rd., Litchfield, CT. Reception and book signing to follow in the Nature Museum across the street. Litchfield Hills Audubon Society and White Memorial Conservation Center Members are FREE. All others $10.00. You must register for this program by visiting or calling 860-567-0857.

COMING NEXT MONTH

SATURDAY, JANUARY 7th

NATURE'S SECRETS ? JUST SLEEPING WINTER AWAY

At Winding Trails, 50 Winding Trails Drive, Farmington

Join Miss Judy on this Saturday afternoon to learn about how some animals use hibernation to survive the cold weather of

winter. The program starts with an indoor introduction to learn about the different styles of hibernation that are used in our

environments. We'll continue the program outside for a walk to explore the area and see some of the possible hibernation

sites. Dress in layers so you are comfortable inside for the introduction and be warm enough for the outdoor activity.

Pre-registration is required 3 days before the date of the event. Registration begins first full week of December.

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 8th

NATURE'S SECRETS ? WOOD DUCKS AT WINDING TRAILS

At Winding Trails, 50 Winding Trails Drive, Farmington

Join Miss Judy on this Sunday afternoon to learn about the life cycle and natural history of wood ducks. The program begins

with an indoor introduction about the early natural history of wood ducks in Connecticut. It continues with our guest speaker

and photographer, Carol Lowbeer, as she explains the mating courtship for these birds with a wonderful slideshow. We will

take a walk outside to learn more about the wood ducks of Winding Trails and try a hands-on try at monitoring a wood duck

nest box. Dress in layers so you are comfortable inside for the introduction and be warm enough for the outdoor activity.

Pre-registration is required 3 days before the date of the event. Registration begins during the first full week of December.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21st

C.A.R.E. ICE FISHING CLASS & PRACTICE

At Winding Trails, 50 Winding Trails Drive, Farmington

The Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) Program offers a free in-depth ice fishing class that introduces you to the

wonders of water, fish and fishing during the winter. Miss Judy and other state certified volunteer instructors will pass along the

knowledge they have learned through years of angling. The morning class includes a video, hands-on demonstrations, and

activities that will teach and entertain youths and adults alike. If ice conditions are safe, outside ice fishing practice will be offered

and all equipment is provided for your use. It is very important to dress in layers for the weather conditions and to wear boots for

the afternoon practice ? no sneakers are allowed.

9:30 am ? 11:30 am Indoor class ? attendance is required

11:30 am ? 12:00 pm Bring your own lunch

12:00 pm ? 3:00 pm Outdoor practice ? runs only if the ice is safe

Please register by Monday, January 16th. Registration begins during the first full week of December.

NIGHT SKY WATCHING

FULL MOON INFORMATION

The full moon for December is known as the Full Cold Moon because the winter cold fastens its grip on the region and the nights are at their longest and darkest. It has a high trajectory across the sky because it is opposite a low Sun.

This month's full moon will occur on Tuesday, December 13th at 7:06 p.m. EST in the Hartford area. It will also be the third and last of the SUPERMOON series occurring in 2016.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS THIS MONTH INCLUDES:

Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter

Saturn

Seen at dusk during the middle two weeks of December in the southwest sky Brilliant in the southwest sky during and after dusk; expect to see it for most of the winter Will be seen in the south-southwest during and after dusk just to Venus' upper left Can be seen in the constellation Virgo as it rises in the east after midnight. Look for it in the southeast to south by dawn. Will not be seen this month. It is passing through conjunction or close alignment with the Sun.

CELESTIAL EVENTS

December 3rd

Moon phase ? waxing crescent

December 3rd to 5th Waxing crescent moon and the planets Venus and Mars are seen in the southwestern sky just after sunset

December 7th

Moon phase ? first quarter

December 10th to 16th

Geminid Meteor Showers

Peak: December 13th to 14th from the constellation Gemini with up to 100 meteors per hour

Expect the shower to not be as vivid this year due to the full moon's brightness.

December 12th

Moon phase ? waxing gibbous

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e-Nature Newsletter from Winding Trails - December 2016

December 13th

Moon phase ? full moon at 7:06 p.m. EST

Super Moon ? December's Super Moon was the third of a set of three Super Moons that occur in 2016.

Last to be seen this close until November 25th, 2034 so try to catch a peak at it!

December 17th

Moon phase ? waning gibbous

December 20th

Moon phase ? last quarter

December 20th to 24th

Ursid Meteor Showers

Peak: December 21st to 22nd from the constellation Little Dipper (Ursa Minor) with up to 10 meteors per

hour ? best time for observation from midnight till dawn

December 21st

Winter Solstice (First Day of Winter) at 5:44 a.m. EST

December 24th

Moon phase ? waning crescent

December 29th

Moon phase ? new moon

Sources:

Old Farmer's Almanac ? Astronomy Sky Watch 2016 Lunar Calendar 2016 A Year of the Night Sky Calendar 2016

Sky & Telescope Publishing Universe Publishing Ziga Media

Visit this website to obtain The Evening Sky Map (PDF); a 2-page monthly guide to the current month's night sky.

AT WINDING TRAILS

Join Miss Judy on the evening of Saturday, December 10th at Winding Trails for the Explore the Night Walk. The sun will be setting at 4:20 p.m. EST and the twilight will last till 6:00 p.m. EST. The waxing gibbous moon will rise at 2:13 p.m. EST. If the sky conditions are clear, we will look at the evening planets and constellations occurring in the night sky and hope for a glimpse of a meteor or two from the start of the Geminids meteor shower.

AT WHITE MEMORIAL IN LITCHFIELD

There is no program for December. Enjoy the Holidays!!!

Full details can be found on their website at to check out their calendar for more information or call The Conservation Center for more details at 860-567-0857.

AT THE COPERNICAN OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM IN NEW BRITAIN

The Copernican Observatory and Planetarium at the Central CT State University in New Britain has regularly scheduled programs listed in their calendar that is posted on their website. The planetarium and observatory offers free monthly programs that are open to the public.

Planetarium Shows and Events:

On Saturdays, December 3rd & 17th at 8 p.m., they will have their regularly scheduled free show in their planetarium.

For planetarium shows, seating is first come, first served. The planetarium is located in Copernicus Hall (Building 23 on the map). Convenient parking is in the Copernicus (South) garage (building 17).

Observatory Events:

On Saturdays, December 3rd & 17th, join them for a free observing session directly after the planetarium show (observing is weather permitting: they need a clear sky). The observatory is located on the roof of Copernicus Hall. Take the elevators to the 5th or 6th floor and follow the signs.

For additional information, visit this link:

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AT THE WESLEYAN VAN VLECK OBSERVATORY IN MIDDLETOWN

The Wesleyan Van Vleck Observatory in Middletown offers Saturday night public observations. Check the site for updates based on weather conditions.

Monthly Saturday night observing (runs all year long)

December 3rd 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. NOTE TIME CHANGE

Organized and hosted by the Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford (ASGH), this is a great opportunity to view the sky through our beautiful 20" refractor. Re-furbished in recent years in honor of Walter Scott "Scotty" Houston who used this instrument many nights, we can now share this telescope with the public on regular occasions. For parking, please note that we are NOT permitted to park at the observatory building on observatory hill. Please use Lot V on Vine Street and walk up the hill to the observatory.

The session will be cancelled should the weather not permit observing, such as cloud cover, high wind, or threat of precipitation. Cancellation notices will be posted on their website by 6:00 p.m. the day of the observing event. For up-to-date details, please visit the .

For parking, use Lot V on Vine Street and walk up the hill to the observatory. The campus map is available at this link: .

Kids' Nights for Observing

(Aimed at Elementary School Ages, Yet Open to Anyone)

1st Friday of the Month at 8:00 p.m. (December 2nd ? Happy Holidays for rest of month)

Kid-friendly space-related activities, led by our graduate and undergraduate students, which include observing with our telescopes when it's clear.

For parking, use Lot V on Vine Street and walk up the hill to the observatory. The campus map is available at this link: .

Space Night

(Aimed at Adults & High School Students, Yet Open to Anyone)

Wednesdays of the Month at 8:00 p.m. (December 7th ? Happy Holidays for rest of month)

Each program begins with a half-hour interactive presentation by one of our astronomy majors or masters' students, on some topic of space news or recent discoveries in astronomy, followed by observing through the telescopes if the sky is clear. The program occurs at the Van Vleck Observatory at 96 Foss Hill in Middletown, CT.

For parking, use Lot V on Vine Street and walk up the hill to the observatory. The campus map is available at this link: .

Wesleyan Astronomy Night Mailing List

To get on their mailing list for a once a week email to find out what events are happening, scroll to the bottom of the page at this link, , and enter your email address.

SPACE STATION OBSERVING

NASA's Spot the Station service gives you a list of upcoming sighting opportunities for thousands of locations worldwide, and will let you sign up to receive notices of opportunities in your email inbox or on your cell phone. The space station looks like a fast-moving plane in the sky and is bright enough that it can even be seen from the middle of a city! It can traverse the entire sky in 3 to 7 minutes. The notice gives the date, time, duration of visibility, and direction of travel. Enter in the town closest to your viewing location. Do note that there can be a series of dates during the year that it is not visible over Connecticut. The link for further information is .

To learn more about the space station, its international crew, how they live and work in space, and some great views of Earth, please visit .

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OTHER NATURE EVENTS IN CONNECTICUT

ANSONIA NATURE & RECREATION CENTER ? Upcoming Events ? Preregistration is Required!

? December 2nd Nature's Child: A Tree for Wildlife ? December 3rd Winter Wreath Workshop ? December 3rd Back to Basics: Needle Felting ? December 17th 117th Annual Christmas Bird Count ? December 17th Drum in the Winter ? December 27th to 29th

Winter Nature Days

Visit their website for more details and additional events at this link during the month of December!

CT DEEP Events in CT ? Upcoming Events ? Preregistration is Required!

TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION, HOVER OVER PROGRAM TITLE AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS:

Nature Immersion: The Art of Sit Spot

12/2/2016 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. James L. Goodwin Conservation Center Hampton

Connecticut Holiday Market

12/2/2016 & 12/3/2016

See Event Details

Kellogg Environmental Center Derby

Earth Rocks Geology Workshop for Boy Scouts 12/3/2016 8:30 am to 12:30 pm

Dinosaur State Park Rocky Hill

White Pine Harvest: Walk with a Forester

12/3/2016

9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

James L. Goodwin Conservation Center Hampton

Long Distance Guided Hike

12/4/2016 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. James L. Goodwin Conservation Center Hampton

Game of Logging Certified Training Program: Training for the Novice and Amateur

12/10/2016 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. James L. Goodwin Conservation Center Hampton

Earth Rocks Geology Workshop for Boy Scouts 12/10/2016 8:30 am to 12:30 pm

Dinosaur State Park Rocky Hill

Holiday Open House and Bonfire at Fort Griswold State Park

12/10/2016

11 AM - 2:30 PM

Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park Groton

Full Cold Moon Night Hike Gardeners Roundtable First 50 Giveaway

12/14/2016

6:30 to 8:30 pm

James L. Goodwin Conservation Center Hampton

12/17/2016 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. James L. Goodwin Conservation Center Hampton

12/17/2016 Starts at 9:00 a.m.

Dinosaur State Park Rocky Hill

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Nature Tech Talk

12/18/2016

1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

James L. Goodwin Conservation Center Hampton

Senior Walk Senior Walk Nature Crafts: Birdseed Ornaments

12/21/2016 12/22/2016 12/23/2016

12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

James L. Goodwin Conservation Center Hampton

James L. Goodwin Conservation Center Hampton

James L. Goodwin Conservation Center Hampton

CT Forest & Park Association ? Upcoming Events

? December 4th CFPA Ramble: Family Hike in Portland At Palmer Taylor Preserve, 258 Middle Haddam Road, Portland Link:

? December 6th CFPA Ramble: Tuesday Trails Homeschool Hike At Naugatuck Trail, 221 Beacon Road, Bethany Link:

? December 13th CFPA Ramble: Tuesday Trails Homeschool Hike At Mattabesett Trail, 4409 Durham Road, Guilford Link:

? December 20th CFPA Ramble: Tuesday Trails Homeschool Hike At West Rock Ridge State Park, 51 Main Street, Hamden Link:

Visit their website for more details and additional events at this link!

CT River Watershed Council ? Upcoming Events

? No CT Events Posted at Time of Publication

Visit their website to check out their calendar at this link .

CT State Museum of Natural History & Archaeology Center at UConn ? Upcoming Events

? December 1st Teale Lecture: Wanting the Wild

Link:



? December 10th Connecticut's Early European Settlers ? Year 2 Excavations

Link:



? December 17th Bus Trip: American Museum of Natural History, New York City

Link:



Visit their website to check out for calendar updates at this link:

If you would like to be added to their mailing list to receive a printed copy of their programs, please email david.colberg@uconn.edu or call 860-486-4460.

Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut ? Upcoming Events

? December 7th LivFree Yoga

Location:

Indian Rock Nature Center, 501 Wolcott Road, Bristol... 12:30 ? 3:30 p.m.

? December 10th & 11th

Santa's Farm at Indian Rock

Location:

Indian Rock Nature Center, 501 Wolcott Road, Bristol... 12:30 ? 3:30 p.m.

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e-Nature Newsletter from Winding Trails - December 2016

? December 14th LivFree Yoga

Location:

Indian Rock Nature Center, 501 Wolcott Road, Bristol... 12:30 ? 3:30 p.m.

? December 21st LivFree Yoga

Location:

Indian Rock Nature Center, 501 Wolcott Road, Bristol... 12:30 ? 3:30 p.m.

Visit their website for more details at this link:

Farmington River Watershed Association ? Upcoming Events

? No Events Listed at Time of Publication Visit their website to check out their calendar at this link .

Friends of American Legion & Peoples State Forests (FALPS) ? Upcoming Events

Use this link for a map of the Forest Trails - ? No Events Listed at Time of Publication

Roaring Brook Nature Center ? Upcoming Events

? All December Home for the Holidays Scavenger Hunt ? December 11th Warm Winter Tales ? December 14th Under the `Cold' Moon SUPERMOON Family Night Hike ? December 25th Nature Center Closed for Christmas ? December 26th to 30th

Frozen Family Fun ? December 27th to 30th

Vacation Program for Grades 5th to 9th

? December 31st Breakfast & Story Time with Anna & Elsa

? December 31st Crafts & Scavenger Hunt

Visit their website to check out their calendar at this link for more information!

Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area in Burlington, CT ? Upcoming Events

Children's Program: Fall to Winter

12/10/2016 1:30pm

For additional information about a program, click on the description or call their office at 860-424-3011. Visit their website to obtain their trail map:

Sharon Audubon Center in Sharon, CT ? Upcoming Events

? No Events Listed at Time of Publication

Visit their website for more details at this link: . Or call the Audubon Center for information at (860) 364-0520 For a copy of their trail maps, visit:

White Memorial Conservation Center ? Upcoming Events

December 3rd An Afternoon with Artist, Author, Naturalist: Julie Zickefoose "Baby Birds: An Artist Looks Into the

Nest". Talk, Book 10tSigning, and Reception

December 9th Museum Open House December 10th Crack o' Dawn Owl Prowl with Fran Zygmont December 18th Litchfield Hills Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count

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