2010This is a review of astronomical data for 2010. Here is a list of new and full moons; then there is a list of lunar perigees and apogees (monthly close and far approaches). Eclipses are marked with an E. The tides peak on Jan 30 and Sept 8th this year; first in the winter, then in the middle of hurricane season. See http://www.fourmilab.ch/earthview/pacalc.html for a perigee calculator.
During 2009 the main planetary dynamic resulted from the fact that Saturn was opposing Uranus, while Jupiter was approaching Neptune (as seen from the earth). Now in the fall, Mars has joined the mix by moving opposite to Jupiter and Neptune. In the image below we see the moon nearing Jupiter and Neptune, and oposing Mars. In two weeks, the moon will conjoin Mars and oppose those two.
This will go on like that for the next few months. Eventually Jupiter will pass Neptune and Mars will move out of the configuration. Next spring, Jupiter will move close enough to Uranus, so that the moon will conjoin them together as it opposes Saturn. This will be especially close from April through September.
 Hearing of a rash of earthquakes in the Owen's Valley region recently should remind quake historians of 1872, when an large quake struck there on March 26th, following the equinox. Above we see the chart for that. The first thing that catches your eye is the fact that Uranus and Saturn were opposite that year, like they are now; the BIG difference being that Jupiter was conjoining Uranus AND opposing Saturn too, as they will be next year. Mars will be opposing Neptune rather than conjoining it. Compare that with the chart for the the September equinox 2010 which occurs at a full moon just after the earth passes between the sun and the conjoining Jupiter and Uranus, just before the sun conjoins Saturn. In that chart the moon and sun join the planets in the line up.
The solstice is on December 21st, 2009, and we see the moon conjoin Jupiter and Neptune. The moon is full Dec 31 and the lunar perigee (moon's close point to the earth) is Jan 1st. Jan 4/2010 19h Mercury inferior conjunction with Sun* The earth is closest to the sun (Perihelion) on January 3rd every year. This year Mercury passes between the earth and the sun the next day. Also the moon conjoins Mars opposite to Jupiter and Neptune.
Jan 11/2010 21h Venus superior conjunction with Sun* Venus passes slowly across the back side of the the sun and is opposite the earth on Jan 11, the 15th is a eclipse of the moon. The moon conjoins Neptune and Jupiter on the 17th and 18th.
Jan 29/2010 19h Mars at opposition The lunar perigee is Jan 30th and coincides within 2 hours with the full moon producing the highest tides of the first half of the year. We pass between the sun and Mars at the full moon so the moon will be near Mars then.
Feb 14/2010 2h52m New Moon* The sun conjoins Neptune on a new moon, and conjoins Jupiter on the next full moon. The perigee is on Feb 27th so the tides are still running high. This is the first full moon after the tidal peak. Feb 28/2010 12h Jupiter in conjunction with Sun* Feb 28/2010 16h40m Full Moon*
Mar 14/2010 13h Mercury superior conjunction with Sun* At the equinox we are between the sun and Saturn; the sun conjoins Uranus, preceeded by the new moon and Mercury's pass behind the sun. Mar 30/2010 2h27m Full Moon The perigee is on March 28th, so this will be the second full moon after the peak. Apr 14/2010 12h30m New Moon On April 11th, before the new moon, the moon will conjoin Jupiter and Uranus opposite to Saturn.
Apr 28/2010 12h19m Full Moon** Mercury passes between the sun and the earth at the full moon in April. Look for tornadoes here.The perigee is on Apr 24th and this will be the third full moon after the peak. Look for a climactic event as the tidal series comes to a close. On April 25, the moon conjoins Saturn opposite to Jupiter and Uranus. On May 8th the moon conjoins Jupiter and Uranus opposite to Saturn. On May 22 the moon conjoins Saturn opposite to jupiter and Uranus. On June 5 the moon conjoins Jupiter and Uranus opposite to Saturn. May 14/2010 1h 5m New Moon May 27/2010 23h 7m Full Moon Jun 12/2010 11h15m New Moon The moon conjoins Saturn opposite to Jupiter and Uranus on June 18th, just before the solstice.
Jun 21/2010 11h29m36s Summer Solstice Following the solstice we see an eclipse of the moon and Mercury's pass behind the sun. On July 3rd, the moon conjoins Jupiter and Uranus opposite to Saturn.
Jul 11/2010 19h35m Total Eclipse of the Sun* July 16th, the moon conjoins Saturn opposite to Jupiter and Uranus. On July 30 the moon conjoins Jupiter and Uranus, as it opposes Saturn, Mars and Venus. On August 13th the moon conjoins Saturn, mars and Venus and opposes Jupiter and Uranus. Jul 26/2010 1h39m Full Moon Aug 10/2010 3h 9m New Moon
Aug 20/2010 9h Neptune at opposition On August 26th the moon conjoins Jupiter and Uranus opposite to Saturn.
Sep 3/2010 12h Mercury inferior conjunction with Sun* The tides peak Sept 8th. The inferior conjunction of Mercury tends to produce storms. See April? On Sept 9th the moon conjoins Saturn and opposes Jupiter and Uranus. On the 10th the moon conjoins Mars and venus.
Sep 21/2010 12h Jupiter at opposition* The equinox occurs at a full moon just after the earth passes between the sun and the conjoining Jupiter and Uranus, just before the sun conjoins Saturn. Oct 1/2010 0h Saturn in conjunction with Sun* Oct 7/2010 18h45m New Moon The perigee is October 6th, so the tides will still be high here. This is the first new moon after the September peak. Mercury and Saturn are close to the sun at the new moon. At the full moon Oct 23rd, the moon will oppose Mercury, Venus and the sun.
Oct 17/2010 1h Mercury superior conjunction with Sun* Mercury behind the sun, a full moon and Venus in front of the sun. Nov 6/2010 4h53m New Moon The perigee is Novemebr 3rd, this is the second new moon after the peak. Nov 21/2010 17h29m Full Moon Dec 5/2010 17h37m New Moon This will be the third new moon after the tidal peak.
Dec 20/2010 1h Mercury inferior conjunction with Sun** At the solstice, Merucry passes between the earth and the sun; the moon is full (moon opposite to the sun and Mercury; the full moon is a total eclipse of the moon. I am going out on a limb and say that I expect the climactic event of the fall tidal series to happen around the solstice. It is a little late, but I believe that signs point that way.
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