China News Service, Nanjing, February 3 (Xu Shanshan) The Spring Festival of the Year of the Dragon is approaching. People are celebrating the New Year. "Gifts" from the Milky Way are also being distributed one after another. The three stars of "Fu Lu Shou" hang high, Neptune is with the moon, Jupiter accompanying the moon and other celestial phenomena will appear. Not only are the "stars" shining brightly, but the Lantern Festival in the Year of the Dragon will also feature "the moon is fifteen round on the fifteenth day".
"Three stars are due south, and the New Year is about to begin." On New Year's Eve, February 9, remember to look up at the stars. The three stars on Orion's "belt" hang high in the southern sky. Wang Kechao, director of science popularization at the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that these three stars refer to Rigel, Rigel and Rigel. The three stars are arranged in a row, with equal distance and similar brightness. Folks believe that these three stars symbolize "good fortune, wealth and longevity" and herald the arrival of the Lunar New Year. "Samsung Gaozhao" means "good luck and happiness, abundant wealth, health and longevity".
Appreciating the "Great Moonlight" is an essential traditional custom during the Lantern Festival. This year's Lantern Festival night, "the moon is fifteen round on the fifteenth day", and the roundest moment occurs at 20:30 on February 24. What is surprising is that this "Lantern Moon" is the most "mini" among the 12 full moons in 2024.
"This year's Lantern Festival Reunion Night is the best time to appreciate the full moon. This year's 'minimum full moon' has an apparent diameter of about 29'40". The largest full moon of the year will occur in October. "Wang Kechao said.
In addition to the "smallest full moon of the year", Tianyu will also usher in the lively "Star Party" during the Spring Festival. As a "welfare" for the Galaxy New Year, a series of "Xingyue Fairy Tales" will be staged in Tianyu.
On February 12, Neptune will accompany the moon; on February 15, the beautiful spectacle of Jupiter accompanying the moon will appear in the sky; from February 22 to 23, Venus and Mars will get closer and closer in the dawn sky. Before sunrise these days, if the sky is clear, interested members of the public can go outdoors to watch and appreciate the unique charm of the sky's "stars attracting each other." (over)