EarthSky News - February 18 - Chinese New Year, Supermoon, Black Moon

February 18 Chinese New Year, Supermoon, Black Moon

Happy Chinese New Year 2015! Year of the Sheep (Goat, Ram) begins today.  New supermoon - and Black Moon - today It's a new moon at its closest to Earth.  Expect higher-than-usual tides in the days ahead.  It's also the third of four new moons in the present season. Mystery plumes on Mars puzzle scientists Amateur astronomers spotted them first, but they show up in Hubble images, too.  Astronomers are scratching their heads, wondering what they are. More bright spots in new Ceres images Craters and more mysterious bright spots in latest images from Dawn spacecraft, now on approach to Ceres.  "We did not expect to be this puzzled," said mission leader. Get 'em while they last!  Awesome EarthSky lunar calendars for 2015 now 50% off! We have just a few left.  First come, first serve. Coming up … Glorious moon and planets at nightfall February 20 Venus, Mars and waxing moon ... west after sunset.  It doesn't get any better.

TODAY'S IMAGE Lonely cloud pouring its heart out in Zimbabwe Unusual rain cloud plus two other photos from Mutare, Zimbabwe. Thanks for sending them, Peter Lowenstein!