Comet ISON!

As of today we still don’t know if Comet ISON will put on a good show or a potentially historic one. Either way we are keen to follow as it brightens.  It now comes within range of 8-inch telescopes. By month’s end, you might be able to spot it through a 4-inch scope.  ISON is approaching Earth from the morning side, so potential comet-watchers will need to view it about two hours before sunrise. ISON lies low in the east before dawn, just north of the hazy glow of the Beehive star cluster (M44), which lies in the constellation Cancer the Crab. That nearby bright orange “star” is actually the planet Mars. With the nights getting longer and the air so crisp and clear, autumn is a great season for stargazing.  Venus meets Saturn after sunset this month in the west.  Venus brightness dazzles while Saturn’s magnificent ring system is visible only through telescopes. You can spy the pair low in the southwest during twilight.  September's predawn hours feature excellent views of Jupiter and the passage of Mars through the Beehive star cluster (M44).

Home Sales February 2012, Average Price Up

Greater Toronto Area (GTA) REALTORS® reported 5,759 sales through the TorontoMLS system in February 2013 – a decline of 15 per cent in comparison to February 2012.  
Now the good news for home owners, The average selling price for February 2013 was $510,580 – up 2%  in comparison to February 2012.
However, months of inventory in the low-rise market segment will remain low, resulting in average price growth above 3% for the TREB market area this year. Our current average price forecast is $515,000 for all home types combined in 2013. If you are thinking of buying a home in 2013, lets talk now. Regards!

Comet PannSTARRS

Discovered on June 6, 2011 it carries the name of the telescope and observing program that discovered it.

On March 9 and 10, it passes within 45 million kilometers of the Sun and will stand some 7° high in the west 30 minutes after sunset. It should glow brightest then. A crescent Moon can guide you to the comet March 12 and 13. On the 12th, PANSTARRS stands to the upper left of our satellite; the next evening, the comet lies to the Moon’s lower right.

The first glimpse of this comet occurs tomorrow evening if you check 30 mins after sundown close to due west and close to the horizon. Viewing opportunity until March 17, then the moon interferes and by Easter weekend it will be approx 10 degrees above the horizon, however a telephoto lens or binoculars are required as it fades..The comet should remain visible for a full hour after the Sun sets. This pretty much guarantees that you’ll be able to see Comet PANSTARRS from any location with reasonably clear skies and an unobstructed western horizon. From a dark observing site, you still may be able to see the comet’s tail arcing among the stars even after the comet’s head sets.

Clear skies!

Asteroid 2012 DA14

On February 15th/16th the asteroid 2012 DA14 will fly past the Earth at a distance of only 34000 km (inside the ring of geostationary satellites).

It will not be visible to the naked eye, but should be visible through binoculars if you know where to look. I’ve spent time plotting its course which passes through the handle of the Big Dipper for this coming Friday night. It will be a very difficult to spot.

Scientists say they are sure there is no chance of the 150 ft  wide space rock hitting the planet. Experts have calculated it will stay at least 17,200 miles (27,681km) away - easily far enough to be safe, but a very close shave in astronomical terms. We have never observed such a narrow miss before.

It was detected in February last year by La Sagra Observatory in southern Spain as it fell under the spotlight of the Sun's rays. Travelling at 18,641mph (30,000kph) - around five miles (8km) a second, the astroid will cruise inside the orbits of high geostationary satellites some 22,000 miles (35,406km) above the Earth. Yikes I say!

Final Market Results 2012 Toronto Real Estate Board

The Toronto Real Estate Board announced at this time of writing the average selling price for a home sold in 2102 was up by almost 7% from 2011. Price growth was the highest for singles, semis and townhomes despite a dip in sales during the second half of 2012. Market conditions remain tight for these types of homes with substantial competition between buyers. I will expect similiar strong demand in 2013 for these types of homes.

The Tax Free Savings Account

Saving for a new home just got $500 easier. On Jan. 1, 2013, the contribution limit for Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSA) rose to $5,500 annually. The maximum that you can currently contribute is now $25,500.00. The interest earned is in addition to.

TFSAs are a great way to save. Until 2009, when TFSAs were introduced, many people put together the down payment for their first home by withdrawing money from their RRSPs under the Home Buyers Plan (HBP.)

The HBP is a huge drag on retirement savings. Today, you can withdraw up to $25,000 from your RRSP to buy a first home, and then return it to your account over 15 years. The problem lies with the payback.

The $500 contribution increase to TFSAs starting in 2013 isn’t a huge amount in the scheme of things. However, the announcement serves to highlight the utility of TFSAs as a superior down payment savings tool.

Navigating The Winter Sky!

Winter evenings does show of the most brilliant stars that the skies have to offer. Six stars from different constellations form a spectacular grouping called the "Winter Hexagon" which dominates  the southern section of the sky. A great starting point to begin learning from. Keep in mind from night to night the sky shifts slightly west at the same time each evening.
 Sirius, the brightest of all stars visible from Earth. It marks the constellation Canis Major, the Great Dog. You can easily find this white coloured star by following the line of 3 stars that form Orion the Hunter\'s belt eastward (left). The second point in the Hexagon is the white star Procyon which marks the constellation Canis Minor. Next are two dominating stars of equal brightness, Castor and Pollux side-by-side, representing the heads of the Gemini Twins.
The fifth point is Capella, shining with a hint of golden-yellow in the constellation of Auriga, the Charioteer. Following Orion's belt up and westward (right), leads us to the next star of Hexagon. Aldeberan, glittering orange-yellow which marks the eye of Taurus, the Bull. The brightest object near Aldeberan is Jupiter, a great place to begin finding your night sky bearings.
 Finally completing the tour is the brilliant blue-white star Rigel of Orion. In my opinion on average, the evening winter skies are the most brilliant and clear.

Click this link for a sketch.


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