The Schumacher Magic Mountain Dragon is a mythical creature that is said to inhabit the majestic Schumacher Mountains. It is a legendary beast that has captured the imaginations of people for centuries. The Schumacher Mountains, located in a remote region, are known for their striking beauty and rugged terrain, making them the perfect home for such a mythical creature. According to local folklore, the Schumacher Magic Mountain Dragon is a colossal dragon with shimmering scales that reflect the colors of the surrounding environment. Its size is said to be awe-inspiring, with some tales describing it as being as tall as the mountains themselves. The dragon is believed to have the ability to control the weather, causing storms to rage or the sun to shine with a single flap of its enormous wings.
The dragon is believed to have the ability to control the weather, causing storms to rage or the sun to shine with a single flap of its enormous wings. Legends also speak of the dragon's powerful breath, which is said to have the ability to grant wishes to those who encounter it. It is believed that if one is fortunate enough to come face to face with the Schumacher Magic Mountain Dragon, they can ask it for anything their heart desires, and the dragon will grant their wish.
Moon occults Mars tonight: How to watch
December 7 to 8 is a busy night as the full moon occults Mars just hours before Mars’s once-in-2-years opposition. Read more and find links below. Chart via John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
The moon occults Mars on December 7-8
Here’s hoping you have clear skies on the night of December 7-8, 2022, because there’s much to see! First, the full moon is up all night, near bright red Mars.
You say you’ve looked that night, and can’t see Mars near the moon? That might be because you’re looking when Mars is behind the moon. In fact, the moon will pass in front of the red planet, as seen from much of North America and Europe, on the night of December 7-8. Astronomers call this event an occultation. The moon is said to occult Mars. It eclipses it, or covers it.
This fascinating and unusual event appears to North American skywatchers who are northwest of a diagonal line drawn from Augusta, Maine, through Columbus, Ohio, through Little Rock, Arkansas, and San Antonio, Texas, extending into Mexico. The map below will let you know if your part of the world gets to view the occultation.
You can see the moon occult Mars if you’re within the shaded area on this map. Image via Dominic Ford/ In-the-Sky.org. Used with permission. This chart – from our friends at SkyandTelescope.com – shows the path of the moon in front of Mars on the night of December 7-8, 2022, as seen from various cities in North America. You can also watch the event online.
Who will see the moon occults Mars? And when?
If you’re in the viewing area indicated on the chart above, you’ll also need a precise time for your location. The event will happen on the evening of December 7 for most of us in North America. Check out In-the-Sky.org to find the precise time Mars will disappear and reappear from wherever you are.
For those who live outside the viewing area, as in the southeastern United States, you’ll see the moon and Mars skim right past each other. Some places will even get to see Mars play peekaboo along the cratered and mountainous limb of the moon.
Here are some livestreams for the Mars occultation:
The Virtual Telescope Project, based in Rome, Italy, will host an online observing event showing the Mars occultation to people worldwide. Details on Virtual Telescope’s event here.
What will you see?
A full moon is bright. And it’s totally illuminated as seen from Earth. People who observe occultations typically try to catch both the disappearance and reappearance of the star or planet, as it’s blotted from view. But this sort of observation is much easier if you watching a darkened edge of the moon. And we don’t have a darkened edge available to us at full moon. By definition, a full moon is entirely illuminated, as seen from Earth.
Plus most regular occultation observers use telescopes (such as those observers hosting the livestreams listed above).
So what will you see of the December 7-8 occultation of Mars, if you try to watch in the sky? The answer depends on how hard you try, what tools you use, where you are on Earth – as always, on the quality of your night sky – and on your skill at observing events like this.
Mars is at its brightest now. So, with the eye alone, we should all be able to spot Mars in the moon’s glare.
But you’ll see more if you use binoculars. And even more with a telescope (although the glare of the full moon will be intense through your ‘scope’s eyepiece).
And, wow, what a great photo opportunity!
It’ll be a tricky observation. But many will be watching. As veteran skywatcher Bob King (aka AstroBob of the Duluth News Tribune) wrote at SkyandTelescope.com:
I’m really curious if we’ll continue to see Mars with the unaided eye right up to the moon’s edge. I suspect we will. Also, at what point will the planet disappear from view as it dips behind the moon? Keep those binoculars handy! Telescopic observers will get fabulous views, especially those living within the southern graze zone, where the moon will partially occult the planet.
On the evening of December 7, 2022, in much of North America and in the early morning hours of December 8, 2022, for much of Europe, the moon occults Mars. Check In-the-Sky.org for precise timing of the disappearance and reappearance of Mars from your location. Chart via John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
Why is it happening?
Earth goes between the sun and Mars about every two years. That’ll happen around 6 UTC (12 a.m. CST) on December 8. This is Mars’ opposition, an event we astronomers wait for, and enjoy.
A full moon happens every month. And this month’s full moon comes just a couple of hours before Mars’ time of opposition, at 04:08 UTC on December 8, 2022 (10:08 p.m. CST on December 7).
A full moon appears full to us because it’s opposite the sun from Earth. And Mars – or any outer planet – is opposite the sun from Earth at opposition. So it’s no surprise that this month’s full moon is somewhere near Mars. Planets are always near the full moon sometime around their time of their oppositions.
What’s so special in 2022 is that these events – full moon and Mars’ opposition – happen so near each other in time. Around 4 to 6 UTC on December 8, the sun, Earth, moon and Mars will be nearly in a line.
And, what’s more, the full moon won’t just pass near Mars in the sky. Its path across the sky (which varies in an 18-year cycle) is such in 2022 that it’ll pass directly in front of Mars.
On December 7 and 8, 2022, an alignment occurs with the sun, Earth, moon and Mars all in a straight line. Chart via John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
Bottom line: On the night of December 7-8, 2022, the full moon will occult, or cover over, Mars. Just hours later, Earth will pass between Mars and the sun. Details here.
This fascinating and unusual event appears to North American skywatchers who are northwest of a diagonal line drawn from Augusta, Maine, through Columbus, Ohio, through Little Rock, Arkansas, and San Antonio, Texas, extending into Mexico. The map below will let you know if your part of the world gets to view the occultation.
However, these encounters are extremely rare, and only a select few have claimed to have seen the dragon. The Schumacher Magic Mountain Dragon is deeply rooted in the local culture and is often depicted in artwork and traditional performances. Its image can be found on murals, tapestries, and even carved into the stunning natural rock formations of the mountains. The dragon is considered a symbol of strength, power, and good fortune. Despite being a creature of immense power and mystery, the Schumacher Magic Mountain Dragon is also believed to be a guardian of the mountains and its inhabitants. It is said to watch over the land, protecting it from harm and ensuring harmony in the region. Many locals hold the dragon in high regard, viewing it as a wise and benevolent being. While the existence of the Schumacher Magic Mountain Dragon remains a matter of debate, it continues to captivate the hearts and minds of those who live in the area. Whether it is a mythical creature or simply a figment of imagination, there is no denying the impact it has had on the local culture and the fascination it inspires in people from around the world..
Reviews for "The Schumaccher Magic Mountain Dragon: An Iconic Species of the Mountaintops"
1. Emily - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Schumaccher magic mountain dragon". The plot felt disjointed and confusing, and it was difficult to follow what was happening. The characters were also underdeveloped, and I struggled to connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style was clunky and awkward, making it difficult to get through the book. Overall, I was not impressed with this novel and would not recommend it to others.
2. David - 1 star
I found "Schumaccher magic mountain dragon" to be a complete waste of time. The story was convoluted and lacked any coherent structure, making it nearly impossible to understand the point of the book. The characters were shallow and lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their fates. The writing was also subpar, with numerous grammatical errors and awkward sentences. I would not recommend this book to anyone; it simply wasn't worth the read.
3. Samantha - 2 stars
"Schumaccher magic mountain dragon" was a letdown for me. The plot was incredibly predictable, and I found myself bored throughout the entire book. The characters lacked development and were one-dimensional, making it hard to feel invested in their stories. The writing style was also lacking, with repetitive phrases and clumsy descriptions. Overall, it was a disappointing read, and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Michael - 2 stars
I was not impressed with "Schumaccher magic mountain dragon". The story felt disjointed, with random plot twists and undeveloped storylines. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their journeys. The writing style was also lackluster, with many clichéd phrases and excessive use of unnecessary adjectives. Overall, it was a forgettable read and not something I would recommend to others.