A magic butterfly card is a unique and fascinating type of greeting card that brings an element of surprise and delight to the recipient. This interactive card features a built-in mechanism that brings a paper butterfly to life, seemingly magically, when the card is opened. The magic butterfly card typically starts as a decorative and visually appealing greeting card, often made of high-quality cardstock or paper. It may feature various designs, themes, or personalized messages on the front cover, just like a traditional greeting card. However, what sets the magic butterfly card apart is its hidden secret within. As the recipient opens the card, a small tab or mechanism is triggered, causing a paper butterfly to spring out and flutter in the air.
As the recipient opens the card, a small tab or mechanism is triggered, causing a paper butterfly to spring out and flutter in the air. This unexpected and enchanting display adds a touch of whimsy and surprise to the traditional act of opening a card. The paper butterfly is usually intricately designed and beautifully crafted, resembling a real butterfly in appearance.
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.
It may feature vibrant colors, delicate patterns, and realistic details, making it a visually captivating element of the card. Some magic butterfly cards even include multi-colored or glowing butterflies for an added touch of magic and wonder. The magic butterfly card is often used for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, or just to brighten someone's day. Its interactive nature and surprising effect make it a memorable and joyful gift that brings a sense of wonder and happiness. In addition to being a unique and charming greeting card, the magic butterfly card can also serve as a decorative item or keepsake. The recipient can display the fluttering butterfly in their home or office space, creating a delightful visual element and a reminder of the thoughtful gesture. Overall, the magic butterfly card is a creative and imaginative way to express love, joy, and celebration. Its combination of practicality and enchantment makes it a popular choice for those seeking an extraordinary and memorable greeting card experience. So, if you're looking to surprise and delight someone special with a truly magical greeting card, consider the magic butterfly card. It's a small yet impactful gesture that is sure to bring a smile to their face and create lasting memories..
Reviews for "A guide to using glitter and metallics in magical butterfly cards"
1. Mary - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Magic Butterfly Card. First of all, the quality was not up to par. The butterfly popped out once and then stopped working. It was also quite flimsy and easily got damaged. Secondly, the performance was underwhelming. The butterfly didn't fly and flutter like it was advertised, but rather just slowly spun in place. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this product as it didn't live up to its claims.
2. John - 1 star - The Magic Butterfly Card was a complete waste of money for me. The butterfly barely even moved when I opened the card. I followed all the instructions carefully, but it just didn't work as expected. Not only that, but the card itself was poorly made and looked cheap. I could have easily made a better DIY butterfly card myself. Save your money and skip this disappointing magic trick.
3. Michelle - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the Magic Butterfly Card, but it fell short of my expectations. When I tried to use it, the butterfly didn't even come out properly. It got stuck halfway and didn't look anything like the graceful fluttering butterflies shown in the advertisement. Moreover, the card design was dull and unappealing. I wouldn't recommend this product if you're looking for a magical surprise.
4. James - 1 star - The Magic Butterfly Card was a total flop for me. The mechanism to release the butterfly was faulty, and it didn't pop out smoothly. The butterfly also didn't flutter convincingly, and the wings kept getting tangled. It was frustrating to see such a simple trick fail miserably. I wish I hadn't wasted my money on this gimmicky product. Don't bother with it.