Night Sky

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The Night Sky – September 2018

THE MOON
Phases
Last Quarter: 3^rd
New Moon: 9^th
First Quarter: 17^th
Full Moon: 25^th

MERCURY is visible low above the ENE horizon for about 45 minutes before sunrise during the first few days of the month, shining quite brightly at magnitude -1.0. On the 6th, Mercury will be very close to the bright star Regulus.  By the middle of the month it will become lost in the glare as it moves even closer to the Sun.  At best it is close to the Sun so the chance to see it doesn’t last long.  Binoculars are the best way to spot it.

VENUS
Venus remains very bright in the evening sky around sunset, but continues to sink lower and lower as time goes by.  Look for it in the WSW before sunset.  It sets about 70 minutes after the Sun. It is very bright but increasingly will be fighting the Sun’s glare. Later in the month binoculars may be required to spot the planet.  Still, a thing of great beauty!

MARS Past Opposition, but still great!
It’s true that Earth and Mars are now pulling away from each other but Mars still looks really, really great in the night sky and will for a while to come! Mars was engulfed in a major dust storm during August, blocking all surface details.  That said, the dust storm on Mars is significantly improving but has not yet fully subsided. A small telescope may reveal major surface details if seeing conditions continue to improve. Look for Mars at an elevation of about 14 degrees ESE where it will shine at magnitude -2.1, reducing to only -1.3 or so by month’s end…plenty bright! At the beginning of the month Mars rises around 8:30 pm and sets at 5 am.  Towards the end of August Mars sets around 2:30 am.

JUPITER
The King reached opposition back on May 8th, and continues to get smaller as distance grows between us.  Still he is The King and will be visible early in the evening, setting around 10 pm at the beginning of the month and about 8:30 pm by the end.   It is still quite bright; around magnitude -1.9.  Jupiter’s equatorial bands, the four Gallilean moons, and sometimes the Great Red Spot should make for a fun view through even a small telescope. All that said, Jupiter is now quite low on the southern horizon, so viewing is not going to be so good due to the thickness of Earth’s atmosphere at that elevation.

SATURN
Saturn sets around 1 am at the beginning of the month, and about sets about 11 pm at the end.  The rings are still at a great angle, but the problem is the same as with Jupiter…it will be very low in the sky, never getting above 15 degrees so you will be looking through a good deal of Earth’s atmosphere while viewing it.

URANUS
Uranus, rises around 9:30 pm at the start of the month and 7:30 pm at the end of the month.  It is visible all night and will be a binocular target throughout September. Use a tripod to steady the binoculars.

NEPTUNE
Rises around 7:45 pm at the beginning of the month and 5:45 pm at the end, and therefore should be visible all night, and should be fairly high in the sky.  That said, make no mistake that it is not easy and you will likely need a telescopes of 8-inch and larger apertures to resolve the planet.

 

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The Night Sky – August 2018

THE MOON
Phases
Last Quarter: 4^th
New Moon: 11^th
First Quarter: 18^th
Full Moon: 26^th

THE PERSEID METEOR SHOWER runs annually from approximately July 13 until August 26, with the peak on August 12. The best time for seeing meteors is after midnight. The meteors are debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle.  The moon cooperating this year and should be absent at peak.

MERCURY
Mercury starts the month behind the sun.  The best chances to see it is later in the month (August 26 or so) in the predawn sky rising around 4:45 am.  At best it is close to the sun so the chance to see it doesn’t last long.  Binoculars are the best way to spot it.

VENUS
Venus remains the brightest object in the evening sky after the moon and can be seen in the west after sunset.  Venus is getting lower in the sky as the month goes on as it pulls further away from us as time goes by, reaching it’s furthest point from us on August 12th.   Still, a thing of great beauty, and after that it starts moving towards us again!

MARS Past Opposition!
It’s true that Earth and Mars are now pulling away from each other but Mars still looks really, really great in the night sky and will for a while to come! At the beginning of the month Mars rises around 8:30 pm and sets at 5 am.  Towards the end of August Mars sets around 2:30 am.

JUPITER
The King reached opposition back on May 8th, and continues to get smaller as distance grows between us.  Still he is The King and will be visible early in the evening, setting around midnight at the beginning of the month and about 10:15 pm by the end.   It is very bright.  Jupiter’s equatorial bands, the four Gallilean moons, and sometimes the Great Red Spot should make for a fun view through even a small telescope. On Thursday, August 16, Europa’s shadow will begin to transit at 7:56 p.m. EDT (in evening twilight). At 8:05 p.m. EDT, Io’s shadow will join Europa’s and the pair will transit Jupiter until they both move off the planet at 10:10 p.m.

SATURN
Saturn rises around 6 pm and sets around 3 am at the beginning of the month, and about sets about 1 am.  The rings aren’t as wide as they were a few months ago but are still at a great angle.

URANUS
Uranus, rises around 9:30 pm and is visible all night.

NEPTUNE
Rises around 9:45 pm at the beginning of the month and 7:45 pm at the end.  Visible all night, but never easy.

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The Night Sky – May 2018

THE MOON
Phases
Last Quarter: 8^th
New Moon: 15^th
First Quarter: 22^nd
Full Moon: 29^th

MERCURY
Mercury will be too close to the Sun to see.

VENUS
at magnitude -3.9, Venus is the brightest object in the evening sky after the moon and can be seen in the west after sunset.  Venus rises a little higher in the sky as the month goes on setting about two hours after the sun at the start of the month, and two and a half hours at the end.

MARS
Mars rises about 1:30 am at the beginning of the month and after midnight by the end.   During the month, Mars has a magnitude which increases rapidly from -0.4 to -1.2 as the month goes on.  Over the coming months, our view of Mars will continue to improve as we get closer together.  Each month, Mars will appear bigger and brighter in our scopes, with more detail visible.

JUPITER
The King reaches opposition on May 8th, and will be visible all night, rising at about 8:30 pm at the beginning of the month and about 6 pm by the end.   It is very bright at magnitude -2.5.  Jupiter’s equatorial bands, the four Gallilean moons, and sometimes the Great Red Spot should make for a fun view through even a small telescope.

SATURN
Saturn rises around 12:30 am at the beginning of the month, and about 10:20 pm by month’s end, climbing higher in the sky and getting brighter as the month goes on.  The rings aren’t as wide as they were a few months ago but are still at a great angle.

URANUS
Not this month.  Uranus, rises around sunrise, and sets before sunset.

NEPTUNE
Maybe in the predawn sky towards the end of the month.  Never easy.

 

 

 

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The Night Sky – February 2018

THE MOON
Black Moon this month, meaning there is no full moon.  (This happens about
four times each century).
Phases
Full Moon: None
Last Quarter: 7th
New Moon: 15th
First Quarter: 23rd

MERCURY
Mercury, will be very tricky this month.  You may have some success towards the end of the month.  Look for it low in the western sky around sunset. You will need a clear horizon as it will be very low.

VENUS
Venus returns to the evening sky this month.  In early February it will be low in the west, getting higher in the western sky as the month goes on.

MARS
Mars is now a predawn object and rises about 2:30 a.m. climbing to about 25* before sunrise at the beginning of the month.  The planet will brighten considerably throughout the month, reaching magnitude 0.8 by month’s end. Over the coming months, our view of Mars will continue to improve as we get closer together.  Each month, Mars will appear bigger and brighter in our scopes, with more detail visible.  This will be a very favorable viewing year.

JUPITER
The King rises at about 1:30 am in the constellation Libra at the beginning of the month and by 11:45 pm at month’s end.  At magnitude -2.0 it is very bright in the night sky.
Even with a very modest telescope, the bands and the four Gallilean moons will be visible.

SATURN
Saturnis now in the pre-dawn sky in the constellation of Sagittarius, but remains low on the SE horizon, rising around 4:30 am at the beginning of the month, and about 3:20 am at the end.

URANUS
This Ice Giant is getting smaller and dimmer, but still is visible half of the night, setting around 11:00 pm.  It can be seen in binoculars and even seen with the naked eye in really dark skies.  Noteworthy because it is very high in the sky.  It hasn’t been this high since the 1960’s.  This is a very faint object, very far from Earth, so if you are hunting Uranus, this would be a very good time to look for it.  In a telescope it will appear as small, pale, blue-green disk, with no surface detail visible.  Still you will be able to saw you saw it with your own eyes.

 

NEPTUNE
Sets around 7:30 at the beginning of February, and 6 pm at the end.  Difficult because low in the sky as well as dim and far away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Night Sky – January 2018

The Sun
We will be closer to the Sun on January 2, 2018 than we will be for the rest of the year.

THE MOON
Blue Moon  (2^nd full moon) this month.  First total lunar eclipse of Blue Moon in 150 years.
Phases
Full Moon: January 2
Third Quarter: 8th
New Moon: 17th
First Quarter: 24^th
Full Moon: January 31

MERCURY
This month offers the best chance of the year for viewing Mercury, which rises about two hours before dawn and should be visible with binoculars an hour or so before dawn in the south-eastern sky.

VENUS
Venus Nope.  Not this month.

MARS
Mars will keep getting brighter as the month goes on. By January 15^th  Mars should be about magnitude +1.3. Mars will approach Jupiter during the first days of January, and will be very close on January 7^th.  Over the coming months our view of Mars will continue to improve as we get closer together.  Each month Mars will appear bigger and brighter in our scopes, with more detail visible.

JUPITER
The King rises at about 3 am in the constellation Libra at the beginning of the month and by 1:30 am at month’s end.   Mars will approach Jupiter during the first days of January, and will be very close on January 7^th.  This should make for a fun view through binoculars or a small telescope. Even with a very modest telescope, the bands and the four Galilean moons will be visible.

SATURN
Saturn is behind the Sun and not visible.

URANUS
This Ice Giant is getting smaller and dimmer, but still is visible most of the night.  It can be seen in binoculars and even seen with the naked eye in really dark skies.  Noteworthy because it is very high in the sky.  It hasn’t been this high since the 1960’s.  This is a very faint object, very far from Earth, so if you are hunting Uranus, this would be a very good time to look for it.  In a telescope it will appear as small, pale, blue-green disk, with no surface detail visible.  Still, you will be able to saw you saw it with your own eyes.

NEPTUNE
Not visible this month.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Night Sky – December 2017

THE MOON
Phases
Full Moon: Sunday December 3
Last Quarter: 10th
New Moon: 18th
First Quarter: 26^th
MERCURY
Mercury is rarely easy.  It is behind the Sun at the beginning of the month, and will reappear in the pre-dawn sky around December 20^th, quickly getting brighter and higher in the sky.  It will be great by the end of the month; high and bright.  DO NOT LOOK AT THE SUN WITHOUT CERTIFIED PROTECTIVE FILTERING!

VENUS
Venus Nope.  Not this month.

MARS
Mars rises around in the east about 4 hours before the Sun, continuing to get brighter as the month goes on.  That said, Mars is still pretty far from Earth at this time, so it will be small and will be difficult to see any surface details.

JUPITER
The Kingis back as a pre-dawn object rising about 2 hours before the Sun at the beginning of the month, quite bright around magnitude -1.7.   As the month goes on, it will get brighter and bigger. Even with a very modest telescope, the bands and the four Gallilean moons will be visible.

SATURN
Saturnis behind the Sun and not visible.

URANUS
This Ice Giant is getting smaller and dimmer, but still is visible most of the night, setting around 3:30 am at the start of the month, and 1:22 am at the end of the year.  It can be seen in binoculars and even seen with the naked eye in really dark skies.  Noteworthy because it is very high in the sky.  It hasn’t been this high since the 1960’s.  This is a very faint object, very far from Earth, so if you are hunting Uranus, this would be a very good time to look for it.  In a telescope it will appear as small, pale, blue-green disk, with no surface detail visible.  Still you will be able to saw you saw it with your own eyes.

 

NEPTUNE
Pretty much everything we said about Uranus applies to Neptune, only harder. This Ice Giant is the farthest planet from the Sun, more than 30 times more distant than we are, so it appears to be very small.  It sets around 11:30 at the start of the month and by 9:30 pm at the end.   You will need a telescope and need to know where to look.

METEOR SHOWERS

The Geminids
December 14th and 15th,  especially after midnight.  A good year as the moon shouldn’t be much of a factor.  This can be a really good one, escpecially if you can observe away from bright lights.

The Ursids
December 22nd and 23rd  especially later in the evening, Not a very high rate usually but sometimes it surprises us.  Worth a look to be sure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Night Sky – October 2017

THE MOON
Phases
Full Moon: Wednesday October 4th
Last Quarter: 11th
New Moon: 19th
First Quarter: 27th
MERCURY
Mercury is rarely easy.  It can be found very low on the horizon in the western sky, around sunset.   DO NOT LOOK AT THE SUN WITHOUT CERTIFIED PROTECTIVE FILTERING!

VENUS
Venus continues to dazzle in the pre-dawn skies, but continues to get lower. Enjoy it in the early morning sky for the few weeks before it disappears from view.

MARS
Mars rises around 5 am in the east at the start of the month and around 4:30 around the end.  It will be low in the sky and not very bright at first, but will continue to climb higher and get brighter as the month progresses.

JUPITER
Jupiter will not be visible this month, disappearing behind the Sun.  It will reappear low in the pre-dawn sky in November.

SATURN
Saturn is visible in the southwest at sunset, setting around 10:30 pm at the beginning of the month and setting a little after 8:30 pm at the end.  Observing conditions will continue to degrade over the next few months as it continues to sink lower in the sky, before disappearing from view.  That said, the planet is tilted at a great angle affording a great view of the rings.  The Cassini Gap is visible in a modest scope so give it a look.  This pretty planet is always worth a peek.  It never disappoints.

URANUS
This Ice Giant reaches opposition and is closest to Earth on the 19^th and will be visible all night during October.  It can be seen in binoculars and even seen with the naked eye in really dark skies.  Noteworthy because it is very high in the sky.  It hasn’t been this high since the 1960’s.  This is a very faint object, very far from Earth, so if you are hunting Uranus, this would be your best time to look for it.  In a telescope it will appear as small, pale, blue-green disk, with no surface detail visible.  Still you will be able to saw you saw it with your own eyes.

NEPTUNE
This Ice Giant is visible all night long through a telescope. Neptune is found in Aquarius. The naked eye star Hydor, located only 0.5 degrees above the planet, will help you find it with binoculars or a telescope. On October 30, Neptune will be about 2 degrees above the Moon. This is the farthest planet from the Sun, more than 30 times more distant than we are.

 

 

 

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The Night Sky – September 2017

THE MOON
Phases
Full Moon: Tuesday September 6th
Last Quarter: 13th
New Moon: 20th
First Quarter: 27th
MERCURY
September offers a good chance to catch a glimpse of the planet closest to the sun.  Mercury is rarely easy.  It is found low on the horizon in the pre-dawn sky, so the window of opportunity is small.  DO NOT LOOK AT THE SUN WITHOUT CERTIFIED PROTECTIVE FILTERING!  All that said, this month is our chance to catch Mercury.

VENUS
Venus continues to dazzle in the pre-dawn skies, but is gradually getting lower. Enjoy it in the early morning sky for the next month or so before it disappears from view.

MARS
If you’re lucky and have a really flat horizon to the East, you MIGHT catch a glimpse of Mars before the Sun rises, but odds improve later in September.  It’s quite low but give it a try!

JUPITER
Very, very, last call for Jupiter this month!  At the 1^st of the month it will be low (~15*) in the West at sunset, and will set by 9 pm.   It’s getting lower and lower in the western sky, and by month’s end will be near the horizon, soon to go behind the sun and disappear from view.  It’s been a nice, long run for “The King”, but he’s going away soon, so catch him while you can.  Even in a very small scope, bands can be visible on the planet and the four largest moons, Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto can be seen.  By the end of the month, he sets around 7:20 pm.  Jupiter will reappear low in the pre-dawn sky in November.

 

SATURN
Is visible in the south at sunset, setting around 2 am at the beginning of the month, setting around midnight at the end.  Observing conditions will continue to degrade over the next few months as it continues to sink lower in the sky, before disappearing from view.  That said, the planet is  tilted at a great angle affording a great view of the rings.  The Cassini Gap is visible in a modest scope so give it a look.  This pretty planet is always worth a peek.  Saturn never disappoints.

URANUS
This Ice Giant rises around 11 pm early in the month and is visible for the rest of the night.  Rises around 9 pm at the end of the month.  Noteworthy because it is very high in the sky.  Hasn’t been this high since the 1960’s.  This is a very faint object, very far from Earth, so if you are hunting Uranus, you don’t need me to tell you where it is.  In a telescope it will appear as small, pale, blue-green disk, with no surface detail visible.  Still you will be able to saw you spotted it.

NEPTUNE
This Ice Giant rises around 9:30 at the start of the month and about 7:30 at the end of the month.   Everything from Uranus applies only much more difficult.  September is the best month this year to try to see it.  It is visible for almost the entire night. Neptune is the farthest planet from the Sun, more than 30 times more distant than we are.