Tuesday, July 17, 2018
The Sky This Week - Thursday July 19 to Thursday July 26
The First Quarter Moon is Friday, July 20. All 5 bright unaided eye
planets
can be seen in the evening sky. Venus is high in the
early evening sky.
Mercury begins to sink towards the horizon in early evening skies. Jupiter is past
opposition, but is still big and bright in telescopes. The Moon is close to Jupiter on the 21st. Rapidly brightening Mars and Saturn
are visible in
the late evening
skies. The Moon is close to Saturn on the 25th. Asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars.
The First Quarter Moon is Friday, July 20.
Evening twilight sky on Saturday July 21 looking west as seen from
Adelaide
at 18:24 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Venus is above Mercury with the bright star Regulus between. The inset shows
simulated telescopic
views of Venus and Mercury as seen with a 5mm telescopic eyepiece
(compare with Jupiter, Saturn and Mars).
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Brilliant Venus is now visible in the evening until well after full dark. Venus is visible to the unaided eye from sunset, easy to see 30-60 minutes after sunset and can viewed well after 90 minutes after sunset. During the week Venus moves further away from the bright star Regulus. Mercury is visible below Venus passing through the constellation of Cancer the crab and into Leo. By midweek Mercury, Regulus and Venus from a line with Regulus almost in the middle between the two planets. By the end of the week Mercury starts to sink towards the horizon.
Whole sky view of the evening sky on Saturday July 21 as seen from
Adelaide
at 18:55 ACST (just after 90 minutes after sunset). all five bright planets are visible in the evening sky (a better view will be had slightly earlier though).
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (just after 90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Evening
sky on Saturday July 21 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 18:55 ACST (90 minutes after sunset). Jupiter is well above the
horizon, close to the
bright star alpha Librae. The Moon is close to Jupiter at this time. Saturn is high above the horizon and Mars is now well above the horizon as well. The Asteroid
Vesta is visible in binoculars
near Saturn.
The insets are a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons at 20:04 ACST, Io is crossing the face of Jupiter and Europa is just reappearing from eclipse. Jupiter, Saturn and Mars are shown aas as seen with a 5mm telescopic eyepiece.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).
Simulated binocular view of the region near Saturn showing the open clusters M24, M23
and Vesta on Saturday July 21 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 21:00 ACST.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Vesta is now too dim to be seen with the unaided eye but is easily seen in binoculars. It is just over and up from the iconic and easily recognisable Trifid nebula. It is brighter than most of the stars nearby, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta is just over from the Trifid Nebula and near the star theta (š¹) Ophicii.
Venus is readily visible above the horizon in the early evening. It is bright enough to be visible from just on sunset and to well past 90 minutes after sunset at full dark, when it is two and a half hand-spans above the horizon. During the week Venus moves away from the bright star Regulus.
Mercury climbs higher the evening skies late this week. Mercury is visible below Venus passing through the constellation of Cancer the crab and into Leo. By midweek Mercury, Regulus and Venus from a line with Regulus almost in the middle between the two planets. By the end of the week Mercury starts to sink towards the horizon.
Jupiter is high the early evening sky. It was at Opposition on the 9th, and is still visible most of the night. It is a good telescopic object in the mid to late evening and is highest around 19:30 local time. There are some good Jovian Moon events this week. This week Jupiter is still close to the bright star alpha Librae (Zubenelgenubi). On the 21st the Moon is close to Jupiter.
Mars is in Capricornius and is now rising in the evening, although best telescopically in the morning. Mars is rapidly brightening ahead of opposition later this month and is now quite bright (although it will get brighter still) and readily recognisable in the late evening. In a telescope you may see few features as a huge dust storm is still sweeping the planet.
Saturn is climbing higher the evening sky, and is now a good telescopic object in the mid to late evening sky. It was at opposition, when Saturn is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on June the 27th. It is within binocular range of several attractive clusters and nebula. It is close to the bright globular cluster M22 and the pair are visible in binoculars and wide field telescope eyepieces. The Moon is close to Saturn on the 25th.
Vesta is nw only visible in binoculars or telescopes. It was at opposition on June the 20th, when it was magnitude 5.3, and this week should be around magnitude 60-6.1. It is easily seen in binoculars. It is brighter than most of the stars nearby, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta is not far from the iconic Trifid nebula. Printable spotters charts are here.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEST, Western sky at 10 pm AEST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch.
Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/
The First Quarter Moon is Friday, July 20.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Brilliant Venus is now visible in the evening until well after full dark. Venus is visible to the unaided eye from sunset, easy to see 30-60 minutes after sunset and can viewed well after 90 minutes after sunset. During the week Venus moves further away from the bright star Regulus. Mercury is visible below Venus passing through the constellation of Cancer the crab and into Leo. By midweek Mercury, Regulus and Venus from a line with Regulus almost in the middle between the two planets. By the end of the week Mercury starts to sink towards the horizon.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (just after 90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
The insets are a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons at 20:04 ACST, Io is crossing the face of Jupiter and Europa is just reappearing from eclipse. Jupiter, Saturn and Mars are shown aas as seen with a 5mm telescopic eyepiece.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Vesta is now too dim to be seen with the unaided eye but is easily seen in binoculars. It is just over and up from the iconic and easily recognisable Trifid nebula. It is brighter than most of the stars nearby, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta is just over from the Trifid Nebula and near the star theta (š¹) Ophicii.
Venus is readily visible above the horizon in the early evening. It is bright enough to be visible from just on sunset and to well past 90 minutes after sunset at full dark, when it is two and a half hand-spans above the horizon. During the week Venus moves away from the bright star Regulus.
Mercury climbs higher the evening skies late this week. Mercury is visible below Venus passing through the constellation of Cancer the crab and into Leo. By midweek Mercury, Regulus and Venus from a line with Regulus almost in the middle between the two planets. By the end of the week Mercury starts to sink towards the horizon.
Jupiter is high the early evening sky. It was at Opposition on the 9th, and is still visible most of the night. It is a good telescopic object in the mid to late evening and is highest around 19:30 local time. There are some good Jovian Moon events this week. This week Jupiter is still close to the bright star alpha Librae (Zubenelgenubi). On the 21st the Moon is close to Jupiter.
Mars is in Capricornius and is now rising in the evening, although best telescopically in the morning. Mars is rapidly brightening ahead of opposition later this month and is now quite bright (although it will get brighter still) and readily recognisable in the late evening. In a telescope you may see few features as a huge dust storm is still sweeping the planet.
Saturn is climbing higher the evening sky, and is now a good telescopic object in the mid to late evening sky. It was at opposition, when Saturn is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on June the 27th. It is within binocular range of several attractive clusters and nebula. It is close to the bright globular cluster M22 and the pair are visible in binoculars and wide field telescope eyepieces. The Moon is close to Saturn on the 25th.
Vesta is nw only visible in binoculars or telescopes. It was at opposition on June the 20th, when it was magnitude 5.3, and this week should be around magnitude 60-6.1. It is easily seen in binoculars. It is brighter than most of the stars nearby, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta is not far from the iconic Trifid nebula. Printable spotters charts are here.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEST, Western sky at 10 pm AEST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch.
Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
The Sky This Week - Thursday July 12 to Thursday July 19
The New Moon is Friday, July 13. All 5 bright unaided eye
planets
can be seen in the evening sky. Venus is high in the
early evening sky and is close to the crescent Moon on the 16th.
Mercury climbs higher in early evening skies and is close to the crescent Moon on the 15th. Jupiter is past
opposition, but is still big and bright in telescopes. Rapidly brightening Mars and Saturn
are visible in
the late evening
skies. Asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars.
The New Moon is Friday, July 13. The Moon is at perigee, when it is closest to the Earth on the 13th.
Evening twilight sky on Monday July 16 looking west as seen from
Adelaide
at 18:22 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Venus is above Mercury and close to the thin crescent Moon. The inset shows
simulated telescopic
views of Venus and Mercury as seen with a 5mm telescopic eyepiece
(compare with Jupiter, Saturn and Mars).
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Venus is now visible in the evening until well after full dark. Venus is visible to the unaided eye from sunset, easy to see 30-60 minutes after sunset and can viewed well after 90 minutes after sunset. During the week Venus moves away from the bright star Regulus. Venus is close to the crescent Moon on the 16th. Mercury is visible below Venus passing through the constellation of Cancer the crab. It is close to the crescent Moon on the 15th.
Whole sky view of the evening sky on Sunday July 15 as seen from
Adelaide
at 18:52 ACST (just after 90 minutes after sunset). all five bright planets are (just) visible in the evening sky.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (just after 90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Evening
sky on Saturday July 14 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 18:52 ACST (90 minutes after sunset). Jupiter is well above the
horizon, close to the
bright star alpha Librae. Saturn is well above the horizon. The Asteroid
Vesta is visible in binoculars (and may be visible to the unaided eye)
near Saturn.Mars is now above the horizon as well.
The insets are a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons, Saturn and Mars as seen with a 5mm telescopic eyepiece. At this time Io and its shadow are moving across the face of Jupiter.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).
Simulated binocular view of the region near Saturn showing the open clusters M24, M23
and Vesta on Saturday July14 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 21:00 ACST.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Vesta is bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye from dark sky sites. It is also easily seen in binoculars. It is well above the open cluster M23 just over and up from the iconic and easily recognisable Trifid nebula. It is brighter than most of the stars nearby, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta is just over from the Trifid Nebula and near the star theta Ophicii.
Venus is readily visible above the horizon in the early evening. It is bright enough to be visible from just on sunset and to well past 90 minutes after sunset at full dark, when it is two and a half hand-spans above the horizon. During the week Venus moves away from the bright star Regulus. Venus is close to the crescent Moon on the 16th.
Mercury climbs higher the evening skies late this week. Mercury is visible below Venus passing through the constellation of Cancer the crab. It is close to the crescent Moon on the 15th.
Jupiter is high the early evening sky. It was at Opposition on June the 9th, and is still visible most of the night. It is a good telescopic object in the mid to late evening and is highest around 19:30 local time. There are some good Jovian Moon events this week. This week Jupiter is still close to the bright star alpha Librae (Zubenelgenubi).
Mars is in Capricornius and is now rising in the evening, although best telescopically in the morning. Mars is rapidly brightening ahead of opposition later this month and is now quite bright (although it will get brighter still) and readily recognisable in the late evening. In a telescope you may see few features as a huge dust storm is still sweeping the planet.
Saturn is climbing higher the evening sky, and is now a good telescopic object in the mid to late evening sky. It was at opposition, when Saturn is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on June the 27th. It is within binocular range of several attractive clusters and nebula. It is close to the bright globular cluster M22 and the pair are visible in binoculars and wide field telescope eyepieces.
Vesta is bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye from dark sky sites. It was at opposition on the 20th, when it was magnitude 5.3, and this week should be around magnitude 5.7. It is easily seen in binoculars. It is travelling above the open cluster M23. It is brighter than most of the stars nearby, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta is not far from the iconic Trifid nebula. Printable spotters charts are here.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEST, Western sky at 10 pm AEST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch.
Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/
The New Moon is Friday, July 13. The Moon is at perigee, when it is closest to the Earth on the 13th.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Venus is now visible in the evening until well after full dark. Venus is visible to the unaided eye from sunset, easy to see 30-60 minutes after sunset and can viewed well after 90 minutes after sunset. During the week Venus moves away from the bright star Regulus. Venus is close to the crescent Moon on the 16th. Mercury is visible below Venus passing through the constellation of Cancer the crab. It is close to the crescent Moon on the 15th.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (just after 90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
The insets are a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons, Saturn and Mars as seen with a 5mm telescopic eyepiece. At this time Io and its shadow are moving across the face of Jupiter.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Vesta is bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye from dark sky sites. It is also easily seen in binoculars. It is well above the open cluster M23 just over and up from the iconic and easily recognisable Trifid nebula. It is brighter than most of the stars nearby, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta is just over from the Trifid Nebula and near the star theta Ophicii.
Venus is readily visible above the horizon in the early evening. It is bright enough to be visible from just on sunset and to well past 90 minutes after sunset at full dark, when it is two and a half hand-spans above the horizon. During the week Venus moves away from the bright star Regulus. Venus is close to the crescent Moon on the 16th.
Mercury climbs higher the evening skies late this week. Mercury is visible below Venus passing through the constellation of Cancer the crab. It is close to the crescent Moon on the 15th.
Jupiter is high the early evening sky. It was at Opposition on June the 9th, and is still visible most of the night. It is a good telescopic object in the mid to late evening and is highest around 19:30 local time. There are some good Jovian Moon events this week. This week Jupiter is still close to the bright star alpha Librae (Zubenelgenubi).
Mars is in Capricornius and is now rising in the evening, although best telescopically in the morning. Mars is rapidly brightening ahead of opposition later this month and is now quite bright (although it will get brighter still) and readily recognisable in the late evening. In a telescope you may see few features as a huge dust storm is still sweeping the planet.
Saturn is climbing higher the evening sky, and is now a good telescopic object in the mid to late evening sky. It was at opposition, when Saturn is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on June the 27th. It is within binocular range of several attractive clusters and nebula. It is close to the bright globular cluster M22 and the pair are visible in binoculars and wide field telescope eyepieces.
Vesta is bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye from dark sky sites. It was at opposition on the 20th, when it was magnitude 5.3, and this week should be around magnitude 5.7. It is easily seen in binoculars. It is travelling above the open cluster M23. It is brighter than most of the stars nearby, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta is not far from the iconic Trifid nebula. Printable spotters charts are here.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEST, Western sky at 10 pm AEST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch.
Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/
Labels: weekly sky
Wednesday, July 04, 2018
Observing the Opposition of Mars, 2018
The inset to the left is a simulated telescopic view of Mars.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
This is the best opposition of Mars since 2003. You don't need a telescope or complicated imaging equipment to observe Mars, although a telescope or binoculars helps. Significant improvements in mobile phones means you can now image Mars with your mobile Phone and a telescope. Mars is really bright now, and will get brighter. To prepare you for this significant event, I have prepared this guide of observing the opposition of Mars with spotting guides and observing hints.
Labels: binocular, Mars, Opposition, telescope, unaided eye
Southern Skywatch July 2018 edition is now out!
Evening
sky on Friday June 27 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 18:59 ACST (90 minutes after sunset). Mars is at opposition, when it is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth. This is the best opposition since 2003. Saturn and Mars are
clearly visible and the Moon is near Mars.The inset to the left is a simulated telescopic view of Mars.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
The July edition of Southern Skywatch is now up.
This month still sees all five of the bright planets in the evening sky. Speedy Mercury is prominent in the evening sky early in the month, Venus and Jupiter are prominent in the evening sky and Mars and Saturn rise higher in the evening sky. Mars at Opposition and a total lunar eclipse with an apogee "mini moon".
Mercury close to the Beehive cluster on the 4th.
Venus is close to the bright star Regulus on the 10th.
Jupiter is close to alpha Librae (Zubenelgenubi) at the beginning of the month and the Moon on the 21st.
Mars is at opposition on the 27th, this is the best opposition since 2003. More details at my Mars opposition site.
Saturn is within a binocular field of the globular cluster M22 and the Trifid Nebula this month.
Vesta is visible in binoculars.
July 15, crescent Moon near Mercury; July16, crescent Moon near Venus.
July 21; Moon close to Jupiter. June 1-3, July 28-30; Mars, Saturn and Moon close
July 13, Moon at Perigee; July 27, Moon at Apogee.
July 28, total lunar eclipse in the morning.
Labels: southern skywatch
The Sky This Week - Thursday July 5 to Thursday July 12
The Last Quarter Moon is Friday, July 6. All 5 bright unaided eye planets
can be seen in the evening sky. Venus is high in the
early evening sky and is close to the bright star Regulus on the 10th. Mercury climbs higher in early evening skies. Jupiter is past
opposition, but is still big and bright in telescopes. Mars and Saturn
are visible in
the late evening
skies. Asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars.
The Last Quarter Moon is Friday, July 6. The Earth is at aphelion, when it is furthest from the Sun, on the 7th.
Evening twilight sky on Saturday July 7 looking west as seen from
Adelaide
at 18:16 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Venus is above Mercury and close to the
bright star Regulus in Leo. The inset shows
simulated telescopic
views of Venus and Mercury as seen with a 5mm telescopic eyepiece
(compare with Jupiter, Saturn and Mars) and the positions of Venus and Regulus on the 10th..
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Venus is now visible in the evening until well after full dark. Venus is visible to the unaided eye from sunset, easy to see 30-60 minutes after sunset and can viewed well after 90 minutes after sunset. During the week Venus comes closer to the bright star Regulus and is closest on the 10th. Mercury is visible below Venus passing through the constellation of Cancer the crab. It is near the Beehive cluster on July 5th but moves away after this.
Whole sky view of the evening sky on Thursday July 10 as seen from
Adelaide
at 18:50 ACST (just after 90 minutes after sunset). all five bright planets are (just) visible in the evening sky.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (just after 90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Evening
sky on Saturday July 7 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 18:46 ACST (90 minutes after sunset). Jupiter is well above the
horizon, close to the
bright star alpha Librae. Saturn is well above the horizon. The Asteroid
Vesta is visible in binoculars (and may be visible to the unaided eye)
near Saturn.
The insets are a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons and Saturn as seen with a 5mm telescopic eyepiece.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).
Evening
sky on Saturday July 7 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 21:00 ACST. Mars is
clearly visible. The
inset is a simulated telescopic view of Mars as seen with a 5mm telescopic eyepiece.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Simulated binocular view of the region near Saturn showing the open clusters M24, M23
and Vesta on Saturday July 7 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 21:00 ACST.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Vesta is bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye from dark sky sites. It is also easily seen in binoculars. It is well above the open cluster M23 just over and up from the iconic and easily recognisable Trifid nebula. It is brighter than most of the stars nearby, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta is just over from the Trifid Nebula and near the star theta Ophicii.
Venus is readily visible above the horizon in the early evening. It is bright enough to be visible from just on sunset and to well past 90 minutes after sunset at full dark, when it is two and a half hand-spans above the horizon. Over the week Venus heads towards the bright star Regulus and is cloest on the 10th.
Mercury climbs higher the evening skies late this week. Mercury is visible below Venus passing through the constellation of Cancer the crab. It is near the Beehive cluster on July 5th but moves away after this.
Jupiter is high the early evening sky. It was at Opposition on June the 9th, and is still visible most of the night. It is a good telescopic object in the mid to late evening and is highest around 19:30 local time. There are some good Jovian Moon events this week. This week Jupiter is still within a finger-width of the bright star alpha Librae (Zubenelgenubi).
Mars is in Capricornius and is now rising in the late evening, although best telescopically in the morning. Mars is brightening ahead of opposition later this month and is now quite bright (although it will get brighter still) and readily recognisable in the late evening. In a telescope you may see few features as a huge dust storm is still sweeping the planet.
Saturn is climbing higher the evening sky, and is now a good telescopic object in the mid to late evening sky. It was at opposition, when Saturn is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on June the 27th. It is within binocular range of several attractive clusters and nebula. It is close to the bright globular cluster M22 and the pair are visible in binoculars and wide field telescope eyepieces.
Vesta is bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye from dark sky sites. It was at opposition on the 20th, when it was magnitude 5.3, and this week should be around magnitude 5.6. It is easily seen in binoculars. It is travelling above the open cluster M23. It is brighter than most of the stars nearby, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta is not far from the iconic Trifid nebula. Printable spotters charts are here.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEST, Western sky at 10 pm AEST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch.
Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/
The Last Quarter Moon is Friday, July 6. The Earth is at aphelion, when it is furthest from the Sun, on the 7th.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Venus is now visible in the evening until well after full dark. Venus is visible to the unaided eye from sunset, easy to see 30-60 minutes after sunset and can viewed well after 90 minutes after sunset. During the week Venus comes closer to the bright star Regulus and is closest on the 10th. Mercury is visible below Venus passing through the constellation of Cancer the crab. It is near the Beehive cluster on July 5th but moves away after this.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (just after 90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
The insets are a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons and Saturn as seen with a 5mm telescopic eyepiece.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Vesta is bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye from dark sky sites. It is also easily seen in binoculars. It is well above the open cluster M23 just over and up from the iconic and easily recognisable Trifid nebula. It is brighter than most of the stars nearby, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta is just over from the Trifid Nebula and near the star theta Ophicii.
Venus is readily visible above the horizon in the early evening. It is bright enough to be visible from just on sunset and to well past 90 minutes after sunset at full dark, when it is two and a half hand-spans above the horizon. Over the week Venus heads towards the bright star Regulus and is cloest on the 10th.
Mercury climbs higher the evening skies late this week. Mercury is visible below Venus passing through the constellation of Cancer the crab. It is near the Beehive cluster on July 5th but moves away after this.
Jupiter is high the early evening sky. It was at Opposition on June the 9th, and is still visible most of the night. It is a good telescopic object in the mid to late evening and is highest around 19:30 local time. There are some good Jovian Moon events this week. This week Jupiter is still within a finger-width of the bright star alpha Librae (Zubenelgenubi).
Mars is in Capricornius and is now rising in the late evening, although best telescopically in the morning. Mars is brightening ahead of opposition later this month and is now quite bright (although it will get brighter still) and readily recognisable in the late evening. In a telescope you may see few features as a huge dust storm is still sweeping the planet.
Saturn is climbing higher the evening sky, and is now a good telescopic object in the mid to late evening sky. It was at opposition, when Saturn is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on June the 27th. It is within binocular range of several attractive clusters and nebula. It is close to the bright globular cluster M22 and the pair are visible in binoculars and wide field telescope eyepieces.
Vesta is bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye from dark sky sites. It was at opposition on the 20th, when it was magnitude 5.3, and this week should be around magnitude 5.6. It is easily seen in binoculars. It is travelling above the open cluster M23. It is brighter than most of the stars nearby, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta is not far from the iconic Trifid nebula. Printable spotters charts are here.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEST, Western sky at 10 pm AEST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch.
Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/
Labels: weekly sky
Thursday, June 28, 2018
Opposition of Saturn, tonight, June 28, 2018
 |  |
| Evening sky on tonight, Thursday June 28 looking east as seen from Adelaide at 18:44 ACST (90 minutes after sunset). Saturn is well above the horizon and just abve the Full Moon. Similar views will be seen throughout Australia 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen). | Simulated telescopic view of Saturn and its Moons at this time as seen with a 5mm telescopic eyepiece with a 115mm Newtonian reflector (click to embiggen). |
Tonight is the opposition of Saturn, when it is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth. If you have clear skies (I don't) head out and have a look. If you have been wondering which of the brightish dot in the eastern evening sky is Saturn, tonight is a good night as Saturn is the brightest object just above the Full Moon. Take note of the stars nearby so that as the Moon moves away over the next few nights you can easiluy find it again.
Saturn is now visible the entire night long, and is highest above the northern horizon (and best for telescope observation and astrophotography) around local midnight. Saturn's rings are almost at their widest and will gradually close up after this, so they will be a worthwhile sight in even small telescopes.. Modest sized instruments will show the Cassini Division. For a few days around opposition you can see the Seeliger effect, where the planets rings brighten considerably as the Sun illuminates the rings from directly behind us. Australian amateurs have reported it as being quite noticeable this year.
As well as the rings the orbiting of the large Moon Titan can bee seen over successive days. ANd the pale equatorial band and darker polar caps are visible as well. The shadow of Saturn on the rings may be more difficult to see in modest instruments at this time, but will grow more noticeable over the coming days.
Even past opposition Saturn will be a worthwhile telescopic object for many weeks, so if you miss out tonight, you have plenty of chances over the next month or so.
In binocuars, you will see Saturn as a distinct oblong above the Moon tonight. Saturn is still within binocular range of the globular cluster M22, but tonight the light of the Full Moon drowns it out.
Labels: Moon, Opposition, Saturn, telescope, unaided eye
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
The Sky This Week - Thursday June 28 to Thursday July 5
The Full Moon is Thursday, June 28. All 5 bright unaided eye planets
can be seen in the evening sky. Venus is high in the
early evening sky. Mercury climbs higher in early evening skies and is close
to the Beehive cluster on July 4. Jupiter is past
opposition, but is still big and bright in telescopes. Mars and Saturn are visible in
the late evening
skies. Saturn is close to the Moon on the 28th. Mars is close to the Moon on the 30th and July 1st. Asteroid Vesta is potentially visible to the unaided
eye.
The Full Moon is Thursday, June 28. The Moon is at apogee on the 30th, when it is furthest from the Earth.
Evening twilight sky on Saturday June 30 looking west as seen from
Adelaide
at 18:14 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Venus is above Mercury and close to the
bright star Regulus in Leo. The inset shows
simulated telescopic
views of Venus and Mercury as seen with a 5mm telescopic eyepiece
(compare with Jupiter, Saturn and Mars).
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Venus is now visible in the early evening until well after full dark. Venus is visible to the unaided eye from sunset, easy to see 30-60 minutes after sunset and can viewed well after 90 minutes after sunset. During the week Venus comes closer to the bright star Regulus. Mercury is visible below Venus passing through the constellation of Cancer the crab. It is in the outskirts of the Beehive cluster on July 4th.
Binocular scale view of the evening twilight sky on Wednesday July 4 looking west as seen from
Adelaide
at 18:14 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Mercury is in the Beehive cluster.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Evening
sky on Saturday June 30 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 18:45 ACST (90 minutes after sunset). Jupiter is well above the horizon, close to the
bright star alpha Librae. Saturn is well above the horizon. The Asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars (and may be visible to the unaided eye) near Saturn.
The insets are a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons and Saturn as seen with a 5mm telescopic eyepiece.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).
Evening
sky on Saturday June 30 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 21:00 ACST. Mars is
clearly visible and is close to the waning Moon. The
inset is a simulated telescopic view of Mars as seen with a 5mm telescopic eyepiece.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Simulated binocular view of the region near Saturn showing the open clusters M24, M23
and Vesta on Saturday June 30 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 21:00 ACST.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Vesta is bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye from dark sky sites. It is also easily seen in binoculars. It is well above the open cluster M23 just over and up from the iconic and easily recognisable Trifid nebula. It is brighter than most of the stars nearby, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta is just over from the Trifid Nebula and near the star theta Ophicii.
Venus is readily visible above the horizon in the early evening. It is bright enough to be visible from just on sunset and to well past 90 minutes after sunset at full dark, when it is two and a half hand-spans above the horizon. Over the week Venus heads towards the bright star Regulus.
Mercury climbs higher the evening skies late this week. It is visible close below Venus passing through the constellation of Cancer the crab. It is in the outskirts of the Beehive cluster on July 4th.
Jupiter is high the early evening sky. It was at Opposition on the 9th, and is still visible most of the night. It is a good telescopic object in the mid to late evening and is highest around 20:30 local time. There are some good Jovian Moon events this week. This week Jupiter is still within a finger-width of the bright star alpha Librae (Zubenelgenubi).
Mars is in Capricornius and is now rising in the late evening, although best telescopically in the morning. Mars is brightening ahead of opposition later this year and is now quite bright (although it will get brighter still) and readily recognisable in the late evening. In a telescope you may see few features as a huge dust storm is still sweeping the planet. Mars is close to the Moon on the 30th and July 1st.
Saturn is climbing higher the evening sky, and is now a good telescopic object in the mid to late evening sky. It was at opposition, when Saturn is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on the 27th. It is within binocular range of several attractive clusters and nebula. It is close to the bright globular cluster M22 and the pair are visible in binoculars and wide field telescope eyepieces. Saturn is close to the Moon on the 28th.
Vesta is now bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye from dark sky sites. It was at opposition on the 20th, when it was magnitude 5.3, and this week should be around magnitude 5.5 and could possibly be visible from suburban sites. It is also easily seen in binoculars. It is travelling above the open cluster M23. It is brighter than most of the stars nearby, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta is not far from the iconic Trifid nebula. Printable spotters charts are here.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEST, Western sky at 10 pm AEST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch.
Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/
The Full Moon is Thursday, June 28. The Moon is at apogee on the 30th, when it is furthest from the Earth.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Venus is now visible in the early evening until well after full dark. Venus is visible to the unaided eye from sunset, easy to see 30-60 minutes after sunset and can viewed well after 90 minutes after sunset. During the week Venus comes closer to the bright star Regulus. Mercury is visible below Venus passing through the constellation of Cancer the crab. It is in the outskirts of the Beehive cluster on July 4th.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
The insets are a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons and Saturn as seen with a 5mm telescopic eyepiece.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Vesta is bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye from dark sky sites. It is also easily seen in binoculars. It is well above the open cluster M23 just over and up from the iconic and easily recognisable Trifid nebula. It is brighter than most of the stars nearby, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta is just over from the Trifid Nebula and near the star theta Ophicii.
Venus is readily visible above the horizon in the early evening. It is bright enough to be visible from just on sunset and to well past 90 minutes after sunset at full dark, when it is two and a half hand-spans above the horizon. Over the week Venus heads towards the bright star Regulus.
Mercury climbs higher the evening skies late this week. It is visible close below Venus passing through the constellation of Cancer the crab. It is in the outskirts of the Beehive cluster on July 4th.
Jupiter is high the early evening sky. It was at Opposition on the 9th, and is still visible most of the night. It is a good telescopic object in the mid to late evening and is highest around 20:30 local time. There are some good Jovian Moon events this week. This week Jupiter is still within a finger-width of the bright star alpha Librae (Zubenelgenubi).
Mars is in Capricornius and is now rising in the late evening, although best telescopically in the morning. Mars is brightening ahead of opposition later this year and is now quite bright (although it will get brighter still) and readily recognisable in the late evening. In a telescope you may see few features as a huge dust storm is still sweeping the planet. Mars is close to the Moon on the 30th and July 1st.
Saturn is climbing higher the evening sky, and is now a good telescopic object in the mid to late evening sky. It was at opposition, when Saturn is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on the 27th. It is within binocular range of several attractive clusters and nebula. It is close to the bright globular cluster M22 and the pair are visible in binoculars and wide field telescope eyepieces. Saturn is close to the Moon on the 28th.
Vesta is now bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye from dark sky sites. It was at opposition on the 20th, when it was magnitude 5.3, and this week should be around magnitude 5.5 and could possibly be visible from suburban sites. It is also easily seen in binoculars. It is travelling above the open cluster M23. It is brighter than most of the stars nearby, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta is not far from the iconic Trifid nebula. Printable spotters charts are here.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEST, Western sky at 10 pm AEST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch.
Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
The Sky This Week - Thursday June 21 to Thursday June 28
The Full Moon is Thursday, June 28. All 5 bright unaided eye planets can be seen in the evening sky. Venus is high in the
early evening sky. Mercury climbs higher in evening skies and is close to the bright star
Pollux. Jupiter is past
opposition, but is still big and bright in telescopes. Jupiter is close
to the Moon on the 23rd and 24th. Mars and Saturn are visible in
the late evening
skies. Saturn is at Opposition, when it is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on the 27th. Saturn is close to the Moon on the 27th and 28th. Asteroid Vesta is potentially visible to the unaided
eye.
The Full Moon is Thursday, June 28. Earth is at Solstice on the 21st, when the daylight hours are at their shortest.
Evening twilight sky on Sunday June 23 looking west as seen from
Adelaide
at 18:00 ACST (45 minutes after sunset). Venus is above Mercury and the star Pollux in Gemini. The inset shows
simulated telescopic
views of Venus and Mercury as seen with a 5mm telescopic eyepiece (compare with Jupiter, Saturn and Mars which are at the same scale).
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (45 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Venus is now visible in the early evening until well after full dark. Venus is visible to the unaided eye from sunset, easy to see 30-60 minutes after sunset and can viewed well after 90 minutes after sunset. During the week Venus heads away from the iconic Beehive cluster in Cancer and towards the bright star Regulus. Mercury is visible below Venus close to the bright star Pollux in Gemini.
Evening
sky on Sunday June 24 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 18:41 ACST (90 minutes after sunset). Jupiter is well above the horizon, close to the
bright star alpha Librae. Saturn is rising.
The inset is a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons as seen with a 5mm telescopic eyepiece at 00:19 ACST, on the 25th with Europa passing across the face of Jupiter. Europa's shadow follows around an hour later.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).
Evening
sky on Tursday June 28 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 21:00 ACST. Saturn is high above the horizon and Mars is
clearly visible. The Asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars (and may be visible to the unaided eye) near Saturn. The
inset is a simulated telescopic view of Mars and Saturn and its
moons as seen with a 5mm telescopic eyepiece.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Simulated binocular view of the region near Saturn showing the open clusters M24, M23
and Vesta on Sunday June 24 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 21:00 ACST.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Vesta is now bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye from dark sky sites. It is also easily seen in binoculars. It is above the open cluster M23 just over from the iconic and easily recognisable Trifid nebula. It is brighter than most of the stars in the cluster, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta forms nearly a straight line with Saturn and Polis (Mu Sagittarii) at this time and is just over from the Trifid Nebula.
Venus is readily visible above the horizon in the early evening. It is bright enough to be visible from just on sunset and easy to see 90 minutes after sunset at full dark, when it is two and a half hand-spans above the horizon. Venus starts the week close to the iconic open cluster the Beehive. This is best viewed in binoculars, and the brightness of Venus will make it hard to see the beehive with the unaided eye.Over the week Venus leaves the Beehive behind and heads towards the bright star Regulus.
Mercury climbs higher the evening skies late this week. On the 24th to 26th it is visible close to Pollux and below Venus. The view is best if you have a flat, unobscured horizon.
Jupiter is rising in the early evening. It was at Opposition on the 9th, and is still visible most of the night. It is a good telescopic object in the mid to late evening and is highest around 20:50 local time. There are some good Jovian Moon events this week. This week Jupiter is still within a finger-width of the bright star alpha Librae (Zubenelgenubi) and is visited by the Moon on the 23rd and 24th.
Mars is in Capricornius and is now rising in the late evening, although best telescopically in the morning. Mars is brightening ahead of opposition later this year and is now quite bright (although it will get brighter still) and readily recognisable in the late evening. In a telescope you may see few features as a huge dust storm is sweeping the planet.
Saturn is climbing higher the evening sky, and is now a good telescopic object in the mid to late evening sky. It is at opposition, when Saturn is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on the 27th. It is within binocular range of several attractive clusters and nebula. It is close to the bright globular cluster M22 and the pair are visible in binoculars and wide field telescope eyepieces.
Vesta is now bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye from dark sky sites. It was at opposition on the 20th, when it was magnitude 5.3, and this week should be around magnitude 5.4 and could possibly be visible from suburban sites. It is also easily seen in binoculars. It is travelling near the open cluster M23. It is brighter than most of the starsnearby, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta forms a straight line with Saturn and Polis (Mu Sagittarii) at this time and is not far from the iconic Trifid nebula. Printable spotters charts are here.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEST, Western sky at 10 pm AEST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch.
Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/
The Full Moon is Thursday, June 28. Earth is at Solstice on the 21st, when the daylight hours are at their shortest.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (45 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Venus is now visible in the early evening until well after full dark. Venus is visible to the unaided eye from sunset, easy to see 30-60 minutes after sunset and can viewed well after 90 minutes after sunset. During the week Venus heads away from the iconic Beehive cluster in Cancer and towards the bright star Regulus. Mercury is visible below Venus close to the bright star Pollux in Gemini.
The inset is a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons as seen with a 5mm telescopic eyepiece at 00:19 ACST, on the 25th with Europa passing across the face of Jupiter. Europa's shadow follows around an hour later.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Vesta is now bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye from dark sky sites. It is also easily seen in binoculars. It is above the open cluster M23 just over from the iconic and easily recognisable Trifid nebula. It is brighter than most of the stars in the cluster, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta forms nearly a straight line with Saturn and Polis (Mu Sagittarii) at this time and is just over from the Trifid Nebula.
Venus is readily visible above the horizon in the early evening. It is bright enough to be visible from just on sunset and easy to see 90 minutes after sunset at full dark, when it is two and a half hand-spans above the horizon. Venus starts the week close to the iconic open cluster the Beehive. This is best viewed in binoculars, and the brightness of Venus will make it hard to see the beehive with the unaided eye.Over the week Venus leaves the Beehive behind and heads towards the bright star Regulus.
Mercury climbs higher the evening skies late this week. On the 24th to 26th it is visible close to Pollux and below Venus. The view is best if you have a flat, unobscured horizon.
Jupiter is rising in the early evening. It was at Opposition on the 9th, and is still visible most of the night. It is a good telescopic object in the mid to late evening and is highest around 20:50 local time. There are some good Jovian Moon events this week. This week Jupiter is still within a finger-width of the bright star alpha Librae (Zubenelgenubi) and is visited by the Moon on the 23rd and 24th.
Mars is in Capricornius and is now rising in the late evening, although best telescopically in the morning. Mars is brightening ahead of opposition later this year and is now quite bright (although it will get brighter still) and readily recognisable in the late evening. In a telescope you may see few features as a huge dust storm is sweeping the planet.
Saturn is climbing higher the evening sky, and is now a good telescopic object in the mid to late evening sky. It is at opposition, when Saturn is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on the 27th. It is within binocular range of several attractive clusters and nebula. It is close to the bright globular cluster M22 and the pair are visible in binoculars and wide field telescope eyepieces.
Vesta is now bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye from dark sky sites. It was at opposition on the 20th, when it was magnitude 5.3, and this week should be around magnitude 5.4 and could possibly be visible from suburban sites. It is also easily seen in binoculars. It is travelling near the open cluster M23. It is brighter than most of the starsnearby, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta forms a straight line with Saturn and Polis (Mu Sagittarii) at this time and is not far from the iconic Trifid nebula. Printable spotters charts are here.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEST, Western sky at 10 pm AEST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch.
Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
The Sky This Week - Thursday June 14 to Thursday June 21
The First Quarter Moon is Wednesday, June 20. Venus is high in the
early evening sky and forms a shallow triangle with the bright stars Pollux and Castor. On the 16th the thin crescent Moon form a triangle with Venus and Pollux. On the 20th Venus is close to the unaided eye Beehive cluster. Jupiter is past
opposition, but is still big and bright in telescopes. Jupiter is still close
to the
bright star alpha Librae all this week. Mars and Saturn are visible in the late evening
skies. Asteroid Vesta is closest to open cluster M23 this week and at opposition on the 20th, when it is potentially visible to the unaided eye. Mercury returns to the evening skies.
The First Quarter Moon is Wednesday, June 20. The Moon is at perigee, when it is closest to Earth, on Friday 15 June. Earth is at Solstice, when the day is shortest, on the 21st.
Evening twilight sky on Saturday June 16 looking west as seen from
Adelaide
at 18:11 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Venus forms a triangle with the crescent Moon and the star Pollux in Gemini. The inset shows a simulated telescopic
view of Venus.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Venus is now visible in the early evening until well after full dark. Venus is visible to the unaided eye from sunset, easy to see 30-60 minutes after sunset and can viewed well after 90 minutes after sunset.During the week Venus heads towards the iconic Beehive cluster in Cancer.
Evening
sky on Saturday June 16 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 18:41 ACST (90 minutes after sunset). Jupiter is well above the horizon, close to the
bright star alpha Librae. Saturn is just rising.
The inset is a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons at 21:57 ACST, on the 17th with Europa passing across the face of Jupiter. Europa's shadow follows around an hour later.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).
Evening
sky on Saturday June 9 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 21:00 ACST. Saturn is high above the horizon and Mars is
clearly visible. The Asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars (and may be visible to the unaided eye) near Saturn. The
inset is a simulated telescopic view of Saturn and its
moons.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Simulated binocular view of the region near Saturn showing the open clusters M24, M23
and Vesta on Saturday June 9 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 21:00 ACST.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Vesta is now bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye from dark sky sites. It is also easily seen in binoculars. It is near the open cluster M23 just over from the iconic and easily recognisable trifid nebula. It is brighter than most of the stars in the cluster, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta forms a straight line with Saturn and Polis (Mu Sagittarii) at this time.
Evening
sky on Thursday June 21 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 17:40 ACST (30 minutes after Sunset). Mercury is just above the horizon below Venus.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (30 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Venus is readily visible above the horizon in the early evening. It is bright enough to be visible from just on sunset and easy to see 90 minutes after sunset at full dark, when it is over two hand-spans above the horizon. Especially if you have a flat, unobstructed horizon. On the 16th Venus forms a triangle with the crescent Moon and the star Pollux in Gemini.Venus then heads towards the iconic open cluster the Beehive and just skims the edge of the cluster on the 20th. This is best viewed in binoculars, and the brightness of Venus will make it hard to see the beehive with the unaided eye.
Mercury is returns to the evening skies late this week. By the end of the week it is visible if you have a flat, level horizon, close to Pollux and below Venus.
Jupiter is rising in the early evening. It was at Opposition on the 9th, and is still visible most of the night. It is a good telescopic object in the mid to late evening and is highest around 21:30 local time. There are some good Jovian Moon events this week. This week Jupiter is still within a finger-width of the bright star alpha Librae (Zubenelgenubi).
Mars is in Capricornius and is now rising in the late evening, although best telescopically in the morning. Mars is brightening ahead of opposition later this year and is now quite bright (although it will get brighter still) and readily recognisable in the late evening. In a telescope you may see few features as a huge dust storm is sweeping the planet.
Saturn is climbing higher the evening sky, and is now a worthwhile telescopic object in the late evening sky. It is within binocular range of several attractive clusters and nebula. It is close to the bright globular cluster M22 and the pair are visible in binoculars and wide field telescope eyepieces.
Vesta is now bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye from dark sky sites. It will be at opposition on the 20th, when it will be magnitude 5.3, and could possibly be visible from suburban sites. It is also easily seen in binoculars. It is travelling near the open cluster M23. It is brighter than most of the stars in the cluster, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta forms a straight line with Saturn and Polis (Mu Sagittarii) at this time and is not far from the iconic Trifid nebula. Printable spotters charts are here.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEST, Western sky at 10 pm AEST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch.
Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/
The First Quarter Moon is Wednesday, June 20. The Moon is at perigee, when it is closest to Earth, on Friday 15 June. Earth is at Solstice, when the day is shortest, on the 21st.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Venus is now visible in the early evening until well after full dark. Venus is visible to the unaided eye from sunset, easy to see 30-60 minutes after sunset and can viewed well after 90 minutes after sunset.During the week Venus heads towards the iconic Beehive cluster in Cancer.
The inset is a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons at 21:57 ACST, on the 17th with Europa passing across the face of Jupiter. Europa's shadow follows around an hour later.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Vesta is now bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye from dark sky sites. It is also easily seen in binoculars. It is near the open cluster M23 just over from the iconic and easily recognisable trifid nebula. It is brighter than most of the stars in the cluster, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta forms a straight line with Saturn and Polis (Mu Sagittarii) at this time.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (30 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Venus is readily visible above the horizon in the early evening. It is bright enough to be visible from just on sunset and easy to see 90 minutes after sunset at full dark, when it is over two hand-spans above the horizon. Especially if you have a flat, unobstructed horizon. On the 16th Venus forms a triangle with the crescent Moon and the star Pollux in Gemini.Venus then heads towards the iconic open cluster the Beehive and just skims the edge of the cluster on the 20th. This is best viewed in binoculars, and the brightness of Venus will make it hard to see the beehive with the unaided eye.
Mercury is returns to the evening skies late this week. By the end of the week it is visible if you have a flat, level horizon, close to Pollux and below Venus.
Jupiter is rising in the early evening. It was at Opposition on the 9th, and is still visible most of the night. It is a good telescopic object in the mid to late evening and is highest around 21:30 local time. There are some good Jovian Moon events this week. This week Jupiter is still within a finger-width of the bright star alpha Librae (Zubenelgenubi).
Mars is in Capricornius and is now rising in the late evening, although best telescopically in the morning. Mars is brightening ahead of opposition later this year and is now quite bright (although it will get brighter still) and readily recognisable in the late evening. In a telescope you may see few features as a huge dust storm is sweeping the planet.
Saturn is climbing higher the evening sky, and is now a worthwhile telescopic object in the late evening sky. It is within binocular range of several attractive clusters and nebula. It is close to the bright globular cluster M22 and the pair are visible in binoculars and wide field telescope eyepieces.
Vesta is now bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye from dark sky sites. It will be at opposition on the 20th, when it will be magnitude 5.3, and could possibly be visible from suburban sites. It is also easily seen in binoculars. It is travelling near the open cluster M23. It is brighter than most of the stars in the cluster, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move. Vesta forms a straight line with Saturn and Polis (Mu Sagittarii) at this time and is not far from the iconic Trifid nebula. Printable spotters charts are here.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEST, Western sky at 10 pm AEST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch.
Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/
Labels: weekly sky
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