Astroblog

The Full Moon is Friday December 5. This is a perigee ("super") Full Moon. Saturn is high in the north-western sky. Jupiter is visible in the morning sky near the bright star Pollux. Jupiter is rising before midnight and is close to the waning moon on the 7th. Jupiter is still best in the morning.

The Full Moon is Friday December 5. This is a perigee ("super") Full Moon. The Moon is at Perigee, when it is closest to the Earth, on the 4th.

Northern twilight sky on the morning of Monday, December 8 as seen from Adelaide at 04:51 ACDST (60 minutes before sunrise, click to embiggen).

Jupiter is passing through Gemini and is near the bright star Pollux. Jupiter forms a slightly battered line with the bright stars Castor, Pollux and Procyon. The waning Moon joins the lineup below Jupiter.

The inset is the telescopic view Jupiter at this time. 

 

 

 

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).  

 

Eastern sky on the evening of Friday December 5 as seen from Adelaide at 22:03 ACDST  as the Full Moon is rising. Exact full Moon is 9:44 ACDST (daytime), exact Perigee is on the 4th 21:37 ACDST -12h from full.

 

A full Moon at perigee has been called a "Super Moon", this is not an astronomical term (the astronomical term is perigee syzygy, but that doesn't trip off the tongue so nicely), but an astrological one first coined in 1979 (see here).

The differences are in Full Moon size are subtle.  

It requires a keen eye and good memory to distinguish a perigee "super" Moon from more ordinary moons, the best contrast is with the apogee "mini" moon of April 13.

Still, it is a good excuse to get people out and looking at the Moon, which will be beautiful . Make sure you are not fooled by the Moon Illusion. 
 

The inset shows the telescopic view at this time. 

 

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time.

 

North-western sky on Saturday, December 6   as seen from Adelaide at 22:04 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).  Saturn is west of due north. 

 

The inset shows the telescopic view of Saturn at this time.  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset).

Eastern sky on Sunday, December 7  as seen from Adelaide at 23:52 ACDST.  Jupiter is rising and is near the waning Moon.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time. 

Whole sky on Saturday, December 6   as seen from Adelaide at 22:04 ACDST, 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).

Saturn is in the northwest.

 

Bright Canopus and Sirius are rising, along with Orion. The galactic core is setting in the western sky.

 

The Southern Cross is low in the Southern sky.  The moon is waxing and the fainter clusters and nebula are becoming harder to see.    

 

 

 

   

Elsewhere in Australia will see a similar view at the equivalent time (90 minutes after sunset).

Labels: weekly sky

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 7:32 am 0 comments

Moon:

Northern morning sky on Sunday, December 14 as seen from Adelaide at 03:13 ACDST, when the Geminid meter shower is at it's highest.

 

Jupiter and the bright stars Pollux and Castor form a line. The Geminid meteor shower radiant is approximately below Castor and is marked with a star burst.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time.

Meteor Shower:
Geminids December the 14th contends with a last Quarter moon.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset). 

Stars:

 In the Southern sky the dwarf galaxies, the Magellanic clouds, are rising. The Large Magellanic cloud will be in an excellent viewing position in the late evening.  The Large Magellanic cloud and the Tarantula nebula are magnificent objects.

If you look due South after astronomical twilight (and hour and a half after sunset) in a dark sky location you will see what looks like two wispy clouds but unlike clouds they don’t move, these are the Magellanic clouds, the dwarf companion galaxies to ours. The largest of the wisps, to the left of due south is the large Magellanic cloud. The Large Magellanic cloud lies at an approximate distance of 163,000 light years from us. The LMC has a prominent bar in its central region, which indicates that it may have previously been a barred spiral galaxy.

A line through Sirius and Canopus carried on will piece the heart of the LMC. Within the hazy disk of the LMC is a fuzzy star, this is the tarantula nebula. While it is not much to the unaided eye, and a mere fuzzy patch in binoculars, in a telescope it is outstanding. It is the most active star-forming region in the 30-odd galaxies including the Milky Way that make up the Local Group In a telescope you can see the spidery appearance for which it is named, a dozen or so incredibly hot massive stars at the centre of long tendrils of hot gas (why not octopus?).

There are also multiple open clusters and nebula and a globular cluster to explore with binoculars, so you can spend quite a bit of time on the LMC alone. In a telescope they are even better. Just south of the Tarantula nebula is a complex of clusters that repays exploration.

As well, the skies feature Orion the Hunter striding across the sky, The distinctive V shape of the Taurus the bull, and the beautiful Pleiades cluster. For us in the southern hemisphere the Pleaides are almost due moth at astronomical twilight. Try counting how many stars you see. Another name for the Pleiades is the seven sisters, can you see seven stars? 

The Southern Pleiades, a group of stars clustered around the star theta carina, is now readily visible two hand-spans above the southern cross. 

The Christmas holiday season will be a fantastic time to explore our skies.

Labels: Monthly sky, unaideed eye

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 11:25 pm 0 comments

The First Quarter Moon is Friday November 28. The Lunar X is visible on the 27th. Saturn is high in the north-western sky and is close to the waxing moon on the 28th. Jupiter is visible in the morning sky near the bright star Pollux. Jupiter is rising before midnight but is still best in the morning.

The First Quarter Moon is Friday November 28. The Lunar X is visible on the 27th.The Moon is at Perigee, when it is closest to the Earth, on the 4th.

Northern twilight sky on the morning of Saturday, November 29 as seen from Adelaide at 04:51 ACDST (60 minutes before sunrise, click to embiggen).

Jupiter is passing through Gemini and is near the bright star Pollux. Jupiter forms a slightly battered line with the bright stars Castor, Pollux and Procyon. 

The inset is the telescopic view Jupiter at this time. 

 

 

 

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).  

Western sky on the evening of Thursday, November 27 as seen from Adelaide at 21:15 ACDST (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

The Lunar X and V are visible on the nearly first Quarter Moon (see telescopic view inset) 

   

 

 

 Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset). 

North-western sky on Saturday, November 29  as seen from Adelaide at 21:56 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).  Saturn is slightly west of due north. The waxing Moon is near Saturn.

 

The inset shows the telescopic view of Saturn at this time.  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset).

Eastern sky on Saturday, November 29  as seen from Adelaide at 23:56 ACDST.  Jupiter is rising.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time.

 

Whole sky on Saturday, November 29 as seen from Adelaide at 21:56 ACDST, 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).

Saturn is in the northwest near the waxing Moon.

 

Bright Canopus and Sirius are rising, along with Orion. The galactic core is setting in the western sky.

 

The Southern Cross is low in the Southern sky.  The moon is waxing and the fainter clusters and nebula are becoming harder to see.    

 

 

 

   

Elsewhere in Australia will see a similar view at the equivalent time (90 minutes after sunset).

Labels: weekly sky

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 11:39 pm 0 comments

The New Moon is Thursday November 20.  Mercury is lost in the twilight. Mars is near the thin crescent moon on the 21st deep in the twilight. Saturn is high in the north-western sky. Jupiter is visible in the morning sky near the bright star Pollux. Jupiter is rising before midnight but is still best in the morning.

The New Moon is Thursday November 20. The Moon is at apogee, when it is furthest from the earth, on the 20th.

Northern twilight sky on the morning of Saturday, November 22 as seen from Adelaide at 04:55 ACDST (60 minutes before sunrise, click to embiggen).

Jupiter is passing through Gemini and is near the bright star Pollux. Jupiter forms a slightly battered line with the bright stars Castor, Pollux and Procyon. 

The inset is the telescopic view Jupiter at this time. 

 

 

 

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).  

 

Western sky on the evening of Friday, November 21 as seen from Adelaide at 20:33 ACDST (30 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

The thin crescent Moon is close to Mars low in the twilight, you will need binoculars to see Mars.

   

 

 

 Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (30 minutes after sunset). 

North-western sky on Saturday, November 22  as seen from Adelaide at 21:47 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).  Saturn is slightly west of due north

 

The inset shows the telescopic view of Saturn at this time.  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset).

 

Whole sky on Saturday, November 22 as seen from Adelaide at 21:47 ACDST, 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).

Saturn is in the northwest

 

Bright Canopus and Sirius are rising, along with Orion. The galactic core is setting in the western sky.

 

The Southern Cross is low in the Southern sky.  The moon is just past new and the fainter clusters and nebula are easy to see.    

 

 

   

Elsewhere in Australia will see a similar view at the equivalent time (90 minutes after sunset).

Labels: weekly sky

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 9:15 pm 0 comments

The New Moon is Thursday November 20.  Mercury meets Mars deep in the twilight on the 13th.  Then Mercury is lost in the twilight. Saturn is high in the northern sky. Jupiter is visible in the morning sky near the bright star Pollux. Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemon) may be visible in binoculars.

The New Moon is Thursday November 20. The Moon is at apogee, when it is furthest from the earth, on the 20th.

Northern twilight sky on the morning of Saturday, November 15 as seen from Adelaide at 05:04 ACDST (60 minutes before sunrise, click to embiggen).

Jupiter is passing through Gemini and is near the bright star Pollux. Jupiter forms a slightly battered line with the bright stars Castor, Pollux and Procyon. 

The inset is the telescopic view Jupiter at this time. 

 

 

 

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).  

 

Western sky on the evening of Thursday, November 13 as seen from Adelaide at 20:53 ACDST (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

Mercury is close to Mars is low in the twilight, you may need binoculars to see them.

It is possible comet C/2025 A6 (lemon) may be visible in binoculars.    

   

 

 

 Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset).

Western sky on the evening of Saturday, November 15 as seen from Adelaide at 21:01 ACDST (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

Mercury is lost in the twilight. Mars is in the head of the Scorpion just above the horizon.

It is possible comet C/2025 A6 (lemon) may be visible in binoculars not far from eta Ophiuchus.  

     

  

 

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset).

 

Northern sky on Saturday, November 15  as seen from Adelaide at 21:37 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).  Saturn is almost due north

 

The inset shows the telescopic view of Saturn at this time.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset).

 

Whole sky on Saturday, November 15 as seen from Adelaide at 21:37 ACDST, 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).

Saturn is in the north

 

Bright Achernar is rising from the Southern horizon. Scorpius is setting in the west and the galactic core is in the western sky.

 

The Southern Cross is low in the Southern sky.  The moon is waning and the fainter clusters and nebula are becoming easier to see.    

 

 

   

Elsewhere in Australia will see a similar view at the equivalent time (90 minutes after sunset).

Labels: weekly sky

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 11:03 pm 0 comments

The Last Quarter Moon is Wednesday November 12.  Mercury is not far from the bright star Antares, then falls back towards the horizon and meets Mars deep in the twilight on the 13th.  Saturn is high in the northern sky. Jupiter is visible in the morning sky near the bright star Pollux and is close to the waning moon on the 11th. 

The Last Quarter Moon is Wednesday November 12. 

Northern twilight sky on the morning of Tuesday, November 11 as seen from Adelaide at 05:04 ACDST (60 minutes before sunrise, click to embiggen).

Jupiter is passing through Gemini and is near the bright star Pollux. Jupiter forms a slightly battered line with the bright stars Castor, Pollux and Procyon. The waning Moon is close to Jupiter at this time.

The inset is the telescopic view Jupiter at this time. 

 

 

 

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise). 

 

Northern sky on Saturday, November 8  as seen from Adelaide at 21:28 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).  Saturn is almost due north

 

The inset shows the telescopic view of Saturn at this time.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset). 

 

Western sky on the evening of Saturday, November 8 as seen from Adelaide at 20:53 ACDST (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

Mercury is below bright Antares. Mars is in the head of the Scorpion near delta Scorpii.

It is possible comet C/2025 A6 (lemon) may be visible in binoculars not far from Antares.  

     

 

 

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset).

 

Western sky on the evening of Thursday, November 13 as seen from Adelaide at 20:55 ACDST (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

Mercury is close to Mars is low in the twilight, you may need binoculars to see them.

It is possible comet C/2025 A6 (lemon) may be visible in binoculars.    

   

 

 

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset).

 

Whole sky on Saturday, November 8 as seen from Adelaide at 21:28 ACDST, 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).

Saturn is in the north

 

Bright Achernar is rising from the Southern horizon. Scorpius is setting in the west and the galactic core is in the western sky.

 

The Southern Cross is low in the Southern sky.  The moon is waning and the fainter clusters and nebula are becoming easier to see.    

 

 

   

Elsewhere in Australia will see a similar view at the equivalent time (90 minutes after sunset).

Labels: weekly sky

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 12:20 am 0 comments

The First Quarter Moon is Thursday October 30. The Full Moon is Wednesday November 5.  This a perigee ("super") Full Moon. Mercury is rising in the evening twilight and is close to delta Scorpii on the 1st and 2nd.  Saturn is past opposition, and is close to the waxing moon on the 2nd. Jupiter is visible in the morning sky near the bright star Pollux. Comet C/2025 R2 (Swan) is visible in binoculars in Aquarius. 

The First Quarter Moon is Thursday October 30. The Full Moon is Wednesday November 5.  This a perigee ("super") Full Moon. Perigee is November 6.

North-eastern twilight sky on the morning of Saturday, November 1 as seen from Adelaide at 05:15 ACDST (60 minutes before sunrise, click to embiggen).

Jupiter is passing through Gemini and is near the bright star Pollux. Jupiter forms a slightly battered line with the bright stars Castor, Pollux and Procyon.

The inset is the telescopic view Jupiter at this time. 

 

 

 

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise). 

 

North-western sky on Sunday, November 2  as seen from Adelaide at 21:20 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).  Saturn is close to the waxing Moon.  Comet C/2025 R2 (Swan) is near alpha Aquairii (Sadalmelik). 

 

The insets shows the telescopic view of Saturn and the binocular view of the comet at this time.  

 

Comet C/2025 R2 (Swan) is around magnitude 6 (binoculars only), but it is well placed near some very bright guide stars. It will will start to fade and the waxing moon will make it harder to see.

 

More information and printable charts here. https://astroblogger.blogspot.com/2025/10/comet-c2025-r2-swan-is-now-at-its.html

 

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset). 

 

Western sky on the evening of Saturday, November 1 as seen from Adelaide at 20:45 ACDST (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

Mercury is is close to delta Scorpii  and is easily seen in the late twilight. Mars is below.

  

   

 

 

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset).

 

Northern sky on the evening of Wednesday November 5 as seen from Adelaide at 23:49 ACDST  at the moment of Full Moon. Exact Perigee is on the 6th 09:30 ACDST +9h from full.

 

A full Moon at perigee has been called a "Super Moon", this is not an astronomical term (the astronomical term is perigee syzygy, but that doesn't trip off the tongue so nicely), but an astrological one first coined in 1979 (see here).

The differences are in Full Moon size are subtle.  

It requires a keen eye and good memory to distinguish a perigee "super" Moon from more ordinary moons, the best contrast is with the apogee "mini" moon of April 13.

Still, it is a good excuse to get people out and looking at the Moon, which will be beautiful . Make sure you are not fooled by the Moon Illusion. 
 

The inset shows the telescopic view at this time. 

 

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time. 

Whole sky on Saturday, Saturday, November 1 as seen from Adelaide at 21:19 ACDST, 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).

Mercury is in the north-west. Saturn is in the north

 

Bright Achernar is rising from the Southern horizon. Scorpius is setting in the west and the galactic core is in th western sky.

 

The Southern Cross is sinking in the Southern sky.  The moon is waxing and the fainter clusters and nebula are becoming harder to see.    

 

 

   

Elsewhere in Australia will see a similar view at the equivalent time (90 minutes after sunset).

Labels: weekly sky

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 9:50 pm 0 comments