Thursday, May 31, 2018
[Aurora Alert] Geomagnetic warning and Aurora Watch (1-3 June)
The SWS has issued a geomagnetic warning and aurora watch for 1-3 June (UT) due
to ongoing solar wind streams from a coronal hole. This anytime the UT day on
the 1st, with activity possibly extending out to the 3rd. The SWS predicts
active conditions with the possibility of outbreaks of minor storms. The Space Weather Prediction Service predicts G1 storms will occur between 7am and 4 pm on the 2nd (ie during
daylight), however they may arrive earlier or later.
If these geomagnetic events occur and result in aurora they could be seen from Tasmania weather permitting. The Moon is waxing to full and will significantly interfere with seeing aurora. Be patient, as the activity may rise and fall of the magnetic polarity of the wind may fluctuate significantly.
This event is unlikely to be spectacular, but still worth a look as viewing conditions are good.
Dark sky sites have the best chance of seeing anything, and always allow around 5 minutes for your eyes to become dark adapted.
As always look to the south for shifting red/green glows, beams have been reported consistently over the last few aurora, as well as bright proton arcs and "picket fences". A double arc, blobs, and curtains were seen in Septembers aurora last despite the moonlight.
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds http://satview.bom.gov.au/
Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
A new aurora camera is being installed at Campania, Tasmania. A live feed of the images from this camera is still not available.
SUBJ: SWS GEOMAGNETIC DISTURBANCE WARNING 18/11
ISSUED AT 0005UT/30 MAY 2018
BY THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE FORECAST CENTRE.
On 1 June geomagnetic activity is expected to increase to Active
and Minor Storm levels due to arrival of the corotating interaction
region and high-speed solar wind streams associated with the
recurrent trans-equatorial coronal hole.
INCREASED GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY EXPECTED
DUE TO CORONAL HOLE HIGH SPEED WIND STREAM
FOR 01 JUNE 2018
_____________________________________________________________
GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY FORECAST
01 Jun: Active
_____________________________________________________________
SUBJ: SWS AURORA WATCH
ISSUED AT 2347 UT ON 30 May 2018 by Space Weather Services
FROM THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE FORECAST CENTRE
A coronal hole is rotating into a geoeffective position that is
favourable for possible Auroral activity. There is an increased chance
of Auroral activity between 1 June and 3 June. Warnings and/or alerts
will follow if significant geomagnetic activity actually occurs.
Visit the SWS Aurora webpage http://www.sws.bom.gov.au/Aurora for current
aurora viewing conditions.
Our Aurora forecasting tool, located at
http://www.sws.bom.gov.au/Aurora/3/1, may help to estimate regions
from where aurora would be visible.
If these geomagnetic events occur and result in aurora they could be seen from Tasmania weather permitting. The Moon is waxing to full and will significantly interfere with seeing aurora. Be patient, as the activity may rise and fall of the magnetic polarity of the wind may fluctuate significantly.
This event is unlikely to be spectacular, but still worth a look as viewing conditions are good.
Dark sky sites have the best chance of seeing anything, and always allow around 5 minutes for your eyes to become dark adapted.
As always look to the south for shifting red/green glows, beams have been reported consistently over the last few aurora, as well as bright proton arcs and "picket fences". A double arc, blobs, and curtains were seen in Septembers aurora last despite the moonlight.
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds http://satview.bom.gov.au/
Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
A new aurora camera is being installed at Campania, Tasmania. A live feed of the images from this camera is still not available.
SUBJ: SWS GEOMAGNETIC DISTURBANCE WARNING 18/11
ISSUED AT 0005UT/30 MAY 2018
BY THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE FORECAST CENTRE.
On 1 June geomagnetic activity is expected to increase to Active
and Minor Storm levels due to arrival of the corotating interaction
region and high-speed solar wind streams associated with the
recurrent trans-equatorial coronal hole.
INCREASED GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY EXPECTED
DUE TO CORONAL HOLE HIGH SPEED WIND STREAM
FOR 01 JUNE 2018
_____________________________________________________________
GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY FORECAST
01 Jun: Active
_____________________________________________________________
SUBJ: SWS AURORA WATCH
ISSUED AT 2347 UT ON 30 May 2018 by Space Weather Services
FROM THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE FORECAST CENTRE
A coronal hole is rotating into a geoeffective position that is
favourable for possible Auroral activity. There is an increased chance
of Auroral activity between 1 June and 3 June. Warnings and/or alerts
will follow if significant geomagnetic activity actually occurs.
Visit the SWS Aurora webpage http://www.sws.bom.gov.au/Aurora for current
aurora viewing conditions.
Our Aurora forecasting tool, located at
http://www.sws.bom.gov.au/Aurora/3/1, may help to estimate regions
from where aurora would be visible.
Labels: aurora
Southern Skywatch June 2018 edition is now out!
The inset to the right is a simulated telescopic view of Saturn and the globular cluster M22.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
The June edition of Southern Skywatch is now up.
This month still sees all of the bright planetary action in the evening sky. Speedy Mercury returns to the evening sky late in the month, Venus and Jupiter are prominent in the evening sky and Mars and Saturn rise higher in the evening sky.
Venus is close to the Beehive cluster on the 20th.
Jupiter is close to alpha Librae (Zubenelgenubi) at the begining of the month and the Moon on the 23rd.
Mars is becoming brighter
Saturn is close to the globular cluster M22 this month and is at opposition on the 27th.
Vesta is at opposition and potentially visible to the unaided eye on the 20th.
June 23; Moon close to Jupiter. June 1-3, June 28-30; Mars, Saturn and Moon close
June 3, June 30; Moon at Apogee. June 15 Moon at Perigee.
Labels: southern skywatch
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
The Sky This Week - Thursday May 31 to Thursday June 7
The Last Quarter Moon is Thursday, June 7. Venus is high in the
early evening sky. Jupiter is past
opposition, but is still big and bright in telescopes. Jupiter is close to the
bright star alpha Librae all this week. Venus is setting as
Jupiter is rising. Mars and Saturn are visible in the late evening
skies.
The waning Moon is close to Saturn on June 1, between Saturn and Mars on June 2 and close to Mars on June 3. Asteroid Vesta leaves M24 and heads towards M23.
The Last Quarter Moon is Thursday, June 7. The Moon is at Apogee, when it is furthest from the Earth, on June 3.
Evening twilight sky on Saturday June 2 looking west as seen from
Adelaide
at 18:11 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Venus is close to stars Castor and Pollux in Gemini. The inset shows a simulated telescopic
view of Venus.
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. Venus is visible to the unaided eye from sunset, easy to see 30-60 minutes after sunset and can viewed up to 90 minutes after sunset.
Evening
sky on Saturday June 2 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 18:42 ACST (90 minutes after sunset). Jupiter is well above the horizon, close to the
bright star alpha Librae
The inset is a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons at 18:27 ACST, on the 3rd with Europa and its shadow passing across the face of Jupiter.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).
Evening
sky on Saturday June 2 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 22:00 ACST. Saturn is high above the horizon and Mars is
clearly visible. The Asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars near Saturn. The Moon is between Saturn and Mars.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Binocular view of the region near Saturn showing the open cluster M24
and Vesta on Saturday June 2 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 22:00 ACST. Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the
equivalent local
time (click to embiggen).
Vesta is now bright enough to be easily seen in binoculars. It is travelling past the northern edge of the open cluster M24 heading towards the open cser 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.
Venus is readily visible above the horizon. It is over two hand-spans above the horizon 60 minutes after sunset. It is bright enough to be visible just after sunset and easy to see up to 60 minutes after sunset. Venus can be viewed for at least 90 minutes after sunset if you have a flat, unobstructed horizon.
Mercury is no longer visible i te twilight glow, and will return to the evening skies mid June.
Jupiter is rising in the early evening as Venus is setting. 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. There are some good Jovian Moon events this week. Over the week Jupiter is within a finger-width of the bright star alpha Librae (Zubenelgenubi).
Mars is in Capricornius and is now rising in the late evening. Mars is moving away from Saturn and brightening ahead of opposition later this year. The waning Moon is close to Mars on the 2nd and 3rd.
Saturn is climbing higher the evening sky, although telescopically it is still best in the morning 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. Saturn is close to the Moon on the1st and 2nd.
The asteroid Vesta is now bright enough to be easily seen in binoculars. It is travelling along the northern edge of the open cluster M24. It is brighter than most of the stars in the cluster, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move and be sure of its identity. Printable spotters chars 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 Thursday, June 7. The Moon is at Apogee, when it is furthest from the Earth, on June 3.
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. Venus is visible to the unaided eye from sunset, easy to see 30-60 minutes after sunset and can viewed up to 90 minutes after sunset.
The inset is a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons at 18:27 ACST, on the 3rd with Europa and its shadow passing 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 now bright enough to be easily seen in binoculars. It is travelling past the northern edge of the open cluster M24 heading towards the open cser 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.
Venus is readily visible above the horizon. It is over two hand-spans above the horizon 60 minutes after sunset. It is bright enough to be visible just after sunset and easy to see up to 60 minutes after sunset. Venus can be viewed for at least 90 minutes after sunset if you have a flat, unobstructed horizon.
Mercury is no longer visible i te twilight glow, and will return to the evening skies mid June.
Jupiter is rising in the early evening as Venus is setting. 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. There are some good Jovian Moon events this week. Over the week Jupiter is within a finger-width of the bright star alpha Librae (Zubenelgenubi).
Mars is in Capricornius and is now rising in the late evening. Mars is moving away from Saturn and brightening ahead of opposition later this year. The waning Moon is close to Mars on the 2nd and 3rd.
Saturn is climbing higher the evening sky, although telescopically it is still best in the morning 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. Saturn is close to the Moon on the1st and 2nd.
The asteroid Vesta is now bright enough to be easily seen in binoculars. It is travelling along the northern edge of the open cluster M24. It is brighter than most of the stars in the cluster, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move and be sure of its identity. Printable spotters chars 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, May 23, 2018
The Sky This Week - Thursday May 24 to Thursday May 31
The Full Moon is Wednesday, May 30. Venus is high in the
early evening sky. On
May 28 Venus is close to the brightish star Metsuba. Jupiter is past
opposition, but is still big and bright in telescopes. The Moon is close to Jupiter on the 27th and 28th. At this time Jupiter is close to the bright star alpha Librae. Venus is setting as
Jupiter is rising. Mars and Saturn are visible in the late evening
skies.
Saturn is close to the globular cluster M22. The Moon is close to Saturn on May 31. Asteroid Vesta passes M24. Mercury is low in
the morning skies.
The Full Moon is Wednesday, May 30.
Evening twilight sky on Saturday May 26 looking west as seen from
Adelaide
at 18:13 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Venus is close to the brightish star Metsuba. The inset shows a simulated telescopic
view of Venus.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Venus is now high in the late twilight. Venus is visible to the unaided eye from sunset, easy to see 30-60 minutes after sunset and can viewed up to 90 minutes after sunset.
Evening
sky on Sunday May 27 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 23:00 ACST. Jupiter is high above the horizon, Saturn and Mars are
clearly visible. the Asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars near Saturn
The inset to the left is a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons at 23:45 ACST, on the 26th with Io passing across the face of Jupiter. The inset to the right is a simulated telescopic view of Saturn and the globular cluster M22.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Binocular view of the region near Saturn showing the open cluster M24
and Vesta on Sunday May 27 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 23:00 ACST. Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the
equivalent local
time (click to embiggen).
Vesta is now bright enough to be easily seen in binoculars. It is travelling through the northern edge of the open cluster M24. It is brighter than most of the stars in the cluster, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move.
Morning
sky on Saturday May 26 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 6:44 ACST (30 minutes before sunrise). Mercury is the brightest object
closest to the eastern horizon.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (30 minutes before sunrise).
Venus is now sufficiently high in the evening twilight to be readily visible above the horizon. It is nearly two hand-spans above the horizon 60 minutes after sunset. It is bright enough to be visible just after sunset and easy to see up to 60 minutes after sunset. Venus can be viewed for at least 90 minutes after sunset if you have a flat, unobstructed horizon.
Venus s close to the brightish star Metsuba on May 28.
Mercury is rapidly heading towards the horizon. This is the last week that it is readily observable in the morning sky and is the brightest object above the eastern horizon.
Jupiter is rising in the early evening as Venus is setting. It was at Opposition on the 9th, and is still visible all night long. It is a good telescopic object in the late evening. There are some good Jovian Moon events this week. Over the week Jupiter comes closer to the bright star alpha Librae (Zubenelgenubi) and is close on the 27th and 28th, when the waxing Moon visits Jupiter.
Mars is in Sagittarius the archer and is now rising in the late evening. Mars is moving away from Saturn although the pair are still obvious. Mars is brightening ahead of opposition later this year.
Saturn is climbing higher the evening sky, although telescopically it is still best in the morning 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. Saturn is close to the Moon on May 31.
The asteroid Vesta is now bright enough to be easily seen in binoculars. It is travelling along the northern edge of the open cluster M24. It is brighter than most of the stars in the cluster, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move and be sure of its identity. Printable spotters chars 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 Wednesday, May 30.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Venus is now high in the late twilight. Venus is visible to the unaided eye from sunset, easy to see 30-60 minutes after sunset and can viewed up to 90 minutes after sunset.
The inset to the left is a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons at 23:45 ACST, on the 26th with Io passing across the face of Jupiter. The inset to the right is a simulated telescopic view of Saturn and the globular cluster M22.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Vesta is now bright enough to be easily seen in binoculars. It is travelling through the northern edge of the open cluster M24. It is brighter than most of the stars in the cluster, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (30 minutes before sunrise).
Venus is now sufficiently high in the evening twilight to be readily visible above the horizon. It is nearly two hand-spans above the horizon 60 minutes after sunset. It is bright enough to be visible just after sunset and easy to see up to 60 minutes after sunset. Venus can be viewed for at least 90 minutes after sunset if you have a flat, unobstructed horizon.
Venus s close to the brightish star Metsuba on May 28.
Mercury is rapidly heading towards the horizon. This is the last week that it is readily observable in the morning sky and is the brightest object above the eastern horizon.
Jupiter is rising in the early evening as Venus is setting. It was at Opposition on the 9th, and is still visible all night long. It is a good telescopic object in the late evening. There are some good Jovian Moon events this week. Over the week Jupiter comes closer to the bright star alpha Librae (Zubenelgenubi) and is close on the 27th and 28th, when the waxing Moon visits Jupiter.
Mars is in Sagittarius the archer and is now rising in the late evening. Mars is moving away from Saturn although the pair are still obvious. Mars is brightening ahead of opposition later this year.
Saturn is climbing higher the evening sky, although telescopically it is still best in the morning 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. Saturn is close to the Moon on May 31.
The asteroid Vesta is now bright enough to be easily seen in binoculars. It is travelling along the northern edge of the open cluster M24. It is brighter than most of the stars in the cluster, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move and be sure of its identity. Printable spotters chars 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, May 17, 2018
Seeing Vesta near M24 (May 2018)
 |  |
| Evening sky on Thursday May 17 looking east as seen from Adelaide at 22:00 ACST. Saturn and Mars are clearly visible above the horizon. The Asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars to the left (north) of Saturn. 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 cluster M24 and Vesta on Thursday May 17 looking east as seen from Adelaide at 22:00 ACST. Vest will be close to M24 for around a week. Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen). |
The asteroid 4 Vesta is now easily visible in binoculars, and is just under unaided eye visibility. It is brightening towards its opposition on 19 June, when it will be a potentially unaided eye object at magnitude 5.3.
Now in Sagittarius, it is skimming along side the open cluster M24. This will look particularly nice in binoculars and wide field telescopes.
Locate Saturn in binoculars and sweep left (north) until you reach an obvious open cluster (M24). Vesta is brighter than most of the stars in the cluster, and starts at the bottom of the cluster, then moves up over subsequent days.
You may need to watch over several nights to watch it move and confirm its identity. Towards the end of the month the waxing Moon will make the asteroid harder to see.
Labels: 4 Vesta, asteroids, binoculars
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
The Sky This Week - Thursday May 17 to Thursday May 24
The First Quarter Moon is Tuesday, May 22. Venus is high in the
twilight and is visited by the crescent Moon on the 17th and 18th. On May 21 Venus is close to the bright cluster M35. Jupiter is just past
opposition, but is still big and bright in telescopes. Venus is setting
as
Jupiter is rising. Mars and Saturn are visible in the late evening
skies.
Saturn is close to the globular cluster M22. Asteroid Vesta passes through M24. Mercury is
still prominent in
the morning skies.
The First Quarter Moon is Tuesday, May 22. The Moon is at Perigee, when it is closest to the Earth, on the 18th.
Evening twilight sky on Friday May 18 looking west as seen from
Adelaide
at 18:16 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Venus is below the the crescent Moon.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Venus is now high in the twilight. Venus is visible to the unaided eye from 10 minutes after sunset, easy to see 30-60 minutes after sunset and can potentially be viewed 90 minutes after sunset.
Evening
sky on Saturday May 19 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 23:00 ACST. Jupiter is high above the horizon, Saturn and Mars are
clearly visible. the Asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars near Saturn
The inset to the left is a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons at 23:00 ACST, on the 20th with Io and its shadow passing across the face of Jupiter. The inset to the right is a simulated telescopic view of Saturn and the globular cluster M22.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Binocular view of the region near Saturn showing the open cluster M24 and Vesta on Saturday May 19 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 23:00 ACST. Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local
time (click to embiggen).
Vesta is now bright enough to be easily seen in binoculars. It is travelling through the southern edge of the open cluster M24. It is brighter than most of the stars in the cluster, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move.
Morning
sky on Saturday May 19 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 6:08 ACST (60 minutes before sunrise). Mercury is the brightest object
closest to the eastern horizon. The inset shows a simulated telescopic
view of Mercury.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).
Venus is now sufficiently high in the evening twilight to be readily visible above the horizon. It is one and a half hand-spans above the horizon 60 minutes after sunset. It is bright enough to be visible 10 minutes after sunset and easy to see up to 60 minutes after sunset. Venus can potentially be viewed 90 minuets after sunset if you have a flat, unobstructed horizon.
Venus is visited by the crescent Moon on the 17th and 18th. It then approaches the bright open cluster M35, best viewed with binoculars at this time, Venus is closest to the cluster on the 21st, but its brightness may wash out the dimmer stars of the cluster.
Mercury is still prominent the morning sky, although it is now heading towards the horizon. It is still in an good position for observation and is the brightest object above the eastern horizon. Mercury is still high enough for telescope observation. In even a small telescope the "gibbous moon" shape of Mercury will be visible.
Jupiter is rising in the early evening as Venus is setting. It was at Opposition on the 9th, and is still visible all night long. It is a good telescopic object in the late evening. There are some good Jovian Moon events this week. Over the week Jupiter comes closer to the bright star alpha Librae (Zubenelgenubi)
Mars is in Sagittarius the archer and is now rising in the late evening. Mars is moving away from Saturn although the pair are still obvious. Mars is brightening ahead of opposition later this year.
Saturn is climbing higher the evening sky, although telescopically it is still best in the morning 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.
The asteroid Vesta is now bright enough to be easily seen in binoculars. It is travelling through the southern edge of the open cluster M24. It is brighter than most of the stars in the cluster, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move and be sure of its identity.
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 Tuesday, May 22. The Moon is at Perigee, when it is closest to the Earth, on the 18th.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Venus is now high in the twilight. Venus is visible to the unaided eye from 10 minutes after sunset, easy to see 30-60 minutes after sunset and can potentially be viewed 90 minutes after sunset.
The inset to the left is a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons at 23:00 ACST, on the 20th with Io and its shadow passing across the face of Jupiter. The inset to the right is a simulated telescopic view of Saturn and the globular cluster M22.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Vesta is now bright enough to be easily seen in binoculars. It is travelling through the southern edge of the open cluster M24. It is brighter than most of the stars in the cluster, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).
Venus is now sufficiently high in the evening twilight to be readily visible above the horizon. It is one and a half hand-spans above the horizon 60 minutes after sunset. It is bright enough to be visible 10 minutes after sunset and easy to see up to 60 minutes after sunset. Venus can potentially be viewed 90 minuets after sunset if you have a flat, unobstructed horizon.
Venus is visited by the crescent Moon on the 17th and 18th. It then approaches the bright open cluster M35, best viewed with binoculars at this time, Venus is closest to the cluster on the 21st, but its brightness may wash out the dimmer stars of the cluster.
Mercury is still prominent the morning sky, although it is now heading towards the horizon. It is still in an good position for observation and is the brightest object above the eastern horizon. Mercury is still high enough for telescope observation. In even a small telescope the "gibbous moon" shape of Mercury will be visible.
Jupiter is rising in the early evening as Venus is setting. It was at Opposition on the 9th, and is still visible all night long. It is a good telescopic object in the late evening. There are some good Jovian Moon events this week. Over the week Jupiter comes closer to the bright star alpha Librae (Zubenelgenubi)
Mars is in Sagittarius the archer and is now rising in the late evening. Mars is moving away from Saturn although the pair are still obvious. Mars is brightening ahead of opposition later this year.
Saturn is climbing higher the evening sky, although telescopically it is still best in the morning 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.
The asteroid Vesta is now bright enough to be easily seen in binoculars. It is travelling through the southern edge of the open cluster M24. It is brighter than most of the stars in the cluster, but you may need to watch over several nights to watch it move and be sure of its identity.
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, May 09, 2018
The Sky This Week - Thursday May10 to Thursday May 17
The New Moon is Tuesday, May 15. Venus is high in the
twilight and passes between the horns of Taurus the bull on the 14th and is visited by the crescent Moon on the 17th. Jupiter is just past opposition, but is still big and bright in telescopes. Venus is setting as
Jupiter is rising. Mars and Saturn are visible in the late evening
skies.
Saturn is closest to the globular cluster M2 on the 15th. Mercury is prominent in
the morning skies and is visited by the crescent Moon on the 14th.
The New Moon is Tuesday, May 15.
Evening twilight sky on Thursday May 17 looking west as seen from
Adelaide
at 18:17 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Venus is to the right of the the bthin crescent Moon.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (45 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Venus is rising still higher in the twilight. Venus is visible to the unaided eye from 10 minutes after sunset, easy to see 30 minutes after sunset and can potentially be viewed later than an hour after sunset.
Evening
sky on Saturday May 12 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 23:00 ACST. Jupiter is high above the horizon, Saturn and Mars are
clearly visible and the waning Moon is between Mars and Saturn.
The inset to the left is a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons at 2:00 ACST, with Io about to enter eclipse by Jupiter. The inset to the right is a simulated telescopic view of Saturn and the globular cluster M22.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Morning
sky on Monday May 14 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 6:04 ACST (60 minutes before sunrise). Mercury is the brightest object
closest to the eastern horizon and the thin crescnt Mon is close by. The inset shows a simulated telescopic
view of Mercury.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).
Venus is now sufficiently high in the evening twilight to be readily visible above the horizon if there are not too many trees or buildings in the way. It is now one and a half hand-spans above the horizon 30 minutes after sunset. It is bright enough to be visible 10 minutes after sunset and easy to see 30 minutes after sunset. Venus can potentially be viewed after an hour after sunset if you have a flat, unobstructed horizon.
Venus passes between the horns of Taurus the bull on the 14th and is visited by the crescent Moon on the 17th.
Mercury is prominent the morning sky, and now is in an excellent position for observation and is the brightest object above the eastern horizon. Mercury is now high enough for telescope observation. In even a small telescope the "half moon" shape of Mercury will be visible. On the 14th Mercury is close to the thin crescent Moon.
Jupiter is rising in the early evening as Venus is setting. It was at Opposition on the 9th, it is visible all night long and is a good telescopic object in the late evening. There are some good Jovian Moon events this week.
Mars is in Sagittarius the archer and is now rising in the late evening. Mars is moving away from Saturn although the pair are still obvious together. Mars is brightening ahead of opposition later this year.
Saturn is climbing higher the evening sky, although telescopically it is still best in the morning 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. Saturn is closest to the globular cluster M2 on the 15th.
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 Tuesday, May 15.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (45 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Venus is rising still higher in the twilight. Venus is visible to the unaided eye from 10 minutes after sunset, easy to see 30 minutes after sunset and can potentially be viewed later than an hour after sunset.
The inset to the left is a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons at 2:00 ACST, with Io about to enter eclipse by Jupiter. The inset to the right is a simulated telescopic view of Saturn and the globular cluster M22.
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 (60 minutes before sunrise).
Venus is now sufficiently high in the evening twilight to be readily visible above the horizon if there are not too many trees or buildings in the way. It is now one and a half hand-spans above the horizon 30 minutes after sunset. It is bright enough to be visible 10 minutes after sunset and easy to see 30 minutes after sunset. Venus can potentially be viewed after an hour after sunset if you have a flat, unobstructed horizon.
Venus passes between the horns of Taurus the bull on the 14th and is visited by the crescent Moon on the 17th.
Mercury is prominent the morning sky, and now is in an excellent position for observation and is the brightest object above the eastern horizon. Mercury is now high enough for telescope observation. In even a small telescope the "half moon" shape of Mercury will be visible. On the 14th Mercury is close to the thin crescent Moon.
Jupiter is rising in the early evening as Venus is setting. It was at Opposition on the 9th, it is visible all night long and is a good telescopic object in the late evening. There are some good Jovian Moon events this week.
Mars is in Sagittarius the archer and is now rising in the late evening. Mars is moving away from Saturn although the pair are still obvious together. Mars is brightening ahead of opposition later this year.
Saturn is climbing higher the evening sky, although telescopically it is still best in the morning 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. Saturn is closest to the globular cluster M2 on the 15th.
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
Monday, May 07, 2018
eta Aquarid Meteor Shower 7-9 May, 2018
The eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks on the morning of 7 May in Australia, although better rates will be seen on the mornings of the 8th and 9th. as the Moon wanes.
The eta Aquariids meteor shower, the debris from Halleys comet, will peak on May 6-7 UT , which is May 7-8 in Australia. However, the best rates will be seen from Australia on the mornings of the 8th and 9th.
This year conditions are less than perfect for seeing the eta Aquarids, with the Moon heading towards last quarter and near the radiant. People in the suburbs should see a meteor around once every 6 minutes, and in the country about once every 3 minutes. The radiant of the shower is about five hand-spans up from the eastern horizon, and three hand-spans to the left of due east at 4 am (see spotter chart at 4 am above).
You may have read that this year the eta Aquariids have a predicted ZHR of 50 meteors. The figure ZHR is zenithal hourly rate. This is the number of meteors that a single observer would see per hour if the shower's "point of origin", or radiant, were at the zenith and the sky were dark enough for 6.5-magnitude stars to be visible to the naked eye.
In practise, you will never see this many meteors as the radiant will be some distance below the zenith. Also, unless you are out deep in the countryside, the darkness will be less than ideal. As well, this year there is substantial Moonlight interference, which will was out many meteors. How many are you likely to see in reality? I discuss this further down, lets talk about when to see them first.
Although the actual peak is on 6-7th, for Australia the best time to see the eta-Aquarids is in the early morning of the 7th, 8th and 9th. This year the waning Moon will interfere significantly.
How many will be seen on the 7th is not entirely clear (see prediction below, but they are only predictions), but good rates were seen in 2016, and dark sky sites may possibly see one meteor every six minutes or so. There were many bright ones reported with persistent trains in 2014. People in the suburbs may be will see less, but at least one every 10 minutes should be possible. Rates should be much the same on the 8th and the 9th.
The radiant of the shower is about five hand-spans up from the eastern horizon, and three hand-spans to the left of due east at 4 am (see above for a spotter chart at 5 am). When looking, be sure to let your eyes adjust for at least 5 minutes so your eyes can be properly adapted to the dark. Don't look directly at the radiant site, because the meteors will often start their "burn" some distance from it, but around a handspan up or to the side. The best way to watch the Eta Aquariids is to let your eye rove around the entire patch of the sky above the north-east horizon, between the only two obvious bright stars in the north-east, Altair and Fomalhaut.
Be patient, although you should see an average of a meteor every six to ten minutes, a whole stretch of time can go by without a meteor, then a whole bunch turn up one after the other.
Make yourself comfortable, choose an observing site that has little to obstruct the eastern horizon, have a comfortable chair to sit in (a banana lounger is best), or blankets and pillows. Rug up against the cold. A hot Thermos of something to drink and plenty of mosquito protection will complete your observing preparations. As well as meteors, keep an eye out for satellites (see Heavens Above for predictions from your site).
Unfortunately, both Chrome and Firefox have changed their security settings to prevent plugins from running, and the flux estimator only runs under Internet Explorer now.
You need to choose 31 Eta Aquariids and remember to set the date to 7-8 or 8-9 May 2018 and turn off daylight saving time. You can follow the progress of the shower at the IMO live Aquariid site.
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: Meteors
Wednesday, May 02, 2018
Southern Skywatch May 2018 edition is now out!
The inset to the left is a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons at this time, with Io reappearing from occultation by of Jupiter. The inset to the right is a simulated telescopic view of Saturn and the globular cluster M22.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
The May edition of Southern Skywatch is now up.
This month still sees most of the planetary action in the evening sky. Speedy Mercury is at its best in the morning sky but Venus and Jupiter become more prominent in the evening sky and Mars and Saturn rise higher in the late evening sky.
Jupiter is at opposition on the 9th, and is close to the Moon on the 27th.
Mars is closest to M75 on the 14-15th
Saturn is close to the globular cluster M22 this month and is closest on the 15th.
May 27; Moon close to Jupiter. May 5; Mars, Saturn and Moon close
May 6; Moon at Apogee. May 18 Moon at Perigee.
May 7-9, Eta Aquarid meteor shower.
May 14, Crescent Moon close to Mercury in the twilight.
May 17-18, Crescent Moon near Venus
Labels: southern skywatch
Tuesday, May 01, 2018
The Sky This Week - Thursday May 3 to Thursday May 10
The Last Quarter Moon is Tuesday, May 8. Venus is high in the
twilight and starts the week near the bright star Aldebaran. Jupiter is at opposition, when it is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on the 9th. Venus is setting as
Jupiter is rising. Mars and Saturn are visible in the late evening
skies.
The Moon visits Saturn on the 4th and Mars on the 6th. Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks on the mornings of 7th-8th. Mercury is prominent in the morning skies.
The Last Quarter Moon is Tuesday, May 8.
Evening twilight sky on Saturday May 5 looking west as seen from
Adelaide
at 18:26 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Venus is to the right of the the bright star
Aldebaran.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (45 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Venus is rising still higher in the twilight. Venus is visible to the unaided eye from 10 minutes after sunset, easy to see 30 minutes after sunset and can potentially be viewed later than an hour after sunset.
Evening
sky on Saturday May 5 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 23:00 ACST . Jupiter is high above the horizon, Saturn and Mars are clearly visible and the waning Moon is between Mars and Saturn.
The inset to the left is a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons at this time, with Io reappearing from occultation by of Jupiter. The inset to the right is a simulated telescopic view of Saturn and the globular cluster M22.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
Morning
sky on Saturday May 5 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at
5:58 ACST (60 minutes before sunrise). Mercury is the brightest object
closest to the eastern horizon. The inset shows a simulated telescopic
view of Mercury.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).
Morning sky on Tuesday May 7 looking east as seen from Adelaide at
5:00 am local time in South Australia showing the eta Aquariid meteor shower radiant as a star burst. Similar views will be seen
elsewhere at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).
The eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks on the morning of 7 May in Australia, although good rates will be seen on the mornings of the 8th and 9th.
The eta Aquarids are debris from Halleys comet. The radiant rises around 2 am May 7. But the best viewing is between around 4 and 5 am, when Aquarius is fairly high above the horizon and the crescent Moon is low. You may see between 1-3 meteors every 5 minutes at this time. The radiant of the shower is about five hand-spans up from the eastern horizon, and three hand-spans to the left of due east at 4 am (see diagram above). You will also see decent rates on the 8th and 9th. However the waning Moon will reduce the number of meteors seen.
Venus is now sufficiently high in the evening twilight to be readily visible above the horizon if there are not too many trees or buildings in the way. It is now one and a half hand-spans above the horizon 30 minutes after sunset. It is bright enough to be visible 10 minutes after sunset and easy to see 30 minutes after sunset. Venus can potentially be viewed after an hour after sunset if you have a flat, unobstructed horizon.
Venus starts the week near the bight red Star Aldebaran. Venus is closest to Aldebaran on Thursday May 3, then draws away as it moves between the sarts that form the "horns" of Taurus the Bull.
Mercury is prominent the morning sky, and now is in an excellent position for observation and is the brightest object above the eastern horizon. Mercury is now high enough for telescope observation. In even a small telescope the "half moon" shape of Mercury will be visible.
Jupiter is rising in the early evening as Venus is setting. It is at Opposition on the 9th, when it is visible all night long and is a good telescopic object in the late evening. There are some good Jovian Moon events this week.
Mars is in Sagittarius the archer and is now rising in the late evening. Mars is moving away from Saturn although the pair are still obvious together. Mars is brightening ahead of opposition later this year. On the 5th The Moon is between Mars and Saturn, and on the 6th the waning Moon is close to Mars.
Saturn is climbing higher the evening sky, although telescopically it is still best in the morning 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. On the 4th The waning Moon is close to Saturn and on the 5th The Moon is between Mars and Saturn.
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 Tuesday, May 8.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (45 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Venus is rising still higher in the twilight. Venus is visible to the unaided eye from 10 minutes after sunset, easy to see 30 minutes after sunset and can potentially be viewed later than an hour after sunset.
The inset to the left is a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons at this time, with Io reappearing from occultation by of Jupiter. The inset to the right is a simulated telescopic view of Saturn and the globular cluster M22.
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 (60 minutes before sunrise).
The eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks on the morning of 7 May in Australia, although good rates will be seen on the mornings of the 8th and 9th.
The eta Aquarids are debris from Halleys comet. The radiant rises around 2 am May 7. But the best viewing is between around 4 and 5 am, when Aquarius is fairly high above the horizon and the crescent Moon is low. You may see between 1-3 meteors every 5 minutes at this time. The radiant of the shower is about five hand-spans up from the eastern horizon, and three hand-spans to the left of due east at 4 am (see diagram above). You will also see decent rates on the 8th and 9th. However the waning Moon will reduce the number of meteors seen.
Venus is now sufficiently high in the evening twilight to be readily visible above the horizon if there are not too many trees or buildings in the way. It is now one and a half hand-spans above the horizon 30 minutes after sunset. It is bright enough to be visible 10 minutes after sunset and easy to see 30 minutes after sunset. Venus can potentially be viewed after an hour after sunset if you have a flat, unobstructed horizon.
Venus starts the week near the bight red Star Aldebaran. Venus is closest to Aldebaran on Thursday May 3, then draws away as it moves between the sarts that form the "horns" of Taurus the Bull.
Mercury is prominent the morning sky, and now is in an excellent position for observation and is the brightest object above the eastern horizon. Mercury is now high enough for telescope observation. In even a small telescope the "half moon" shape of Mercury will be visible.
Jupiter is rising in the early evening as Venus is setting. It is at Opposition on the 9th, when it is visible all night long and is a good telescopic object in the late evening. There are some good Jovian Moon events this week.
Mars is in Sagittarius the archer and is now rising in the late evening. Mars is moving away from Saturn although the pair are still obvious together. Mars is brightening ahead of opposition later this year. On the 5th The Moon is between Mars and Saturn, and on the 6th the waning Moon is close to Mars.
Saturn is climbing higher the evening sky, although telescopically it is still best in the morning 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. On the 4th The waning Moon is close to Saturn and on the 5th The Moon is between Mars and Saturn.
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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