Tuesday, July 31, 2018
The Sky This Week - Thursday August 2 to Thursday August 9
The Last Quarter Moon is Sunday, August 5. Mercury is no longer visible in the evening sky but the remaining 4 bright unaided
eye
planets
can be seen in the evening sky. Venus is high in the
early evening sky.
Jupiter is past
opposition, but is still big and bright in telescopes. Mars and Saturn
are visible in
the evening
skies. Mars is just past opposition but is still bright and big in even small telescopes.
The Last Quarter Moon is Sunday, August 5.
Evening twilight sky on Saturday August 8 looking west as seen from
Adelaide
at 18:33 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Venus is high above the horizon and close to the star beta Virginis. The inset shows
simulated telescopic
views of Venus 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 towards the bright star Spica. On the 4th it passes close to the star Beta Virginis (Zavijava).
Evening
sky on Saturday August 8 looking North as seen from Adelaide
at 19:03 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 22:49 ACST, Ganymede has just reappeared from eclipse and Europa has just reappeared from occultation. Io will undergo transit shortly after. Jupiter is shown 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 August 8 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 19:03 ACST (90 minutes after sunset). Saturn and Mars are
clearly visible. The
insets are simulated telescopic views of Saturn and Mars as seen with a 5mm telescopic eyepiece.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (90 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 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 towards the bright star Spica. On the 4th it passes close to the star Beta Virginis (Zavijava).
Mercury is lost in the twilight and will reapear in the morning skies later in the month.
Jupiter is high the early evening sky. It was at Opposition on the May 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 18:00 local time (just before full dark). 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 readily seen in the evening. Mars was at opposition last month on July 27th, when it was biggest and brightest as seen from Earth. This was the best opposition since 2003. However Mars will remain bright and large in even small telescopes for some time. In a telescope you may see a few features as the huge dust storm sweeping the planet subsides. A guide to observing Mars at the time is at my Mars Opposition page.
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.
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 Sunday, August 5.
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 towards the bright star Spica. On the 4th it passes close to the star Beta Virginis (Zavijava).
The inset is a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons at 22:49 ACST, Ganymede has just reappeared from eclipse and Europa has just reappeared from occultation. Io will undergo transit shortly after. Jupiter is shown 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 (90 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 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 towards the bright star Spica. On the 4th it passes close to the star Beta Virginis (Zavijava).
Mercury is lost in the twilight and will reapear in the morning skies later in the month.
Jupiter is high the early evening sky. It was at Opposition on the May 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 18:00 local time (just before full dark). 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 readily seen in the evening. Mars was at opposition last month on July 27th, when it was biggest and brightest as seen from Earth. This was the best opposition since 2003. However Mars will remain bright and large in even small telescopes for some time. In a telescope you may see a few features as the huge dust storm sweeping the planet subsides. A guide to observing Mars at the time is at my Mars Opposition page.
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.
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, July 26, 2018
Don't Forget, the Opposition of Mars is tommorrow night (Friday 27 July)
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).
Just a reminder that the opposition of Mars is tomorrow night (Friday 27 July). 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 helps. Even a small telescope should pick out the polar cap and the dark markings on Mars, now that the global dust storm has abated. 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. If you stay up into the early morning of Saturday you can watch the best total lunar eclipse this century, and may even catch an International Space Station Pass.
If you do miss the opposition tomorrow night, don't worrk, Mars will still be big and brigh for several weeks after.
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/
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/
Labels: Mars, Moon, Opposition, telescope, unaided eye
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Catch the International Space Station and the Total Lunar Eclipse (28 July 2018)
 |  |  |
| The ISS passes above the eclipsed moon and Mars on the morning of Saturday 28 July at 5:37 AEST as seen from Sydney facing west. Simulated in Stellarium (the ISS will actually be a bright dot), click to embiggen. | The ISS passes above the eclipsed moon and Mars on the morning of Saturday 28 July at 6:42 ACST as seen from Adelaide facing west. Simulated in Stellarium (the ISS will actually be a bright dot), click to embiggen. | The ISS passes above the eclipsed moon and Mars on the morning of Saturday 28 July at 6:42 AWST as seen from Perth facing west. Simulated in Stellarium (the ISS will actually be a bright dot), click to embiggen. |
 |  |  |
| All sky chart showing local times from Heavens Above for Saturday 28 July for Melbourne. click to embiggen and print. | All sky chart showing local times from Heavens Above for Saturday 28 Julyfor Adelaide. click to embiggen and print. | All sky chart showing local times from Heavens Above for Saturday 28 July for Perth. click to embiggen and print. |
On the morning of Saturday 28 July we are treated not only to the longest Total Lunar Eclipse of the century, with the Moon near Mars just one day off the best opposition since 2003, but for most of Australia there is a very there is a very bright ISS pass (two for some favoured sites). In some locations the pass is close to the the eclipsed Moon and Mars in the western sky in others it is close to the Bright star Sirius and Orion's belt. Sadly, Darwin and Alice Springs miss out on eclipse passes.
This pass is for people who are up in the early hours watching the eclipse, and adds an extra spark to the rare event..
The following tables are from data provided from Heavens Above.
Passes from Adelaide
| Date | Brightness | Start | Highest point | End | Pass type | ||||||
| (mag) | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | ||
| 28 Jul | -1.6 | 05:06:11 | 25° | ENE | 05:06:11 | 25° | ENE | 05:08:43 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 28 Jul | -2.6 | 06:39:26 | 10° | W | 06:42:20 | 26° | SW | 06:45:14 | 10° | SSE | visible |
Passes from Brisbane (starts above Mars)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Passes from Melbourne (close to Sirius)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Passes from Sydney
| 28 Jul | -3.9 | 05:36:11 | 29° | WNW | 05:37:40 | 65° | SW | 05:41:01 | 10° | SE | visible |
Passes from Hobart (near Orion's Belt)
| 28 Jul | -1.5 | 05:36:11 | 11° | N | 05:38:44 | 24° | NE | 05:41:30 | 10° | E | visible |
When and what you will see is VERY location dependent, so you need to use either Heavens Above or CalSky to get site specific predictions for your location, a small difference in location can mean the difference between the ISS passing over a star or missing it completely.
As always, start looking several minutes before the pass is going to start to get
yourself oriented and your eyes dark adapted (You should already be up and dark adapted from watching the eclipse though). Be patient, there may be
slight differences in the time of the ISS appearing due to orbit changes
not picked up by the predictions. Use the most recent prediction for
your site.
Labels: eclipse, ISS, Moon, Satellite, unaided eye
The Sky This Week - Thursday July 26 to Thursday August 2
The Full Moon is Saturday, July 28. There is a total lunar eclipse on the morning to the 28th, the longest this century. All 5 bright unaided eye
planets
can be seen in the evening sky. Venus is high in the
early evening sky.
Mercury continues to sink towards the horizon in early evening skies.
Jupiter is past
opposition, but is still big and bright in telescopes. Rapidly brightening Mars and Saturn
are visible in
the evening
skies. Mars is at its brightest and at opposition , the best since 2003, on the 27th. The Moon is close to Mars on the 28th.
The Full Moon is Saturday, July 28. The Moon is at apogee, when it is furthest from the earth, on the 27th. There is a total lunar eclipse on the morning to the 28th, the longest this century.
Western horizon as seen from Sydney on 28 July at at 5:15 am AEST. The eclipse is about 15 minutes from totality. The inset
shows the telescopic/binocular view at this time. Click to embiggen
On the East coast, the eclipse starts when the sky is quite dark at 4:24 am AEST and Totality is at 5:30 pm AEST, so the Moon will appear to be a burnished copper disk in a dark sky full of stars. Totality occurs as the sky is paling and maximum eclipse occurs at civil twilight, so the Moon may be difficult to see against the brightening sky. As this is quite a dark eclipse of 1.6 depth, it may even end up dark grey or brown.
In the central states the eclipse starts before astronomical twilight at 3:54 am ACST and Totality begins at 5:00 am ACST when the sky is still fully dark. Central states will also see the eclipsed Moon in all its coppery glory accompanied by red Mars. The colour contrast will be interesting.
In WA, the eclipse starts with the Moon quite high and all of the eclipse is seen. The eclipse starts at 2:24 am AWST and Totality begins at 3:30 am AWST.
More details, timings for major cities, photography and observing hints are at my eclipse page.
Evening twilight sky on Saturday July 28 looking west as seen from
Adelaide
at 18:29 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Venus is above Mercury, ad Mercury is close to the bright star Regulus. 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 towards the bright star Spica. Mercury is visible below Venus near the bright star Regulus. This is the last week to see Mercury in the evening before it returns to the morning skies.
Whole sky view of the evening sky on Saturday July 28 as seen from
Adelaide
at 18:29 ACST (just after 60 minutes after sunset). all five bright
planets are visible in the evening sky.
This will be the last wekk to see all 5 together in the evening sky until Mercury returns in September.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (just after 60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Evening
sky on Saturday July 28 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 18:59 ACST (90 minutes after sunset). Jupiter is well above the
horizon, close to the
bright star alpha Librae. Saturn is high above the horizon and Mars is now well above the horizon
as well, and is one day past opposition. The Moon is close to Mars at this time.
The insets are a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons at 18:59 ACST, Ganymede has just reapaerd from eclipse and Europa has just entered occultation. Jupiter, Saturn and Mars are shown as seen with a 5mm telescopic eyepiece.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia 90 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 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 towards the bright star Spica.
Mercury sinks lower in the evening skies this week. Mercury is visible below Venus near, Regulus. This is the last week to see Mercury in the evening before it returns to the morning skies.
Jupiter is high the early evening sky. It was at Opposition on the May 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 a few features as the huge dust storm sweeping the planet subsides. Mars 1s at opposition on the 27th, when it is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth. This is the best opposition since 2003. A guide to observing Mars at the time is at my Mars Opposition page. The Moon is close to Mars on the 28th. During the Lunar eclipse it will be interesting to to contrast ruddy Mars with the copper Moon.
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.
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 Saturday, July 28. The Moon is at apogee, when it is furthest from the earth, on the 27th. There is a total lunar eclipse on the morning to the 28th, the longest this century.
On the East coast, the eclipse starts when the sky is quite dark at 4:24 am AEST and Totality is at 5:30 pm AEST, so the Moon will appear to be a burnished copper disk in a dark sky full of stars. Totality occurs as the sky is paling and maximum eclipse occurs at civil twilight, so the Moon may be difficult to see against the brightening sky. As this is quite a dark eclipse of 1.6 depth, it may even end up dark grey or brown.
In the central states the eclipse starts before astronomical twilight at 3:54 am ACST and Totality begins at 5:00 am ACST when the sky is still fully dark. Central states will also see the eclipsed Moon in all its coppery glory accompanied by red Mars. The colour contrast will be interesting.
In WA, the eclipse starts with the Moon quite high and all of the eclipse is seen. The eclipse starts at 2:24 am AWST and Totality begins at 3:30 am AWST.
More details, timings for major cities, photography and observing hints are at my eclipse page.
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 towards the bright star Spica. Mercury is visible below Venus near the bright star Regulus. This is the last week to see Mercury in the evening before it returns to the morning skies.
This will be the last wekk to see all 5 together in the evening sky until Mercury returns in September.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (just after 60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Evening
sky on Saturday July 28 looking east as seen from Adelaide
at 18:59 ACST (90 minutes after sunset). Jupiter is well above the
horizon, close to the
bright star alpha Librae. Saturn is high above the horizon and Mars is now well above the horizon
as well, and is one day past opposition. The Moon is close to Mars at this time.The insets are a simulated telescopic view of Jupiter and its moons at 18:59 ACST, Ganymede has just reapaerd from eclipse and Europa has just entered occultation. Jupiter, Saturn and Mars are shown as seen with a 5mm telescopic eyepiece.
Similar views will be seen throughout Australia 90 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 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 towards the bright star Spica.
Mercury sinks lower in the evening skies this week. Mercury is visible below Venus near, Regulus. This is the last week to see Mercury in the evening before it returns to the morning skies.
Jupiter is high the early evening sky. It was at Opposition on the May 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 a few features as the huge dust storm sweeping the planet subsides. Mars 1s at opposition on the 27th, when it is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth. This is the best opposition since 2003. A guide to observing Mars at the time is at my Mars Opposition page. The Moon is close to Mars on the 28th. During the Lunar eclipse it will be interesting to to contrast ruddy Mars with the copper Moon.
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.
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 24, 2018
Longest Total Eclipse of the Moon this Century, morning Saturday July 28, 2018
 |  |  |
| Western horizon as seen from Sydney on 28 July at at 5:15 am AEST. The eclipse is about 15 minutes from totality. The inset shows the telescopic/binocular view at this time. Click to embiggen | Western horizon as seen from Adelaide on 28 July at at 4:45 am ACST. The eclipse is about 15 minutes from totality. The inset shows the telescopic/binocular view at this time. Click to embiggen | Western horizon as seen from Perth on 28 July at at 3:15 am AWST. The eclipse is about 15 minutes from totality. The inset shows the telescopic/binocular view at this time. Click to embiggen |
On the morning Saturday July 28 there will be the an excellent total eclipse of the Moon, the second since our total lunar eclipse of January.
This eclipse, with a totality lasting 104 minutes, is the longest this century. It is also close to apogee, making the moon a "mini-moon", much smaller than its perigee counterpart (see diagram above). So telescopic images of the eclipsed moon from these two dates should show an observable size difference if the same magnification is used for the images (if you have a good memory and good eyesight you may even notice the difference with the unaided eye).
You will also see some sites calling this a "blood Moon", The Moon does not turn the colour of blood, but will go a deep copper colour due to the refraction of red light through our atmosphere. This will be a fairly deep eclipse with the Moon becoming quite dark, it may even go a dark grey/brown and become hard to see.
Unfortunately, the July 28 eclipse occurs in the early morning. Fortunately it is on a Saturday so you head back to bead later. It starts well before astronomical twilight in all of Australia. All Australia gets to see the deepest totality, but in the eastern states totality ends after the Moon sets, central states gets to see totality end (just) and only Western Australia sees the entire eclipse. Totality is long and deep, 104 minutes, the longest this century. January's total lunar eclipse was only 76 minutes long.
You don't need special filters or fancy equipment to watch the lunar eclipse, you just need your eyes and somewhere comfortable to sit and watch. Watching earth's shadow creep across the Moons face, as the stars begin to appear again is quite beautiful. The Moon is very obvious to the west with bright red Mars close by, and Saturn below. The contrast between the deep coppery red Moon and the ruddy Mars will be interesting. Binoculars or a telescope are a plus, but not necessary. If you have a telescope, point it at ruddy Mars, as it will be just past opposition and big in even small telescopes. The massive dust storm s abating, so you my see some detail.
A guide I wrote for the October 2014 lunar eclipse to taking photos of the eclipse is here.
On the East coast, the eclipse starts when the sky is quite dark at 4:24 am AEST and Totality is at 5:30 pm AEST, so the Moon will appear to be a burnished copper disk in a dark sky full of stars. Totality occurs as the sky is paling and maximum eclipse occurs at civil twilight, so the Moon may be difficult to see against the brightening sky. As this is quite a dark eclipse of 1.6 depth, it may even end up dark grey or brown.
In the central states the eclipse starts before astronomical twilight at 3:54 am ACST and Totality begins at 5:00 am ACST when the sky is still fully dark. Central states will also see the eclipsed Moon in all its coppery glory accompanied by red Mars. The colour contrast will be interesting.
In WA, the eclipse starts with the Moon quite high and all of the eclipse is seen. The eclipse starts at 2:24 am AWST and Totality begins at 3:30 am AWST.
The eclipse starts reasonably high in the sky and is good viewing from almost anywhere, urban, suburban or country. You don't need to move from your backyard unless there is a high-rise bocking your view to the west. It is the dead of winter so don't forget to get seriously rugged up, and have some hot drinks on hand. While in the early morning it is still worth getting older kids up tow watch this once in a century event.
New Zealand sees only the beginning stages of the eclipse.
See here for a map and contact timings in Universal Time for sites outside Australia.
| City | Astronomical twilight | Civil Twilight | Moonset | Eclipse Start | Totality Start | Maximum Eclipse | Totality End | Eclipse End |
| Adelaide (ACST) | 5:46 am | 6:47 am | 7:20 am | 3:54 am | 5:00 am | 5:52 am | 6:44 am | after Moonset |
| Alice Springs (ACST) | 5:54 am | 6:48 am | 7:18 am | 3:54 am | 5:00 am | 5:52 am | 6:44 am | after Moonset |
| Auckland (NZT) | 5:53 am | 6:55 am | 7:25 am | 6:23 am | after Moonset | after Moonset | after Moonset | after Moonset |
| Brisbane (AEST) | 5:11 am | 6:07 am | 6:36 am | 4:24 am | 5:30 am | 6:22 am | after Moonset | after Moonset |
| Cairns (AEST) | 5:29 am | 6:22 am | 6:47 am | 4:24 am | 5:30 am | 6:22 am | after Moonset | after Moonse |
| Canberra (AEST) | 5:34 am | 6:35 am | 7:07 am | 4:24 am | 5:30 am | 6:22 am | after Moonset | after Moonse |
| Christchurch (NZT) | 6:08 am | 7:16 am | 7:51 am | 6:23 am | 7:29 am | after Moonset | after Moonset | 0after Moonset |
| Darwin (ACST) | 5:53 am | 6:07 am | 7:12 am | 3:54 am | 5:00 am | 5:52 am | 6:44 am | after Moonset |
| Hobart (AEST) | 5:19 am | 6:27 am | 7:03 am | 4:24 am | 5:30 am | 6:22 am | after Moonset | after Moonset |
| Melbourne (AEST) | 5:53 am | 6:55 am | 7:29 am | 4:24 am | 5:30 am | 6:22 am | after Moonset | after Moonset |
| Perth (AWST) | 5:44 am | 6:43 am | 7:17 am | 2:24 am | 3:30 am | 4:22 am | 5:14 am | 6:19 am |
| Rockhampton (AEST) | 5:18 am | 6:12 am | 6:38 am | 4:24 am | 5:30 am | 6:22 am | after Moonset | after Moonset |
| Sydney (AEST) | 5:24 am | 6:24 am | 6:55 am | 4:24 am | 5:30 am | 6:22 am | after Moonset | after Moonset |
| Townsville (AEST) | 5:28 am | 6:21 am | 6:47 am | 4:24 am | 5:30 am | 6:22 am | after Moonset | after Moonset |
Weather: 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: astrophotography, eclipse, Moon, public outreach, unaided eye
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 (𝚹) 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 (𝚹) 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
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