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Tuesday, April 30, 2019

 

Southern Skywatch May 2019 edition is now out!

Morning  sky on Thursday, May 2 looking east as seen from Adelaide at 5:56 ACST (60 minutes before sunrise).  Four bright planets can be seen. Jupiter and Saturn are high above the northern horizon. Venus and Mercury are close with the thin crescent Moon above Venus, making an attractive line-up.



 Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).


The May edition of Southern Skywatch is now up.



May 6-9 Eta Aquariid meteor shower in the early morning.

Mercury lowers in the morning sky and will be lost to view mid month. Mercury is close to the crescent Moon on the 3rd, forming a triangle with Venus..

Venus is low in the morning skies and is close to the crescent Moon on the 2nd. 

Jupiter is close to waning Moon on the 20th.

 Mars is close to the crescent Moon on the 8th.

Saturn climbs higher in the morning sky and enters the evening sky late in the month. April 23; waning Moon close to Saturn.

May 2, crescent Moon near Venus. May 3, crescent Moon forms triangle with Mercury and Venus

May 8; Mars close to the crescent Moon. May 20; waning Moon close to Jupiter. May 23; waning Moon close to Saturn.

April 14 Moon at perigee, May  27 Moon at Apogee.

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The Sky This Week - Thursday May 2 to Thursday May 9

The New Moon is Sunday May 5. Saturn climbs higher in the late evening skies. Mars is visible low in the evening skies between the horns of Taurus the Bull. Mars is visited by the crescent Moon on the 8th.  Jupiter is low in the late evening skies. The morning skies feature four bright planets Jupiter, Saturn, bright Venus and Mercury.Venus and Mercury are visited by the thin crescent Moon on May the 2nd and 3rd. Eta Aquariid meteor shower on the mornings of 6th-8th.

The New Moon is Sunday May 5.

Morning  sky on Thursday, May 2 looking east as seen from Adelaide at 5:56 ACST (60 minutes before sunrise).  Four bright planets can be seen. Jupiter and Saturn are high above the northern horizon. Venus and Mercury are close with the thin Crescent Moon above Venus, making an attractive line-up.



 Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).

Sky at 23:00 ACST on Saturday, May 4  looking east as seen from Adelaide. Jupiter is low above the eastern horizon. The left upper insert inset shows the telescopic view of Jupiter at this time, the left lower insert that of Saturn. 




Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time.


Morning sky on Thursday May 7 looking east as seen from Adelaide at 4:00 am ACST.  The radiant of the eta Aquariid meteor shower is shown.   Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time. (click to embiggen).

The eta Aquariids meteor shower, the debris from Halleys comet, will peak on May 6 UT . However, the best rates will be seen from Australia on the mornings of the 7th and 8th. This si a good year for the Aquariids, with Moon-free skies and a higher than usual rate.

You may see between 1-3 meteors every three minutes between 4-5 am.


Evening sky on Wednesday, May 8  as seen looking north-west from Adelaide at 18:24 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Mars is  is between the stars Alnath and Zeta Taurii which mark the tips of Taurus the Bulls horns. The crescent Moon is just above Mars.


Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

Morning  sky on Friday, May 3 looking east as seen from Adelaide at 5:57 ACST (60 minutes before sunrise). Venus and Mercury are close with the thin Crescent Moon forming a triangle with them.





Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).



Venus is still bright in the morning skies below Jupiter and Saturn and above Mercury. Mercury moves away from Venus over the week. The thin crescent Moon is above Venus on May the 2nd and forms a triangle with Venus and Mercury on the 3rd.

Mercury  is now sinking in the morning sky but is still visible below Venus  as it leaves Venus behind. The thin crescent Moon is above Venus on May the 2nd forming a line with Mercury and on the 3rd it forms a triangle with Venus and Mercury .

Jupiter  Jupiter is now visible in the mid evening sky. Although is now a good telescope target it is still at its best in the morning.

Mars continues moving through Taurus. On the 8th Mars is  is between the stars Alnath and Zeta Taurii which mark the tips of Taurus the Bulls horns. The crescent Moon is just above Mars at this time. Mars sets around 8:00pm.

Saturn  has entered the evening sky but it still best for telescopic viewing in the early morning.
 Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEDST, Western sky at 10 pm AEDST. 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/

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Thursday, April 25, 2019

 

Don't forget. Occultation of Saturn Thursday April 25, 2019

The Moon facing east at 22:54 am ACST in Adelaide on Thursday 25 April just as Saturn appears from behind the Moon. The Moon is a hand-span from the horizon.

A reminder that there is an occultation of Saturn that can be seen from most of eastern Australia and parts of central Australia, roughly east of a line from Rockhampton to Port Lincoln in the late evening of Thursday 25 April (between around 11 pm ACST and 11:30 pm AEST). The further west you go from the line the lower the Moon will be to the horizon. 

In Woomera the Moon will be just a finger-width above the horiozn, as Saturn exits the dark side of the Moon (at 22:53), in Port Lincoln two finger-widths and in Parachilna (and most of the Flinder's Rangers) the Moon is  three finger-widths anove the horizon as Saturn exits the Moon.
Path of the occultation of Saturn over Australia  (source, IOTA).

You will need a level, clear eastern horizon to see the occulatation at it's best.

Exact timing for several cities and observation hints can be found at my occultation page.

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Tuesday, April 23, 2019

 

The Sky This Week - Thursday April 25 to Thursday May 2

The Last Quarter Moon is Saturday April 27. Saturn enters the evening sky and  is occulted by the Moon as seen from eastern and parts of central Australia on the 25th. Mars is visible low in the evening skies.  Jupiter is low in the late evening skies. The morning skies feature four bright planets Jupiter, Saturn, bright Venus and Mercury.Venus and Mercury are visited by the thin crescent Moon on May the 2nd.

The Last Quarter Moon is Saturday April 27. The Moon is at apogee, when it is furthest from the Earth, on the 29th.

Morning  sky on Saturday, April 27 showing the whole sky as  seen from Adelaide at 5:52 ACST (60 minutes before sunrise). Four bright planets can be seen. Jupiter and Saturn are high above the northern horizon. Venus and Mercury are above the eastern horizon. The Last Quarter Moon is above the northern horizon between Saturn and Venus.



 Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).

Sky at 23:00 ACST on Saturday, April 27  looking east as seen from Adelaide. Jupiter is low above the eastern horizon. The left upper insert inset shows the telescopic view of Jupiter at this time. 




Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time.


The view of the Moon facing east at 22:48 am ACST in Adelaide on Thursday 25 April just as Saturn appears from behind the Moon. The Moon is close to the horizon.





Similar views will be seen elsewhere in eastern Australia at roughly the equivalent local time, detailed times and observation hints are at my Saturn occultation page.


Evening sky on Saturday, April 27  as seen looking north-west from Adelaide at 18:50 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Mars is the brightest object above the western horizon

The Hyades also grace the north-western sky. Mars is between the bright red star Aldebaran and the star Alnath which marks the tip of the Bull's horns.


Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

Morning  sky on Thursday, May 2 looking east as seen from Adelaide at 5:56 ACDST (60 minutes before sunrise). Venus and Mercury are close with the thin Crescent Moon above Venus, making an attractive line-up.





Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).



Venus is still bright in the morning skies below Jupiter and Saturn and above Mercury. Mercury away from Venus over the week. The thin crescent Moon is above Venus on May the 2nd.

Mercury  is now sinking in the morning sky but is still visible below Venus  as it leaves Venus behind.

Jupiter  Jupiter is now rising just before midnight in the evening sky, but is low to the horizon and not an ideal telescope target being still at its best in the morning.

Mars moves through Taurus and is now the second brightest object in low in the western evening sky after the bright red star Adebaran. Mars sets around 8:00pm. Mars is between the bright red star Aldebaran and the star Alnath which marks the tip of the Bull's horns.

Saturn  has entered the evening sky but it still best for telescopic viewing in the early morning. On the evening of the 25th the Moon occults Saturn as seen from eastern and parts of central Australia.

 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/

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Monday, April 15, 2019

 

The Sky This Week - Thursday April 18 to Thursday April 25

The Full Moon is Friday April 19. Mars is visible low in the evening skies and is close to the Hades cluster.  Jupiter is low in the late evening skies and is visited by the Moon on the 23rd. The morning skies feature four bright planets Jupiter, Saturn, bright Venus and Mercury. Saturn enters the evening sky and  is occulted by the Moon as seen from eastern and parts of central Australia on the 25th.

The Full Moon is Friday April 19.

Morning  sky on Saturday, April 20 showing the whole sky as  seen from Adelaide at 5:47 ACST (60 minutes before sunrise). Four bright planets can be seen. Jupiter and Saturn are high above the northern horizon. Venus and Mercury are above the eastern horizon. The Moon is above the northern horizon.




 Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).

Sky at 23:00 ACST on Saturday, April 20  looking east as seen from Adelaide. Jupiter is low above the eastern horizon. The left upper insert inset shows the telescopic view of Jupiter at this time. The Moon is a finger-width from Jupiter. Io's shadow is on the surface of Jupiter, and Io will shortly transit Jupiter itself.




Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time.





The view of the Moon facing east at 22:48 am ACST in Adelaide on Thursday 25 April just as Saturn appears from behind the Moon. The moon is close to the horizon.





Similar views will be seen elsewhere in eastern Australia at roughly the equivalent local time, detailed times and observation hints are at my Saturn occultation page.




Evening sky on Saturday, April 20  as seen looking north-west from Adelaide at 18:50 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Mars is the brightest object above the western horizon

The Hyades also grace the north-western sky. Mars is close to the Hyades and the bright red star Aldebaran.


Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).


Venus is bright in the morning skies below Jupiter and Saturn and above Mercury. Mercury away from Venus over the week.

Mercury  is now sinking in the morning sky but is still visible below Venus  as it leaves Venus behind.

Jupiter  Jupiter is now rising just before midnight in the evening sky, but is low to the horizon and not a good telescope target until the morning. Jupiter is close to the Moon on the 23rd.

Mars moves through Taurus and is the brightest object in low in the western evening sky. Mars sets around 7:30pm. Mars is close to the Hyades and the bright red star Aldebaran, heading towards the horns of the Bull.

Saturn is climbs higher in the morning sky. It is in an excellent position for telescopic viewing in the early morning. By mid week it has entered the evening sky, on the 25th the Moon occults Saturn as seen from eastern and parts of central Australia.

 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/

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Friday, April 12, 2019

 

Occultation of Saturn by the Moon 25 April, 2019

The Moon at 22:48 pm ACST in Adelaide on Thursday 25 April just as Saturn appears from behind the Moon. The inset shows the binocular view of Saturn emerging from behind the MoonThe Moon at 23:20 pm AEST in Brisbane on Thursday 25 April just as Saturn appears from behind the Moon. The inset shows the binocular view of Saturn emerging from behind the MoonThe Moon at 23:26 pm AEST in Sydney on Thursday 25 April just as Saturn appears from behind the Moon. The inset shows the binocular view of Saturn emerging from behind the Moon

On the evening of Thursday 25 April Saturn is occulted by the waning Moon as seen from eastern and parts of Central Australia. This is of course the ANZAC day holiday, and many people will be on School Holidays so this is an excellent opportunity to view this normally rare event. Of course  it starts around 11 pm (see table below for exact timings, New Zealand has the best view, see the link below)

The Moon, although low above the eastern horizon, is a very obvious signpost for where to look but for most locations Saturn is behind the Moon as it rises (or the pair are very close to the horizon just before the occultation starts). Adelaide, Townsville and Rockhampton all have the Moon very close to the horizon, so you will need an unobstructed eastern horizon to see the occulation.

Start watching about half an hour beforehand to get set up and familiar with the sky. Saturn will appear from behind the dark limb of the Moon while still low above the horizon, so will be a difficult telescopic target. Reappearance will be hard to see as you have to be looking just at the right moment.

PlaceDisappears Bright Limb Reappears Dark Limb
Adelaide ACST- 22:54
Brisbane AEST-23:20
Canberra AEST22:3323:26
Darwin ACST--
Hobart AEST22:49 23:28
Melbourne AEST- 23:26
Perth AWST--
Rockhampton AEST- 23:15
Townsville AEST- 23:11
Sydney AEST- 23:26


More cities in Australia and New Zealand cities can be found at the IOTA site (UT times only).

Although this can be viewed with the unaided  eye, it is better viewed with binoculars or a telescope. Unfortunately, the occultation is low to the horizon in many places, so large telescopes may not be able to point that low. You sill will be able to enjoy it.

There are two more occulations of Saturn visible from Australia this year, in August  12 (eastern Australia) and September 8/9 (Northern and Western Australia).

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Tuesday, April 09, 2019

 

The Sky This Week - Thursday April 11 to Thursday April 18

The First Quarter Moon is Saturday April 13. Mars is visible low in the evening skies and is close to the Hades cluster making a second eye for Taurus the Bull.  Jupiter is low in the late evening skies. The morning skies feature four bright planets Jupiter, Saturn, bright Venus and Mercury. Venus and Mercury are closest this week on Wednesday the 17th.

The First Quarter Moon is Saturday April 13. The Moon is at perigee on the 17th.

Morning  sky on Saturday, April 13 showing the whole sky as  seen from Adelaide at 5:42 ACST (60 minutes before sunrise). Four bright planets can be seen. Jupiter and Saturn are high above the northern horizon. Venus and Mercury are above the eastern horizon.




 Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).



Morning  sky on Wednesday, April 17 looking east as seen from Adelaide at 5:45 ACDST (60 minutes before sunrise). Venus and Mercury are at their closest


 Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).









Sky at 23:00 ACST on Saturday, April 13  looking east as seen from Adelaide. Jupiter is low above the eastern horizon. The left upper insert inset shows the telescopic view of Jupiter at this time




Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time .

Evening sky on Saturday, April 13  as seen looking north-west from Adelaide at 18:50 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Mars is the brightest object above the western horizon

The Pleiades and Hyades also grace the north-western sky. Mars is close to the Hyades and the bright red star Aldebaran, forming a second eye for Taurus the Bull.

Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).


Venus is bright in the morning skies below Jupiter and Saturn and above Mercury. Mercury moves closer to Venus over the week and is closest to Venus on the 17th.

Mercury  climbs higher in the morning sky and is visible below Venus and is closest to Venus on the 17th.

Jupiter  Jupiter is now rising just before midnight in the evening sky, but is low to the horizon and not a good telescope target until the morning.

Mars moves through Taurus and is the brightest object in low in the western evening sky. Mars sets around 7:30pm. Mars is close to the Hyades and the bright red star Aldebaran, forming a second eye for Taurus the Bull.


Saturn is climbs higher in the morning sky. It is in an excellent position for telescopic viewing in the early morning.

 Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEDST, Western sky at 10 pm AEDST. 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/

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Tuesday, April 02, 2019

 

The Sky This Week - Thursday April 4 to Thursday April 11

The New Moon is Friday April 5. Daylight saving ends on the morning of the7th. Mars is visible low in the evening skies and is close to the Pleiades cluster. The crescent Moon is close to Mars on the 9th. Jupiter is low in the late evening skies. The morning skies feature four bright planets Jupiter, Saturn, bright Venus and Mercury. Venus and Mercury come closer over the week.

 The New Moon is Friday April 5.

Morning  sky on Sunday, April 7 showing the whole sky as  seen from Adelaide at 56:37 ACDST (60 minutes before sunrise). Four bright planets can be seen. Jupiter and Saturn are high above the northern horizon. Venus and Mercury are above the eastern horizon.




 Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).


Sky at midnight on Saturday, April 6 looking east as seen from Adelaide. Jupiter is low above the eastern horizon. The left upper insert inset shows the telescopic view of Jupiter at this time



Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time .
Evening sky on Tuesday, April 9 as seen looking north-west from Adelaide at 18:55 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Mars is the brightest object above the western horizon just below the crescent Moon.

The Pleiades and Hyades also grace the north-western sky. Mars is still close to the Pleiades at the beginning the week then moves closer to the Hyades.

Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

Venus is bright in the morning skies below Jupiter and Saturn and above Mercury. Mercury moves closer to Venus over the week.

Mercury  climbs higher in the morning sky and is visible below Venus.

Jupiter  Jupiter is now rising just before midnight in the evening sky, but is low to the horizon and not a good telescope target until the morning.

Mars moves through Taurus and is the brightest object in low in the western evening sky. Mars sets around 8:00pm. Mars is still close to the Pleiades at the beginning the week then moves closer to the Hyades. Mars is close to the crescent Moon on the 9th.


Saturn is climbs higher in the morning sky.In is in an excellent position for telescopic viewing in the early morning.

 Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEDST, Western sky at 10 pm AEDST. 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/

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