Monday, April 27, 2020
Sky This Week - Thursday April 30 to Thursday May 7
The First Quarter Moon is Friday, May1 and the full Moon Thursday May 7. Venus is prominent in the evening sky well after twilight heading towards Beta Tauri (Elnath). Three bright planets are visible in the morning skies. Jupiter dominates the morning skies near Saturn and the pair are above Mars. Jupiter and Saturn are now rising before midnight, but are still best in the morning. Eta Aquariid Meteor shower (best mornings May 6-7)
The First Quarter Moon is Friday, May1 and the full Moon Thursday May 7.The Moon is at Perigee, when It is closest to the Earth, on May 6.
Evening sky at 18:28 ACST on Saturday, May 2 (60 minutes after sunset)
looking west as seen from Adelaide. Venus is prominent low in the sky near Beta Tauri (Elnath). The inset shows the telescope view of Venus.
Venus is a distinct "crescent Moon" shape in even small telescopes. Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia 60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen.
Morning sky at 5:27 am ACST (90 minutes minutes before sunrise) facing north-east as seen from Adelaide on Saturday, May 2.
Three bright planets are dominating the morning skies. Jupiter, Saturn and Mars are high in the morning sky.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia 90 minutes minutes before sunrise.
Morning sky on Wednesday, May 6 looking north-east as seen from Brisbane at 5:00 am local time (around 90 minutes before sunrise) showing the eta Aquariid meteor shower radiant as a star burst. Similar views will be seen
elsewhere at the equivalent local time (around 90 minutes before sunrise, click to embiggen).
The eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks on the late evening/early morning of 6-7 May in Australia,
You should see a meteor every four minutes or so under dark skies.
Venus is prominent low above the western horizon in the early evening sky. Venus is seen up to 90 minutes after sunset and was be at greatest brilliance last week. Venus is leaving behind the beautiful Hyades cluster and closing in on the bright star Elnath (Beta Tauri).
Three bright planets grace the morning sky.
Mercury is lost in the twilight.
Mars is visible high in the morning sky below Jupiter and Saturn.
Jupiter climbs higher in the morning sky and now can be seen in the late evening sky. Jupiter and Saturn stay around a hand-span apart during the week.
Saturn climbs higher in the morning sky below Jupiter drawing away from Mars.
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.
Star Map via Virtual sky. Use your mouse to scroll around and press 8 when your pointer is in the map to set to current time.
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, May1 and the full Moon Thursday May 7.The Moon is at Perigee, when It is closest to the Earth, on May 6.
Venus is a distinct "crescent Moon" shape in even small telescopes. Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia 60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen.
Morning sky at 5:27 am ACST (90 minutes minutes before sunrise) facing north-east as seen from Adelaide on Saturday, May 2. Three bright planets are dominating the morning skies. Jupiter, Saturn and Mars are high in the morning sky.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia 90 minutes minutes before sunrise.
Morning sky on Wednesday, May 6 looking north-east as seen from Brisbane at 5:00 am local time (around 90 minutes before sunrise) showing the eta Aquariid meteor shower radiant as a star burst. Similar views will be seen
elsewhere at the equivalent local time (around 90 minutes before sunrise, click to embiggen).The eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks on the late evening/early morning of 6-7 May in Australia,
You should see a meteor every four minutes or so under dark skies.
Venus is prominent low above the western horizon in the early evening sky. Venus is seen up to 90 minutes after sunset and was be at greatest brilliance last week. Venus is leaving behind the beautiful Hyades cluster and closing in on the bright star Elnath (Beta Tauri).
Three bright planets grace the morning sky.
Mercury is lost in the twilight.
Mars is visible high in the morning sky below Jupiter and Saturn.
Jupiter climbs higher in the morning sky and now can be seen in the late evening sky. Jupiter and Saturn stay around a hand-span apart during the week.
Saturn climbs higher in the morning sky below Jupiter drawing away from Mars.
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.
Star Map via Virtual sky. Use your mouse to scroll around and press 8 when your pointer is in the map to set to current time.
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, April 23, 2020
Watch the Southern Cross for Earth Day!
Today is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Of course, I'm late to this. A number of astronomers have suggested that we use today (now tonight) to look up t they sky and esitimate the amount of light pollution that is affecting our world to mark Earth Day.
Globe at Night run Light pollution observing campaigns, all you have to do is go out when the sky is fully dark, look south and count the stars you can see in the Southern Cross, then fill out a report.
It's easy to do, fills in our knowledge of light pollution and connect us with the sky. Hopefully you are not clouded out like I am.
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Labels: Earth Day, globe at night, light pollution
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Sky This Week - Thursday April 23 to Thursday April 30
The New Moon is Thursday, April 23. Venus is prominent in the evening sky well after twilight. You may be able to see shadows cast by Venus. Venus is at it brightest on the 28th Venus is close to the crescent Moon on the 26th and 27th. Four bright planets (just) are visible in the morning skies. Jupiter dominates the morning skies near Saturn and the pair are above Mars.Jupiter and Saturn are now rising before midnight, but are still best in the morning. An emu graces the evening sky.
The New Moon is Thursday, April 23.
Evening sky at 18:35 ACST on Sunday, April 26 (60 minutes after sunset)
looking west as seen from Adelaide. Venus is prominent in the sky near the "V" shaped Hyades cluster. The thin crescent Moon is between the Hyades and Venus. The inset shows the telescope view of Venus.
Venus is a distinct "crescent Moon" shape in even small telescopes. It will be interesting to image crescent Venus and The crescent Moon at this time. Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia 60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen.
Morning sky at 6:00 am ACST facing east as seen from Adelaide on Saturday, April 25. The time is that of the playing of the last post for the ANZAC dawn service.
Three bright planets are dominating the morning skies. Jupiter, Saturn and Mars are high in the morning sky. Mercury is low on the horizon and difficult to see. It will be lost in the twilight soon.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the 6:00 am local time.
Evening sky at 23:30 pm ACST on Saturday, April 25 facing east as seen from Adelaide.
The dark constellation of the Emu is visible. It;s head the the coal sack below the Southern Cross, it's neck the dark lane the runs through the pointers down to Scorpius, which forms a fringe of feathers on the body. Jupiter and Saturn are close to the horizon near the Emu's legs.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time.
Venus is prominent above the western horizon in the early evening sky. Venus is readily seen up to 90 minutes after sunset and will be at greatest brilliance this week. If you look early in the week before the Moon interferes oyou may be able to see shadows cast by Venus. Venus is near the beautiful Hyades cluster heading towards the bright star Elnath (Beta Tauri). Venus is close to the crescent Moon on the 26th and 27th.
Four bright planets grace the morning sky. This is the last week to see Mercury before it is lost in the twilight.
Mercury is just visible in the early twilight, and will be lost to view soon.
Mars is visible high in the morning sky below Jupiter and Saturn.
Jupiter climbs higher in the morning sky. Jupiter and Saturn stay around a hand-span apart during the week.
Saturn climbs higher in the morning sky below Jupiter drawing away from Mars.
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.
Star Map via Virtual sky. Use your mouse to scroll around and press 8 when your pointer is in the map to set to current time.
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 Thursday, April 23.
Venus is a distinct "crescent Moon" shape in even small telescopes. It will be interesting to image crescent Venus and The crescent Moon at this time. Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia 60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen.
Three bright planets are dominating the morning skies. Jupiter, Saturn and Mars are high in the morning sky. Mercury is low on the horizon and difficult to see. It will be lost in the twilight soon.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the 6:00 am local time.
The dark constellation of the Emu is visible. It;s head the the coal sack below the Southern Cross, it's neck the dark lane the runs through the pointers down to Scorpius, which forms a fringe of feathers on the body. Jupiter and Saturn are close to the horizon near the Emu's legs.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time.
Venus is prominent above the western horizon in the early evening sky. Venus is readily seen up to 90 minutes after sunset and will be at greatest brilliance this week. If you look early in the week before the Moon interferes oyou may be able to see shadows cast by Venus. Venus is near the beautiful Hyades cluster heading towards the bright star Elnath (Beta Tauri). Venus is close to the crescent Moon on the 26th and 27th.
Four bright planets grace the morning sky. This is the last week to see Mercury before it is lost in the twilight.
Mercury is just visible in the early twilight, and will be lost to view soon.
Mars is visible high in the morning sky below Jupiter and Saturn.
Jupiter climbs higher in the morning sky. Jupiter and Saturn stay around a hand-span apart during the week.
Saturn climbs higher in the morning sky below Jupiter drawing away from Mars.
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.
Star Map via Virtual sky. Use your mouse to scroll around and press 8 when your pointer is in the map to set to current time.
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
Sunday, April 19, 2020
The ISS passes through the Milky Way (19-27 April, 2020)
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| The ISS as seen from Sydney on the evening of Sunday 19 April at 18:46 AEST. Simulated in Stellarium (the ISS will actually be a bright dot), click to embiggen. | The ISS as seen from Adelaide on the evening of Monday 20 April at 19:04 ACST. Simulated in Stellarium (the ISS will actually be a bright dot), click to embiggen. | The ISS as seen from Perth on the evening of Tuesday 21 April at 18:19 AWST. Simulated in Stellarium (the ISS will actually be a bright dot)click to embiggen. |
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| All sky chart showing local times from Heavens Above for Sunday 19 April for Sydney. | All sky chart showing local times from Heavens Above for Monday 20 April for Adelaide. | All sky chart showing local times from Heavens Above for Tuesday 21 April for Perth. |
Over the next few days there are a series of bright ISS passes in the early evening. The outstanding passes are when the ISS is in the milky way, where it passes by bright Venus, Orion, Sirus and Canopus.
The following tables are from data provided from Heavens Above.
Passes from Adelaide (ACST)
| Date | Brightness | Start | Highest point | End | Pass type | ||||||
| (mag) | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | ||
| 18 Apr | -3.0 | 18:59:03 | 10° | NNW | 19:02:08 | 33° | NE | 19:02:24 | 33° | ENE | visible |
| 19 Apr | -2.0 | 18:12:39 | 10° | N | 18:15:06 | 19° | NE | 18:17:34 | 10° | E | visible |
| 19 Apr | -1.8 | 19:48:32 | 10° | WNW | 19:50:46 | 29° | WSW | 19:50:46 | 29° | WSW | visible |
| 20 Apr | -3.4 | 19:01:05 | 10° | WNW | 19:04:28 | 64° | SW | 19:05:57 | 30° | SSE | visible |
| 21 Apr | -3.7 | 18:13:54 | 10° | NW | 18:17:17 | 67° | NE | 18:20:41 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 21 Apr | -0.9 | 19:52:16 | 10° | WSW | 19:54:01 | 15° | SW | 19:54:01 | 15° | SW | visible |
| 22 Apr | -1.6 | 19:04:14 | 10° | W | 19:07:01 | 22° | SSW | 19:08:57 | 15° | S | visible |
| 23 Apr | -2.3 | 18:16:30 | 10° | WNW | 18:19:40 | 35° | SW | 18:22:52 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 24 Apr | -0.9 | 19:08:49 | 10° | SW | 19:09:47 | 11° | SSW | 19:10:46 | 10° | S | visible |
| 25 Apr | -1.1 | 18:20:11 | 10° | WSW | 18:22:17 | 15° | SSW | 18:24:24 | 10° | S | visible |
Passes from Brisbane (AEST)
| Date | Brightness | Start | Highest point | End | Pass type | ||||||
| (mag) | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | ||
| 18 Apr | -2.5 | 17:53:28 | 10° | N | 17:56:21 | 26° | NE | 17:59:16 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 18 Apr | -1.0 | 19:30:38 | 10° | W | 19:32:25 | 18° | WSW | 19:32:25 | 18° | WSW | visible |
| 19 Apr | -2.2 | 18:42:45 | 10° | WNW | 18:45:52 | 33° | SW | 18:47:45 | 19° | S | visible |
| 20 Apr | -3.4 | 17:55:16 | 10° | NW | 17:58:38 | 66° | SW | 18:02:03 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 21 Apr | -0.8 | 18:47:29 | 10° | SW | 18:48:32 | 11° | SW | 18:49:36 | 10° | SSW | visible |
| 22 Apr | -1.2 | 17:58:42 | 10° | W | 18:01:09 | 18° | SW | 18:03:37 | 10° | S | visible |
Passes from Darwin (ACT)
| Date | Brightness | Start | Highest point | End | Pass type | ||||||
| (mag) | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | ||
| 19 Apr | -0.7 | 04:53:30 | 14° | NE | 04:53:30 | 14° | NE | 04:54:04 | 10° | NE | visible |
Passes from Hobart (AEST)
| Date | Brightness | Start | Highest point | End | Pass type | ||||||
| (mag) | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | ||
| 19 Apr | -2.0 | 18:45:28 | 10° | N | 18:47:45 | 18° | NE | 18:47:45 | 18° | NE | visible |
| 20 Apr | -1.4 | 17:59:51 | 10° | NNE | 18:00:55 | 11° | NE | 18:02:00 | 10° | ENE | visible |
| 20 Apr | -2.4 | 19:33:48 | 10° | NW | 19:35:57 | 36° | NW | 19:35:57 | 36° | NW | visible |
| 21 Apr | -3.5 | 18:46:44 | 10° | NW | 18:50:03 | 51° | NE | 18:51:01 | 37° | E | visible |
| 21 Apr | -0.2 | 20:23:55 | 10° | W | 20:24:01 | 11° | W | 20:24:01 | 11° | W | visible |
| 22 Apr | -2.7 | 17:59:53 | 10° | NNW | 18:02:56 | 31° | NE | 18:05:57 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 22 Apr | -2.2 | 19:36:25 | 10° | W | 19:38:57 | 35° | WSW | 19:38:57 | 35° | WSW | visible |
| 23 Apr | -3.4 | 18:49:00 | 10° | WNW | 18:52:23 | 61° | SSW | 18:53:47 | 32° | SE | visible |
| 24 Apr | -3.7 | 18:01:43 | 10° | NW | 18:05:08 | 86° | NNE | 18:08:31 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 24 Apr | -1.5 | 19:39:23 | 10° | WSW | 19:41:31 | 23° | SW | 19:41:31 | 23° | SW | visible |
| 25 Apr | -2.2 | 18:51:47 | 10° | W | 18:54:53 | 30° | SSW | 18:56:11 | 23° | SSE | visible |
| 26 Apr | -2.7 | 18:04:14 | 10° | W | 18:07:31 | 41° | SSW | 18:10:49 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 26 Apr | -1.1 | 19:42:25 | 10° | SW | 19:43:47 | 16° | SSW | 19:43:47 | 16° | SSW | visible |
| 27 Apr | -1.8 | 18:54:48 | 10° | WSW | 18:57:31 | 21° | S | 18:58:22 | 19° | S | visible |
| 28 Apr | -2.0 | 18:07:09 | 10° | WSW | 18:10:02 | 24° | SSW | 18:12:54 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 28 Apr | -0.8 | 19:45:07 | 10° | SW | 19:45:53 | 14° | SSW | 19:45:53 | 14° | SSW | visible |
Passes from Melbourne (AEST)
| Date | Brightness | Start | Highest point | End | Pass type | ||||||
| (mag) | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | ||
| 18 Apr | -2.4 | 19:30:23 | 10° | NNW | 19:32:24 | 30° | N | 19:32:24 | 30° | N | visible |
| 19 Apr | -2.5 | 18:43:42 | 10° | N | 18:46:35 | 26° | NE | 18:47:45 | 21° | E | visible |
| 19 Apr | -0.5 | 20:20:11 | 10° | W | 20:20:46 | 14° | W | 20:20:46 | 14° | W | visible |
| 20 Apr | -3.1 | 19:32:42 | 10° | WNW | 19:35:57 | 53° | SW | 19:35:57 | 53° | SW | visible |
| 21 Apr | -3.8 | 18:45:24 | 10° | NW | 18:48:49 | 88° | NE | 18:51:01 | 21° | SE | visible |
| 21 Apr | -0.2 | 20:23:47 | 10° | WSW | 20:24:01 | 11° | WSW | 20:24:01 | 11° | WSW | visible |
| 22 Apr | -1.7 | 19:35:52 | 10° | W | 19:38:38 | 22° | SSW | 19:38:57 | 22° | SSW | visible |
| 23 Apr | -2.2 | 18:48:09 | 10° | W | 18:51:16 | 32° | SSW | 18:53:47 | 14° | SSE | visible |
| 24 Apr | -1.0 | 19:39:49 | 10° | SW | 19:41:25 | 13° | SSW | 19:41:31 | 13° | SSW | visible |
| 25 Apr | -1.2 | 18:51:41 | 10° | WSW | 18:53:55 | 16° | SSW | 18:56:10 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 26 Apr | -1.6 | 18:03:43 | 10° | W | 18:06:27 | 22° | SSW | 18:09:13 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 27 Apr | -0.9 | 18:56:16 | 10° | SSW | 18:56:45 | 10° | SSW | 18:57:14 | 10° | S | visible |
Passes from Perth (AWST)
| Date | Brightness | Start | Highest point | End | Pass type | ||||||
| (mag) | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | ||
| 18 Apr | -2.5 | 17:53:28 | 10° | N | 17:56:21 | 26° | NE | 17:59:16 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 18 Apr | -1.0 | 19:30:38 | 10° | W | 19:32:25 | 18° | WSW | 19:32:25 | 18° | WSW | visible |
| 19 Apr | -2.2 | 18:42:45 | 10° | WNW | 18:45:52 | 33° | SW | 18:47:45 | 19° | S | visible |
| 20 Apr | -3.4 | 17:55:16 | 10° | NW | 17:58:38 | 66° | SW | 18:02:03 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 21 Apr | -0.8 | 18:47:29 | 10° | SW | 18:48:32 | 11° | SW | 18:49:36 | 10° | SSW | visible |
| 22 Apr | -1.2 | 17:58:42 | 10° | W | 18:01:09 | 18° | SW | 18:03:37 | 10° | S | visible |
Passes from Sydney (AEST)
| Date | Brightness | Start | Highest point | End | Pass type | ||||||
| (mag) | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | ||
| 19 Apr | -3.8 | 18:43:21 | 10° | NW | 18:46:45 | 84° | NE | 18:47:45 | 43° | SE | visible |
| 20 Apr | -3.2 | 17:56:23 | 10° | NNW | 17:59:36 | 42° | NE | 18:02:53 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 20 Apr | -1.1 | 19:34:04 | 10° | W | 19:35:57 | 18° | SW | 19:35:57 | 18° | SW | visible |
| 21 Apr | -2.0 | 18:46:13 | 10° | W | 18:49:14 | 29° | SW | 18:51:01 | 18° | S | visible |
| 22 Apr | -2.9 | 17:58:37 | 10° | WNW | 18:01:56 | 49° | SW | 18:05:17 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 23 Apr | -0.9 | 18:50:22 | 10° | SW | 18:51:57 | 13° | SSW | 18:53:32 | 10° | S | visible |
| 24 Apr | -1.3 | 18:02:01 | 10° | WSW | 18:04:29 | 18° | SSW | 18:06:59 | 10° | SSE | 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 planet 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. 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: ISS, Satellite, unaided eye
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Sky This Week - Thursday April 16 to Thursday April 23
The New Moon is Thursday, April 23. Venus is prominent in the evening sky well after twilight. You may be able to see shadows cast by Venus. Four bright planets are visible in the morning skies. The Moon is between Saturn and Mars on the 16th and on the 17th the crescent Moon forms a line with the bright planets. Jupiter dominates the morning skies as Mars leaves Saturn behind. Mercury is just visible below the trio. Mercury and the thin crescent Moon are close low in the twilight on the 22nd.
The New Moon is Thursday, April 23.The Moon is at apogee, when it is furthest from the Earth, on the 21st.
Evening sky at 18:43 ACST on Saturday, April 18 (60 minutes after sunset)
looking west as seen from Adelaide. Venus is prominent in the sky near the Hyades and the bright red star Aldebaran. The inset shows the telescope view of Venus.
Venus is a distinct "half Moon" shape in even small telescopes.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia 60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen.
Morning sky at 5:45 ACST (60 minutes minutes before sunrise)
facing east as seen from Adelaide on Thursday, April 16.
Four bright planets and the Moon are dominating the morning skies. Jupiter, Saturn and Mars with Mercury is bright below. The Moon is between Saturn and Mars in the line-up.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).
Morning sky at 5:46 ACST (60 minutes minutes before sunrise)
facing east as seen from Adelaide on Friday, April 17.
The crescent Moon is below Mars in the line-up
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).
Morning sky at 6:19 ACST (30 minutes minutes before sunrise)
facing east as seen from Adelaide on Wednesday, April 22.
The thin crescent Moon is close to Mercury low in the morning twilight.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time (30 minutes before sunrise).
Venus is prominent above the western horizon in the early evening sky. Venus is readily seen up to 90 minutes after sunset and will be at greatest brilliance next week. Although greatest Brilliance is next week, with the Moon out of the way you may be able to see shadows cast by Venus this week. Venus is below the beautiful Hyades cluster and bright red Aldebaran early in the week.
Four bright planets grace the morning sky. On the mornings of the 16th and 17th the waning Moon joins the line-up, making an attractive sight.
Mercury is still visible in the early twilight, but is rapidly sinking towards the horizon. On the 22nd the tin crescent Moon and Mercury are close together low in the morning twilight.
Mars is visible high in the morning sky. The Moon is between Saturn and Mars on the 16th. and below Mars on the 17th, forming an attractive line up.
Jupiter climbs higher in the morning sky, moving away from Mars. Jupiter and Saturn stay around a hand-span apart during the week.
Saturn climbs higher in the morning sky below Jupiter drawing away from Mars. The Moon is between Saturn and Mars on the 16th.
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.
Star Map via Virtual sky. Use your mouse to scroll around and press 8 when your pointer is in the map to set to current time.
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 Thursday, April 23.The Moon is at apogee, when it is furthest from the Earth, on the 21st.
Venus is a distinct "half Moon" shape in even small telescopes.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia 60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen.
Four bright planets and the Moon are dominating the morning skies. Jupiter, Saturn and Mars with Mercury is bright below. The Moon is between Saturn and Mars in the line-up.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).
The crescent Moon is below Mars in the line-up
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).
Morning sky at 6:19 ACST (30 minutes minutes before sunrise)
facing east as seen from Adelaide on Wednesday, April 22.The thin crescent Moon is close to Mercury low in the morning twilight.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time (30 minutes before sunrise).
Venus is prominent above the western horizon in the early evening sky. Venus is readily seen up to 90 minutes after sunset and will be at greatest brilliance next week. Although greatest Brilliance is next week, with the Moon out of the way you may be able to see shadows cast by Venus this week. Venus is below the beautiful Hyades cluster and bright red Aldebaran early in the week.
Four bright planets grace the morning sky. On the mornings of the 16th and 17th the waning Moon joins the line-up, making an attractive sight.
Mercury is still visible in the early twilight, but is rapidly sinking towards the horizon. On the 22nd the tin crescent Moon and Mercury are close together low in the morning twilight.
Mars is visible high in the morning sky. The Moon is between Saturn and Mars on the 16th. and below Mars on the 17th, forming an attractive line up.
Jupiter climbs higher in the morning sky, moving away from Mars. Jupiter and Saturn stay around a hand-span apart during the week.
Saturn climbs higher in the morning sky below Jupiter drawing away from Mars. The Moon is between Saturn and Mars on the 16th.
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.
Star Map via Virtual sky. Use your mouse to scroll around and press 8 when your pointer is in the map to set to current time.
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, April 13, 2020
The Moon climbs down the ladder of planets (Morning, 14-17 April 2020)
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| Morning sky at 5:44 ACST (60 minutes minutes before sunrise) facing east as seen from Adelaide on Tuesday, April 14. | Morning sky at 5:44 ACST (60 minutes minutes before sunrise) facing east as seen from Adelaide on Wednesday, April 15. |
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| Morning sky at 5:45 ACDST (60 minutes minutes before sunrise) facing east as seen from Adelaide on Thursday, April 16 | Morning sky at 5:46 ACDST (60 minutes minutes before sunrise) facing east as seen from Adelaide on Friday, April 17 |
The next four days offers some excellent sky viewing if you are prepared to get up in the early hours.
Staring tomorrow morning the Moon climbs down the ladder of planets. On Tuesday the 14th the waning Moon aligns with the four bright planets, on Wednesday the 15th the last quarter Moon is close to Jupiter, on Thursday the 14th the crescent Moon is between Saturn and Mars and finally on the Friday 17th the crescent Moon lines up with the planets again.
On the 22nd Mercury and the thin crescent Moon will be difficult to see low in the twilight.
On the 15th the Moon and Jupiter are in binocular range, but sadly not in telescope range.
Labels: alignment, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Moon, Saturn, unaided eye
Tuesday, April 07, 2020
Perigee ("super") Full Moon April 8, 2020
Looking north-east after Full Moon on Wednesday, April 8 at 22:00
ACSTWednesday April 8 is a perigee full Moon. Strictly Full Moon is at 3:30 ACST and perigee is at 12:00 ACST.
The Full Moon is a perigee Moon when the Full Moon is closest to the Earth. This is the best Perigee Full Moon this year and better than the March 10 perigee Moon.
Full Moon April 8 22:00 AEDST, 16 hours after perigee compared with the Full Moon of November 1 02:00, apogee -20h Click to embiggen.
As perigee is when the moon is below the horizon, at moon rise the Moon is receding from Earth but still larger than March Full Moon at the Same time.
However, don't look just at Moon rise as the horizon illusion will make the Moon look bigger than it is, wait until it is a decent way above the horizon. anywhere between 9 am to 11 am the Moon will still be a decent diameter. The location of the Moon to the north-east will be obvious.
You won't see much of a difference if you compare it with them memory of last months full Moon (which was also a perigee Moon). You will need to either remember the apogee Moon of September 13/14 or wait until the October 31/November 1 apogee Moon for the best size contrast.
A full Moon at perigee has been called a "Super Moon", this is not an astronomical term (the astronomical term is perigee syzygy, but that doesn't trip off the tongue so nicely), but an astrological one first coined in 1979 (see here).
Still, it is a good excuse to get people out and looking at the Moon. A guide to photographing the Perigee Full Moon is here.
Monday, April 06, 2020
Sky This Week - Thursday April 9 to Thursday April 16
The Last Quarter Moon is Wednesday, April 15. Venus is prominent in the evening sky well after twilight. Four bright planets are visible in the morning skies. From the 14th to the 16th the waning Moon climbs down the ladder of planets. Jupiter dominates the morning skies as Mars leaves Saturn behind. Mercury is just visible below the trio.
The Last Quarter Moon is Wednesday, April 15.
Evening sky at 18:51 ACST on Saturday, April 11 (60 minutes after sunset)
looking west as seen from Adelaide. Venus is prominent in the sky above the iconic Pleiades cluster. The inset shows the telescope view of Venus.
Venus is a distinct "half Moon" shape in even small telescopes.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia 60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen.
Morning sky at 5:44 ACST (60 minutes minutes before sunrise)
facing east as seen from Adelaide on Wednesday, April 15.
Four bright planets are dominating the morning skies. Jupiter, Saturn and Mars with Mercury is bright below.The moon is close to Jupiter in the line-up
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).
Morning sky at 5:45 ACST (60 minutes minutes before sunrise)
facing east as seen from Adelaide on Thursday, April 16.
The Moon is now between Saturn and Mars in the line-up.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).
Venus is prominent above the western horizon in the early evening sky. Venus is readily seen up to 90 minutes after sunset and will be at greatest brilliance next week. Venus is above the beautiful Pleiades cluster early in the week, and will move away from it during the week.
Four bright planets grace the morning sky. On the mornings of the 14th, 15th and 16th the waning Moon joins the line-up, making an attractive sight.
Mercury is still visible in the early twilight, but is rapidly sinking towards the horizon.
Mars is visible high in the morning sky. Mars is leaving the pair of Saturn and Jupiter behind. The Moon is between Saturn and Mars on the 16th.
Jupiter climbs higher in the morning sky, moving away from Mars. Jupiter and Saturn stay around a hand-span apart during the week.The Moon is close to Jupiter on the 15th.
Saturn climbs higher in the morning sky below Jupiter drawing away from Mars. The Moon is between Saturn and Mars on the 16th.
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.
Star Map via Virtual sky. Use your mouse to scroll around and press 8 when your pointer is in the map to set to current time.
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 Wednesday, April 15.
Evening sky at 18:51 ACST on Saturday, April 11 (60 minutes after sunset)
looking west as seen from Adelaide. Venus is prominent in the sky above the iconic Pleiades cluster. The inset shows the telescope view of Venus.Venus is a distinct "half Moon" shape in even small telescopes.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia 60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen.
Morning sky at 5:44 ACST (60 minutes minutes before sunrise)
facing east as seen from Adelaide on Wednesday, April 15.Four bright planets are dominating the morning skies. Jupiter, Saturn and Mars with Mercury is bright below.The moon is close to Jupiter in the line-up
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).
The Moon is now between Saturn and Mars in the line-up.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).
Venus is prominent above the western horizon in the early evening sky. Venus is readily seen up to 90 minutes after sunset and will be at greatest brilliance next week. Venus is above the beautiful Pleiades cluster early in the week, and will move away from it during the week.
Four bright planets grace the morning sky. On the mornings of the 14th, 15th and 16th the waning Moon joins the line-up, making an attractive sight.
Mercury is still visible in the early twilight, but is rapidly sinking towards the horizon.
Mars is visible high in the morning sky. Mars is leaving the pair of Saturn and Jupiter behind. The Moon is between Saturn and Mars on the 16th.
Jupiter climbs higher in the morning sky, moving away from Mars. Jupiter and Saturn stay around a hand-span apart during the week.The Moon is close to Jupiter on the 15th.
Saturn climbs higher in the morning sky below Jupiter drawing away from Mars. The Moon is between Saturn and Mars on the 16th.
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.
Star Map via Virtual sky. Use your mouse to scroll around and press 8 when your pointer is in the map to set to current time.
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, April 01, 2020
Southern Skywatch April 2020 edition is now out!
Venus is a distinct "half Moon" shape in even small telescopes.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia 60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen.
The April edition of Southern Skywatch is now up.
Saturn and Mars close 1 April. Venus in the Pleiades 3-4 April. Perigee Syzygy "super" Moon on April 8. Until around mid-month four bright planets will be seen in the morning sky, the moon traces down this ladder of planets, with an excellent massing on the 16th.
Mercury is an excellent in the morning sky until mid month , then is rapidly lost in the twilight.
Venus is high in the evening sky. It passes through the Pleiades 3-4 April. Venus is visited by the crescent Moon on the 26-27th and is at its greatest brilliance on the 28th.
Mars comes close to Saturn on the 1st.
Jupiter climbs higher in the morning sky.
Saturn climbs higher in the morning sky and is close to Mars on the 1st.
April 8, Moon at perigee (8 hours before Full Moon, this is a perigee Syzygy "super" Moon). April 16; Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and the waning Moon close. April 21; Moon at Apogee. April 22, Mercury and the thin crescent Moon close low in the morning twilight. April 26-27; crescent Moon and Venus near.
April 8, Moon at perigee, April 21; Moon at Apogee.
Labels: southern skywatch
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