Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Southern Skywatch September 2021 edition is now out!
(similar views will be seen Australia wide at the equivalent local time, 60 minutes after sunset)
The September edition of Southern Skywatch is now up.
This month the planetary action is mostly in the evening skies, with 4 bright planets visible after the sky is fully dark, with the pair of Venus and Mercury in the east and the pair of Saturn and Jupiter (just after opposition) in the west, the Moon meets Mercury and bright Venus. Mercury is at its best this month. For most of September Mercury, Venus and Spica make a nice line in the late evening twilight.
Mercury is readily visible in the early evening and is at its best for 2021 this month. On the 1st Mercury is just under a hand-span from the western horizon an hour and a half after sunset, with Venus and Spica above. during most of the month the three are in a line up, with Venus and Spica changing places. On the 9th Mercury is not far from the thin crescent Moon. On the 15th Mercury is just over a hand-span from the western horizon an hour and a half after sunset. Mercury moves closer to Spica and the pair are just a bit over a finger-width apart apart on the 21st. By the 30th Mercury is just under a hand-span from the western horizon an hour after sunset, not far from Spica with Venus above.
Venus is now easily visible in the evening sky from 30 minutes after sunset (I can see it as early as 5 minutes after sunset) until well after the sky is fully dark. Mercury, Venus and Spica make a nice line in the late evening twilight. At astronomical twilight, we can enjoy the sight the sight of bright Venus in the west mirroring bright Jupiter in the east Venus dominates the evening twilight as it comes closer to, and then passes, the bright star Spica. Venus now a distinct "gibbous Moon" shape. Venus is closest to Spica on the 6th (about one and a half finger widths). On the 10th Venus is close to the thin crescent Moon. The pair fit into the field of view of a 10x50 binoculars. Venus is close to the bright star Zubenelgenubi in Libra on the 24th. The pair fit in a the field of view of 10x50 binoculars. Zubenelgenubi is a double star and both stars will be seen in binoculars. With the pair of Mercury and Spica below, and red Antares above this will be an excellent sight around an hour after sunset.
Mars is lost in the twilight
Jupiter is readily visible from astronomical twilight and continues to climb into the evening sky. Jupiter was at opposition, when it was biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on August 19th, but is still bright and an excellent object in even small telescopes. This month at astronomical twilight, we can enjoy the sight the sight of bright Venus in the west mirroring bright Jupiter in the east. Indeed mid month we have the pair of bright Venus and Mercury in the West and the pair of Saturn and Jupiter in the east when the sky is fully dark. Once Venus has set Jupiter dominates the night sky. On the 16th the waxing moon forms a line with Saturn and Jupiter. On the 17st the moon is between Jupiter and Saturn, but close to Saturn. On the 18th the waxing moon is close to Jupiter and the pair fit into the FOV of 10x50 binoculars. Then on the 19th the waxing moon again forms a line with Jupiter and Saturn. Telescopically Jupiter will be best late evening to the early morning when it is highest above the northern horizon.
Saturn can be easily seen from astronomical twilight (an hour and a half after sunset) during September. Saturn was at Opposition, when it was biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on the 2nd od August. However it will remain great viewing for many weeks to come. On the 16th the waxing moon forms a line with Saturn and Jupiter. On the 17st the moon is between Jupiter and Saturn, but close to saturn. On the 18th the waxing moon is close to Jupiter and the pair fit into the FOV of 10x50 binoculars. Then on the 19th the waxing moon again forms a line with Jupiter and Saturn. The beginning of the month Saturn should be best for scopes around 9 pm local time (it will be good before then, but it is better when it is highest and in still air). As the month goes on Saturn rises earlier and it and Jupiter are prominent below the teapot of Sagittarius.
September 11; perigee Moon. September 27; apogee Moon.
Labels: southern skywatch
Monday, August 30, 2021
Thursday September 2 to Thursday September 9
The New Moon is Tuesday, September 7.
Evening twilight sky on Sunday, September 5 looking north-west as seen from Adelaide at 19:23 ACST (90 minutes after sunset). Venus is high above the horizon with Mercury low on the horizon. Mercury, Venus and the bright star Spica are close.
The insets show the telescopic view of Venus at this time. Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Evening twilight sky on Thursday, September 9 looking north-west as seen from Adelaide at 19:27 ACST (90 minutes after sunset). Venus is high above the horizon with Mercury low on the horizon. Mercury, Venus and the bright star Spica from a line in the late evening twilight. Mercury is close to the Moon.
The insets show the telescopic view of Venus at this time. Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Evening sky on Saturday, September 4 showing the eastern sky as seen from Adelaide at 19:23 pm ACST(90 minutes after sunset). Saturn and Jupiter form a line in the evening sky.
The insets shows the telescopic views of Jupiter and Saturn 8:15 ACST with Europa and its shadow transiting Jupiter's disk. Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset), click to embiggen.
Whole sky at 19:23 ACST (90 minutes after sunset), on Saturday, September 4 as seen from Adelaide. For bright planets can be seen in the sky.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere at the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset).
Mercury continues to climb rapidly in the twilight. Mercury, Venus and Spica make a line in the late evening twilight. Mercury is close to the Moon on the 9th.
Venus is visible in the early evening when the sky is fully dark. I have been able to see Venus from just after sunset and it is easily seen over 2 hours after sunset, longer if you have a clear western horizon. When the sky is fully dark you can see Venus above the western horizon and bright Jupiter above the eastern horizon. On the 6th Venus is close to the bright star Spica
Jupiter is now rising around sunset and is readily visible when the sky is fully dark. Saturn and Jupiter form a line in the sky. Jupiter was at Opposition, when it was biggest and brightest as seen from Earth on August the 19th, and is still excellent in even small telescopes.
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 the 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, August 23, 2021
Thursday August 26 to Thursday September 2
The Last Quarter Moon is Monday, August 30. The Moon is at apogee, when it is furthest from the earth, on the 30th.
The insets show the telescopic view of Venus at this time. Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).
Venus is visible in the early evening when the sky is fully dark. I have been able to see Venus from just after sunset and it is easily seen up to 90 minutes after sunset, longer if you have a clear western horizon. When the sky is fully dark you can see Venus above the western horizon and bright Jupiter above the eastern horizon.
Mars is lost in the twilight.
Jupiter is now above the eastern horizon around 6 pm. Saturn and Jupiter form a line in the sky. Jupiter was at Opposition, when it was biggest and brightest as seen from Earth on the 19th, and is still excellent in even small telescopes.
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 the 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
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
National Science Week is this week (14 - 22 August)
It's National Science Week this week (well, it started Sunday, but I was too busy astrophotographing to write about it). While there are not as many in-person activities this year due to COVID, there are heaps of virtual activities to participate in. You can search for a local activity here. You can keep up with the latest developments at the Science Week blog. You can find a diary of events here as well. you can also catch special shows like The Chemical World on iView. Why not follow National Science Week on twitter @Aus_ScienceWeek
Labels: science week
Monday, August 16, 2021
Thursday August 19 to Thursday August 26
The Full Moon is Sunday, August 22.
Evening twilight sky on Thursday, August 19 looking north-west as seen from Adelaide at 18:43 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Venus is high above the horizon with Mars and Mercury low on the horizon below.
The insets show the telescopic view of Venus and the binocular view of Mars and Mercury at this time.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset), click to embiggen
Venus is visible in the early evening when the sky is fully dark. I have been able to see Venus from just after sunset and it is easily seen up to 90 minutes after sunset, longer if you have a clear western horizon. When the sky is fully dark you can see Venus above the western horizon and bright Jupiter above the eastern horizon.
Mars is visible in the low above the north-western horizon in the evening twilight. Mars is close to Mercury on the 19th. After this mars is increasingly difficult to see.
Jupiter is now above the eastern horizon around 6 pm. Saturn and Jupiter form a line in the sky. Jupiter is at Opposition, when it is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, and is excellent in even small telescopes. On Saturday the 21st the Moon is between Saturn and Jupiter, on the 22nd the Full Moon is close to Jupiter.
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 the 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, August 11, 2021
Recurrent Nova RS Ophiuchi in outburst
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| Western sky as seen from Adelaide at 23:00 ACST the position of RS Oph is marked with a circle.Click to embiggen. | Approximate binocular view of the area around RS Oph the position of RS Oph is marked with a circle.. Click to embiggen. |
The recurrent nova RS Ophiuchi is in outburst for the first time in 15 years. This is its first outburst since February 2006, brightening from magnitude 12 to an unaided eye visible (but still relatively dim) magnitude 5. Located between the bright stars Antares and Altair, near mu (μ), nu (ν) and tau (τ) Ophiuchi (see charts above) it will be readily visible in binoculars and just visible to the unaided eye.
Over the coming week it will fade back below unaided eye visibility, and it will be interesting to watch the progress of its dimming.
Chart of the stars around RS Oph (black rectangle) showing magnitude labels [684] mean magnitude 6.84 etc. click to embiggen and print. Use the charts above to orient yourself.
Labels: nova
Monday, August 09, 2021
The crescent Moon meets Mars and Venus (10-11 August, 2021)
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| Evening twilight sky on Tuesday, August 10 looking north-west as seen from Adelaide at 18:38 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Venus is above the horizon with Mars and Regulus below. Mars is close to the crescent Moon. Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen). | Evening twilight sky on Wednesday, August 11 looking north-west as seen from Adelaide at 18:38 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Venus is above the horizon close to the crescent Moon. with Mars and Regulus below. Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen). |
The next two days will have a lovely sight in the early evening twilight. the thin crescent Moon will visit first Mars, then Venus. Mars is best seen around 60 minutes after sunset, and you should have a fairly clear horizon for the best views. Venus can be seen for much longer, and is prominent in the late twilight/early evening, but If you want to catch Mars as well 60 minutes after sunset is best (if you are keen eyed you may see mars 45 minutes after Sunset).
On the 10th Mars and the Moon just fit into the field of view of 10x50 binoculars, then on the 11th it is veus and the Moons turn to just fit into a binocular field of view.
Labels: Mars, Moon, unaided eye, Venus
Thursday August 12 to Thursday August 19
The First Quarter Moon is Monday, August 16. This is a perigee First Quarter Moon with the moon at Perigee, when it is closest to the Earth, on the 17th.
Evening twilight sky on Thursday, August 19 looking north-west as seen from Adelaide at 18:43 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Venus is high above the horizon with Mars and Mercury low on the horizon below.
The insets show the telescopic view of Venus and the binocular view of Mars and Mercury at this time.
Venus is visible in the early evening when the sky is fully dark. I have been able to see Venus from 10 minutes after sunset and it is easily seen up to 90 minutes after sunset, longer if you have a clear western horizon. When the sky is fully dark you can see Venus above the western horizon and bright Jupiter above the eastern horizon.
Mars is visible in the low above the north-western horizon in the evening twilight. Mars is close to Mercury on the 19th.
Jupiter is now above the eastern horizon around 7 pm. Saturn and Jupiter form a line in the sky. Jupiter is at Opposition, when it is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, and is excellent in even small telescopes.
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 the 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, August 02, 2021
Thursday August 5 to Thursday August 12
The New Moon is Sunday, August 8.
Venus is visible in the early evening when the sky is fully dark. I have been able to see Venus from 10 minutes after sunset and it is easily seen up to 90 minutes after sunset, longer if you have a clear western horizon. Venus is close to the crescent Moon on the 11th and is heading towards the bright star Spica over the coming weeks.
Mars is visible in the low above the north-western horizon in the evening twilight. Mars is below Venus and just just above the bright star Regulus. Mars is close to the thin crescent Moon on the 10th.
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 the 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
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