Astroblog: November 2024

The New Moon is Sunday December 1. In the evening Venus leaves Sagittarius behind and is close to the thin crescent moon on December 5. Mercury is lost in the twilight. Saturn is in the north western sky coming closer to Venus. Jupiter is now visible in the evening sky along with Saturn and Venus. In the morning Mars and Jupiter continue to draw apart. Mars is close to the Beehive cluster from the 30th November to 3rd December.

The New Moon is Sunday December 1.

Western evening sky on Thursday, December 5 as seen from Adelaide at 21:23 ACDST (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

Venus is readily visible and is now visible when the sky is fully dark. Venus is leaving Sagittarius behind and is close to the thin crescent moon.

The inset is the telescopic view of Venus at this time.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset).

The north-western sky at 21:57 ACDST Saturday, November 30 as seen from Adelaide (90 minutes after sunset).

Saturn is past opposition and is visible all evening long. Saturn is coming closer to Venus. The inset shows the telescopic view of Saturn at this time. (click to embiggen).

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset).

Eastern evening sky on Saturday, November 30 as seen from Adelaide at 21:57 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset), Jupiter is rising in the east.

The inset is the telescope view of the Jupiter at this time. (click to embiggen).

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset).

Northern morning sky on Saturday, November 30 as seen from Adelaide at 04:51 ACDST (60 minutes before sunrise), Mars and Jupiter form a line with the red star Aldebaran. Mars is close to the iconic Beehive cluster. The inset is the binocular view at this time.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).

Whole sky on Saturday, November 30 as seen from Adelaide at 21:57 ACDST, 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).

Jupiter is rising in the east Saturn is now above the north-western horizon and coming closer to Venus . as the tails of Scorpius disappears in the west . Orion the hunter is rising in the east. The Southern Cross is low in the Southern sky. The moon is new and the fainter clusters and nebula are easy to see.

Elsewhere in Australia will see a similar view at the equivalent time (90 minutes after sunset).

Mercury is lost in the twilight.

Venus climbs higher in the evening twilight and is readily visible in the evening twilight. Venus leaves Sagittarius behind is coming closer to Saturn.

Mars is rising in the morning sky and near Jupiter. The pair continue to draw apart as as Mars passes into Cancer. Mars is close to the beehive on from November 30th to December 5.

Jupiter is rising in the the evening sky when the sky is fully dark but is best in the morning. Jupiter is below the red star Aldebaran forming a line with Mars.

Saturn is lowering in the evening sky coming closer to Venus. Saturn is visible all night long.

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

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 9:54 pm 0 comments

The Last Quarter Moon is Saturday November 23. In the evening Venus is in the "Handle" of the Teapot of Sagittarius. Mercury begins to sink back to the horizon. Saturn is in the north western sky. Jupiter is now visible in the evening sky along with Saturn and Venus. In the morning Mars and Jupiter continue to draw apart. Mars comes close to the Beehive cluster on the 28th.

The Last Quarter Moon is Saturday November 23.

Western evening sky on Friday, November 22 as seen from Adelaide at 21:09 ACDST (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

Venus is readily visible and is now visible when the sky is fully dark. Venus is in the "handle" of the "teapot" of Sagittarius. Mercury is below and beginning to sink towards the horizon.

The inset is the telescopic view of Venus at this time.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset).

The north-western sky at 21:48 ACDST Saturday, November 23 as seen from Adelaide (90 minutes after sunset).

Saturn is past opposition and is visible all evening long. The inset shows the telescopic view of Saturn at this time. (click to embiggen).

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset).

Eastern evening sky on Saturday, November 23 as seen from Adelaide at 21:48 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset), Jupiter is rising in the east.

The inset is the telescope view of the Jupiter at this time. (click to embiggen).

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset).

Northern morning sky on Thursday, November 21 as seen from Adelaide at 04:54 ACDST (60 minutes before sunrise), Mars and Jupiter form a line with the red star Aldebaran. Mars is close to the waning Moon.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).

Northern morning sky on Thursday, November 28 as seen from Adelaide at 04:52 ACDST (60 minutes before sunrise), Mars and Jupiter form a line with the red star Aldebaran. Mars is close to the iconic Beehive cluster. The inset is the binocular view at this time.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).

Whole sky on Saturday, November 23 as seen from Adelaide at 21:48 ACDST, 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).

Jupiter is rising in the east Saturn is now above the north-western horizon as Venus is above the western horizon and Mercury is setting. Scorpius is setting in the west with the heart of the milky way now below the zenith. Orion the hunter is rising in the east. The Southern Cross is low in the Southern sky. The moon is rising later and the fainter clusters and nebula are becoming easier to see.

Elsewhere in Australia will see a similar view at the equivalent time (90 minutes after sunset).

Mercury is visible in the evening twilight below Venus.

Venus climbs higher in the evening twilight and is readily visible in the evening twilight. Venus is in Sagittarius and is in the "Handle" of the Teapot.

Mars is rising in the morning sky and near Jupiter. The pair continue to draw apart as as Mars passes into Cancer. Mars is close to the beehive on the 28th.

Jupiter is now in the evening rising when the sky is fully dark but is best in the morning. Jupiter is below the red star Aldebaran forming a line with Mars.

Saturn is lowering in the evening sky. Saturn is visible all night long.

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

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 1:26 am 0 comments

The Full Moon is Saturday November 16. In the evening Venus is in Sagittarius and is in the "Lid" of the Teapot and close to the globular cluster M22 on the 19th. Mercury leaves Scorpius behind. Saturn is in the north western sky. The waning Moon is close to Jupiter on the late evening of the 17th. In the morning Mars and Jupiter continue to draw apart. The waning Moon is close to Mars on the 21st.

The Full Moon is Saturday November 16. The Moon is at perigee, when it is closest to the Earth, on the 14th.

Western evening sky on Sunday, November 17 as seen from Adelaide at 21:04 ACDST (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

Venus is readily visible and is now visible when the sky is fully dark. Venus is in the "lid" of the "teapot" of Sagittarius. Mercury is below and Leaving Scorpius behind.

The inset is the telescopic view of Venus at this time.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset).

Western evening sky on Tuesday, November 19 as seen from Adelaide at 21:43 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

Venus is close to the the Globular cluster M22 (in brackets). The inset is the binocular view at this time.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset).

The northern sky at 21:39 ACDST Saturday, November 16 as seen from Adelaide (90 minutes after sunset).

Saturn is past opposition and is visible all evening long. The inset shows the telescopic view of Saturn at this time. (click to embiggen).

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset).

Eastern evening sky on Sunday, November 17 as seen from Adelaide at 23:30 ACDST , Jupiter is close to the waning Moon.

The inset is the telescope view of the Jupiter at this time. (click to embiggen).

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time.

Northern morning sky on Thursday, November 21 as seen from Adelaide at 04:54 ACDST (60 minutes before sunrise), Mars and Jupiter form a line with the red star Aldebaran. Mars is close to the waning Moon.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).

Whole sky on Saturday, November 16 as seen from Adelaide at 21:39 ACDST, 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).

Saturn is now above the northern horizon as Venus sets on the western horizon. Scorpius is now setting in the west with the heart of the milky way now below the zenith. The Southern Cross is low in the Southern sky. The moon is Full and the fainter clusters and nebula are difficult to see.

Elsewhere in Australia will see a similar view at the equivalent time (90 minutes after sunset).

Mercury is visible in the evening twilight below Venus.

Venus climbs higher in the evening twilight and is readily visible in the evening twilight. Venus is in Sagittarius and is in the "Lid" of the Teapot and close to the globular cluster M22 on the 19th.

Mars is rising in the morning sky and near Jupiter. The pair continue to draw apart as as Mars passes into Cancer. Mars is close to the waning Moon on the 21st.

Jupiter is rising in the the morning twilight sky. Jupiter is below the red star Aldebaran forming a line with Mars. Jupiter is now rising before midnight but is best in the morning. The waning Moon is close to Jupiter on the 17th.

Saturn is high in the evening sky. Saturn is visible all night long.

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

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 8:27 pm 0 comments


The Lunar X and V (indicated) as visible in telescopic views. Click to embiggen for a clrear view.	Western evening sky on Friday, November 8 as seen from Adelaide at 23:19 ACDST	Western evening sky on Friday, November 8 as seen from Brisbane at 22:49 ACDST

Pareidolia (the tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful, image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern) abounds on the moon, the “Man in the Moon” and “the lunar Rabbit” are the most famous examples we can see every full moon, caused by the placement of the dark lava planes and the brighter uplands.

Placement of craters and shadows can also case us to see fanciful shapes.

One of the most famous and elusive is the Lunar X (also known as the Werner X) and the Lunar V. The Lunar X is a chiaroscuro effect in which strong contrasts of light and shadow create the appearance of a letter 'X' on the rim of the Blanchinus, La Caille and Purbach craters of the Moon and a letter V from the rim of the crater Ukert, along with several smaller craters.

The X and V are seen at first quarter, visible on the lunar surface for about 4 hours. However, the Moon is not always above the horizon from a given vantage point when this happens. This month is good for Australia.

Lunar X occurs on Friday November 8, 1249 UT 1249 UT (23:49 AEDST, 22:49 AEST, 23:19 ACDST, 22:19 ACST, 20:49 AWST). This is earlier than official first Quarter which occurs at 16:000 AEST.

This is a telescope (and maybe good binoculars) only event.The west coast is favoured with the Moon being 48° above the horizon, central states see it at a decent 29° above the horizon, and for the east coast a lower but still decent 24° above the horizon.

The next Lunar X is Dec 08 0236 UT (14:36 AEDST, 14:06 AEDST, the Moon is on the horizon in WA), which is a daytime event in Australia, but still may be a decent telescope view.

Labels: Moon, telescope

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 11:45 pm 0 comments

The First Quarter Moon is Saturday November 9. Late on the 8th is a good chance to see the Lunar X in telescopes. In the evening Venus has left the Scorpion with Mercury taking its place. Mercury is close to Antares on the 10th. Venus is close to the Lagoon Nebula on the 13th. On the 11th Saturn is close to the waxing gibbous Moon. In the morning Mars and Jupiter continue to draw apart. Mars has left Gemini and is now in Cancer.

The First Quarter Moon is Saturday November 9. Late on the 8th is a good chance to see the Lunar X in telescopes.

Western evening sky on Sunday, November 10 as seen from Adelaide at 20:55 ACDST (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

Venus is readily visible and is now visible when the sky is fully dark. Venus passing from the Scorpion in Sagittarius. Mercury is below and close to the red star Antares.

The inset is the telescopic view of Venus at this time.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset).

Western evening sky on Wednesday, November 13 as seen from Adelaide at 21:35 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

Venus is close to the Lagoon Nebula. The inset is the binocular view at this time.

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset).

The northern sky at 21:32 ACDST Monday, November 11 as seen from Adelaide (90 minutes after sunset).

Saturn is past opposition and is visible all evening long. Saturn is close to the Moon, and the Moon will occult the faint star 96 Aquarii later in the evening. The inset shows the telescopic view of Saturn at this time. (click to embiggen).

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at the equivalent local time (90 minutes after sunset).

Northern morning sky on Saturday, November 9 as seen from Adelaide at 05:06 ACDST (60 minutes before sunrise), Mars and Jupiter form a line with the red star Aldebaran. Mars is leaving Gemini for Cancer.

The inset is the telescope view of the Jupiter at this time. (click to embiggen).

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).

Western evening sky on Friday, November 8 as seen from Adelaide at 23:19 ACDST (1249 UT), The Lunar X will be visible in telescopic views.

The Lunar X (also known as the Werner X) is a chiaroscuro effect in which strong contrasts of light and shadow create the appearance of a letter 'X' on the rim of the Blanchinus, La Caille and Purbach craters of the Moon and a letter V from the rim of the crater Ukert, along with several smaller craters. (click to embiggen).

Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at 1249 UT (23:49 AEDST, 22:49 AEST, 20:49 AWST).

Whole sky on Saturday, November 9 as seen from Adelaide at 21:29 ACDST, 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).

Saturn is now above the northern horizon as Venus sets on the western horizon. Scorpius is now setting in the west with the heart of the milky way now below the zenith. The Southern Cross is low in the Southern sky. The moon is waxing and the fainter clusters and nebula are fading.

Elsewhere in Australia will see a similar view at the equivalent time (90 minutes after sunset).

Mercury is now visible in the evening twilight below Venus. Mercury is close to Antares on the 10th.

Venus climbs higher in the evening twilight and is readily visible in the evening twilight. Venus is close to the Lagoon Nebula on the 13th.

Mars is rising in the morning sky and near Jupiter. The pair continue to draw apart as as Mars passes into Cancer.

Jupiter is rising in the the morning twilight sky. Jupiter is below the red star Aldebaran forming a line with Mars. Jupiter is now rising before midnight but is best in the morning.

Saturn is high in the evening sky. Saturn is visible all night long. On the 11th Saturn is close to the waxing gibbous Moon.

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

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 11:10 pm 0 comments