Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Thursday November 14 to Thursday November 21
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.
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.
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).
Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time.
Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).
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.
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
Thursday, November 07, 2024
Seeing the Lunar X, Friday, November 8, 2024
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| 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.
Tuesday, November 05, 2024
Thursday November 7 to Thursday November 14
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.
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.
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).
Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at roughly the equivalent local time (60 minutes before sunrise).
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.
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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