Astroblog

The western sky at 23:37 ACST Tuesday, September 17, as seen from Adelaide. The Moon is about to occult the bright star Antares low on the horizon. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen).	The western sky at 00:0 AEST Wednesday, September 18, as seen from Canderra. The Moon is about to occult the bright star Antares low on the horizon. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen).	The western sky at 23:59 AEST Tuesday, September 17, as seen from Melbourne. The Moon is about to occult the bright star Antares low on the horizon. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen).

This is an occultation best seen from the east coast south of Sydney around midnight. You will need a level, unobstructed horizon, like the sea, yo see this. The Moon is Approaching first Quarter and low above the horizon.  The Moon sets before Antares can reappear.

Place	Disappears Bright Limb	Reappears Dark Limb
Adelaide ACST	23:37	-
Brisbane  AEST	-	-
Canberra AEST (18th)	00:00	-
Darwin ACST	-	-
Hobart AEST	23:51	-
Melbourne AEDST	23:59	-
Perth AWST	-	-
Sydney AEST	-	-

Labels: Antares, binocular, Occultation, telescope

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 4:49 pm 0 comments

The eastern sky at 04:54 ACST Sunday, August 9, as seen from Adelaide. The Moon is about to finish occulting the bright star Elnath. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen).	The eastern sky at 04:34 AEST Sunday, August 9, as seen from Brisbane. The Moon is about to occult the bright star Elnath. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen).	The eastern sky at 04:41 AEST Sunday, August 9, as seen from Melbourne. The Moon is about to occult the bright star Elnath. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen).

An occultation of Elnath, (Beta Tauri) occurs in the early morning of Sunday August 9.
This is best seen from the east coast. For Mebourne and Hobart, the Moon occults Elnath when it is very low, so egress may be better for observation.Western Australia sees a close approach. The Moon is past last quarter low in the eastern sky for easy binocular/telescope observation, although telescope is best

Labels: binocular, Moon, Occultation, telescope

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 2:18 pm 0 comments

The western sky at 02:22 AEST Sunday, June 28, as seen from Canberra. The Moon is about to occult the bright star Antares. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen). Click to embiggen	The western sky at 02:27 AEST Sunday, June 28, as seen from Sydney. The Moon is about to occult the bright star Antares. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen). Click to embiggen	The western sky at 02:12 AEST Sunday, June 28, as seen from Melbourne. The moon is about to occult the bright star Antares. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen). Click to embiggen

On Sunday June 28 there is an early morning occultation best seen from the east coast, south of the Gold Coast (which sees a graze). Everywhere else in Australia sees a close approach. The Moon is two days off full and sufficiently high in the sky for easy binocular/telescope observation, although telescope is best.

Labels: Antares, binocular, Moon, Occultation, telescope

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 5:11 pm 0 comments

Full Moon May 31 18:42 ACST, 90 minutes after sunset as seen from Adelaide, similar views will be seen form the rest of Australia at the equivalent local time (click to embiggen).	Full Moon May 31 18:17 ACST Antares is just coming out of occultation ("Blue" apogee moon +19hrs apogee 15:02 1st June, Full Moon 19:15 31st.)

The Full Moon this Sunday May 31 is a "Blue" apogee Moon, the second full Moon in a month, and also (almost) at its furthest from Earth. Astronomical Full Moon is at 19:15 31st, astronomical apogee is  9hrs later on 15:02, 1st June. See if you can fix its image in your mind for comparison with our two perigee Moons, November 25th and December 24. The differences are in Full Moon size are subtle. 

There is also a difficult occultation of Antares, the brightest star in Scorpio. This starts low in the twilight and is mostly visible from the east coast, but egress of Antares may be easier to view. For details see my Occultation of Antares page for major city times.

Labels: apogee, Blue Moon, Moon, Occultation

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 6:44 pm 0 comments

The eastern sky at 17:19 ACST Sunday, May 31, as seen from Adelaide. The moon is about to occult the bright star Antares. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen). Click to embiggen	The eastern sky at 17:31 AEST Sunday, May 31, as seen from Sydney. The moon is about to occult the bright star Antares. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen). Click to embiggen	The eastern sky at 17:48 AEST Sunday, May 31, as seen from Melbourne. The moon is about to occult the bright star Antares. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen). Click to embiggen

The occultation of Antares, the brightest start in Scorpio, on the 31st of May by the Full (blue) Moon will be difficult, low on the horizon starting at twilight. Telescope only, unaided eye and binoculars will not be enough. The occultation is mostly visible from the east coast. Times for major cities are shown in the table below. This will also be an apogee full Moon, so you can take images to compare with the November and December perigee Moons. 

Labels: Antares, Moon, Occultation, telescope

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 10:29 pm 0 comments

The eastern sky at 04:40 ACDST Thursday, January 15, as seen from Adelaide. The moon is about to occult the bright star Antares. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen). Click to embiggen	The eastern sky at at 05:18 AEDST Thursday, January 15,as seen from Sydney. The moon is about to occult the bright star Antares. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen). Click to embiggen	at 02:13 AWST Thursday, January 15, as seen from Perth. The moon is about to occult the bright star Antares. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen). Click to embiggen

On Thursday, January 15, Antares, the brightest start in Scorpio, is occulted by the Moon as seen from the all of Australia. (see the table below for major cities). In Western Australia the occultation is seen in good circumstances, the east coast sees the occultation  (or  agraze) in twilight and the occultation end in daylight.

The occultation occurs with the moon above the eastern horizon when the sky is entering twilight for the Eastern and central states. Perth and Western Australia generally sees the occultation start low the south-eastern sky, and egress  somewhat higher under dark conditions.  

Disappearance and appearance times are given in the table below. Other locations will see the occultation at a similar time for cities at a similar latitude (eg Woomera is similar to Adelaide).

While the occultation is visible to the unaided eye, the sight will be better in binoculars or a small telescope. Set up ahead of time so that you can be sure everything is working well and you can watch the entire event comfortably. Antares will be clearly visible to the unaided eye near the Moon. 

Labels: binocular, Moon, Occultation, unaided eye

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 5:53 pm 0 comments

The northern sky at 19:01 ACST Sunday August 3 as seen from Adelaide. The moon is about to occult the star 2 Scorpii. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen). Click to embiggen	The northern sky at 19:55 AEST Sunday August 3 as seen from Sydney. The moon is about to occult the star 2 Scorpii. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen). Click to embiggen	The northern sky at 18:39 ACST Sunday August 3 as seen from Perth. The star 3 Scorpii is about to exit occultation by  the moon . The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen). Click to embiggen

On Sunday August 3, the Moon will occult the moderately bight star 2 Scorpii and the dimmer 3 Scorpii shortly after. The occultation is visible from most of Australia.

The occultation occurs with the moon well above the northern horizon when the sky is fully dark for the Eastern and central states. Perth and Western Australia generally sees the occultation start during twilight.  The Moon is obvious and in the head of the constellation Scorpius. 

Disappearance and appearance times of 2 Scorpii are given in the table below (3 Scorpii follows soon after). Other locations will see the occultation at a similar time for cities at a similar latitude (eg Woomera is similar to Adelaide).

While the occultation is visible to the unaided eye (although the star 2 Scorpii not being very bright will make it difficult), the sight will be better in binoculars or a small telescope. Set up ahead of time so that you can be sure everything is working well and you can watch the entire event comfortably. The star 2 Scorpii will be visible to the unaided eye near the Moon. 

Labels: Moon, Occultation

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 7:27 am 0 comments

Western evening sky on Friday, August 1 as seen from Adelaide at 20:17 ACST	Western evening sky on Friday, August 1 as seen from Melbourne at 20:57 AEST	Western evening sky on Friday, August 1 as seen from Perth at 18:57 AWST

The Lunar X (also known as the Werner X) and the Lunar V will be visible this Friday as the Moon reaches First Quarter. 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 Lunar craters Blanchinus, La Caille and Purbach 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 Australian observers, with the Moon moderately high above the horizon in the eastern sates, and quite high on the west coast.

Lunar X occurs on Friday, August 1, 10:57 UT,  20:57 AEST, 20:17 ACST, 18:57 AWST). This is earlier than official first Quarter which occurs at 22:11 ACST.

This is a telescope (and maybe good binoculars) only event. For the west coast the start of the Lunar X occurs with the Moon being 70° above the horizon, central states see it at 53° above the horizon, and for the east coast at 45° above the horizon.

Upcoming Lunar X' s are shown below:

Dates and time Lunar X and V are visible. Typically visible from about 4hours from the starting time, times in colour are daylight saving times.

Labels: Lunar X, Moon, Occultation, telescope

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 9:16 pm 0 comments

The eastern sky at 18:55 ACST Tuesday, June 10 as seen from Adelaide. The moon is about to occult the bright star Antares. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen). Click to embiggen	The eastern sky at 19:25 AEST Tuesday, June 10 as seen from Sydney. The moon is about to occult the bright star Antares. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen). Click to embiggen	The eastern sky at 17:39 ACST Tuesday, June 10 as seen from Perth. The moon is about to occult the bright star Antares. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen). Click to embiggen

On Tuesday 10 June, Antares, the brightest start in Scorpio, is occulted by the Moon as seen from the all of Australia and New Zealand. (see the table below for major cities and see the IOTA site link below for more locations). In Western Australia the occultation starts in the twilight,

Occultation map from IOTA.

The occultation occurs with the moon well above the eastern horizon when the sky is fully dark for the Eastern and central states. Perth and Western Australia generally sees the occultation start low above the horizon during twilight.  

Disappearance and appearance times are given in the table below. Other locations will see the occultation at a similar time for cities at a similar latitude (eg Woomera is similar to Adelaide).

While the occultation is visible to the unaided eye (although the Moon being nearly full will make it difficult), the sight will be better in binoculars or a small telescope. Set up ahead of time so that you can be sure everything is working well and you can watch the entire event comfortably. Antares will be clearly visible to the unaided eye near the Moon. Other sites can be found at IOTA (timings in UT)

Labels: binocular, Moon, Occultation, unaided eye

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 7:28 am 0 comments

Western evening sky on Wednesday, June 3 as seen from Adelaide at 22:31 ACST	Western evening sky on Wednesday, June 3 as seen from Sydney at 23:18 AEST	Western evening sky on Wednesday, June 3 as seen from Perth at 21:18 AWST
Sunrise on the Moon: Moon at 19:00 ACDST, the Lunar V is just becoming visible.	Sunrise on the Moon: Moon at 22:00 ACDST, the Lunar V is becoming visible. Some crater walls are beginning to light up and the first hints of the Lunar X are there.	Sunrise on the Moon: Moon at 23:00 ACDST, the Lunar V is  visible. Some crater walls are lighting up and the Lunar X is clear.

The Lunar X (also known as the Werner X) and the Lunar V will be visible this Saturday as the moon reaches First Quarter. 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 Lunar craters Blanchinus, La Caille and Purbach 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 okay for Australian observers, with the Moon low to the horizon in the eastern sates, and reasonably high on the west coast.

Lunar X occurs on Wednesday, June 3, 13:18 UT,  23:13 AEST, 22:30 ACST, 21:11 AWST). This is later than official first Quarter which occurs at 13:11 ACST.

This is a telescope (and maybe good binoculars) only event. For the west coast the start of the Lunar X occurs with the Moon being 36° above the horizon, central states see it at 24° above the horizon, and for the east coast at 9° above the horizon.

Upcoming Lunar X' s are shown below:

Dates and time Lunar X and V are visible. Typically visible from about 4hours from the starting time, times in colour are daylight saving times.

If you are setting up to see the Lunar X, why not start early so you can watch sunrise on the Moon? You can watch the sides of crater walls light up as hours progress.Starting from nautical twilight, an hour after sunset, image the Moon through binoculars of a telescope every hour until around moon set and you can see the walls of the Lunar V light up, then the walls of the X. 

Also if you are setting up early, catch the reappearance of Chi Leo from occultation by the Moon. this is an occulation in the late twilight, Darwin and Perth miss out.

The moon as seen from Adelaide at 17:750 ACST as Chi Leo is reappearing from occultation.	The telescopic view of the moon as seen from Adelaide at 17:750 ACST as Chi Leo is reappearing from occultation.

Labels: Lunar X, Moon, Occultation, telescope

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 11:16 pm 0 comments

The eastern sky at 19:26 AEST Tuesday, September 17 as seen from Brisbane (almost 60 minutes after sunset) with Saturn just about to be occulted by the Moon.   The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen).	The eastern sky at 18:33 ACST Tuesday, September 17 as seen from Darwin with Saturn just exiting the Moon as the occultation ends.   The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen).	The eastern sky at 19:08 ACST Tuesday, September 17 as seen from Cairns with Saturn just exiting the Moon as the occultation ends.   The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen).

On the early evening of Tuesday, 17 September, between 6pm and 7pm  there is an occultation of Saturn as seen from Northern Australia (Queensland and Central Australia). Everywhere else sees a graze or close approach. This is the third and final of three occultations seen from Australia this year. This best as a binocular and telescope event. The Moon will have just risen in some areas, so ingress may be difficult for telescopes, although Saturn's exit may be a lot easier.

The path of the occultation, taken from the IOTA site 

This occultation is visible from the eastern and central Australia from the latitude of Surfers paradise and up (see table below). Other sites at the same approximate latitude will see similar views.

In the rest of Australia the Moon and Saturn will be very close when the Moon rises (eg Coffs Harbour sees a graze).  

Start watching about half an hour beforehand to get set up and familiar with the sky. Saturn will disappear behind the dark limb of the Moon very close to the horizon. In Alice Springs and Darwin the Moon will rise with Saturn behind the Moon. Generally, you will need a level, unobscured horizon to see the occultation at its best. 

Again, as the Moon is close to the horizon when ingress occurs (15-20°) it may be difficult to get telescopes to point that low, and binoculars may be required. By the time Saturn reappears the Moon will be higher (around 26°) so telescopes will be successful. 

Imaging Saturn and the Moon together will be a challenge, due to the differences in brightness, especially as the Moon is nearly full and the dark limb is a thin sliver. You will need a high ISO (3200 to 1600) to have a short enough exposure time to stop Saturn from trailing, but the Moon will be over exposed , you may need to take short exposures of the Moon and  long exposures of Saturn and overlay them. 

Try practicing the night before to get an idea of your cameras/mobile phones performance. You will need a tripod for your camera or binoculars, and possibly some way to attach the camera to binoculars or telescope (dedicated amateur astronomers will already have this kit). See this post for some examples.

Labels: binocular, Moon, Occultation, Saturn, telescope

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 6:03 pm 0 comments

The western sky at 23:50 ACST Tuesday, September 10 as seen from Adelaide. The moon is about to occult the bright star Antares. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen). Click to embiggen	The western sky at 23:50 ACST Tuesday, September 10 as seen from Alice Springs. The moon is about to occult the bright star Antares. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. (click to embiggen)Click to embiggen	The western sky at 22:07 AWST Tuesday, September 10 as seen from Perth. The moon is about to occult the bright star Antares. The inset shows the telescopic view at the time. Click to embiggen

On Tuesday 10 September, Antares, the brightest start in Scorpio, is occulted by the Moon as seen from the central and western states. This can be seen from Perth, Darwin, Alice Springs, Adelaide and other sites (see the table below for more locations). Everywhere else sees a close approach or graze low to the horizon

The occultation occurs with the moon low above the western horizon for the central states just before midnight. Perth and Western Australia generally sees the occultation start around 10 pm well above the western horizon.  Northern sites will see the Moon set before the Antares reappears. Disappearance and appearance times are given in the table below. For several sites the Moon sets before Antares reappears. Other locations will see the occultation at a similar time for cities at a similar latitude (eg Woomera is similar to Adelaide).

While the occultation is visible to the unaided eye, the sight will be better in binoculars or a small telescope. Set up ahead of time so that you can be sure everything is working well and you can watch the entire event comfortably. Antares will be clearly visible to the unaided eye near the Moon. Other sites can be found at IOTA (timings in UT)

Labels: binocular, Moon, Occultation, unaided eye

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 8:59 pm 0 comments

Morning sky on Tuesday, July 30 as seen from Adelaide at 5:10 ACST, (click to embiggen). The moon is just about to cover the star Celaeno in the Pleiades. The inset is the binocular view of the moon at this time (click to embiggen).	Morning sky on Tuesday, July 3 as seen from Melbourne at 6:05 AEST, (click to embiggen). The moon is just about to cover the star Taygeta in the Pleiades. The inset is the binocular view of the moon at this time (click to embiggen).	Evening sky on Tuesday, July 3 as seen from Perth at 3:03 AWST, (click to embiggen). The moon is just about to cover the star Celaeno in the Pleiades. The inset is the binocular view of the moon at this time.  (click to embiggen).

DB - disappear bright limb, RD - reappear dark limb.

* Occurs in twilight

It’s best to set up around 30 minutes before the occultation so you can get oriented in the sky and don’t miss the beginning while fussing with equipment. 

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: binoculars, Moon, Occultation, Pleiades, telescope

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 12:31 am 0 comments