Tuesday, March 09, 2010
The Sky This Week - Thursday March 11 to Thursday March 18
The New Moon is Tuesday March 16. Mars has faded but is still easily visible. Saturn is now seen in the evening above the eastern horizon near the bight stars Regulus and Spica. Venus appears low in the twilight. The Globe at Night sky survey ends. Jupiter is visible in the morning sky.
Morning sky looking east showing Jupiter and the thin crescent Moon at 6:45 am local daylight saving time (5:45 am non-daylight saving) on Monday March 15. Click to embiggen.
The New Moon is Tuesday March 16.
The Globe at Night sky survey ends this week .
Saturn is visible low in the late evening sky as the bright yellow object between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. Saturn is rising around 8 pm local daylight saving time, and is easily seen in the east in the late evening sky. However, it is best to wait until 11 pm or midnight, when Saturn is quite high in the sky for the best telescopic views. Saturns' rings are opening, and look quite beautiful, even in a small telescope.
Mercury is lost in the twilight.
Bright white Venus continues to rise above from the twilight glow. People with flat, level horizons and good eyesight can see Venus above the western horizon half an hour after Sunset. On the 18th, the thin crescent Moon is near Venus.
Jupiter reappears in the morning twilight, but is difficult to see without a flat, unobstructed horizon. On Monday the 15th Jupiter is seen low in the sky near the thin crescent Moon
Western horizon showing Venus and the Moon at 7:45 pm local daylight saving time (6:45 pm non-daylight saving) on Thursday March 18, click to embiggen.
In the evening Mars can be seen low in the northern sky as the brightest (and clearly red) object in that part of the sky. Now is still a good time to look at our sister world in a telescope. Shortly before 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving time) Mars is at is highest in the sky, this is the best time to look at Mars in a telescope. Mars is a distinct nearly full disk in a small telescope, although somewhat small. Larger telescopes will be needed to distinguish surface features. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer, nearly halfway between Pollux and the Beehive Cluster. Mars is at a standstill for this week.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Morning sky looking east showing Jupiter and the thin crescent Moon at 6:45 am local daylight saving time (5:45 am non-daylight saving) on Monday March 15. Click to embiggen.The New Moon is Tuesday March 16.
The Globe at Night sky survey ends this week .
Saturn is visible low in the late evening sky as the bright yellow object between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. Saturn is rising around 8 pm local daylight saving time, and is easily seen in the east in the late evening sky. However, it is best to wait until 11 pm or midnight, when Saturn is quite high in the sky for the best telescopic views. Saturns' rings are opening, and look quite beautiful, even in a small telescope.
Mercury is lost in the twilight.
Bright white Venus continues to rise above from the twilight glow. People with flat, level horizons and good eyesight can see Venus above the western horizon half an hour after Sunset. On the 18th, the thin crescent Moon is near Venus.
Jupiter reappears in the morning twilight, but is difficult to see without a flat, unobstructed horizon. On Monday the 15th Jupiter is seen low in the sky near the thin crescent Moon
Western horizon showing Venus and the Moon at 7:45 pm local daylight saving time (6:45 pm non-daylight saving) on Thursday March 18, click to embiggen.In the evening Mars can be seen low in the northern sky as the brightest (and clearly red) object in that part of the sky. Now is still a good time to look at our sister world in a telescope. Shortly before 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving time) Mars is at is highest in the sky, this is the best time to look at Mars in a telescope. Mars is a distinct nearly full disk in a small telescope, although somewhat small. Larger telescopes will be needed to distinguish surface features. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer, nearly halfway between Pollux and the Beehive Cluster. Mars is at a standstill for this week.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
The Sky This Week - Thursday March 4 to Thursday March 11
The Last Quarter Moon is Monday March 8. Mars has faded and is now the second brightest object after Sirius in the late evening sky. Asteroid Vesta is still bright. Saturn is now seen in the evening above the eastern horizon near the bight stars Regulus and Spica. Venus appears low in the twilight. The Globe at Night sky survey has started.
Evening sky looking east showing Saturn at 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Friday February 9. Click to embiggen.
The Last Quarter Moon is Monday March 8.
The Globe at Night sky survey has started.
Saturn is visible low in the late evening sky as the bright yellow object between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. Saturn is rising around 8 pm local daylight saving time, and is easily seen in the east in the late evening sky. However, it is best to wait until 11 pm or midnight, when Saturn is quite high in the sky for the best telescopic views. Saturns' rings are opening, and look quite beautiful, even in a small telescope.
Mercury is lost in the twilight.
Bright white Venus continues to rise above from the twilight glow. People with flat, level horizons and good eyesight can see Venus above the western horizon half an hour after Sunset.
Jupiter is lost to view in the evening twilight.
The asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars not far from Regulus in the Sickle of Leo. It is just within a binocular field of Gamma Leonis (see Mars diagram below, this PDF map and this description of the opposition of Vesta). Vesta is still bright this week and can be seen easily in binoculars. Over the week you can see Vesta draw further away from gamma Leonis.
Northern horizon showing Mars and the Moon at 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Friday March 5, click to embiggen.
In the evening Mars can be seen low in the northern sky as the brightest (and clearly red) object in that part of the sky. Mars was at opposition on January 30, but now is still a good time to look at our sister world in a telescope. Shortly before 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving time) Mars is at is highest in the sky, this is the best time to look at Mars in a telescope. Mars is a distinct nearly full disk in a small telescope, although somewhat small. Larger telescopes will be needed to distinguish surface features. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer, nearly halfway between Pollux and the Beehive Cluster. Mars is at a standstill for this week.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Evening sky looking east showing Saturn at 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Friday February 9. Click to embiggen.The Last Quarter Moon is Monday March 8.
The Globe at Night sky survey has started.
Saturn is visible low in the late evening sky as the bright yellow object between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. Saturn is rising around 8 pm local daylight saving time, and is easily seen in the east in the late evening sky. However, it is best to wait until 11 pm or midnight, when Saturn is quite high in the sky for the best telescopic views. Saturns' rings are opening, and look quite beautiful, even in a small telescope.
Mercury is lost in the twilight.
Bright white Venus continues to rise above from the twilight glow. People with flat, level horizons and good eyesight can see Venus above the western horizon half an hour after Sunset.
Jupiter is lost to view in the evening twilight.
The asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars not far from Regulus in the Sickle of Leo. It is just within a binocular field of Gamma Leonis (see Mars diagram below, this PDF map and this description of the opposition of Vesta). Vesta is still bright this week and can be seen easily in binoculars. Over the week you can see Vesta draw further away from gamma Leonis.
Northern horizon showing Mars and the Moon at 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Friday March 5, click to embiggen.In the evening Mars can be seen low in the northern sky as the brightest (and clearly red) object in that part of the sky. Mars was at opposition on January 30, but now is still a good time to look at our sister world in a telescope. Shortly before 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving time) Mars is at is highest in the sky, this is the best time to look at Mars in a telescope. Mars is a distinct nearly full disk in a small telescope, although somewhat small. Larger telescopes will be needed to distinguish surface features. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer, nearly halfway between Pollux and the Beehive Cluster. Mars is at a standstill for this week.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The Sky This Week - Thursday February 25 to Thursday March 4
The Full Moon is Monday March 1. Mars has faded and is now the second brightest object after Sirius in the late evening sky. Asteroid Vesta is still bright. In the morning, Saturn is easily seen above the northern horizon near the bight stars Regulus and Spica and is close to the Moon on Tuesday March 2. Mercury is near bright stars in Capricorn. Venus appears low in the twilight.
Morning sky looking east showing Mercury at 6:15 am local daylight saving time (5:15 am non-daylight saving) on Friday February 26. Click to embiggen.
The Full Moon is Monday March 1.
Saturn is visible high in the northern morning sky as the bright yellow object between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. Saturn is near the Moon on Tuesday March 2. Saturn is actually rising around 9 pm daylight saving time, and is easily seen in the east in the late evening sky. However, Saturn is still best seen in the morning and well worth a look in a telescope. Saturns' rings are opening, and look quite beautiful.
Mercury is lowering in the morning twilight, and is becoming difficult to see without a flat, level horizon. At the beginning of the week Mercury is extremely close to the bright star delta Capricornii. After this encounter Mercury is rapidly lost in the twilight.
Bright white Venus continues to rise above from the twilight glow. People with flat, level horizons and good eyesight can see Venus above the western horizon half an hour after Sunset.
Jupiter is lost to view in the evening twilight.
The asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars not far from Regulus. It is within a binocular field of Gamma Leonis (see Mars diagram below, this PDF map and this description of the opposition of Vesta). Vesta is still bright this week and and will be visible to the unaided eye under dark skies. Over the week you can see Vesta draw further away from gamma Leonis.
Northern horizon showing Mars and the Moon at 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Friday February 26, click to embiggen.
In the evening Mars can be seen low in the north-eastern sky as the brightest (and clearly red) object in the sky. Mars was at opposition on January 30, but now is still a good time to look at our sister world in a telescope. Shortly after 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving time) Mars is at is highest in the sky, this is the best time to look at Mars in a telescope. Mars is a distinct nearly full disk in a small telescope, although somewhat small. Larger telescopes will be needed to distinguish surface features. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer, nearly halfway between Pollux and the Beehive Cluster. Mars is at a standstill for this week.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Morning sky looking east showing Mercury at 6:15 am local daylight saving time (5:15 am non-daylight saving) on Friday February 26. Click to embiggen.The Full Moon is Monday March 1.
Saturn is visible high in the northern morning sky as the bright yellow object between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. Saturn is near the Moon on Tuesday March 2. Saturn is actually rising around 9 pm daylight saving time, and is easily seen in the east in the late evening sky. However, Saturn is still best seen in the morning and well worth a look in a telescope. Saturns' rings are opening, and look quite beautiful.
Mercury is lowering in the morning twilight, and is becoming difficult to see without a flat, level horizon. At the beginning of the week Mercury is extremely close to the bright star delta Capricornii. After this encounter Mercury is rapidly lost in the twilight.
Bright white Venus continues to rise above from the twilight glow. People with flat, level horizons and good eyesight can see Venus above the western horizon half an hour after Sunset.
Jupiter is lost to view in the evening twilight.
The asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars not far from Regulus. It is within a binocular field of Gamma Leonis (see Mars diagram below, this PDF map and this description of the opposition of Vesta). Vesta is still bright this week and and will be visible to the unaided eye under dark skies. Over the week you can see Vesta draw further away from gamma Leonis.
Northern horizon showing Mars and the Moon at 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Friday February 26, click to embiggen.In the evening Mars can be seen low in the north-eastern sky as the brightest (and clearly red) object in the sky. Mars was at opposition on January 30, but now is still a good time to look at our sister world in a telescope. Shortly after 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving time) Mars is at is highest in the sky, this is the best time to look at Mars in a telescope. Mars is a distinct nearly full disk in a small telescope, although somewhat small. Larger telescopes will be needed to distinguish surface features. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer, nearly halfway between Pollux and the Beehive Cluster. Mars is at a standstill for this week.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The Sky This Week - Thursday February 18 to Thursday February 25
The First Quarter Moon is Monday February 21. Mars is now the brightest object in the late evening sky. Asteroid Vesta is still bright. In the morning, Saturn is easily seen above the northern horizon near the bight stars Regulus and Spica. Mercury is near bright stars in Capricorn. Venus appears in the morning twilight.
Morning sky looking north showing Saturn at 3:30 am local daylight saving time (2:30 am non-daylight saving) on Sunday February 21. Click to embiggen.
The First Quarter Moon is Monday February 21.
Saturn is visible high in the northern morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. Saturn is actually rising before 11 pm daylight saving time, but is still best seen in the morning and well worth a look in a telescope. Saturns' rings are opening, and look quite beautiful.
Mercury is lowering in the morning twilight, and is becoming difficult to see without a flat, level horizon. By the end of the week Mercury is very close to the bright stars gamma and delta Capricornii.
Bright white Venus is slowly rises from the twilight glow. People with flat, level horizons and good eyesight can see Venus above the western horizon half an hour after Sunset by the end of the week.
Jupiter is lost to view in the evening twilight.
The asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars not far from Regulus. It is within a binocular field of Gamma Leonis (see Mars diagram below, this PDF map and this diagram). Vesta is still bright this week and and will be visible to the unaided eye under dark skies. Over the week you can see Vesta draw away from gamma Leonis.
Northern horizon showing Mars and the Moon at 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Thursday February 25, click to embiggen.
In the evening Mars can be seen flow in the north-eastern sky as the brightest (and clearly red) object in the sky. Mars was at opposition on January 30, but now is a good time to look at our sister world in a telescope. Shortky after 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving time) Mars is at is hihest in the sky, this is the best time to look at Mars in a telescope. Mars is a distinct nearly full disk in a small telescope, although somewhat small. Larger telescopes will be needed to distinguish surface features. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Morning sky looking north showing Saturn at 3:30 am local daylight saving time (2:30 am non-daylight saving) on Sunday February 21. Click to embiggen.The First Quarter Moon is Monday February 21.
Saturn is visible high in the northern morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. Saturn is actually rising before 11 pm daylight saving time, but is still best seen in the morning and well worth a look in a telescope. Saturns' rings are opening, and look quite beautiful.
Mercury is lowering in the morning twilight, and is becoming difficult to see without a flat, level horizon. By the end of the week Mercury is very close to the bright stars gamma and delta Capricornii.
Bright white Venus is slowly rises from the twilight glow. People with flat, level horizons and good eyesight can see Venus above the western horizon half an hour after Sunset by the end of the week.
Jupiter is lost to view in the evening twilight.
The asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars not far from Regulus. It is within a binocular field of Gamma Leonis (see Mars diagram below, this PDF map and this diagram). Vesta is still bright this week and and will be visible to the unaided eye under dark skies. Over the week you can see Vesta draw away from gamma Leonis.
Northern horizon showing Mars and the Moon at 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Thursday February 25, click to embiggen.In the evening Mars can be seen flow in the north-eastern sky as the brightest (and clearly red) object in the sky. Mars was at opposition on January 30, but now is a good time to look at our sister world in a telescope. Shortky after 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving time) Mars is at is hihest in the sky, this is the best time to look at Mars in a telescope. Mars is a distinct nearly full disk in a small telescope, although somewhat small. Larger telescopes will be needed to distinguish surface features. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
The Sky This Week - Thursday February 11 to Thursday February 18
The New Moon is Sunday February 14. Jupiter disappears in the western twilight. Mars is now the brightest object in the late evening sky. Asteroid Vesta at its brightest. In the morning, Saturn is easily seen above the northern horizon near the bight stars Regulus and Spica. Mercury is low in the morning twilight and is near the crescent Moon Friday February 12.
Morning sky looking South-east showing Mercury at 5:30 am local daylight saving time (4:30 am non-daylight saving) on Friday February 12. Click to embiggen.
The New Moon is Sunday February 14.
Saturn is visible in the northern morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. Saturn is actually rising before 11 pm daylight saving time, but is still best seen in the morning and worth a look in a telescope. Saturns' rings are opening, and look quite beautiful.
Mercury is low in the morning twilight, having passed close to some of the brighter stars of Sagittarius. On Thursday January 12 Mercury is below the crescent Moon (see image above)
Western Horizon (above the sea) at 20:20 local daylight saving time (7:20 pm non daylight saving time on Tuesday the 16th of February.
Bright white Venus is all but invisible the twilight glow. People with flat, level horizons and good eyesight may try and see Venus next to Jupiter not far from the thin 4% illuminated crescent Moon on the evening of Tuesday February 16. Binoculars may be needed.
Jupiter is very difficult to see very low in the western twilight sky, it is near Venus on the 16th, and is lost to view after that.
The asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars not far from Regulus. It is within a binocular field of Gamma Leonis (see Mars diagram below, this PDF map and this diagram). Vesta will be at its brightest this week (starting Monday February 15) and be visible to the unaided eye under dark skies. Between the evening of Tuesday February 16 and the morning of the 17th, Vesta will pass between gamma and 40 Leonis, a very interesting encounter to watch over the course of the night/morning.
North-eastern horizon showing Mars and the Beehive cluster (Paerasepe) at 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Saturday February 6, click to embiggen.
In the evening Mars can be seen from around 9:00 pm local daylight saving time low in the north-eastern sky as the brightest (and clearly red) object in the sky. Mars was at opposition on January 30, but now is a good time to look at our sister world in a telescope. Mars is a distinct nearly full disk in a small telescope, although somewhat small. Larger telescopes will be needed to distinguish surface features. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer and is within a binocular field of the Beehive cluster (Paerasepe) early in the week.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Morning sky looking South-east showing Mercury at 5:30 am local daylight saving time (4:30 am non-daylight saving) on Friday February 12. Click to embiggen.The New Moon is Sunday February 14.
Saturn is visible in the northern morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. Saturn is actually rising before 11 pm daylight saving time, but is still best seen in the morning and worth a look in a telescope. Saturns' rings are opening, and look quite beautiful.
Mercury is low in the morning twilight, having passed close to some of the brighter stars of Sagittarius. On Thursday January 12 Mercury is below the crescent Moon (see image above)
Western Horizon (above the sea) at 20:20 local daylight saving time (7:20 pm non daylight saving time on Tuesday the 16th of February.Bright white Venus is all but invisible the twilight glow. People with flat, level horizons and good eyesight may try and see Venus next to Jupiter not far from the thin 4% illuminated crescent Moon on the evening of Tuesday February 16. Binoculars may be needed.
Jupiter is very difficult to see very low in the western twilight sky, it is near Venus on the 16th, and is lost to view after that.
The asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars not far from Regulus. It is within a binocular field of Gamma Leonis (see Mars diagram below, this PDF map and this diagram). Vesta will be at its brightest this week (starting Monday February 15) and be visible to the unaided eye under dark skies. Between the evening of Tuesday February 16 and the morning of the 17th, Vesta will pass between gamma and 40 Leonis, a very interesting encounter to watch over the course of the night/morning.
North-eastern horizon showing Mars and the Beehive cluster (Paerasepe) at 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Saturday February 6, click to embiggen.In the evening Mars can be seen from around 9:00 pm local daylight saving time low in the north-eastern sky as the brightest (and clearly red) object in the sky. Mars was at opposition on January 30, but now is a good time to look at our sister world in a telescope. Mars is a distinct nearly full disk in a small telescope, although somewhat small. Larger telescopes will be needed to distinguish surface features. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer and is within a binocular field of the Beehive cluster (Paerasepe) early in the week.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
The Sky This Week - Thursday February 4 to Thursday February 11
The Last Quarter Moon is Saturday February 6. Jupiter is difficult to see low in the western twilight sky. Mars is now the brightest object in the late evening sky. In the morning, Saturn is easily seen above the northern horizon near the bight stars Regulus and Spica. Mercury is low in the morning twilight.
Morning sky looking South-east showing Mercury at 5:30 am local daylight saving time (4:30 am non-daylight saving) on Thursday February 11. Click to embiggen.
The Last Quarter Moon is Saturday February 6.
Saturn is visible in the northern morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. Saturn is actually rising before 11 pm daylight saving time, but is still best seen in the morning and worth a look in a telescope.
The asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars not far from Regulus. It is within a binocular field of Gamma Leonis (see Mars diagram below and this PDF map) and will steadily get closer to this star and brigher over the week. Vesta will become visible to the unaided eye under dark skies in mid-February.
Mercury is low in the morning twilight, having passed close to some of the brighter stars of Sagittarius. On Thursday January 11 Mercury is below the crescent Moon (see image above)
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
North-eastern horizon showing Mars and the Beehive cluster (Paerasepe) at 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Saturday February 6, click to embiggen.
Jupiter is very difficult to see very low in the western twilight sky.
In the evening Mars can be seen from around 9:00 pm local daylight saving time low in the north-eastern sky as the brightest (and clearly red) object in the sky. Mars was at opposition last week on January 30, but now is a good time to look at our sister world in a telescope. Mars is a distinct nearly full disk in a small telescope, although somewhat small. Larger telescopes will be needed to distinguish surface features. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer and is within a binocular field of the Beehive cluster (Paerasepe), being closest around 6-7 February.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Morning sky looking South-east showing Mercury at 5:30 am local daylight saving time (4:30 am non-daylight saving) on Thursday February 11. Click to embiggen.The Last Quarter Moon is Saturday February 6.
Saturn is visible in the northern morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. Saturn is actually rising before 11 pm daylight saving time, but is still best seen in the morning and worth a look in a telescope.
The asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars not far from Regulus. It is within a binocular field of Gamma Leonis (see Mars diagram below and this PDF map) and will steadily get closer to this star and brigher over the week. Vesta will become visible to the unaided eye under dark skies in mid-February.
Mercury is low in the morning twilight, having passed close to some of the brighter stars of Sagittarius. On Thursday January 11 Mercury is below the crescent Moon (see image above)
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
North-eastern horizon showing Mars and the Beehive cluster (Paerasepe) at 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Saturday February 6, click to embiggen.Jupiter is very difficult to see very low in the western twilight sky.
In the evening Mars can be seen from around 9:00 pm local daylight saving time low in the north-eastern sky as the brightest (and clearly red) object in the sky. Mars was at opposition last week on January 30, but now is a good time to look at our sister world in a telescope. Mars is a distinct nearly full disk in a small telescope, although somewhat small. Larger telescopes will be needed to distinguish surface features. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer and is within a binocular field of the Beehive cluster (Paerasepe), being closest around 6-7 February.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Sky This Week - Thursday January 28 to Thursday February 4
The Full Moon is Saturday January 30. This is a "Blue" Moon. Jupiter is the brightest object low in the western twilight sky. Mars is now the brightest object in the late evening sky and is closest to Earth on January 30. In the morning, Mars and Saturn are easily seen above the northern horizon near the bight stars Regulus and Spica. The Moon is close to Saturn February 2. Mercury is low in the morning twilight.
Morning sky looking South-east showing Mercury at 5:30 am local daylight saving time (4:30 am non-daylight saving) on Saturday January 30. Click to embiggen.
The Full Moon is Saturday January 30. This is a "Blue" Moon, the second full Moon of the month, there will be another "Blue" Moon in March and a "Blue" Last Quarter Moon in October.
Saturn is visible in the morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. On February 2 (morning February 3) the Moon is close to Saturn. Saturn is actually rising before 11 pm daylight saving time, but is still best seen in the morning and worth a look in a telescope.
The asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars not far from Regulus and will become visible to the unaided eye in February.
Mercury is low in the morning twilight, and passes close to some of the brighter stars of Sagittarius. On Saturday January 30 Mercury is almost on top of omicron Sagittarii (see image above)
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
North-eastern horizon showing Mars and the Moon at 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Saturday January 30, click to embiggen.
Jupiter is the brightest object very low in the western twilight sky. Jupiter's proximity to the horizon makes telescopic observation very difficult, and will get progressively more difficult this week with just over an hour between sunset and when Jupiter sets.
In the evening Mars can be seen from around 10:00 pm local daylight saving time low in the north-eastern sky as the brightest (and clearly red) object in the sky. Mars is at opposition this week on January 30, and now is a good time to look at our sister world in a telescope. Mars is a distinct nearly full disk in a small telescope, although somewhat small. Larger telescopes will be needed to distinguish surface features. On January 30 the Full Moon is near Mars. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer and from January 31 is within a binocular field of the Beehive cluster.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Morning sky looking South-east showing Mercury at 5:30 am local daylight saving time (4:30 am non-daylight saving) on Saturday January 30. Click to embiggen.The Full Moon is Saturday January 30. This is a "Blue" Moon, the second full Moon of the month, there will be another "Blue" Moon in March and a "Blue" Last Quarter Moon in October.
Saturn is visible in the morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. On February 2 (morning February 3) the Moon is close to Saturn. Saturn is actually rising before 11 pm daylight saving time, but is still best seen in the morning and worth a look in a telescope.
The asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars not far from Regulus and will become visible to the unaided eye in February.
Mercury is low in the morning twilight, and passes close to some of the brighter stars of Sagittarius. On Saturday January 30 Mercury is almost on top of omicron Sagittarii (see image above)
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
North-eastern horizon showing Mars and the Moon at 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Saturday January 30, click to embiggen.Jupiter is the brightest object very low in the western twilight sky. Jupiter's proximity to the horizon makes telescopic observation very difficult, and will get progressively more difficult this week with just over an hour between sunset and when Jupiter sets.
In the evening Mars can be seen from around 10:00 pm local daylight saving time low in the north-eastern sky as the brightest (and clearly red) object in the sky. Mars is at opposition this week on January 30, and now is a good time to look at our sister world in a telescope. Mars is a distinct nearly full disk in a small telescope, although somewhat small. Larger telescopes will be needed to distinguish surface features. On January 30 the Full Moon is near Mars. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer and from January 31 is within a binocular field of the Beehive cluster.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
The Sky This Week - Thursday January 21 to Thursday January 28
The First Quarter Moon is Saturday January 23. Occultation of the Pleiades Monday January 25. Jupiter is the brightest object low in the western twilight sky. Mars is now visible low in the late evening sky. In the morning, Mars and Saturn are easily seen above the northern horizon near the bight stars Regulus and Spica. Mercury is low in the morning twilight.
Morning sky looking South-east showing Mercury at 5:30 am local daylight saving time (5:30 am non-daylight saving) on Sunday January 14. Click to embiggen.
The First Quarter Moon is Saturday January 23.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the northern sky. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer this week. Mars is a distinct nearly full disk in a small telescope, and becomes bigger and brighter during the week in the lead up to opposition on January 30th. In the evening Mars can be seen from around 10:oo pm local daylight saving time low in the north-eastern sky.
Saturn is visible in the morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica.
The asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars not far from Regulus and will become visible to the unaided eye in February.
Mercury is low in the morning twilight, and passes close to some of the brighter stars of Sagittarius.
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
North-eastern horizon showing Mars and the Moon at 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Sunday January 24, click to embiggen.
Jupiter is the brightest object low in the western twilight sky. Jupiter's proximity to the horizon makes telescopic observation very difficult, and will get progressively more difficult this week with less than an hour between twilight and when Jupiter sets.
The Moon in front of the Pleiades as seen from Darwin, facing north at around 8:00 pm ACST. While impressive to the unaided eye, it will be even better in binoculars or a small telescope.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Morning sky looking South-east showing Mercury at 5:30 am local daylight saving time (5:30 am non-daylight saving) on Sunday January 14. Click to embiggen.The First Quarter Moon is Saturday January 23.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the northern sky. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer this week. Mars is a distinct nearly full disk in a small telescope, and becomes bigger and brighter during the week in the lead up to opposition on January 30th. In the evening Mars can be seen from around 10:oo pm local daylight saving time low in the north-eastern sky.
Saturn is visible in the morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica.
The asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars not far from Regulus and will become visible to the unaided eye in February.
Mercury is low in the morning twilight, and passes close to some of the brighter stars of Sagittarius.
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
North-eastern horizon showing Mars and the Moon at 10:00 pm local daylight saving time (9:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Sunday January 24, click to embiggen.Jupiter is the brightest object low in the western twilight sky. Jupiter's proximity to the horizon makes telescopic observation very difficult, and will get progressively more difficult this week with less than an hour between twilight and when Jupiter sets.
In the early evening of Monday January 25 the Moon passes in front of the beautiful Pleiades star cluster from around 9:00pm AEDT (8:00 pm non-daylight saving time)in northern and eastern Australia. More information and local timings for the event is at http://home.mira.net/~reynella/skywatch/ssky.htm#Occult
The Moon in front of the Pleiades as seen from Darwin, facing north at around 8:00 pm ACST. While impressive to the unaided eye, it will be even better in binoculars or a small telescope.Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The Sky This Week - Thursday January 14 to Thursday January 21
The New Moon is Friday January 15. Jupiter is the brightest object low in the western evening sky and is close to the crescent Moon on the Monday January 18. In the morning, Mars and Saturn are easily seen above the north-eastern horizon near the bight stars Regulus and Spica. Mercury returns to the morning sky and is close to the Moon January 14.
Morning sky looking South-east showing the thin crescent Moon and Mercury at 5:00 am local daylight saving time (4:00 am non-daylight saving) on Thursday January 14. Click to embiggen.
The New Moon is Friday January 15.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer this week. Mars is a distinct nearly full disk in a small telescope, and becomes bigger and brighter during the week in the lead up to opposition on January 30th. In the evening Mars can be seen rising just as Jupiter is setting (around 10:15 local daylight saving time)
Saturn is visible in the morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica.
The asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars not far from Regulus and will become visible to the unaided eye in February.
Mercury returns to the morning twilight, and is close to the thin crescent Moon on the morning of January 14 (although you will need a clear level horizon to see this).
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
South-Western horizon showing Jupiter and the Moon at 21:00 pm local daylight saving time (20:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Thursday January 18, click to embiggen.
Jupiter is the brightest object low in the western early evening sky. Jupiter's proximity to the horizon makes telescopic observation very difficult, and will get progressively more difficult this week with only an hour between twilight and when Jupiter sets. Jupiter's Moons are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope. Jupiter is close to the crescent Moon on the 18th.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Morning sky looking South-east showing the thin crescent Moon and Mercury at 5:00 am local daylight saving time (4:00 am non-daylight saving) on Thursday January 14. Click to embiggen.The New Moon is Friday January 15.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer this week. Mars is a distinct nearly full disk in a small telescope, and becomes bigger and brighter during the week in the lead up to opposition on January 30th. In the evening Mars can be seen rising just as Jupiter is setting (around 10:15 local daylight saving time)
Saturn is visible in the morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica.
The asteroid Vesta is visible in binoculars not far from Regulus and will become visible to the unaided eye in February.
Mercury returns to the morning twilight, and is close to the thin crescent Moon on the morning of January 14 (although you will need a clear level horizon to see this).
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
South-Western horizon showing Jupiter and the Moon at 21:00 pm local daylight saving time (20:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Thursday January 18, click to embiggen.Jupiter is the brightest object low in the western early evening sky. Jupiter's proximity to the horizon makes telescopic observation very difficult, and will get progressively more difficult this week with only an hour between twilight and when Jupiter sets. Jupiter's Moons are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope. Jupiter is close to the crescent Moon on the 18th.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
The Sky This Week - Thursday January 7 to Thursday January 14
The Last Quarter Moon is Thursday January 7. Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object low in the western evening sky. In the morning, Mars and Saturn are easily seen above the north-eastern horizon near the bight stars Regulus and Spica. Mercury returns to the morning sky and is close to the Moon January 14.
Morning sky looking north-east showing the Moon, Mars, Saturn, Regulus and Spica at 3:00 am local daylight saving time (2:00 am non-daylight saving) on Friday January 8. Click to embiggen.
The Last Quarter Moon is Thursday January 7.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars enters the constellation of Cancer this week. Mars is a distinct nearly full disk in a small telescope, and becomes bigger and brighter during the week in the lead up to opposition on January 30th. In the evening Mars can be seen rising just as Jupiter is setting (between 10-10:30 local daylight saving time)
Saturn is visible low in the morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. Mars, Regulus, Saturn and Spica from a nice line-up with the Moon on January 8.
Note the location of Vesta, which is visible in binoculars and will become visible to the unaided eye in February.
Mercury returns to the morning twilight, and is close to the thin crescent Moon on the morning of January 14.
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
South-Western horizon showing Jupiter at 21:00 pm local daylight saving time (20:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Thursday January 7, click to embiggen.
Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object low in the western early evening sky. Jupiter is big enough to be appreciated in even the smallest telescope but its proximity to the horizon makes seeing surface features difficult, and will get progressively more difficult this week. Jupiter's Moons are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Morning sky looking north-east showing the Moon, Mars, Saturn, Regulus and Spica at 3:00 am local daylight saving time (2:00 am non-daylight saving) on Friday January 8. Click to embiggen.The Last Quarter Moon is Thursday January 7.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars enters the constellation of Cancer this week. Mars is a distinct nearly full disk in a small telescope, and becomes bigger and brighter during the week in the lead up to opposition on January 30th. In the evening Mars can be seen rising just as Jupiter is setting (between 10-10:30 local daylight saving time)
Saturn is visible low in the morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. Mars, Regulus, Saturn and Spica from a nice line-up with the Moon on January 8.
Note the location of Vesta, which is visible in binoculars and will become visible to the unaided eye in February.
Mercury returns to the morning twilight, and is close to the thin crescent Moon on the morning of January 14.
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
South-Western horizon showing Jupiter at 21:00 pm local daylight saving time (20:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Thursday January 7, click to embiggen.Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object low in the western early evening sky. Jupiter is big enough to be appreciated in even the smallest telescope but its proximity to the horizon makes seeing surface features difficult, and will get progressively more difficult this week. Jupiter's Moons are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
The Sky This Week - Thursday December 31 to Thursday January 7
The Full Moon is Friday January 1. Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the western evening sky. In the morning, Mars and Saturn are easily seen above the north-eastern horizon near the bight stars Regulus and Spica. These planets are visited by the Waning moon this week. Partial Lunar eclipse morning January 1 (WA only).
Morning sky looking north-east showing the Moon, Mars, Saturn, Regulus and Spica at 3:00 am local daylight saving time (2:00 am non-daylight saving) on Monday January 4. Click to embiggen.
The Full Moon is Friday January 1. On the Morning of January 1st there will be a partial eclipse of the Moon, visible from Western Australia only. Mid eclipse is 3:22 am (non-daylight saving time), and viewers will see a small section of the moons north pole darken.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars is now the constellation of Leo but is moving back towards Cancer. Mars is a distinct nearly full disk in a small telescope, and becomes bigger and brighter during the week in the lead up to opposition in January. The waning Moon is close to Mars on Monday, January 4.
Saturn is visible low in the morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. Mars, Regulus, Saturn and Spica from a nice line-up with the Moon between January 4 and January 7.
Note the location of Vesta, which is visible in binoculars and will become visible to the unaided eye in February.
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
South-Western horizon showing Jupiter at 21:00 pm local daylight saving time (20:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Thursday December 31, click to embiggen.
Mercury is lost in the eastern twilight.
Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the western evening sky. Jupiter is big enough to be appreciated in even the smallest telescope but its proximity too the horizon makes seeing surface features difficult. Jupiter's Moons are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Morning sky looking north-east showing the Moon, Mars, Saturn, Regulus and Spica at 3:00 am local daylight saving time (2:00 am non-daylight saving) on Monday January 4. Click to embiggen.The Full Moon is Friday January 1. On the Morning of January 1st there will be a partial eclipse of the Moon, visible from Western Australia only. Mid eclipse is 3:22 am (non-daylight saving time), and viewers will see a small section of the moons north pole darken.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars is now the constellation of Leo but is moving back towards Cancer. Mars is a distinct nearly full disk in a small telescope, and becomes bigger and brighter during the week in the lead up to opposition in January. The waning Moon is close to Mars on Monday, January 4.
Saturn is visible low in the morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. Mars, Regulus, Saturn and Spica from a nice line-up with the Moon between January 4 and January 7.
Note the location of Vesta, which is visible in binoculars and will become visible to the unaided eye in February.
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
South-Western horizon showing Jupiter at 21:00 pm local daylight saving time (20:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Thursday December 31, click to embiggen.Mercury is lost in the eastern twilight.
Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the western evening sky. Jupiter is big enough to be appreciated in even the smallest telescope but its proximity too the horizon makes seeing surface features difficult. Jupiter's Moons are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Sky This Week - Thursday December 24 to Thursday December 31
The First Quarter Moon is Friday December 25. Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the western evening sky. Mercury disappears in the evening twilight. In the morning, Mars and Saturn are easily seen above the north-eastern horizon near the bight stars Regulus and Spica. Partial Lunar eclipse morning January 1 (WA only)
Morning sky looking north-east showing Mars, Saturn, Regulus and Spica at 3:00 am local daylight saving time (2:00 am non-daylight saving) on Saturday December 25. Click to embiggen.
The First Quarter Moon is Friday December 25. On the Morning of January 1st there will be a partial eclipse of the Moon, visible from Western Australia only. Mid eclipse is 3:22 am (non-daylight saving time), and viewers will see a small section of the moons north pole darken.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars is now the constellation of Leo. Mars is a distinct gibbous disk in a small telescope, and becomes bigger and brighter during the week in the lead up to opposition in January.
Saturn is visible low in the morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. Mars, Regulus, Saturn and Spica form a nice line-up. Note the location of Vesta, which is visible in binoculars and will become visible to the unaided eye in February.
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
South-Western horizon showing Mercury, the Moon and Jupiter at 21:00 pm local daylight saving time (20:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Friday December 18, click to embiggen.
Mercury can be seen just above the south-western horizon between half an hour to an hour after sunset. It will be slowly lost in the twilight as the week progresses.
Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the western evening sky. Jupiter is big enough to be appreciated in even the smallest telescope but its proximity to the horizon will make telescope viewing difficult except for Jupiter's Moons which are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Morning sky looking north-east showing Mars, Saturn, Regulus and Spica at 3:00 am local daylight saving time (2:00 am non-daylight saving) on Saturday December 25. Click to embiggen.The First Quarter Moon is Friday December 25. On the Morning of January 1st there will be a partial eclipse of the Moon, visible from Western Australia only. Mid eclipse is 3:22 am (non-daylight saving time), and viewers will see a small section of the moons north pole darken.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars is now the constellation of Leo. Mars is a distinct gibbous disk in a small telescope, and becomes bigger and brighter during the week in the lead up to opposition in January.
Saturn is visible low in the morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. Mars, Regulus, Saturn and Spica form a nice line-up. Note the location of Vesta, which is visible in binoculars and will become visible to the unaided eye in February.
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
South-Western horizon showing Mercury, the Moon and Jupiter at 21:00 pm local daylight saving time (20:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Friday December 18, click to embiggen.Mercury can be seen just above the south-western horizon between half an hour to an hour after sunset. It will be slowly lost in the twilight as the week progresses.
Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the western evening sky. Jupiter is big enough to be appreciated in even the smallest telescope but its proximity to the horizon will make telescope viewing difficult except for Jupiter's Moons which are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The Sky This Week - Thursday December 17 to Thursday December 24
The First Quarter Moon is Friday December 25. Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the western evening sky. Mercury is low in the twilight evening sky. Jupiter and Mercury are visited by the Moon this week. In the morning, Mars and Saturn are easily seen above the north-eastern horizon near the bight stars Regulus and Spica. Algol dims.
Morning sky looking north-east showing Mars, Saturn, Regulus and Spica at 4:00 am local daylight saving time (3:00 am non-daylight saving) on Saturday December 12. Click to embiggen.
The First Quarter Moon is Friday December 25.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars is now the constellation of Leo. Mars is a distinct gibbous disk in a small telescope, and becomes bigger and brighter during the week in the lead up to opposition in January.
Saturn is visible low in the morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. Mars, Regulus, Saturn and Spica from a nice lineup.
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
South-Western horizon showing Mercury, the Moon and Jupiter at 21:00 pm local daylight saving time (20:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Friday December 18, click to embiggen.
Mercury can be seen above the south-western horizon between half an hour to an hour after sunset. Mercury is close to the thin crescent Moon on Friday 18 December.
Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the western evening sky. Jupiter is big enough to be appreciated in even the smallest telescope. If you don't have a telescope to view Jupiter, why not go to one of your local Astronomical Societies or Planetariums open nights? Jupiter's Moons are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope. Jupiter is close to the waxing Moon on Monday 21 December.
Earth is at Solstice, where the day is longest, on December 22.
The Northern horizon at 9:00 pm AEDST on December 18 showing the location of Algol.
Algol is classic variable star, but is usually hard to see from the southern hemisphere. This week we have a chance to see Algol dim and brighten under reasonable circumstances. On December 18th 10:28 pm Algol will be at its dimmest, over the next few hours you can watch it brighten.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Morning sky looking north-east showing Mars, Saturn, Regulus and Spica at 4:00 am local daylight saving time (3:00 am non-daylight saving) on Saturday December 12. Click to embiggen.The First Quarter Moon is Friday December 25.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars is now the constellation of Leo. Mars is a distinct gibbous disk in a small telescope, and becomes bigger and brighter during the week in the lead up to opposition in January.
Saturn is visible low in the morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. Mars, Regulus, Saturn and Spica from a nice lineup.
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
South-Western horizon showing Mercury, the Moon and Jupiter at 21:00 pm local daylight saving time (20:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Friday December 18, click to embiggen.Mercury can be seen above the south-western horizon between half an hour to an hour after sunset. Mercury is close to the thin crescent Moon on Friday 18 December.
Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the western evening sky. Jupiter is big enough to be appreciated in even the smallest telescope. If you don't have a telescope to view Jupiter, why not go to one of your local Astronomical Societies or Planetariums open nights? Jupiter's Moons are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope. Jupiter is close to the waxing Moon on Monday 21 December.
Earth is at Solstice, where the day is longest, on December 22.
The Northern horizon at 9:00 pm AEDST on December 18 showing the location of Algol.Algol is classic variable star, but is usually hard to see from the southern hemisphere. This week we have a chance to see Algol dim and brighten under reasonable circumstances. On December 18th 10:28 pm Algol will be at its dimmest, over the next few hours you can watch it brighten.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
The Sky This Week - Thursday December 10 to Thursday December 17
The New Moon is Wednesday December 16. Jupiter is is easily seen as the brightest object in the western evening sky. Mercury is low in the twilight evening sky. In the morning, Mars is easily seen above the north-eastern horizon. Saturn is close to the dawn horizon. The crescent Moon form a line with Mars and Saturn. The Gemind meteor shower returns.
Morning sky looking north-east showing Mars, Saturn and the Moon at 4:00 am local daylight saving time (3:00 am non-daylight saving) on Saturday December 12. Click to embiggen.
The New Moon is Wednesday December 16.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars is now the constellation of Leo. Mars is a distinct gibbous disk in a small telescope, and becomes bigger and brighter during the week in the lead up to opposition in January.
Saturn is visible low in the morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica.
On Saturday December 12 the crescent Moon is close to Spica, forming a nice line with Saturn, Regulus and Mars.
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
South-Western horizon showing Mercury at 21:00 pm local daylight saving time (20:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Monday December 14, click to embiggen.
Mercury can be seen above the south-western horizon between half an hour to an hour after sunset. Mercury is close to the bright star Nunki in the handle of the "teapot" of Sagittarius on the 14th and 15th.
Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the western evening sky. Jupiter is big enough to be appreciated in even the smallest telescope. If you don't have a telescope to view Jupiter, why not go to one of your local Astronomical Societies or Planetariums open nights? Jupiter's Moons are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope.
The northern horizon at 2:00 am AEDST as seen from Southern Australia (northern Australia is similar but Gemini and the radiant is higher in the sky) on Monday December 14. The Geminid radiant is marked with a cross.
The Geminids are a fairly reliable meteor shower and this year moonlight will not interfere. Unlike the Leonids, where there is a very narrow peak of high activity, the Geminids have a broad peak and will show good activity well before and after the peak, and on the day before and after.
The radiant doesn't rise until just before midnight (daylight saving time) in most of Australia, so you will still have to disturb your sleep for this one. Australians should see a meteor every two to three minutes under dark skies in the early morning of the 14th, between 1:00 am and 4:00 am local time. You can find predictions for your local site at the meteor flux estimator (choose 4 Geminids and date 13-14 December, don't forget to change the date to 2009).
At 1.00 am in the morning AEDST (midnight, AEST) Castor (alpha Geminorum) is about two handspans above the horizon and 10 handspans to the left of due north. Pollux, the other twin, is less than a handspan to the left again. The radiant is just below Pollux.
As well, Orion and the Hyades will be visible and bright Mars will be nearby. So it will be a quite nice morning for sky watching. Keep an eye out for satellites!
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Morning sky looking north-east showing Mars, Saturn and the Moon at 4:00 am local daylight saving time (3:00 am non-daylight saving) on Saturday December 12. Click to embiggen.The New Moon is Wednesday December 16.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars is now the constellation of Leo. Mars is a distinct gibbous disk in a small telescope, and becomes bigger and brighter during the week in the lead up to opposition in January.
Saturn is visible low in the morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica.
On Saturday December 12 the crescent Moon is close to Spica, forming a nice line with Saturn, Regulus and Mars.
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
South-Western horizon showing Mercury at 21:00 pm local daylight saving time (20:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Monday December 14, click to embiggen.Mercury can be seen above the south-western horizon between half an hour to an hour after sunset. Mercury is close to the bright star Nunki in the handle of the "teapot" of Sagittarius on the 14th and 15th.
Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the western evening sky. Jupiter is big enough to be appreciated in even the smallest telescope. If you don't have a telescope to view Jupiter, why not go to one of your local Astronomical Societies or Planetariums open nights? Jupiter's Moons are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope.
The northern horizon at 2:00 am AEDST as seen from Southern Australia (northern Australia is similar but Gemini and the radiant is higher in the sky) on Monday December 14. The Geminid radiant is marked with a cross.The Geminids are a fairly reliable meteor shower and this year moonlight will not interfere. Unlike the Leonids, where there is a very narrow peak of high activity, the Geminids have a broad peak and will show good activity well before and after the peak, and on the day before and after.
The radiant doesn't rise until just before midnight (daylight saving time) in most of Australia, so you will still have to disturb your sleep for this one. Australians should see a meteor every two to three minutes under dark skies in the early morning of the 14th, between 1:00 am and 4:00 am local time. You can find predictions for your local site at the meteor flux estimator (choose 4 Geminids and date 13-14 December, don't forget to change the date to 2009).
At 1.00 am in the morning AEDST (midnight, AEST) Castor (alpha Geminorum) is about two handspans above the horizon and 10 handspans to the left of due north. Pollux, the other twin, is less than a handspan to the left again. The radiant is just below Pollux.
As well, Orion and the Hyades will be visible and bright Mars will be nearby. So it will be a quite nice morning for sky watching. Keep an eye out for satellites!
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
The Sky This Week - Thursday December 3 to Thursday December 10
The Last Quarter Moon is Wednesday December 9. Jupiter is is easily seen as the brightest object in the evening sky. Mercury is low in the twilight evening sky. In the morning, Mars is easily seen above the north-eastern horizon. Saturn is close to the dawn horizon. Mars and Saturn are visited by the waning Moon.
Morning sky looking north-east showing Mars and Saturn at 4:00 am local daylight saving time (3:00 am non-daylight saving) on Thursday December 10. Click to embiggen.
The Last Quarter Moon is Wednesday December 9.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars is now the constellation of Leo. Mars is a distinct gibbous disk in a small telescope, and becomes bigger and brighter during the week in the lead up to opposition in January. On Monday December 7 the Moon is close to Mars, then on Tuesday December 8 the Moon is close to the bright star Regulus.
Saturn is visible low in the morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. On Thursday December 10 the crescent Moon is close to Saturn.
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
South-Western horizon showing Mercury at 21:00 pm local daylight saving time (19:40 pm non-daylight saving) on Thursday December 10, click to embiggen.
Mercury can be seen above the south-western horizon between half an hour to an hour after sunset. This week it moves in to the "Teapot" of Sagittarius, on on Thursday December 10 it is very close to the star Lambda Sagittarii, the "lid" of the teapot.
Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the western evening sky. Jupiter is big enough to be appreciated in even the smallest telescope. If you don't have a telescope to view Jupiter, why not go to one of your local Astronomical Societies or Planetariums open nights? Jupiter's Moons are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Morning sky looking north-east showing Mars and Saturn at 4:00 am local daylight saving time (3:00 am non-daylight saving) on Thursday December 10. Click to embiggen.The Last Quarter Moon is Wednesday December 9.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars is now the constellation of Leo. Mars is a distinct gibbous disk in a small telescope, and becomes bigger and brighter during the week in the lead up to opposition in January. On Monday December 7 the Moon is close to Mars, then on Tuesday December 8 the Moon is close to the bright star Regulus.
Saturn is visible low in the morning sky between the bright stars Regulus and Spica. On Thursday December 10 the crescent Moon is close to Saturn.
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
South-Western horizon showing Mercury at 21:00 pm local daylight saving time (19:40 pm non-daylight saving) on Thursday December 10, click to embiggen.Mercury can be seen above the south-western horizon between half an hour to an hour after sunset. This week it moves in to the "Teapot" of Sagittarius, on on Thursday December 10 it is very close to the star Lambda Sagittarii, the "lid" of the teapot.
Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the western evening sky. Jupiter is big enough to be appreciated in even the smallest telescope. If you don't have a telescope to view Jupiter, why not go to one of your local Astronomical Societies or Planetariums open nights? Jupiter's Moons are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
The Sky This Week - Thursday November 26 to Thursday December 3
The Full Moon is Wednesday December 2. Jupiter is is easily seen as the brightest object in the evening sky. Mercury returns to the evening sky low in the twilight. In the morning, Mars is easily seen above the north-eastern horizon. Saturn is close to the dawn horizon. The Moon covers the Pleiades Tuesday December 1.
Morning sky looking north-east showing Mars and Saturn at 4:00 am local daylight saving time (3:00 am non-daylight saving) on Thursday November 26. Click to embiggen.
The Full Moon is Wednesday December 2.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars moves from in the constellation of Cancer into the constellation of Leo. Mars is a distinct gibbous disk in a small telescope, and becomes bigger and brighter during the week.
Saturn is low in the morning sky this week, but is now readily visible before twilight sets in.
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
South-Western horizon showing Mercury at 20:40 pm local daylight saving time (19:40 pm non-daylight saving) on Thursday November 26, click to embiggen.
Mercury returns to the evening sky, it can be seen above the south-western horizon half an hour or so after sunset, below the "hook" of stars that is the tail of Scorpius the scorpion.
Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the evening sky. Jupiter is big enough to be appreciated in even the smallest telescope. If you don't have a telescope to view Jupiter, why not go to one of your local Astronomical Societies or Planetariums open nights? Jupiter's Moons are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope.
North-eastern horizon as seen from southern Australia around 10:00 pm local daylight saving time. Northern Australia will see similar views at around 9:00 pm local standard time. The Moon is poised to cover some of the stars in the Pleiades cluster.
On the evening of Tuesday December 1 the nearly full Moon will pass in front of the beautiful Pleiades star cluster. Because the Moon is so bright, it will be best to watch this event with binoculars or a small telescope. The Northern Territory has the best view. Darwin sees the most bright stars covered, starting with the bright star Celeano at 21:51 ACST, followed by bright Taygeta, then Sterope and Maia, finishing 23:27. next best is Alice Springs, which sees Taygeta covered at 22:12 ACST, followed by 18 Tauri and Sterope.
WA has good views too. Perth sees Taygeta covered at 21:18 AWDST, followed by Sterope and 22 Tauri. People in Northern WA will see more stars covered. Northern QLD sees a few stars covered, Townsville sees Taygeta and 18 Tauri covered at roughly the same time, 23:54 AEST.
South eastern Australia sees just 18 Tauri covered, starting from 23:28 ACDST (Adelaide), 23:33 AEST (Brisbane) and the morning of December 2 for Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Hobart, from between 00:11 AEDST to 00:26 AEDST.
More details, timings and links at Southern Skywatch
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Morning sky looking north-east showing Mars and Saturn at 4:00 am local daylight saving time (3:00 am non-daylight saving) on Thursday November 26. Click to embiggen.The Full Moon is Wednesday December 2.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars moves from in the constellation of Cancer into the constellation of Leo. Mars is a distinct gibbous disk in a small telescope, and becomes bigger and brighter during the week.
Saturn is low in the morning sky this week, but is now readily visible before twilight sets in.
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
South-Western horizon showing Mercury at 20:40 pm local daylight saving time (19:40 pm non-daylight saving) on Thursday November 26, click to embiggen.Mercury returns to the evening sky, it can be seen above the south-western horizon half an hour or so after sunset, below the "hook" of stars that is the tail of Scorpius the scorpion.
Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the evening sky. Jupiter is big enough to be appreciated in even the smallest telescope. If you don't have a telescope to view Jupiter, why not go to one of your local Astronomical Societies or Planetariums open nights? Jupiter's Moons are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope.
North-eastern horizon as seen from southern Australia around 10:00 pm local daylight saving time. Northern Australia will see similar views at around 9:00 pm local standard time. The Moon is poised to cover some of the stars in the Pleiades cluster.On the evening of Tuesday December 1 the nearly full Moon will pass in front of the beautiful Pleiades star cluster. Because the Moon is so bright, it will be best to watch this event with binoculars or a small telescope. The Northern Territory has the best view. Darwin sees the most bright stars covered, starting with the bright star Celeano at 21:51 ACST, followed by bright Taygeta, then Sterope and Maia, finishing 23:27. next best is Alice Springs, which sees Taygeta covered at 22:12 ACST, followed by 18 Tauri and Sterope.
WA has good views too. Perth sees Taygeta covered at 21:18 AWDST, followed by Sterope and 22 Tauri. People in Northern WA will see more stars covered. Northern QLD sees a few stars covered, Townsville sees Taygeta and 18 Tauri covered at roughly the same time, 23:54 AEST.
South eastern Australia sees just 18 Tauri covered, starting from 23:28 ACDST (Adelaide), 23:33 AEST (Brisbane) and the morning of December 2 for Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Hobart, from between 00:11 AEDST to 00:26 AEDST.
More details, timings and links at Southern Skywatch
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Sky This Week - Thursday November 19 to Thursday November 26
The First Quarter Moon is Wednesday November 25. Jupiter is is easily seen as the brightest object in the evening sky, and the waxing Moon is near Jupiter on Tuesday November 24. In the morning, Mars is easily seen above the eastern horizon. Saturn is close to the dawn horizon. The variable star Mira is still bright and the Variable star Algol fades.
Morning sky looking north-east showing Mars and Saturn at 4:00 am local daylight saving time (3:00 am non-daylight saving) on Friday November 20. Click to embiggen.
The First Quarter Moon is Wednesday November 25.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer.
Saturn is low in the morning sky this week, but is now readily visible before twilight sets in.
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
Western horizon showing Jupiter at 11:00 pm local daylight saving time (10:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Tuesday November 24, click to embiggen.
Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the evening sky. The waxing Moon is near Jupiter on Tuesday November 24. Jupiter is big enough to be appreciated in even the smallest telescope. If you don't have a telescope to view Jupiter, why not go to one of your local Astronomical Societies or Planetariums open nights? Jupiter's Moons are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope.
Mercury is currently not visible.
Left, the eastern horizon at around 10:00 am AEDST showing the location of Mira, Right the Northern horizon at 10:00 pm AEDST on November 25 showing the location of Algol.
Mira (omicron ceti), a star in the constellation of Cetus the whale, is a long period pulsating red giant and changes brightness from below naked eye visibility to a peak of round magnitude 2 (roughly as bright as beta Crucis in the Southern Cross) in around 330 days. Mira peaked in brightness in November around November 10, and will now fade slowly over the coming weeks. It may be seen above the eastern horizon around 10 pm local daylight saving time above a loop of stars just above Taurus (see above, Mira is not shown as the plotting software only shows the minimum).
Algol is another classic variable star, but is usually hard to see from the southern hemisphere. This week we have a chance to see Algol dim and brighten under reasonable circumstances. On November25th 26th at at 00:30 am Algol will be at its dimmest, start watching from about 9:30-10 pm, and over the next few hours you can watch it dim dramatically.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Morning sky looking north-east showing Mars and Saturn at 4:00 am local daylight saving time (3:00 am non-daylight saving) on Friday November 20. Click to embiggen.The First Quarter Moon is Wednesday November 25.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer.
Saturn is low in the morning sky this week, but is now readily visible before twilight sets in.
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
Western horizon showing Jupiter at 11:00 pm local daylight saving time (10:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Tuesday November 24, click to embiggen.Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the evening sky. The waxing Moon is near Jupiter on Tuesday November 24. Jupiter is big enough to be appreciated in even the smallest telescope. If you don't have a telescope to view Jupiter, why not go to one of your local Astronomical Societies or Planetariums open nights? Jupiter's Moons are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope.
Mercury is currently not visible.
Left, the eastern horizon at around 10:00 am AEDST showing the location of Mira, Right the Northern horizon at 10:00 pm AEDST on November 25 showing the location of Algol.
Mira (omicron ceti), a star in the constellation of Cetus the whale, is a long period pulsating red giant and changes brightness from below naked eye visibility to a peak of round magnitude 2 (roughly as bright as beta Crucis in the Southern Cross) in around 330 days. Mira peaked in brightness in November around November 10, and will now fade slowly over the coming weeks. It may be seen above the eastern horizon around 10 pm local daylight saving time above a loop of stars just above Taurus (see above, Mira is not shown as the plotting software only shows the minimum).
Algol is another classic variable star, but is usually hard to see from the southern hemisphere. This week we have a chance to see Algol dim and brighten under reasonable circumstances. On November
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The Sky This Week - Thursday November 12 to Thursday November 19
The New Moon is Tuesday November 17. Jupiter is is easily seen as the brightest object in the evening sky. In the morning, Mars is easily seen above the eastern horizon. Saturn is close to the dawn horizon and is close to the crescent Moon on the 13th. The variable star Mira is still bright. The Leonid meteor shower is worth watching on the morning of the 18th.
Morning sky looking north-east showing the crescent Moon and Saturn at 5:00 am local daylight saving time (4:00 am non-daylight saving) on Friday November 13. Click to embiggen.
The New Moon is Tuesday November 17.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer and starts the week within binocular range of the Beehive cluster. Mars and the Beehive be readily visible to the unaided eye under dark skies.
Saturn is low in the morning sky this week, but is now readily visible before twilight sets in. On the morning of Friday November 13 the crescent Moon is near Saturn.
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
Western horizon showing Jupiter at 11:00 pm local daylight saving time (10:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Monday November 16, click to embiggen.
Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the evening sky. Jupiter is big enough to be appreciated in even the smallest telescope. If you don't have a telescope to view Jupiter, why not go to one of your local Astronomical Societies or Planetariums open nights? Jupiter's Moons are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope.
Mercury is currently not visible.
The north-eastern horizon at 4:00 am AEDST, the Leonid radiant is marked with a cross.
The Leonid meteors may be of interest this year. The Moon is just after new, so there will be no Moonlight interference with this shower, and there are a number of predicted peaks in meteor activity.
The best time to observe in Australia is the morning of the 18th between 3 and 4 am (daylight saving time, 2-3 am non-daylight saving time). Sadly, a number of peaks occur just before Leo rises, and the best (predicted to be around 200 meteors per hour) occurs after sunrise.
Nonetheless, the possibility of seeing a quite reasonable number of meteors is good, and the meteor peak may come early (and people in Western Australia will have the best chances of seeing good meteor activity). There is also a small peak around 2 am on the morning of the 19th that may be worth watching for, despite Leo being low on the horizon. The Radiant (where the meteors appear to come from) is in the Sickle of Leo. Even if there are only a few meteors Orion and the Hyades will be visible and bright Mars will be nearby, not far from the Beehive cluster. So it will be a quite nice morning, and well worth getting up for on the off chance there will be some decent meteor numbers, although the meteor flux estimator says our rates will be rubbish (don't forget to change the date to 2009). Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Left, the eastern horizon at around 10:00 am AEDST showing the location of Mira.
Mira (omicron ceti), a star in the constellation of Cetus the whale, is a long period pulsating red giant and changes brightness from below naked eye visibility to a peak of round magnitude 2 (roughly as bright as beta Crucis in the Southern Cross) in around 330 days. Mira peaked in brightness in November around November 10, and will nw fade slowly over the coming weeks. It may be seen above the eastern horizon around 10 pm local daylight saving time above a loop of stars just above Taurus (see above, Mira is not shown as the plotting software only shows the minimum).
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Morning sky looking north-east showing the crescent Moon and Saturn at 5:00 am local daylight saving time (4:00 am non-daylight saving) on Friday November 13. Click to embiggen.The New Moon is Tuesday November 17.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer and starts the week within binocular range of the Beehive cluster. Mars and the Beehive be readily visible to the unaided eye under dark skies.
Saturn is low in the morning sky this week, but is now readily visible before twilight sets in. On the morning of Friday November 13 the crescent Moon is near Saturn.
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
Western horizon showing Jupiter at 11:00 pm local daylight saving time (10:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Monday November 16, click to embiggen.Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the evening sky. Jupiter is big enough to be appreciated in even the smallest telescope. If you don't have a telescope to view Jupiter, why not go to one of your local Astronomical Societies or Planetariums open nights? Jupiter's Moons are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope.
Mercury is currently not visible.
The north-eastern horizon at 4:00 am AEDST, the Leonid radiant is marked with a cross.The Leonid meteors may be of interest this year. The Moon is just after new, so there will be no Moonlight interference with this shower, and there are a number of predicted peaks in meteor activity.
The best time to observe in Australia is the morning of the 18th between 3 and 4 am (daylight saving time, 2-3 am non-daylight saving time). Sadly, a number of peaks occur just before Leo rises, and the best (predicted to be around 200 meteors per hour) occurs after sunrise.
Nonetheless, the possibility of seeing a quite reasonable number of meteors is good, and the meteor peak may come early (and people in Western Australia will have the best chances of seeing good meteor activity). There is also a small peak around 2 am on the morning of the 19th that may be worth watching for, despite Leo being low on the horizon. The Radiant (where the meteors appear to come from) is in the Sickle of Leo. Even if there are only a few meteors Orion and the Hyades will be visible and bright Mars will be nearby, not far from the Beehive cluster. So it will be a quite nice morning, and well worth getting up for on the off chance there will be some decent meteor numbers, although the meteor flux estimator says our rates will be rubbish (don't forget to change the date to 2009). Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Left, the eastern horizon at around 10:00 am AEDST showing the location of Mira.Mira (omicron ceti), a star in the constellation of Cetus the whale, is a long period pulsating red giant and changes brightness from below naked eye visibility to a peak of round magnitude 2 (roughly as bright as beta Crucis in the Southern Cross) in around 330 days. Mira peaked in brightness in November around November 10, and will nw fade slowly over the coming weeks. It may be seen above the eastern horizon around 10 pm local daylight saving time above a loop of stars just above Taurus (see above, Mira is not shown as the plotting software only shows the minimum).
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
The Sky This Week - Thursday November 5 to Thursday November 12
The Last Quarter Moon is Tuesday November 10. Jupiter is is easily seen as the brightest object in the evening sky. In the morning, Mars is easily seen above the eastern horizon and is near the Beehive cluster. On Monday 9 November Mars and the Moon are close. Saturn is close to the dawn horizon. The variable star Mira is at maximum and Algol is at minimum.
Morning sky looking north-east showing the Moon and Mars near the Beehive cluster at 4:00 am local daylight saving time (3:00 am non-daylight saving) on Monday November 9. Click to embiggen.
The Last Quarter Moon is Tuesday November 10.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer and starts the week near the Beehive cluster. This will be readily visible to the unaided eye under dark skies, and will look quite nice in binoculars. On Monday November 9 the waning Moon is close to Mars, with the Beehive in between.
Saturn is low in the morning sky this week.
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
Western horizon showing Jupiter at 11:00 pm local daylight saving time (10:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Thursday November 5, click to embiggen.
Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the evening sky. Jupiter is big enough to be appreciated in even the smallest telescope. If you don't have a telescope to view Jupiter, why not go to one of your local Astronomical Societies or Planetariums open nights? Jupiter's Moons are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope.
Mercury is currently not visible.
Left, the eastern horizon at around 10:00 am AEDST showing the location of Mira, Right the Northern horizon at 11:00 pm AEDST on November 5 showing the location of Algol.
Mira (omicron ceti), a star in the constellation of Cetus the whale, is a long period pulsating red giant and changes brightness from below naked eye visibility to a peak of round magnitude 2 (roughly as bright as beta Crucis in the Southern Cross) in around 330 days. Mira peaks in brightness in November around November 10. It may be seen above the eastern horizon around 10 pm local daylight saving time above a loop of stars just above Taurus (see above, Mira is not shown as the plotting software only shows the minimum).
Algol is another classic variable star, but is usually hard to see from the southern hemisphere. This week we have a chance to see Algol dim and brighten under reasonable circumstances. On November 5th at 11 pm AEDST Algol will be at its dimmest (barely visible, unlike the diagram which shows it at maximum), over the next few hours you can watch it brighten.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Morning sky looking north-east showing the Moon and Mars near the Beehive cluster at 4:00 am local daylight saving time (3:00 am non-daylight saving) on Monday November 9. Click to embiggen.The Last Quarter Moon is Tuesday November 10.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer and starts the week near the Beehive cluster. This will be readily visible to the unaided eye under dark skies, and will look quite nice in binoculars. On Monday November 9 the waning Moon is close to Mars, with the Beehive in between.
Saturn is low in the morning sky this week.
Bright white Venus is invisible the twilight glow and will not reappear until February.
Western horizon showing Jupiter at 11:00 pm local daylight saving time (10:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Thursday November 5, click to embiggen.Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the evening sky. Jupiter is big enough to be appreciated in even the smallest telescope. If you don't have a telescope to view Jupiter, why not go to one of your local Astronomical Societies or Planetariums open nights? Jupiter's Moons are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope.
Mercury is currently not visible.
Left, the eastern horizon at around 10:00 am AEDST showing the location of Mira, Right the Northern horizon at 11:00 pm AEDST on November 5 showing the location of Algol.
Mira (omicron ceti), a star in the constellation of Cetus the whale, is a long period pulsating red giant and changes brightness from below naked eye visibility to a peak of round magnitude 2 (roughly as bright as beta Crucis in the Southern Cross) in around 330 days. Mira peaks in brightness in November around November 10. It may be seen above the eastern horizon around 10 pm local daylight saving time above a loop of stars just above Taurus (see above, Mira is not shown as the plotting software only shows the minimum).
Algol is another classic variable star, but is usually hard to see from the southern hemisphere. This week we have a chance to see Algol dim and brighten under reasonable circumstances. On November 5th at 11 pm AEDST Algol will be at its dimmest (barely visible, unlike the diagram which shows it at maximum), over the next few hours you can watch it brighten.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm ADST, Western sky at 10 pm ADST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The Sky This Week - Thursday October 29 to Thursday November 5
The Full Moon is Tuesday November 3. Jupiter is is easily seen as the brightest object in the evening sky. In the morning, Mars is easily seen above the eastern horizon and crosses the Beehive cluster. Saturn is low on the dawn horizon and Venus is lost in the twlight.
Morning sky looking north-east showing Mars near the Beehive cluster at 4:00 am local daylight saving time (3:00 am non-daylight saving) on Sunday November 1. Click to embiggen.
The Full Moon is Tuesday November 3.
Mercury is currently not visible.
Saturn is low in the morning sky this week.
Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the evening sky. Jupiter is big enough to be appreciated in even the smallest telescope. If you don't have a telescope to view Jupiter, why not go to one of your local Astronomical Societies or Planetariums open nights? Jupiter's Moons are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope.
Western horizon showing Jupiter at 12:00 pm local daylight saving time (11:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Sunday November 1, click to embiggen.
In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer and starts the week near the Beehive cluster. On Sunday November 1 and Monday November 2, Mars crosses the Beehive cluster. This will be readily visible to the unaided eye under dark skies, and will look magnificent in binoculars.
Bright white Venus is very close to the horizon, and disappears into the twilight glow this week.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm, Western sky at 10 pm. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Morning sky looking north-east showing Mars near the Beehive cluster at 4:00 am local daylight saving time (3:00 am non-daylight saving) on Sunday November 1. Click to embiggen.The Full Moon is Tuesday November 3.
Mercury is currently not visible.
Saturn is low in the morning sky this week.
Jupiter is easily seen as the brightest object in the evening sky. Jupiter is big enough to be appreciated in even the smallest telescope. If you don't have a telescope to view Jupiter, why not go to one of your local Astronomical Societies or Planetariums open nights? Jupiter's Moons are readily visible in binoculars or a small telescope.
Western horizon showing Jupiter at 12:00 pm local daylight saving time (11:00 pm non-daylight saving) on Sunday November 1, click to embiggen.In the morning, Mars is readily visible in the eastern sky. Red Mars is in the constellation of Cancer and starts the week near the Beehive cluster. On Sunday November 1 and Monday November 2, Mars crosses the Beehive cluster. This will be readily visible to the unaided eye under dark skies, and will look magnificent in binoculars.
Bright white Venus is very close to the horizon, and disappears into the twilight glow this week.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm, Western sky at 10 pm. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch. Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Labels: weekly sky
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