Astroblog

The Last Quarter Moon is Monday February 9. Saturn is low in the western sky. Jupiter is rising before astronomical twilight and dominates the northern sky. It forms a broad triangle with the bright stars Betelgeuse and Procyon, and a narrower triangle with the stars Castor and Pollux. Uranus can be seen in binoculars above the Pleiades cluster. Comet C/2024 E1 Wierzchos may be visible in binoculars. The variable star Mira may be visible in the evening. 

The Last Quarter Moon is Monday February 9. The Moon is at apogee (when it is furthest from Earth) on the 11th.

North-western sky on the evening of Saturday, February 7 as seen from Adelaide at 21:52 ACDST ( 90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

The planet Uranus is theoretically visible to the unaided eye from Dark sky locations, as it is magnitude 5.7, but it is best seen with binoculars. The beautiful and obvious Pleiades cluster is the signpost to the faint planet. The waning moon will not interfere in the early evening. 

The inset is the binocular view of the Pleiades and Uranus at this time. 

   

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

 

Western sky on Saturday, February 7  as seen from Adelaide at 21:17 ACDST (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).  Saturn is lowering in the west. 

 

The inset shows the telescopic view of Saturn at this time.  

 

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

North-eastern sky on Saturday, February 7  as seen from Adelaide at 21:52 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).  Jupiter was at opposition, when it is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on the 10th, but will be bright for many months. Jupiter forms a broad triangle with the bright stars Betelgeuse and Procyon, and a narrower triangle with the stars Castor and Pollux. 

 

 

The inset shows the telescopic view of Jupiter at this time.   

 

    

 

 

 

 

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

 

Western sky on Saturday, February 7 as seen from Adelaide at 21:52 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).  Saturn is setting in the west. Comet C/2024 E1 Wierzchos is close to the constellation of the Phoenix. 

 

Comet C/2024 E1 Wierzchos was predicted to be bright, but has remained dim. The comet will be higher in the evening skies when the sky is fully dark and the waning  moon is rising well after the Comet has set. It may be visible in binoculars at this time. 

the circle shows the location of the variable star Mira, which is brightening, it should be visible to the unaided eye about now. 

 

The inset shows the binocular view of the comet at this this time.

 

  

 

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

 

Whole sky on Saturday, February 7  as seen from Adelaide at 21:52 ACDST, 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).

Saturn is setting in the northwest. Jupiter is rising in the northeast.

 

Bright Canopus and Sirius are near the Zenith. Orion is now high in the north-western sky. 

 

The Southern Cross is low in the Southern sky.  The moon is waning and the fainter clusters and nebula are becoming easier to see.    

 

 

 

   

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

Labels: weekly sky

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 6:00 pm 0 comments

Northern sky on Friday, February 27  as seen from Adelaide at 21:22 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).  Jupiter is close to the nearly full Moon, forming a narrow triangle with Castor and Pollux and a broad triangle with the bright stars Procyon and Betelgeuse. 

The First Quarter Moon is clearly visible above the horizon close to he Pleiades cluster. the Lunar X and V may bee seen in a telescope or strong binoculars. The insets show the telescopic and binocular views at this time. 

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

Stars:

North western sky as seen from Adelaide at 21:41 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset). Similar views will been seen elsewhere in Australia 90 minutes after sunset. The inset is the binocular view of the Pleides and Uranus at this time (click to embiggen)	Southern sky as seen from Adelaide at 21:41 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset). Similar views will been seen elsewhere in Australia 90 minutes after sunset. Theta Carina is indicated by the circle, The inset is the binocular view of the the Southern Pleiades and Theta Carina  at this time (click to embiggen)

February nights see the summer constellations of Taurus the Bull, Orion the Hunter and Canis major (Orion’s hunting dog) slip into the north-western sky.

Orion is still visible,  as are the Pleiades, a close grouping of six stars.   A line drawn westward through Betelgeuse, the red star that forms the shoulder of Orion, and Aldebaran brings you to the Pleiades.

Although faint, the Pleiades is pretty to the unaided eye, and delightful in binoculars. If you’re fortunate enough to have a decent telescope, you’ll be able to see a hint of the nebulous cloud that makes photographs of this cluster an astronomical icon. 

The Pleiades is also known as the Seven Sisters in European culture.  Interestingly, many Indigenous Australian groups also saw the cluster as women. The Boorong people of north-western Victoria called it Larnankurrk and described it as a group of women watching Kulkunbulla (the two dancing youths represented by the Saucepan of Orion’s belt).   However, the people of the Lake Albert area saw the Pleiades as a clutch of turkey eggs.

In February, you can also see a constellation called the “Southern Pleiades” (it’s only visible in the southern hemisphere).  It’s a lot less obvious to the unaided eye than the Pleiades themselves, but is truly beautiful in binoculars or a small telescope.  It’s made up of a cluster of stars around theta Carina, which also glories in the name Vathorz Posterior.

To find this small gem, look up from Acrux, the brightest star in the Southern Cross. The second bright star you come to is surrounded by a halo of dim stars, this is the Southern Pleiades. 
You can easily see the Pleiades and the Southern Pleiades from around an hour after sunset as they emerge from the twilight.

 As the night progresses the Pleiades sink into the west. In contrast, the Southern Pleiades rise higher above the southern horizon as February progresses but they will become harder to see due to moonlight.  

Mira:

 
The variable star Mira (omicron Ceti) should start to brighten in February, rising from below unaided eye visibility to around magnitude 4 before peaking in March at around magnitude 3. It will be seen low above the western horizon when the sky is fully dark. 

Labels: binoculars, Monthly sky, unaided eye

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

The Full Moon is Monday February 2. Saturn is low in the western sky. Jupiter is rising before astronomical twilight and was at opposition, when it biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on the 10th. The nearly full Moon is close to Jupiter on the 31st. Uranus can be seen in binoculars above the Pleiades cluster. Comet C/2024 E1 Wierzchos may be visible in binoculars by the end of the week. 

The Full Moon is Monday February 2. The Moon at perigee when it is closest to Earth on the 30th.

North-western sky on the evening of Saturday, January 31 as seen from Adelaide at 22:00 ACDST ( 90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

The planet Uranus is theoretically visible to the unaided eye from Dark sky locations, as it is magnitude 5.7, but it is best seen with binoculars. The beautiful and obvious Pleiades cluster is the signpost to the faint planet. The waxing moon may make finding Uranus harder until the end of the week. 

The inset is the binocular view of the Pleiades and Uranus at this time. 

   

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

 

Western sky on Saturday, January 31  as seen from Adelaide at 21:25ACDST (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).  Saturn is lowering in the west. 

 

The inset shows the telescopic view of Saturn at this time.  

 

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

North-eastern sky on Saturday, January 21  as seen from Adelaide at 22:00 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).  Jupiter was at opposition, when it is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on the 10th, but will be bright for many months. The nearly Full Moon is close to Jupiter making an attractive pattern with Jupiter and the bright stars Castor and Pollux. 

 

 

The inset shows the telescopic view of Jupiter at this time.   

 

    

 

 

 

 

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

 

Western sky on Thursday, February 5 as seen from Adelaide at 21:54 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).  Saturn is sinking in the west. Comet C/2024 E1 Wierzchos is close to the constellation of Grus the crane. 

 

Comet C/2024 E1 Wierzchos was predicted to be bright, but has remained dim. By the end of the week the comet will be higher in the evening skies when the sky is fully dark and the bright moon is rising later. It may be visible in binoculars at this time. 

 

The inset shows the binocular view of the comet at this this time, close to the two stars forming the wing of the Crane.   

 

 

 

 

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

 

Whole sky on Saturday, January 31  as seen from Adelaide at 22:00 ACDST, 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).

Saturn is lowering in the northwest. Jupiter is rising in the northeast.

 

Bright Canopus and Sirius are near the Zenith. Orion is now high in the north-western sky. 

 

The Southern Cross is low in the Southern sky.  The moon is nearly full and the fainter clusters and nebula are becoming harder to see.    

 

 

 

   

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

Labels: weekly sky

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 6:00 pm 0 comments

The First Quarter Moon is Monday January 26. Saturn is low in the western sky and close to the thin crescent Moon on the 23rd. Jupiter is rising before astronomical twilight and was at opposition, when it biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on the 10th. Uranus can be seen in binoculars above the Pleiades cluster.

The First Quarter Moon is Monday January 26.

Eastern sky on the evening of Saturday, January 24 as seen from Adelaide at 22:07 ACDST ( 90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

The planet Uranus is theoretically visible to the unaided eye from Dark sky locations, as it is magnitude 5.7, but it is best seen with binoculars. The beautiful and obvious Pleiades cluster is the signpost to the faint planet. 

The inset is the binocular view of the Pleiades and Uranus at this time. 

   

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

 

Western sky on Friday, January 23  as seen from Adelaide at 21:31ACDST (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).  Saturn is lowering in the west and is just above the crescent Moon. 

 

The inset shows the telescopic view of Saturn at this time.  

 

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

North-eastern sky on Saturday, January 24  as seen from Adelaide at 22:07 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).  Jupiter was at opposition, when it is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on the 10th, but will be bright for many months.

 

 

The inset shows the telescopic view of Jupiter at this time.   

 

    

 

 

 

 

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

 

Whole sky on Saturday, Saturday, January 24  as seen from Adelaide at 22:07 ACDST, 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).

Saturn is lowering in the northwest. Jupiter is rising in the northeast.

 

Bright Canopus and Sirius are rising. Orion is now high in the north-western sky. 

 

The Southern Cross is low in the Southern sky.  The moon is waxing and the fainter clusters and nebula are becoming harder to see.    

 

 

 

   

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

Labels: weekly sky

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 7:52 pm 0 comments

The New Moon is Monday January 19. Saturn is low in the western sky. Jupiter is rising before astronomical twilight and was at opposition, when it biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on the 10th. Occultation of the bright star Antares by the moon on the morning of the 15th. 

The New Moon is Monday January 19.  The Moon is at apogee (when it is furthest from Earth) on the 14th

Eastern twilight sky on the morning of Thursday, January 15 as seen from Adelaide at 04:37 ACDST (just after 90 minutes before sunrise, click to embiggen).

The Moon is about to pass over Antares. Similar views will be seen from most of Australia at the equivalent local time. You will need an unobstructed horizon to view this at its best. Perth misses ingress but gets to see egress. 

The inset is the telescopic view of the Moon and Antares at this time. 

For detailed times and observing hints see my Occultation of Antares page.  

   

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

 

Western sky on Saturday, January 17  as seen from Adelaide at 21:35 ACDST (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).  Saturn is lowering in the west. 

 

The inset shows the telescopic view of Saturn at this time.  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

North-eastern sky on Saturday, January 17  as seen from Adelaide at 22:13 ACDST (90 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).  Jupiter was at opposition, when it is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth, on the 10th, but will be bright for many months.

 

 

The inset shows the telescopic view of Jupiter at this time.   

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Whole sky on Saturday, Saturday, January 17  as seen from Adelaide at 22:13 ACDST, 90 minutes after sunset (click to embiggen).

Saturn is lowering in the northwest. Jupiter is rising in the northeast.

 

Bright Canopus and Sirius are rising. Orion is now high in the north-western sky. 

 

The Southern Cross is low in the Southern sky.  The moon is new and the fainter clusters and nebula are easier to see.    

 

 

 

   

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

Labels: weekly sky

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 2:15 pm 0 comments

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

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

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

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

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

Labels: binocular, Moon, Occultation, unaided eye

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

Full Moon January 03, 20:33 ACDST (Moon below horizon, moon at 22:00 shown).	Full Moon February 2, 08:39 ACDST (Moon at 22:00 shown).	Full Moon March 3, 22:08 ACDST, Total Lunar Eclipse.
Full Moon April 02, 12:42 ACST FM9:30 (Moon below horizon, moon at 21:00 shown).	Full Moon May, 2 02:52 ACST (shown at 18:58 ACST)	Full Moon May 31 18:17 ACST Antares is just coming out of occultation ("Blue" apogee moon +19hrs apogee 15:02 1st June, Full Moon 19:15 31st.)
Full Moon June 30 09:27 ACST, shown at 18:49 ACST.	Full Moon July 30 00:06 ACST.	Full Moon August 28 13:48 ACST (Moon shown at 19:18 ACST)
Full Moon September 27 02:19 ACST	Full Moon October 26 14:42 ACDST (Moon shown at 21:11 ACDST)	Full Moon November 25 01:23 ACDST (Perigee, 25th 21:59 ACDST +20h, Moon shown at Perigee time)
Full Moon December 24 11:58 ACDST ( Perigee, 24th 9:31 ACDST +7h) Moon below horizon at both times, and show at 21:49 ACDST	First Quarter perigee moon at 21:58 ACDST on February 24. Actual First Quarter is 8:48 on the 25th and perigee is 21:58 (a 1 day 10 hour difference).	First Quarter apogee moon at 19:34 ACST on September 19, actual First Quarter is 07:19, apogee is 13:30 (an ~6 hour difference). The size difference will be clear in telescopes.
First Quarter Moon at 21:20 ACST (10:50 UT) on April 24. The inset shows the Lunar X (top) and Lunar V (bottom), the dates and times that the Lunar X can be seen are shown in the table below	First Quarter Moon at 20:11 ACST (9:41 UT) on June 22. The inset shows the Lunar X (top) and Lunar V (bottom),	First Quarter Moon at 16:07 ACST (05:37 UT) on October 18. The moon is in daylight, but the lunar X is still visible in twilight.The inset shows the Lunar X (top) and Lunar V (bottom),

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

A year of full Moons showing the variation in size as the moons move from perigee to apogee. I also show the apogee and perigee First Quarter Moons and the dates and times you can see the Lunar X and V. All the moons are shown on the day and time they are full (unless they are below the horizon, in which case the size at astronomical twilight is shown and the time of actual full moon is shown as well), and although this is not the optimal time for size comparisons, you can clearly see the size difference over the year (compare May 31 to December 24) the original scale for all is 2 degrees of field of view cropped down). Although the field rotation of the Moon makes it less clear, you can also see the effect of libration (January 3 vs October 26)

In 2025 we have a good Perigee Moon (December 24). However, as you can see the differences are subtle, and it requires a keen eye and good memory to distinguish a perigee "super" Moon from more ordinary moons, the best contrast is with the apogee "mini" moon of May 31.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't try though. Daniel Fischer has been able to see the difference, you can read his account and viewing tips here:
http://earthsky.org/space/can-you-discern-supermoons-large-size-with-the-eye-an-observer-says-yes

Photographing them can be more rewarding. You can see images of perigee Moon and apogee Moon pairs from 21 Jan 2019 here and 10 August 2014 here.Tips for photographing them are here.

There is also a nice Total Lunar Eclipse on Tuesday March 3 in the early evening, a good time to show the kids and family.

Labels: apogee, Moon, perigee, public outreach, Yearly Moons

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 5:47 pm 0 comments