Archive for June, 2008
Wednesday, June 25th, 2008
Summer Triangle
Wednesday, June 25th, 2008
What’s Where Tonight June 26, 2008
Planets:
2:00 AM … The Moon will rise in the East at about 10°.
10:30 PM …Saturn will be in the West at about 10° above the Horizon. To the lower right you will see Regulus. A little farther to the right will be Mars. Mars will appear as a large red object. Unfortunately, you will need a reasonably unobstructed view of the Western Horizon since Mars will only at about 10°. You might see Saturn, Regulus and Mars earlier (9:30-10:00) after the sun sets if it gets dark enough.
12:00 AM … Jupiter will be rising in the South Southeast (SSE) at about 20° above the horizon.
Stars and Constellations: 10:30 PM … The Big Dipper will be high in the sky in the Northwest (NW) at about 60°. If you follow the arch of the handle of Big Dipper, you will come to a bright star, Arcturus. 10:30 PM… Arcturus will be a bright star at about 60° above the horizon in the South Southwest (SSW). If you continue the arc of the Big Dipper, you come to Spica in the Southwest. 10:30 PM … Spica will be seen below Arcturus at about 30° above the horizon.
10:30 PM … Vega, a very bright star, will be visible most of the night high in the sky. Look in the East at about 55° above the horizon.
10:30 PM… Cassiopeia (makes a big “W”) will be in the North Northeast at about 20° above the horizon.
Current Events:
· 10:30 PM….. Find the Summer Triangle. Vega, Deneb (in ENE at 40°) and Altari (in the ESE at 30°).
Tuesday, June 17th, 2008
What’s Where for June 17, 2008
Tuesday, June 17th, 2008
What’s Where Tonight – June 17, 2008
Planets:
- 10 :30 PM …The Moon will rise in the South East (SE).
- 10:30 PM …Saturn will be in the West (W) at about 20 above the Horizon. To the lower right you will see Regulus. A little farther to the lower right will be Mars. Mars will appear as a large red object. Unfortunately, you will need a reasonably unobstructed view of the West since Mars will only about 10° above the horizon. You might see Saturn, Regulus and Mars earlier (9:30) after the sun sets if it gets dark enough.
- 12:30 AM … Jupiter will be rising in the South South East (SSE) at about 20° above the horizon. Jupiter will be to the left of the Moon and a little lower.
Stars and Constellations:
- 10:30 PM …The Big Dipper will be high in the sky in the North West (NW) at about 60°. If you follow the arch of the handle of Big Dipper, you will come to a bright star, Arcturus.
- 10:30 PM… Arcturus will be a bright star at about 60° above the horizon in the South South West (SSW). If you continue the arc of the Big Dipper, you come to Spica.
- 10:30 PM …Spica will be seen below Arcturus at about 30° above the horizon.
- 10:30 PM …Vega, a very bright star, will be visible most of the night high in the sky. Look in the East at about 55° above the horizon.
Current Events:
Watch the Moon rise at about 8:00 PM in the East and you will be in for a treat. The moon will appear to be Huge! It is a “Moon Illusion” and one that mystifies us whenever it happens. Watch for this event on Wednesday the 18th.
Note: Stars “twinkle” since they are essentially a “point source” of light seen from tremendous distances. Planets will not “twinkle” because they are much closer and reflect our own Sun’s light.
Friday, June 6th, 2008
If it’s clear!
If we are lucky enough to have clear skies this evening, look to the west, between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM, to see the setting crescent moon lined up along the ecliptic with Mars and Saturn. Both planets will be to the upper left of the moon.
Castor and Pollux, of Gemini fame, will be to the right (WNW) of the Moon. If you continue your line from the Moon, thru Mars and Saturn, we come to Arcturus high in the South. Then, below Arcturus, in the South, is Spica. This, of course, in a clear sky. Not too bad for boring summer star gazing!