Sky Events December 2012

Moon Phases

Thu., December 6, 10:31 a.m. EST

Last Quarter Moon

The last or third quarter moon rises around 11:30 p.m. and sets around 12:15 p.m. It is most easily seen just after sunrise in the southern sky.

Thu., December 13, 3:42 a.m. EST

New Moon

The moon is not visible on the date of new moon because it is too close to the sun, but can be seen low in the east as a narrow crescent a morning or two before, just before sunrise. It is visible low in the west an evening or two after new moon.

Thu., December 20, 12:19 a.m. EST

First Quarter Moon

The first quarter moon rises around 11:45 a.m. and sets around 12:30 a.m. It dominates the evening sky

Fri., December 28, 5:21 a.m. EST

Full Moon

The full moon of December is called the oak moon. Other names are frost moon, winter moon, long night’s moon, and moon before Yule. In Hindi it is known as margashirsha poornima. Its Sinhala (Buddhist) name is unduvap. The full moon rises around sunset and sets around sunrise, the only night in the month when the moon is in the sky all night long. The rest of the month, the moon spends at least some time in the daytime sky.

Observing Highlights

Sun., December 2, 9 p.m. EST

Jupiter at opposition

Jupiter is directly opposite the sun and, as a result, shines brightly all night long. Because Jupiter is above the horizon for longer than its rotation period, it is possible to watch an entire rotation of the planet in one night. Jupiter joins a circle of seven of the brightest stars in the sky: Sirius, Procyon, Pollux, Castor, Capella, Aldebaran, and Rigel, with Betelgeuse at its center.

Tue., December 4, dawn

Mercury at greatest elongation west

The best morning apparition of the year for the elusive planet Mercury. Venus and Saturn will point to the tiny glimmer of Mercury, best seen about an hour before sunrise.

Sun., December 9, 3 a.m. EST

Vesta at opposition

Now that Ceres has been promoted from an asteroid to a dwarf planet, Vesta has become the largest and brightest of the asteroids. Tonight, at magnitude 6.2, it is slightly too faint to be visible naked eye, but is an easy object in binoculars.

Tue., December 11, dawn

Mercury,  Venus and the moon

The slender waning crescent moon passes just below Venus, with Mercury nearby.

Fri., December 14, midnight–dawn

Geminid meteor shower

One of the finest meteor showers of the year, without a moon to block the view.

Tue., December 18, 4 a.m. EST

Ceres at opposition

Once the largest asteroid, Ceres has now been reclassified as a dwarf planet. At magnitude 6.6, it is an easy target in binoculars. Notice that Ceres is close to Vesta in the sky. The Dawn spacecraft, after spending nearly 14 months studying Vesta, left on September 5 to rendezvous with Ceres in February 2015.

Tue., December 25, 7 p.m. EST

Jupiter and the moon

The moon will pass just south of Jupiter soon after moonrise in the eastern sky. The two brightest star clusters in the sky, the Hyades and the Pleiades, are nearby.

Planets

Mercury will be well placed in the morning sky for observers in the northern hemisphere for the first half of the month.

Venus is still a morning “star,” shining brightly before sunrise. It moves from Libra through Scorpius into Ophiuchus during the month, sinking lower into morning twilight as it moves towards superior conjunction with the Sun on March 28.

Mars has faded into the west moving behind the sun. It moves from Sagittarius into Capricornus on December 25.

Jupiter is in Taurus, close to Aldebaran and the Hyades. It reaches opposition on December 2 and is visible all night long.

Saturn is now a morning star. It begins the month in Virgo, but moves into Libra on December 6.

Uranus is visible all evening in Pisces. It sets around 1 a.m.

Neptune remains in the depths of Aquarius all month, and sets around 10 p.m.

Geoff Gaherty

Starry Night Software Support

All graphics © 2012 Starry Night Software

November 2012 Sky Events

 

Moon Phases

Tue., November 6, 7:36 p.m. EST

Last Quarter Moon

The last or third quarter moon rises around 11:45 p.m. and sets around 1:15 p.m. It is most easily seen just after sunrise in the southern sky.

Tue., November 13, 5:08 p.m. EST

New Moon

The moon is not visible on the date of new moon because it is too close to the sun, but can be seen low in the east as a narrow crescent a morning or two before, just before sunrise. It is visible low in the west an evening or two after new moon.

Tue., November 20, 9:31 a.m. EST

First Quarter Moon

The first quarter moon rises around 1:00 p.m. and sets around 12:15 a.m. It dominates the evening sky

Wed., November 28, 9:46 a.m. EST

Full Moon

The full moon of November is called the beaver moon. In Algonquian it is called the “much white frost on grass” moon. Other names are frost moon, snow moon and hunter's moon. In Hindi it is known as kartik poornima. Its Sinhala (Buddhist) name is il. The full moon rises around sunset and sets around sunrise, the only night in the month when the moon is in the sky all night long. The rest of the month, the moon spends at least some time in the daytime sky.

 

Observing Highlights

Thu., November 1, 9 p.m.

Jupiter and the moon

The moon will pass just south of Jupiter soon after moonrise in the eastern sky.

Sun., November 11, 6 a.m.

Venus, Spica and the moon

About an hour before sunrise, The Moon joins the planet Venus and the bright star Spica in the morning sky.

Wed., November 14, morning

Total eclipse of the sun

The path of this eclipse crosses northern Queensland, Australia before heading out across the Pacific Ocean. It will be visible as a partial eclipse over all of Australia and New Zealand, as well as most of the southern Pacific Ocean and southwestern South America.

Sat., November 17, 3 a.m.

Leonid meteor shower peaks

The Leonid meteor shower has at times produced incredible storms of meteors. This year is not predicted to be anything out of the ordinary, but there’s always a chance of seeing a good number of meteors, especially this year since there will be no Moon in the sky after midnight when meteors are most frequent.

Tue., November 27, before sunrise

Venus and Saturn in conjunction

A close approach between Venus and Saturn provides a rare opportunity to see two planets in the same telescope field, as well as being a treat for the unaided eye. Venus will be far brighter than Saturn.

Wed., November 28, 9 p.m.

Jupiter and the moon

The moon will again pass just south of Jupiter soon after moonrise in the eastern sky.

Wed./Thu., November 28/29

Penumbral eclipse of the moon

This eclipse is best viewed in Asia, Australasia, and the northwestern Pacific Ocean. It will be at maximum near the middle of  the night, on the night which begins on the 28^th and ends on the 29^th. The moon will only be passing through the Earth’s penumbral shadow (outer circle), so will only be slightly shaded at maximum eclipse; you will need to look closely to see the shading.

Planets

Mercury is too close to the sun all month to be observed.

Venus is still a morning “star,” shining brightly before sunrise. It spends most of the month in Virgo, crossing into Libra on November 27.

Mars has faded into the west moving behind the sun. It moves from Ophiuchus into Sagittarius on November 12.

Jupiter is now in Taurus, close to Aldebaran and the Hyades. It rises about an hour after sunset, and is visible the rest of the night.

Saturn reappears from behind the sun in the morning sky around the middle of the month, just in time for a spectacular conjunction with Venus on November 27.

Uranus is visible most of the night in Pisces. It sets around 3 a.m.

Neptune remains in the depths of Aquarius all month, and sets around midnight.

Geoff Gaherty

Starry Night Software Support

All graphics © 2012 Starry Night Software

October 2012 Sky Events

 

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Moon Phases

Mon., October 8, 3:33 a.m. EDT

Last Quarter Moon

The last or third quarter moon rises around 11:15 p.m. and sets around 2:50 p.m. It is most easily seen just after sunrise in the southern sky.

Mon., October 15, 8:02 a.m. EDT

New Moon

The moon is not visible on the date of new moon because it is too close to the sun, but can be seen low in the east as a narrow crescent a morning or two before, just before sunrise. It is visible low in the west an evening or two after new moon.

Sun., October 21, 11:32 p.m. EDT

First Quarter Moon

The first quarter moon rises around 2:00 p.m. and sets around 12:20 a.m. It dominates the evening sky

Mon., October 29, 3:49 p.m. EDT

Full Moon

The full moon of October is called the hunter's moon. In Algonquian it is called the white frost on grass moon. Other names are travel moon, dying grass moon, blood moon and harvest moon. In Hindi it is known as kojagiri or sharad purnima or lakshmi puja. Its Sinhala (Buddhist) name is vap. The full moon rises around sunset and sets around sunrise, the only night in the month when the moon is in the sky all night long. The rest of the month, the moon spends at least some time in the daytime sky.

Observing Highlights

Wed., October 3, 4 a.m.

Venus  and Regulus

Venus will pass just south of the first magnitude star Regulus this morning. Venus now looks like a tiny waning gibbous moon, 72% illuminated, within the same telescope field as Regulus.

Thu., October 4, 11 p.m.

Jupiter and friends at moonrise

As the moon rises this evening, it is in the midst of the Pleiades and the Hyades, and is joined by the red giant star Aldebaran and the planet Jupiter. The same cast appears tomorrow at moonrise, but the moon has moved to the left of Jupiter. Observers in southern Australia will see the moon occult Jupiter.

Sat., October 13–27, pre-dawn

Zodiacal light

The faint glow of the zodiacal light will rise in the east ahead of the sun along the line of the ecliptic, as marked by Venus and Regulus. Don’t confuse it with the faint glow of the Milky Way in the southeast, marked by Sirius and Procyon.

Wed., October 17, sunset

Mars, Mercury and the moon

The 3-day-old crescent moon framed by the planets Mars and Mercury will be a challenge for northern observers unless they have a very low southwestern horizon. Observers in the southern hemisphere will have a much better view.

Sun., October 21, midnight–dawn

Orionid meteor shower

The Orionids are remnants of Halley’s Comet scattered along its orbit, one of the finest meteor showers in the year. The meteors appear to radiate from a point just between Orion’s club and the Gemini twins’ feet, but may be seen anywhere in the sky.

Fri.–Sat., October 26–27, sunset

Mercury at greatest eastern elongation

The first view is from northeastern North America, where the angle of the ecliptic at sunset is very close to the horizon, making Mercury (and Mars) hard to see.

The second view is from southern Australia about 12 hours later, where the ecliptic is perpendicular to the horizon, making Mercury (and Mars) much easier to see.

Planets

Mercury is at greatest eastern elongation from the sun on October 26, appearing low on the southwestern horizon about an hour after sunset. This apparition favors observers in the southern hemisphere.

Venus is now a morning “star,” shining brightly before sunrise. It begins the month in Leo, crossing into Virgo on October 23.

Mars is fading into the west towards the sun. It moves from Libra through Scorpius into Ophiuchus during the month. Mars is low in the southwest at sunset and sets around 8:00 p.m..

Jupiter is now well placed most of the night in Taurus. It rises around 9 p.m.

Saturn is too close to the sun to be observed, being in conjunction with the sun on October 25.

Uranus is visible most of the night in Pisces.

Neptune remains in the depths of Aquarius all month, and is visible most of the night, setting at 3 a.m.

Geoff Gaherty

Starry Night Software Support

September 2012 Sky Events

Moon Phases

Sat., September 8, 9:15 a.m. EDT

Last Quarter Moon

The last or third quarter moon rises around 11:15 p.m. and sets around 2:50 p.m. It is most easily seen just after sunrise in the southern sky.

Sat., September 15, 10:11 p.m. EDT

New Moon

The moon is not visible on the date of new moon because it is too close to the sun, but can be seen low in the east as a narrow crescent a morning or two before, just before sunrise. It is visible low in the west an evening or two after new moon.

Sat., September 22, 2:41 p.m. EDT

First Quarter Moon

The first quarter moon rises around 2:25 p.m. and sets around 12:15 a.m. It dominates the evening sky

Sat., September 29, 11:19 p.m. EDT

Full Moon

This is the full moon closest to the fall equinox, on September 22 this year, so is called the harvest moon. In Algonquian it is called the hunter’s moon. Other names are travel moon, dying grass moon and blood moon. In Hindi it is known as kojagiri or sharad purnima or lakshmi puja. Its Sinhala (Buddhist) name is vap. The full moon rises around sunset and sets around sunrise, the only night in the month when the moon is in the sky all night long. The rest of the month, the moon spends at least some time in the daytime sky.

Observing Highlights

Sat., September 8, morning

Jupiter occulted by the moon

Jupiter and its moons will be occulted by the moon as seen from central and southern South America. In North America the moon will slip by just under Jupiter.

Sun., September 9, after midnight

Ceres occulted by the moon

The dwarf planet Ceres will be occulted by the moon over most of North America on Sunday morning. Because of Ceres’ small size, 592 miles (952 km.) in diameter, it will appear star-like in even the largest telescopes, but may not wink out instantly when it passes behind the moon, as a star would. This should be most apparent when it re-emerges from behind the dark limb of the moon. The exact times will vary from one location to another, and you should use planetarium software to estimate the times for your location. Some typical times for the beginning of the occultation are 3:44 a.m. EDT for New York, 3:23 a.m. CDT for Chicago, and 1:14 a.m. MDT for Denver. Ceres will re-appear from behind the moon at 4:19 a.m. in New York, 4:18 a.m. in Chicago, 2:10 a.m. in Denver, and 1:02 a.m. PDT in Los Angeles. The occultation begins before the moon rises in Los Angeles.

Wed., September 19, sunset

Mars occulted by the moon

The moon will occult the planet Mars, but the occultation is visible only from central South America and some of the islands in French Polynesia. The rest of us will see a close conjunction of Mars and the moon, visible just after sunset.

Sat., September 22, 10:49 a.m. EDT

Equinox

The sun crosses the celestial equator heading south. This is the autumnal equinox in the northern hemisphere and the vernal equinox in the southern hemisphere.

Mon., September 24, 11 p.m. EDT

Pallas at opposition

The bright asteroid Pallas will be in opposition to the sun in the constellation Cetus, just north of Iota Ceti.

Sat., September 29, 3 a.m. EDT

Uranus at opposition

You can find Uranus with binoculars near the border between Pisces and Cetus.

Planets

Mercury is too close to the sun to be observed this month.

Venus is now a morning “star,” shining brightly before sunrise. It begins the month in Gemini, crosses all of Cancer, and ends the month in Leo.

Mars is shrinking rapidly in size and brightness, moving from Virgo to Libra. Mars is low in the southwest at sunset and sets around 9:00 p.m..

Jupiter is in the morning sky in Taurus. It rises around 11 p.m. and is visible the rest of the night.

Saturn is too close to the sun to be observed.

Uranus returns from Cetus to Pisces and reaches opposition on September 29.

Neptune is in Aquarius all month, and is visible most of the night, setting at 5 a.m.

Geoff Gaherty

Starry Night Software Support

August 2012 Sky Events

Moon Phases

Wed., August 1, 11:27 p.m. EDT

Full Moon

The full moon of August is usually called the grain moon. In Algonquian it is called the sturgeon moon. Other names are red moon, green corn moon, lightning moon and dog moon. In Hindi it is known as narali poornima or raksha bandhan. Its Sinhala (Buddhist) name is nikini. The full moon rises around sunset and sets around sunrise, the only night in the month when the moon is in the sky all night long. The rest of the month, the moon spends at least some time in the daytime sky.

Thu., August 9, 2:55 p.m. EDT

Last Quarter Moon

The last or third quarter moon rises around 11:20 p.m. and sets around 2:20 p.m. It is most easily seen just after sunrise in the southern sky.

Fri., August 17, 11:54 a.m. EDT

New Moon

The moon is not visible on the date of new moon because it is too close to the sun, but can be seen low in the east as a narrow crescent a morning or two before, just before sunrise. It is visible low in the west an evening or two after new moon.

Fri., August 24, 10:54 a.m. EDT

First Quarter Moon

The first quarter moon rises around 2:30 p.m. and sets around 12:20 a.m.

Fri., August 31, 9:58 a.m. EDT

Full Moon

There is a second full moon this month, what is sometimes called a ”blue moon.” There is nothing unusual about the appearance of this full moon; it gets its name from the fact that having two full moons in a month is a rare event, “as rare as a blue moon.”

This is usually called the fruit moon. In Algonquian it is called the harvest moon, a month earlier than the usual harvest moon. Other names are corn moon and barley moon. In Hindi it is known as bhadrapad poornima. Its Sinhala (Buddhist) name is binara. The full moon rises around sunset and sets around sunrise, the only night in the month when the moon is in the sky all night long. The rest of the month, the moon spends at least some time in the daytime sky.

Observing Highlights

Mon., August 6, morning

Double shadow transit on Jupiter

Multiple events involving Jupiter’s moons and their shadows:

EDT          PDT                                 

2:47 a.m.                    Shadow of Ganymede starts across Jupiter’s disk

3:27 a.m.                    Europa disappears into Jupiter’s shadow

4:07 a.m.                    Shadow of Io starts across Jupiter’s disk

4:38 a.m.                    Shadow of Ganymede leaves disk

5:18 a.m.                    Io starts across Jupiter’s disk

5:50 a.m.  2:50 a.m.  Europa emerges from Jupiter’s shadow

5:53 a.m.  2:53 a.m.  Europa disappears behind Jupiter

6:15 a.m.  3:15 a.m.  Shadow of Io leaves disk

                  4:27 a.m.  Io leaves disk

                  4:42 a.m.  Ganymede starts across Jupiter’s disk

                  5:15 a.m.  Europa reappears from behind Jupiter

A 90mm telescope is needed to see the shadows; at least 125mm to see the satellites in transit.

Sat., August 11, morning

Jupiter occulted by the moon

Jupiter and its moons will be occulted by the Moon as seen from Indonesia, Marshall Islands, and Hawaii. Elsewhere will see a close conjunction between Jupiter and the moon.

Sun., August 12, after midnight

Perseid meteor shower peaks

The Perseid meteor shower, usually the most reliable meteor shower of the year, peaks just around dawn. There will be a thin crescent moon rising around 1:30, which will interfere a bit with the fainter meteors. This shower has a broad peak, so there should be plenty of Perseids visible in the nights before and after the peak.

Mon., August 13, dawn

Jupiter, Venus and the moon

A triple conjunction frames the crescent moon with the two brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter. They will be surrounded by half a dozen first magnitude stars.

Tue., August 14, early evening

Saturn, Mars, and Spica

A close encounter between planets Saturn and Mars, along with first magnitude star Spica, Alpha Virginis.

Thu., August 16, dawn

Mercury and Venus at maximum elongation

Mercury and Venus never stary far from the Sun, but this morning they’re both about as far as they can get from it. Mercury is at maximum western elongation this morning, and Venus was at maximum western elongation yesterday morning. A thin crescent moon will help you to locate Mercury.

Tue., August 21, early evening

Saturn, Mars, Spica, and the moon

The moon joins a close grouping of planets Saturn and Mars, and the bright star Spica.

Wed., August 22, morning

Satellite action on Jupiter

Multiple events involving Jupiter’s moons and their shadows:

EDT          PDT                                 

2:22 a.m.                    Shadow of Io starts across Jupiter’s disk

3:20 a.m.                    Shadow of Europa starts across Jupiter’s disk

3:40 a.m.                    Io starts across Jupiter’s disk

4:30 a.m.                    Shadow of Io leaves disk

5:42 a.m.  2:42 a.m.   Shadow of Europa leaves disk

5:48 a.m.  2:48 a.m.    Io leaves disk

6:03 a.m.  3:03 a.m.    Europa starts across Jupiter’s disk

                  5:24 a.m.    Europa leaves disk

A 90mm telescope is needed to see the shadows; at least 125mm to see the satellites in transit.

Fri., August 24, midnight

Neptune at opposition

You can find Neptune with binoculars using the two easternmost stars in Capricornus, Deneb Algiedi and Nashira, as shown in this chart.

Planets

Mercury is in the morning sky for most of the month, best observed from the southern hemisphere. Greatest western elongation from the Sun is on August 16.

Venus is now a morning “star,” shining brightly before sunrise. Greatest western elongation from the Sun is on August 15.

Mars is shrinking rapidly in size and brightness, located in Virgo. Mars is low in the southwest at sunset and sets around 10:30 p.m..

Jupiter is in the morning sky in Taurus. It is close to Venus all month.

Saturn is low in the southwest in Virgo, setting around 10:30 p.m.

Uranus continues its sojourn into the strange “waters” of the constellation Cetus this month, an orbital anomaly.

Neptune is in opposition in Aquarius on August 24, and is visible all night long.

Geoff Gaherty

Starry Night Software Support