July 2012 Sky Events

Moon Phases

Tue., July 3, 2:52 p.m. EDT

Full Moon

The full moon of July is usually called the hay moon. In Algonquian it is called the buck moon. Other names are thunder moon and mead moon. In Hindi it is known as guru purnima. Its Sinhala (Buddhist) name is esala. 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.

Tue., July 10, 9:48 p.m. EDT

Last Quarter Moon

The last or third quarter moon rises around 12:20 a.m. and sets around 2:30 p.m. It is most easily seen just after sunrise in the southern sky.

Thu., July 19, 12:24 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.

Thu., July 26, 4:56 a.m. EDT

First Quarter Moon

The first quarter moon rises around 1:15 p.m. and sets around midnight.

Observing Highlights

Tue., July 10, morning

Conjunction of Venus and Aldebaran

Venus will be in close conjunction with Aldebaran, with Jupiter nearby.

Thu., July 12, morning

Venus at maximum brilliance

Venus will be at its brightest for this morning apparition, magnitude –4.7.

Sat., July 14, 4:55 a.m.–5:18 a.m. EDT

Double satellite transit on Jupiter

Jupiter’s satellites Io and Europa move across the face of Jupiter at dawn for viewers on North America’s east coast. Io’s shadow is also in transit.

Sun., July 15, dawn

Jupiter, Venus and the moon

A triple conjunction frames the crescent moon with the two brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter.

The Moon will occult Jupiter as seen from Europe except British Isles and Scandinavia, N Africa, Middle East, Russia, N China, Japan, and Korea.

Fri., July 20, evening

Mercury and the moon

A close encounter between Mercury and the moon, best seen from the southern hemisphere, as in this view from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Sat., July 21, 2:51 a.m.–5:05 a.m. PDT

Satellite action on Jupiter

Jupiter’s satellites Io and Europa cross the face of Jupiter, preceded by their shadows. Europa’s shadow is just leaving on the right as Io’s shadow enters on the left. Best seen from the west coast of North America.

 

Tue., July 24, evening

Quadruple conjunction

The Moon, two planets (Mars and Saturn), and the bright star Spica join in a quadruple conjunction.

Planets

Mercury is in the evening sky for the first half of July, best observed from the southern hemisphere.

Venus is now a morning “star,” low in the east at sunrise. It reaches greatest brilliancy on July 12.

Mars is shrinking rapidly in size and brightness, located in Virgo. Mars is high in the southwest at sunset and sets around midnight.

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

Saturn continues to be a  bright object in Virgo, setting around 12:30 a.m.

Uranus spends all month in the morning sky in the northwestern corner of the constellation Cetus, a rather strange place for a planet to be, since it is not one of the twelve zodiac constellations.

Neptune rises around 10:30 p.m. in Aquarius, and is visible the rest of the night.

Geoff Gaherty

Starry Night Software Support

June 2012 Sky Events

Moon Phases

Mon., June 4, 7:12 a.m. EDT

Full Moon

The Full Moon of June is usually called the Flower Moon. In Algonquian it is called Strawberry Moon. Other names are Honey Moon, Rose Moon, Hot Moon, and Planting Moon. In Hindi it is known as Wat Poornima. Its Sinhala (Buddhist) name is Poson. 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.

Mon., June 11, 6:41 a.m. EDT

Last Quarter Moon

The Last or Third Quarter Moon rises around 1 a.m. and sets around 1:45 p.m. It is most easily seen just after sunrise in the southern sky.

Tue., June 19, 11:02 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.

Tue., June 26, 11:30 p.m. EDT

First Quarter Moon

The First Quarter Moon rises around 1 p.m. and sets around 12:45 a.m.

Observing Highlights

Mon., June 4, morning

Partial lunar eclipse

A partial eclipse of the Moon visible over western North America, here seen just before sunrise from Canyon de Chelly, Arizona.

Tue., June 5, afternoon

Transit of Venus

The last chance to see Venus pass between Earth and the Sun in the 21^st century.

Sun., June 17, dawn

Triple conjunction:  Moon, Venus, Jupiter

The three brightest objects in the night sky are gathered together in a triple conjunction at dawn in the constellation Taurus.

Thu., June 21, evening twilight

Castor, Pollux, Mercury and the Moon

Just after sunset, a slender crescent Moon points the way to the planet Mercury and the twin stars Castor and Pollux in the constellation Gemini.

Wed., June 27, evening

Triple conjunction:  Moon, Saturn, Spica

Another triple conjunction: Saturn and the first quarter Moon join the first magnitude star Spica in Virgo in the southwestern sky just after evening twilight.

Planets

Mercury is in the evening sky but very close to the Sun all month.

Venus moves from being an evening “star” to being a morning “star” by passing in front of the Sun on June 5.

Mars is shrinking rapidly in size and brightness. On June 21 it moves from Leo into Virgo. Mars is high in the southwest at sunset and sets around 1 a.m.

Jupiter reappears in the morning sky in Taurus, approaching Venus towards the end of the month.

Saturn continues to be a  bright object in Virgo, setting around 2:30 a.m.

Uranus spends the month in the morning sky in the northwestern corner of the constellation Cetus, a rather strange place for a planet to be, since it is not one of the twelve zodiac constellations..

Neptune rises around 1 a.m. in Aquarius, and is visible the rest of the night.

Geoff Gaherty

Starry Night Software Support

May 2012 Sky Events

 

Moon Phases

Sat., May 5, 11:35 p.m. EDT

Full Moon

The Full Moon of May is usually called the Milk Moon. In Algonquian it is called Flower Moon. Other names are Corn Planting Moon, Corn Moon, and Hare Moon. In Hindi it is known as Buddha Poornima. Its Sinhala (Buddhist) name is Vesak Poya. 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.

Sat., May 12, 5:47 p.m. EDT

Last Quarter Moon

The Last or Third Quarter Moon rises around 2:15 a.m. and sets around 1:45 p.m. It is most easily seen just after sunrise in the southern sky.

Sun., May 20, 7:47 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.

Mon., May 28, 4:16 p.m. EDT

First Quarter Moon

The First Quarter Moon rises around 1 p.m. and sets around 1:45 a.m.

 

Observing Highlights

Fri., May 4, evening

Saturn, Spica, and the Moon

A pretty grouping of a planet, a first magnitude star, and the Moon. Plus a slightly different grouping, not quite as close, the night before.

Sun., May 20, afternoon

Annular solar eclipse

Annular solar eclipse in the southwestern United States, visible as a partial eclipse over much of North America. Albuquerque NM will have one of the best views.

Sun., May 20, evening

Juno at opposition

A rare opportunity to spot the asteroid Juno at magnitude 9.8 at the borders of Serpens Caput, Libra and Ophiuchus. Use Yed Prior (Delta Ophiuchi) and Mu Serpentis to locate it.

Tue, May 22, 2 p.m. EDT

Venus in daylight

Another opportunity to use the nearby crescent Moon to spot Venus in the daytime sky. Not as good as last month because Venus and the Moon are farther apart from each other and also closer to the Sun and not as bright as last month.

Planets

Mercury is too close to the Sun to observe all month.

Venus continues to be a brilliant object in the evening sky after sunset all month, heading towards inferior conjunction with the Sun on June 5, on which date it will transit in front of the Sun.

Mars is shrinking rapidly in size and brightness. In Leo all month, Mars is high in the south at sunset and sets around 2 a.m.

Jupiter is too close to the Sun to be observed all month.

Saturn continues to be a  bright object in Virgo, visible most of the night.

Uranus is too close to the Sun to observe all month.

Neptune is visible low in the eastern sky in Aquarius just before dawn.

Geoff Gaherty

Starry Night Software Support

April 2012 Sky Events

Moon Phases

Fri., April 6, 3:19 p.m. EDT

Full Moon

The Full Moon of April is usually called the Egg Moon. In Algonquian it is called Pink Moon. Other names are Sprouting Grass Moon, Fish Moon, Seed Moon, and Waking Moon. In Hindi it is known as Hanuman Jayanti. 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.

Fri., April 13, 6:50 a.m. EDT

Last Quarter Moon

The Last or Third Quarter Moon rises around 2:30 a.m. and sets around 12:30 p.m. It is most easily seen just after sunrise in the southern sky.

Sat., April 21, 3:18 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., April 29, 5:57 a.m. EDT

First Quarter Moon

The First Quarter Moon rises around noon and sets around 2 a.m.

Observing Highlights

Tue., April 3, evening

Venus in the Pleiades

Venus, the brightest planet, passes close to the Pleiades (Messier 45), the brightest deep sky object.

Sun., April 15, 2 p.m.

Saturn at opposition

Saturn will be in Virgo directly opposite the Sun in the sky, and will move from the morning sky to the evening sky. It will be visible all night long.

Wed, April 18, morning twilight

Mercury at greatest elongation west

Mercury will be at its best in the morning sky for the year 2012 for observers in the southern hemisphere.

Sun., April 22, 1 a.m. EDT

Lyrid meteors peak

The Lyrid meteor shower occurs at the dark of the Moon. The best time to observe will be from midnight to dawn.

Tue, April 24, 4 p.m. EDT

Venus in daylight

Venus is always visible in daylight if you know exactly where to look. Today the waxing crescent Moon will be your guide: Venus will be visible just above the Moon. Venus is a week short of maximum brightness.

Mon., April 30, early evening

Venus greatest illuminated extent

As Venus moves in its orbit towards Earth, its shows an increasingly narrow crescent towards Earth as it grows in diameter. Tonight these two processes balance to make Venus appear at its very brightest, magnitude –4.7

Planets

Mercury will be a morning “star” during all of April, being at greatest elongation west on April 18. This is a favorable morning apparition for observers in the southern hemisphere.

Venus is a brilliant object in the evening sky after sunset all month, reaching greatest brilliancy on April 30. The waxing crescent Moon will pass close to Venus on Tue. April 24, making it an easy target in the daytime sky.

Mars is shrinking rapidly in size and brightness all month. In Leo all month, Mars is high in the southeast at sunset and sets around 5 a.m.

Jupiter is sinking into the west at dusk and will be gone by the end of the month.

Saturn is in opposition on April 15 in Virgo. It is now visible all night long.

Uranus is too close to the Sun to observe all month.

Neptune appears late in the month, low in the eastern sky in Aquarius just before dawn.

Geoff Gaherty

Starry Night Software Support

March 2012 Sky Events

 Moon Phases

Thu., March 8, 4:39 a.m. EST

Full Moon

The Full Moon of March is usually called the Lenten Moon. In Algonquian it is called Worm Moon. Other names are Crow Moon, Crust Moon, Sugar Moon, Sap Moon, Chaste Moon, and Death Moon. In Hindi it is known as Basanta Purnima or Dol Purnima. Its Sinhala (Buddhist) name is Medin Poya. 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.

Wed., March 14, 9:25 p.m. EDT

Last Quarter Moon

The Last or Third Quarter Moon rises around 2 a.m. and sets around 11 a.m. It is most easily seen just after sunrise in the southern sky.

Thu., March 22, 10:37 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., March 30, 3:41 p.m. EDT

The First Quarter Moon rises around noon and sets around 3 a.m.

Observing Highlights

Sat., March 3, 3:00 p.m. EST

Mars at opposition

Mars will be directly opposite the Sun in the sky. It rises at sunset and sets at sunrise, visible the whole night. Because of Mars’ elliptical orbit, it will not actually be closest to Earth until nearly two days later.

Mon., March 5, noon EST

Mars closest to Earth

Mars will be 0.674 astronomical units (100,780,754 kilometers) from Earth. This is a very unfavorable apparition of Mars, Mars being about as far from Earth as is possible, close to aphelion.

Tue, March 6, evening twilight

Mercury at greatest elongation east

Mercury will be at its best in the evening sky for the year 2012 for observers in the northern hemisphere. Jupiter and Venus ride high above it.

Sat., March 10–Sat. March 24, evening

Zodiacal Light

The dim glow of the zodiacal light, caused by sunlight illuminating interplanetary dust, can be seen in the western sky after the end of evening twilight.

Tue., March 13, evening twilight

Jupiter and Venus

The two brightest planets will be only 3 degrees apart this evening.

Thu., March 22, early evening

Double satellite transit on Jupiter

In eastern North America, observers will see two of Jupiter’s moons cross Jupiter’s disk. Further west, observers will see the two moons’ shadows repeat the transit.

Mon, March 26, 2 p.m. EDT

Venus in daylight

Venus is always visible in daylight if you know exactly where to look. Today the waxing crescent Moon will be your guide: Venus will be visible just above the Moon. Venus is just a few hours shy of being at its greatest elongation from the Sun in our sky.

Thu., March 29, early evening

Double satellite transit on Jupiter

Observers in western North America will see two of Jupiter’s moons cross the planet’s face, followed by Io’s shadow and the Great Red Spot.

Planets

Mercury will be well placed as an evening “star” during the first half of March, being at greatest elongation east on March 5. This is the most favorable evening apparition of 2012.

Venus is a brilliant object in the evening sky after sunset all month, and is at greatest elongation east on March 27. The waxing crescent Moon will pass close to Venus on Mon. March 26, making it an easy target in the daytime sky.

Mars is in Leo all month, reaching its maximum size for this apparition of 14 arc seconds. By the end of the month it will already have faded from its maximum of  magnitude –1.2 to magnitude –0.7. Mars rises around sunset and sets around sunrise.

Jupiter continues to shine brightly in the western sky all month in Aries, setting around 11 p.m. Jupiter and Venus are the brightest objects in the evening sky other than the Moon.

Saturn rises around 10 p.m., and is visible the rest of the night. It now shines brighter than nearby Spica.

For most of the month of March, the four brightest planets, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, will all be above the horizon around 9 p.m.

Uranus is too close to the Sun to observe, being in conjunction with the Sun on March 24.

Neptune is too close to the Sun to observe.

Geoff Gaherty

Starry Night Software Support

February 2012 Sky Events

Moon Phases

Tue., February 7, 4:54 p.m. EST

Full Moon

The Full Moon of February is usually called the Wolf Moon. In Algonquian it is called Snow Moon. Other names are Hunger Moon, Storm Moon, and Candles Moon. In Hindi it is known as Magh Poornima. Its Sinhala (Buddhist) name is Navam Poya. 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.

Tue., February 14, 12:04 p.m. EST

Last Quarter Moon

The Last or Third Quarter Moon rises around 1 a.m. and sets around 11 a.m. It is most easily seen just after sunrise in the southern sky.

Tue., February 21, 5:35 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.

Wed., February 29, 8:21 p.m. EST

The First Quarter Moon rises around 10:30 a.m. and sets around 2 a.m.

Observing Highlights

Thu, February 9, evening twilight

Venus 0.3 degrees north of Uranus

These two planets will be in the same field of view in a small telescope.

Fri., February 10–Fri. February 24, evening

Zodiacal Light

The dim glow of the zodiacal light, caused by sunlight illuminating interplanetary dust, can be seen in the western sky after the end of evening twilight.

Sun., February 12, morning twilight

Saturn, Spica, and the Moon

A pretty grouping of the planet Saturn, the bright star Spica, and the waning gibbous Moon.

Sat. and Sun., February 25 and 26, evening twilight

Jupiter, Venus, and the Moon

On successive nights, the Moon will be close to the planets Venus and Jupiter.

Planets

Mercury will be well placed as an evening “star” during the last week of February.

Venus is a brilliant object in the evening sky after sunset all month. The waxing crescent Moon will pass close to Venus on Sat. February 25.

Mars returns to Leo on February 4. It grows in size from 12 arc seconds to 14 arc seconds during the month, as large as it will get during this apparition. By the end of the month it reaches magnitude –1.2, heading towards opposition on March 3 and its closest approach to Earth on March 5. Mars rises around 9 p.m. and shines brightly the rest of the night.

Jupiter continues to be well placed in the evening sky all month in Aries. Jupiter and Venus are the brightest objects in the evening sky other than the Sirius and the Moon.

Saturn irises around midnight, and is visible the rest of the night. It now shines brighter than nearby Spica.

Uranus is close to Venus on February 9, but is sinking low in the western sky.

Neptune is too close to the Sun to observe, being in conjunction with the Sun on February 19.

Geoff Gaherty

Starry Night Software Support

January 2012 Sky Events

Moon Phases

Sun., January 1, 1:14 a.m. EST

First Quarter Moon

The First Quarter Moon rises around noon, and sets around midnight.

Mon., January 9, 2:30 a.m. EST

Full Moon

The Full Moon of January is usually called the Old Moon. In Algonquian it is called Wolf Moon. Other names are Moon After Yule and Ice Moon. In Hindi it is known as Paush Poornima. Its Sinhala (Buddhist) name is Duruthu Poya. 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.

Mon., January 16, 4:08 a.m. EST

Last Quarter Moon

The Last or Third Quarter Moon rises around 1 a.m. and sets around 11 a.m. It is most easily seen just after sunrise in the southern sky.

Mon., January 23, 2:39 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.

Mon., January 30, 11:10 p.m. EST

First Quarter Moon

The First Quarter Moon rises around 11 a.m., and sets around 1 a.m.

Observing Highlights

Wed., January 4, 1:28 a.m. EST

Double shadow transit on Jupiter

The shadows of Ganymede and Europa will follow each other across the face of Jupiter. The best views will be in western North America.

Wed., January 4, 2 a.m. EST

Quadrantid meteor shower peaks

The Quadrantids, one of the three best meteor showers of the year, reach their peak with an zenithal hourly rate of 120 meteors per hour.

Wed., January 11, 1:26 a.m. EST

Double satellite transit on Jupiter

Two of Jupiter’s moons, Ganymede and Europa, will pass in front of Jupiter. Europa’s icy surface reflects much more light than Ganymede, so appears as a white spot against Jupiter’s clouds while Ganymede appears as a dark gray spot. Again, the best views will be in western North America.

Thu., January 12, dusk

The brightest and the faintest

The brightest and the faintest of the planets are in conjunction tonight. Neptune, at magnitude 8.0, will be just above Venus, at magnitude –3.9, a difference in brightness of 11.9 magnitudes. Venus will be easy to spot with the naked eye, but Neptune will require binoculars or a small telescope.

Planets

Mercury may be glimpsed in the southeast just before sunrise at the beginning of the month, but is too close to the Sun the rest of the month.

Venus is a brilliant object in the evening sky after sunset all month. The waxing crescent Moon will pass close to Venus on Wed. Jan. 25 and Thu. Jan. 26.

Mars spends all of January on the border between Leo and Virgo. It grows in size from 9 arc seconds to 12 arc seconds during the month, large enough to reveal its polar cap and dark surface markings in a 5-inch (125-mm) telescope. By the end of the month it reaches magnitude –0.5, making it the brightest object in the morning sky except for Sirius and the Moon.

Jupiter continues to be well placed in the evening sky all month on the border between Aries and Pisces. Jupiter and Venus are the brightest objects in the evening sky other than the Sirius and the Moon.

Saturn is high in the eastern sky before dawn. It now shines brighter than nearby Spica.

Uranus is well placed in the early evening in Pisces all month.

Neptune is low in the west at sunset in Aquarius. It passes just north of Venus on January 12.

Geoff Gaherty

Starry Night Software Support