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

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