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

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