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

December 2011 Sky Events

Moon Phases

Fri., December 2, 4:52 a.m. EST

First Quarter Moon

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

Sat., December 10, 9:36 a.m. EST

Full Moon

The Full Moon of December is usually called the Oak Moon. In Algonquian it is called Cold 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 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., December 17, 7:48 p.m. EST

Last Quarter Moon

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

Sat., December 24, 1:06 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.

Observing Highlights

Sat., December 10, dawn

Total Lunar Eclipse

This eclipse will be seen in its entirety in eastern Asia, Australia, Oceania, and Alaska. The Moon will rise eclipsed in the early evening in Europe and Africa, and set eclipsed just before dawn in western North America. The graphic shows how it will look just before dawn in central California, surrounded by first magnitude stars.

Thu., December 22, 12:30 a.m. EST

Solstice

Winter solstice in the northern hemisphere, summer solstice in the southern hemisphere. The Sun is at its farthest southern declination, and is 6.5 degrees away from the center of the Milky Way. This is exactly the same “alignment” as will occur on December 21 2012, yet no catastrophes have been predicted for this year, just as none will occur next year. Because of the extreme difference in brightness between the Sun and the Milky Way, this “alignment” is observable only in a computer simulation.

Thu., December 22, and Fri., December 23, dawn

Close encounter between Mercury and the Moon

The Moon will be just to the right of Mercury on the Dec. 22 (shown here) and just to the left of Mercury on the Dec. 23.

Tue., December 27, 10:52 p.m. EST

Jupiter satellite show

Three of Jupiter’s moons will put on a fine show tonight. Callisto will be in an unusual position due south of the planet because of the extreme tilt of the plane of Jupiter’s moons this year. Europa will be moving off from in front of Jupiter on one limb while its shadow begins a transit on the opposite limb. Ganymede, well off to the right, will still be casting its shadow just below Europa. Finally, the Great Red Spot will be perfectly placed right in the middle of all this.

Planets

Mercury is well placed in the eastern sky before sunrise for the last half of the month.

Venus is low in the evening sky after sunset all month. The waxing crescent Moon will pass close to Venus on Mon. Dec. 26 and Tue. Dec. 27.

Mars spends all of December in the morning sky in Leo. It now outshines nearby Regulus and grows from 7 arc seconds to 9 arc seconds during the month, large enough to reveal its polar cap and dark surface markings in a 6-inch (150-mm) telescope. It is now approaching magnitude 0, one of the brightest objects in the morning sky.

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 night sky other than the Moon.

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

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

Neptune is well placed in the early evening in Aquarius all month.

Geoff Gaherty

Starry Night Software Support

November 2011 Sky Events

Moon Phases

Wed., November 2, 2:38 p.m. EDT

First Quarter Moon

The First Quarter Moon rises around 2 p.m., and sets around 1 a.m.

Thu., November 10, 3:16 p.m. EST

Full Moon

This is the Full Moon two months after Harvest Moon, so is usually called the Oak Moon. In Algonquian it is called Beaver Moon. Other names are Frost Moon and Snow Moon. In Hindi it is known as Kartik Poornima. Its Sinhala (Buddhist) name is Il 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.

Fri., November 18, 12:09 p.m. EST

Last Quarter Moon

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

Fri., November 25, 1:10 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.

Observing Highlights

All Month, evening

Comet Garradd (C/2009 P1)

Comet Garradd continues to be a nice object in binoculars or a small telescope, an 8th magnitude comet slowly crossing Hercules.

Tue., November 1, dusk

Mercury and Venus 2 degrees apart

The first of two close encounters between Mercury and Venus this month. Mercury’s proximity to Venus makes it easier than usual to spot.

Thu., November 10, 3 a.m.

Mars close to Regulus

Mars will be just north of Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo.

Sat., November 12, dusk

Mercury and Venus 2 degrees apart

The second of two close encounters between Mercury and Venus this month. Mercury’s proximity to Venus makes it easier than usual to spot. Tomorrow evening Mercury will be at its greatest elongation from the Sun.

Thu., November 17, 11 p.m. EST

Leonid meteors peak

The Leonid meteor shower, which sometimes puts on a good show, peaks at 11 p.m. EST, but more meteors are likely to be visible after local midnight.

Fri., November 25

Partial solar eclipse

Visible in southern South Africa, Antarctica, Tasmania, and most of New Zealand.

Planets

Mercury is well placed in the western sky after sunset for the first half of the month. It is very close to Venus, making it easy to spot.

Venus is low in the evening sky after sunset all month.

Mars spends all of November in Leo. It now outshines nearby Regulus and reaches 7 arc seconds by the end of the month, large enough to reveal its polar cap and dark surface markings in a 6-inch (150-mm) telescope.

Jupiter was in opposition in Aries in October 28, so is well placed in the evening sky all month. Jupiter and Venus are the brightest objects in the night sky other than the Moon.

Saturn reappears just before dawn in the eastern sky close to Spica in Virgo.

Uranus is well placed in Pisces all month.

Neptune is well placed in Aquarius all month.

Geoff Gaherty   Starry Night software

October 2011 Sky Events

Moon Phases

Mon., October 3, 11:15 p.m. EDT

First Quarter Moon

The First Quarter Moon rises around 3 p.m., and sets around 11 p.m.

Tue., October 11, 10:06 p.m. EDT

Full Moon

This is the Full Moon after Harvest Moon, so is usually 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 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. This is the smallest Full Moon of 2011.

Wed., October 19, 11:30 p.m. EDT

Last Quarter Moon

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

Wed., October 26, 3:56 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.

Observing Highlights

All Month, evening

Comet Garradd (C/2009 P1)

Comet Garradd continues to be a nice object in binoculars or a small telescope, an 8th magnitude comet slowly crossing Hercules. Unfortunately, Comet Elenin, which was hoped to put on a good show this month, does not seem to have survived its close encounter with the Sun.

Sat., October 1, morning

Mars in the Beehive

The planet Mars is imbedded amongst the stars of the Beehive Cluster in Cancer.

Mon., October 24–Mon., October 31, morning

Zodiacal Light

The Zodiacal Light, the faint glow of sunlight reflecting off the cloud of interplanetary dust, is visible before morning twilight.

Fri., October 28, sunset

Mercury and Venus close to the Moon

Mercury, Venus, and the slender crescent Moon set just after the Sun.

Fri., October 28, 10 pm. EDT

Jupiter in opposition

Jupiter reaches opposition in the constellation Aries, and is visible all night long.

Planets

Mercury is too close to the Sun for most of the month for observers in the northern hemisphere.

Venus is low in the evening sky just after sunset all month.

Mars begins the month right in the middle of the Beehive Cluster in Cancer. By the end of the month it has moved into Leo and has grown to 5.9 arc seconds in diameter and magnitude 1.1.

Jupiter is opposition in Aries in October 28, and is the brightest object in the night sky other than the Moon.

Saturn is in conjunction with the Sun on October 13, and is not visible this month.

Uranus is visible most of the night in Pisces.

Neptune is well placed in Aquarius all month.

Geoff Gaherty

Starry Night software

September 2011 Sky Events

Moon Phases

Sun., September 4, 1:39 p.m. EDT

First Quarter Moon

The First Quarter Moon rises around 3 p.m., and sets around midnight.

Mon., September 12, 5:27 a.m. EDT

Full Moon

This Full Moon is the one closest to the equinox on September 23, so is this year’s Harvest Moon. Other names are Corn Moon and Barley Moon. In Hindi it is known as Bhadrapad Poornima. Its Sinhala (Buddhist) name is Binara 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., September 20, 9:39 a.m. EDT

Last Quarter Moon

The Last or Third Quarter Moon rises around 11 p.m. and sets around 3 p.m. It is most easily seen just after sunrise in the southern sky.

Tue., September 27, 7:09 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.

Observing Highlights

All Month, evening

Comet Garradd (C/2009 P1)

Although Comet Elenin has been getting a lot of publicity from the merchants of gloom and doom, there is actually a brighter comet visible with binoculars all month, located in or near the Summer Triangle of Vega, Deneb, and Altair.

Fri., September 9, morning twilight

Mercury close to Regulus

The highlight of the best morning apparition of Mercury of the year for observers in the northern hemisphere is this close approach to Regulus.

Fri., September 16

Ceres at opposition

Ceres, the brightest and nearest dwarf planet, reaches opposition at magnitude 7.6 on the border between Aquarius and Cetus.

Mon., September 26

Uranus at opposition

Uranus reaches opposition at magnitude 5.7 in Pisces.

Thu., September 29, evening twilight

Venus and Saturn in conjunction

Venus is just arriving in the evening sky and Saturn is just leaving, and they pass each other tonight with a slender crescent Moon nearby.

Planets

Mercury is well placed in the morning sky for observers in the northern hemisphere.

Venus reappears in the evening sky towards the end of the month.

Mars spends the first half of the month in Gemini and the second half in Cancer, ending up right in the Beehive Cluster. By the end of the month it has grown to 5.2 arc seconds in diameter and magnitude 1.3.

Jupiter rises in the late evening in Aries, and then dominates the sky until dawn.

Saturn sets soon after the Sun in the constellation Virgo.

Uranus is in opposition in Pisces on September 26, visible all night.

Neptune is well placed in Aquarius all month.

Geoff Gaherty

Starry Night Software