Monday, June 27, 2011
Moon, Mars and Pleiades in Proximity
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Saturn *Almost Eclipses Porrima
Last night was a miss because of weather. Tonight I'll be heading out a little bit after sunset at 10:15pm, to see Saturn eclipsing Porrima of Virgo in the Southwest sky, forming a super-bright point of light. West of there, Leo will be chasing the place of the sunset.
Weather permitting, I will then at midnight ride out to a nearby hill with a good view where the Southern skyline is relatively low. The claw of Scorpius, made up of Antares, a flickering burning orange star and its 3 accompanying stars, reaches up into the Southern sky and is one of the most distinguishable groups of stars in the Summer here. However, this far North in the world, the lower half of the constellation usually never breaks the horizon. I hope that the weather will be clear and that my vantage point will be good enough so that I can at least see the Scorpion’s tail, Shaula, which is the 25th brightest star and which I’ve never seen. Nearby will be Kaus Australis of Sagittarius, also which I’ve never seen and never rises very high here. We’ll have to wait and see if weather and the landscape permit a good show!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Jupiter and Moon in proximity, Mars and Taurus rising tonight
Tonight I’m hoping the weather will clear so I can watch the East-Northeast sky. Just before 4am, before the morning twilight, Mars will be on the horizon in Taurus under the Pleiades; while Jupiter, the Moon and Hamal of Aries form a line in the eastern sky. Capella, the 11th brightest star, is risen alongside in the Northeast, as its constellation Auriga fully crests the horizon. These bodies will hang shimmering in the sky as the other stars fade in dawn’s light.
Just before sunrise, at about 5am, it might be possible to see Venus rise ahead of the Sun, before they are all drowned out by daylight. Hopefully the clouds and my neighbour's house will not block the view!
8CCEAGN5CY2E
8CCEAGN5CY2E
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)