Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog

Ephemeris for Wednesday, November 20th.  The sun will rise at 7:46.  It’ll be up for 9 hours and 23 minutes, setting at 5:09.   The moon, 3 days past full, will rise at 7:52 this evening.

Let’s see where the bright planets are this week.  Venus is brilliant in the southwest after sunset.  It will set at 7:52 p.m.  The giant planet Jupiter will rise at 8:31 p.m. in the east northeast.  It’s cruising against the stars of Gemini now.  It will pass due south at 7:47 a.m.  Mars will rise at 1:47 a.m. also in the east northeast.  Reddish Mars is two widths of a fist held at arm’s length below and left of the bright star Regulus in Leo now.  Comet ISON is now about magnitude 5, now meeting current brightness predictions, Officially naked eye, you’ll probably still need binoculars to spot it.  Comet ISON is below and left of the star Spica low in the east southeast and will rise about 5:50 a.m. and be visible until around 6:30 a.m. above the planet Mercury.

Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan.  They may be different for your location.

Addendum

Venus low in the southwest at 6 p.m., November 20, 2013. Created using Stellarium.

Telescopic view of Venus on November 20, 2013. The cloud banding will not be visible. Created using Stellarium.

Jupiter in the east at 10 p.m. on November 20, 2013. Created using Stellarium.

A telescopic view of Jupiter at 10 p.m. The moon Io is peeking around Jupiter. Up is to the top. The view in your telescope may vary. Created using Stellarium.

The magnified Moon. Created using Stellarium.

Mars and Leo at 6 a.m. November 21, 2013. Created using Stellarium.

Chart for finding Comet ISON this morning (November 20, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.). Chart created using Cartes du Ciel.

Chart for finding Comet ISON this morning (November 21, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.). Chart created using Cartes du Ciel.