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08/07/2019 – Ephemeris – Let’s check out the bright planets for this week
Ephemeris for Wednesday, August 7th. Today the Sun will be up for 14 hours and 25 minutes, setting at 9:00, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:36. The Moon, at first quarter today, will set at 1:00 tomorrow morning.
Let’s look at the planets for the first full week in August. Mars, Mercury and Venus are all too close to the Sun to be seen. Mars is still on the evening or east side of the Sun. Mercury and Venus are on the west or morning side of the Sun. Bright Jupiter will be in the southern sky as it gets dark. It will pass the meridian, due south at 9:30 p.m. With steadily held binoculars a few of the 4 largest satellites of Jupiter can be seen. Four of Jupiter’s largest satellites can be spotted in telescopes tonight. Two, on the east and two west of Jupiter. Jupiter will set at 1:58 a.m. Saturn, the ringed planet, will be in the south-southeast in the evening, the brightest star-like object in that direction, but significantly dimmer than Jupiter. It will set at 4:10 a.m.
The times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Jupiter, Saturn and the Moon with the bright stars of the southern summer sky at 10:30 p.m. August 7, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
The first quarter Moon as it might appear in binoculars or a small telescope tonight at 10:30 p.m. August 7, 2019. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn with the same magnification at 1o:30 p.m.August 7, 2019. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Planets and the Moon at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on August 7, 2019. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 8th. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
07/31/2019 – Ephemeris – Looking at the bright planets on this last day of July
Ephemeris for Wednesday, July 31st. Today the Sun will be up for 14 hours and 42 minutes, setting at 9:10, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:28. The Moon is new today, and won’t be visible.
Let’s look at the planets for the last day of July. Mars, Mercury and Venus are all too close to the Sun to be seen. Mars is still on the evening or east side of the Sun. Mercury and Venus are on the west or morning side of the Sun. Bright Jupiter will be in the southern sky as it gets dark. It will pass the meridian, due south at 9:58 p.m. With steadily held binoculars a few of the 4 largest satellites of Jupiter can be seen. Three of Jupiter’s largest satellites can be spotted in telescopes tonight. One, Ganymede will be passing in front of the planet tonight. Jupiter will set at 2:26 a.m. Saturn, the ringed planet, will be lower down in the southeast in the evening, the brightest star-like object in that direction, but significantly dimmer than Jupiter. It will set at 4:40 a.m.
The times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Jupiter and Saturn with the constellations of the southern summer sky at 10:30 p.m. July 31, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn with the same magnification at 11p.m. July 31, 2019. Jupiter’s moon Ganymede is about to transit the face of Jupiter. The transit starts at 11:11 p.m. and ends at 1:32 a.m. Despite how they appear here Jupiter’s moons are dimmer than the planet. The same is true for Saturn’s moons, however Titan is much brighter than the other moons. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Planets and the Moon at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on July 31, 2019. The night ends on the left with sunrise on August 1st. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
07/24/2019 – Ephemeris – Jupiter and Saturn dominate the evening sky
Ephemeris for Wednesday, July 24th. Today the Sun will be up for 14 hours and 57 minutes, setting at 9:17, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:21. The Moon, at last quarter today, will rise at 1:14 tomorrow morning.
Let’s look at the planets for this week. Mars, Mercury and Venus are all too close to the Sun to be seen. Mars is still on the evening or east side of the Sun. Mercury has crossed over and has joined Venus on the west or morning side of the Sun. Bright Jupiter will be in the southern sky as it gets dark. It will pass the meridian, due south at 10:27 p.m. With steadily held binoculars a few of the 4 largest satellites of Jupiter can be seen. All four of Jupiter’s largest satellites can be spotted in telescopes. Jupiter will set at 2:55 a.m. Saturn, the ringed planet, will be lower down in the southeast in the evening, the brightest star-like object in that direction, but significantly dimmer than Jupiter. It will set at 5:10 a.m.
The times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Jupiter and Saturn with the constellations of the southern summer sky at 10:30 p.m. July 24, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
The waning Moon one day past last quarter at 5 a.m. July 25, 2019. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn with the same magnification at 11p.m. July 24, 2019. Jupiter’s moon Ganymede transited the planet earlier in the evening, but its shadow will cross the face of Jupiter from 11:25 p.m. to 1:53 a.m. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Planets and the Moon at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on July 24, 2019. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 25th. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
07/17/2019 – Ephemeris – Only two bright planets are visible
Ephemeris for Wednesday, July 17th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 11 minutes, setting at 9:24, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:14. The Moon, 1 day past full, will rise at 10:10 this evening.
Let’s look at the planets for this Apollo 11 anniversary week. Both Mercury and Mars are too close to the Sun to be seen. They’re still on the evening or east side of the Sun. Venus is on the west or morning side of the Sun and also too close to it to be visible. Bright Jupiter will be in the south-southeastern as it gets dark. It will pass the meridian, due south at 10:57 p.m. With steadily held binoculars a few of the 4 largest satellites of Jupiter can be seen. All four of Jupiter’s largest satellites can be spotted in telescopes. Jupiter will set at 3:29 a.m. Saturn will be lower down in the southeast in the evening, the brightest star-like object in that direction, but significantly dimmer than Jupiter.
The times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
The evening planets and the Moon at 10:30 p.m. July 17, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
The Moon as it might appear in binoculars or a small telescope at 11 p.m. July Created using Stellarium.Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn with the same magnification at 11p.m. July 17, 2019. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Planets and the Moon at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on July 17, 2019. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 18th. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
Mercury is not visible on the above chart. It will pass inferior conjunction of the Sun on the 21st, and is too far south of the Sun to be above the horizon at either sunrise or sunset.
07/10/2019 – Ephemeris – A look at the bright planets for this week
Ephemeris for Wednesday, July 10th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 21 minutes, setting at 9:28, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:07. The Moon, 1 day past first quarter, will set at 2:26 tomorrow morning.
Let’s look at the planets for this week. Mercury is now too close to the Sun to be seen. Mars itself is difficult to spot low in the west-northwest, setting at 10:29 p.m. Bright Jupiter will be in the southern sky by 10:30 p.m. With steadily held binoculars a few of the 4 largest satellites of Jupiter can be seen. All four of Jupiter’s largest satellites can be spotted in telescopes. Tonight they will be all arrayed on one side of the planet. Also at 10:30 Saturn will be lower down in the southeast, the brightest star-like object in that direction, but significantly dimmer than Jupiter. The only bright planet left in the morning sky is Venus, which is too close to the Sun to be spotted.
The times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Mars about to set, seen at 10:15 p.m. July 10, 2019. Mars and the stars have been brightened. Created by Stellarium.
The Moon, Jupiter and Saturn in the southern sky at 11 p.m., July 10, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
The gibbous Moon as it might appear in binoculars or a small telescope tonight at 11 p.m. July 10, 2019. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn with the same magnification at 11p.m. July 10, 2019. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Planets and the Moon at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on July 10, 2019. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 11th. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
07/03/2019 – Ephemeris – Our weekly look at the bright planets
Ephemeris for Wednesday, July 3rd. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 29 minutes, setting at 9:31, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:02. The Moon, 1 day past new, will set at 10:33 this evening.
Let’s look at the planets for this week. Mars, Mercury and the Moon will be low in the west-northwestern sky to the left of the star Pollux. Mercury and Mars are now slightly dimmer than Pollux tonight. Mercury is moving below Mars now. Mercury will set at 10:35 p.m., with Mars following 9 minutes later. Jupiter will start the evening low in the southeast. It’s far brighter than any star and will be visible just about all night, setting at 4:24 a.m. It’s in Ophiuchus the serpent bearer now, just above Scorpius the scorpion. Though still officially a morning planet, Saturn will rise at 9:42 p.m., in the east-southeast. It will be up the rest of the night. It’s in Sagittarius the archer. Venus remains too close to the Sun to be seen.
The times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Mars, Mercury and the Moon near the west-northwestern horizon at 10:15 p.m., July 3, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium. Stellarium cannot render the crescent on the day old Moon.
Jupiter Saturn and evening constellations for 11 p.m. July 3, 2019. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn with the same magnification at 11p.m. (3:00 UT), July 3, 2019. Io will disappear behind Jupiter at 12:42 a.m. (4:42 UT) and will reappear from Jupiter’s shadow on the other side at 3:26 a.m. (7:26 UT). Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Planets and the Moon at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on July 3, 2019. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 4th. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
06/26/2019 – Ephemeris – Checking out the locations of the bright planets for this week
Ephemeris for Wednesday, June 26th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 33 minutes, setting at 9:32, latest sunset of the year, and it will rise tomorrow at 5:59. The Moon, 1 day past last quarter, will rise at 2:47 tomorrow morning.
Let’s look at the planets for this week. Mars and Mercury will be low in the west-northwestern sky to the left of the star Pollux. Mercury is somewhat brighter than Pollux tonight with dimmer Mars to the right of Mercury. Mercury is separating from Mars rapidly, It’s not named for the messenger of the gods for nothing. Mercury will set at 11 p.m., three minutes after Mars. Jupiter will start the evening low in the southeast. It’s far brighter than any star and will be visible just about all night, setting at 4:55 a.m. It’s in Ophiuchus the serpent bearer now, just above Scorpius the scorpion. In the morning sky we have Saturn which will rise at 10:11 p.m., in the east-southeast. It’s in Sagittarius the archer. Venus is too close to the Sun to be seen.
The times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Mercury and Mars with the brighter stars at 10:15 p.m., June 26, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn at 11 p.m. June 26, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn with the same magnification at 11:30 p.m., June 26, 2019. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
The waning crescent Moon at 4:30 a.m. June 27, 2019. Created using Stellarium.
Planets and the Moon at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on June 26, 2019. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 27th. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
06/19/2019 – Ephemeris – Checking out the bright planets for tonight
Ephemeris for Wednesday, June 19th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 34 minutes, setting at 9:31, and it will rise tomorrow at 5:56. The Moon, 2 days past full, will rise at 11:34 this evening.
Let’s look at the planets for this week. Mars and Mercury will be low in the west-northwestern sky below and left of the star Pollux. Mercury is somewhat brighter than Pollux tonight with dimmer Mars a bit right of and below Mercury. Mercury is separating from Mars rapidly, It not named for the messenger of the gods for nothing. Mercury will set at 11:13 p.m., three minutes after Mars. Jupiter will start the evening low in the southeast. It far brighter than any star and will be visible all night, setting at 5:30 a.m. It’s in Ophiuchus the serpent bearer now, just above Scorpius the scorpion. In the morning sky we have Saturn which will rise at 10:41 p.m., in the east-southeast. It’s in Sagittarius the archer. Venus is too close to the Sun to be seen.
The times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Mercury and Mars with the brighter stars at 10:15 p.m., June 19, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn before moonrise at 11:30 p.m. June 19, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
The waning gibbous Moon at midnight as it might be seen in binoculars or a small telescope.. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn with the same magnification at 11:30 p.m., June 19, 2019. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Planets and the Moon at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on June 19, 2019. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 20th. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
06/12/2019 – Ephemeris – Let’s look at the bright planets for this week
Ephemeris for Wednesday, June 12th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 31 minutes, setting at 9:28, and it will rise tomorrow at 5:56. The Moon, 2 days past first quarter, will set at 3:53 tomorrow morning.
Let’s look at the bright planets for this week. Mars and Mercury will be low in the west-northwestern sky under the stars Castor and Pollux, which are nearly horizontally arraigned this evening. Mercury is 5 times brighter than Mars, which is a bit above and left of it. Mercury will set at 11:11 p.m. with Mars setting shortly after. Jupiter will start the evening low in the southeast. It far brighter than any star and will be visible all night, setting shortly before sunrise. It’s in Ophiuchus. In the morning sky we have Saturn which will rise at 11:06 p.m., in the east-southeast. It’s in Sagittarius. Both Jupiter and Saturn are easily visible in the predawn skies for very early risers. Venus is too close to the Sun to be seen.
The times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
The Moon and the evening planets at 10:30 p.m. June 12, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
The gibbous Moon as it might appear in binoculars or a small telescope tonight at 10:30 p.m. June 12, 2019. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn at 4:30 a.m. June 13, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn with the same magnification but at different times. Jupiter at 10:30 p.m. June 12 2019 while Saturn is for tomorrow morning.. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Planets and the Moon at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on June 12, 2019. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 13th. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
06/14/2019 – Ephemeris – Jupiter at opposition
Ephemeris for Monday, June 10th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 30 minutes, setting at 9:27, and it will rise tomorrow at 5:56. The Moon, at first quarter today, will set at 2:59 tomorrow morning.
The planet Jupiter now rises around sunset. Today at 11:11 a.m. it will be officially in opposition from the Sun. This isn’t some conflict, but the simple fact that Jupiter will be opposite the Sun in our sky. It then becomes an evening planet and for this summer will become a dazzling fixture in our evening sky. Jupiter is the second brightest planet after Venus, which is now in the morning Sun’s twilight glare. Watch for it in Wednesday’s planet report. Though the second brightest planet Jupiter by far is the largest planet and an easy planet to view in a small telescope. It’s mass exceeds the combined masses of all the other planets times two. Currently NASA’s Juno spacecraft is orbiting it.
The times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Jupiter is the largest planet. Its average distance from the Sun is 5.2 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun or 5.2 times the Earth’s distance from the Sun. Here is how its size changes from conjunction with the Sun to opposition.
The apparent size difference between Jupiter at conjunction and at opposition as seen in a telescope. The Jupiter at opposition is its appearance tonight. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog 