Archive
01/25/2022 – Ephemeris -The James Webb Space Telescope is now in orbit of Lagrange point 2 (L2)
Note: This program was written and recorded prior to the thruster burn at 2 pm Monday, which nudged it into a halo orbit of the Earth-Sun L2 point. This post was posted after the burn.
This is Bob Moler with Ephemeris for Tuesday, January 25th. Today the Sun will be up for 9 hours and 32 minutes, setting at 5:41, and it will rise tomorrow at 8:08. The Moon, at last quarter today, will rise at 2:19 tomorrow morning.
On the James Webb Space Telescope, which should now be in a big lazy halo orbit of the Lagrangian L2, point nearly a million miles directly opposite the Sun from the Earth. Its final mid-course correction should have dropped into the halo orbit. I’m recording this Sunday night before the scheduled 2 pm yesterday mid-course correction firing. While I’m always sure it’ll be clear tonight to see the stars, or when an eclipse will happen. I’m not so sure on when or what will happen where spacecraft and rockets are involved. As far as knowing, that it will be clear tonight. I’m sure that someone will hear or read these comments, also published on my blog, and have clear skies somewhere on the planet.
The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (EST, UT – 5 hours). They may be different for your location.
Addendum
James Webb Space Telescope trajectory to L2 with some milestones of deployment. “ISIM” stands for Integrated Scientific Instruments Module. Credit: Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI).
Lake effect clouds over Michigan. Taken earlier this month by NASA via SpaceRef.com. I live somewhere on the northwestern part of the Lower Peninsula under the lake effect clouds. We haven’t had much snow from it… Yet! But winter isn’t half over, and we can get big snow storms a month into spring. We exchange sub-zero (F) cold on the western edge of the lakes for slightly warmer temperatures, clouds and snow, until the lakes freeze, if they freeze.
12/14/2016 – Ephemeris – Mercury is seen briefly with the evening planets
Ephemeris for Wednesday, December 14th. The Sun will rise at 8:12. It’ll be up for 8 hours and 49 minutes, setting at 5:02. The Moon, 1 day past full, will rise at 6:17 this evening.
In the east-southeast before 7:30 these mornings. Jupiter can be glimpsed in the morning twilight. Jupiter will rise tomorrow at 2:39 a.m. We are approaching Jupiter as it appears to move away from the Sun. We will pass it on April 7th next year. Mercury, Venus and Mars are in the evening sky. At 6 p.m. these planets will be seen in the southwest and low in the sky. Mercury will require a very low horizon, Venus will be the higher and the brightest of the three, Mars will be higher to the left. Mercury will set at 6:24 p.m., Venus will set at 8:30. Mars will set at 10:11. Mars’ setting time hasn’t changed much in the last month and a half. Venus is slowly heading northward for the rest of it’s evening appearance, and is moving higher in the sky.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Venus, Mars and Mercury in the trees at 6 p.m., December 14, 2016. This is approximately one hour after sunset. Click on image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
Mercury might be spotted a half hour earlier a bit higher with binoculars.
Jupiter the Moon and a preview of the southern spring constellations at 6:30 a.m. December 15, 2016. Click on image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
The Moon at 6:30 a.m. December 15, 2016. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and moons at 6:30 a.m. December 15, 2016. Io appeared from behind Jupiter at 5:42 a.m. (10:42 UT). Image created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Planets and Moon at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on December 14, 2016. The night ends on the left with sunrise on December 15. Click on image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
Sleeping Bear Dunes sun & star parties Status – July 26, 2014, 1:30 p.m. EDT
As of 2:30 p.m.
I talked with Marie and It’s a GO for this afternoon and evening! Have fun. Wish I wuz there.
As of 1:30 p.m.
According to the Weather Underground animation maps of clouds it looks like you’ll be in and out of clouds or a while. The Clear Sky Chart for the nearby Lanphier Observatory shows clear skies starting most of the afternoon and into the evening. I expect a call from ranger Marie about 3 to discuss things, but it’s looking good!
As of 12:20 a.m.
The Weather Channel App for Empire shows partly cloudy starting the about the time the solar viewing portion starts (4 p.m.) and clearing up from their. The Clear Sky Chart for the nearby Lanphier Observatory shows clear skies starting at 4 p.m. So it looks like a GO! However… Stay tuned.
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