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07/13/2023 – Ephemeris – How to find Ophiuchus the serpent bearer
This is Ephemeris for Thursday, July 13th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 17 minutes, setting at 9:27, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:10. The Moon, halfway from last quarter to new, will rise at 3:04 tomorrow morning.
The red star Antares shines in the south at 11 p.m. In the constellation of Scorpius. In the area of sky above and a little to the left lies a large constellation of faint stars called Ophiuchus, the serpent bearer. The constellation shape is like a large bell, which reminds me of the head, shoulders and arms of a fellow that’s holding the snake-like a weight lifter pulling up a heavy barbell. The serpent he’s holding is Serpens, the only two-part constellation in the heavens. The head rises to Ophiuchus’ right, and the tail extends up to the left. In Greek myth, Ophiuchus represents the great physician Aesculapius, educated by the god Apollo, and the centaur Chiron, who is found in the stars as Sagittarius, now rising below and left of him.
The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (EDT, UT –4 hours). They may be different for your location.
Addendum
07/11/2013 – Ephemeris – Ophiuchus the serpent bearer
Ephemeris for Thursday, July 11th. Today the sun will be up for 15 hours and 19 minutes, setting at 9:27. The moon, 3 days past new, will set at 10:56 this evening. Tomorrow the sun will rise at 6:09.
The crescent moon will appear to the right of the planet Venus before 10:45 p.m. Tonight. The red star Antares shines in the south at 11 p.m. In the area of sky above it lies a large constellation of faint stars called Ophiuchus, the serpent bearer. Ophiuchus represent the legendary physician Aesculapius. The constellation shape is like a large bell, which reminds me of the head, shoulders and arms of a fellow that’s holding the snake like a weight lifter struggling to pull up a heavy barbell. Serpens, the constellation of the serpent is in the sky in two sections. The front end lies to the right as Serpens Caput, and wends its way up the right side of Ophiuchus. Serpens Cauda, the tail rises to the left of Ophiuchus. It’s a rewarding sight, and not that hard to spot.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Ophiuchus and Serpens at 11 p.m.. Created using Stellarium.
09/11/2012 – Ephemeris – The constellation Sagittarius the archer
Ephemeris for Tuesday, September 11th. The sun will rise at 7:17. It’ll be up for 12 hours and 42 minutes, setting at 7:59. The moon, 3 days past last quarter, will rise at 3:28 tomorrow morning.
Low in the south at 10 p.m. lies the constellation of Sagittarius. The name means archer, but this isn’t just any old fellow with a bow and arrow. It’s a centaur with a bow and arrow. These half man half horse creatures were a rowdy bunch; kind of the ancient Greek counterpart of a motorcycle gang. The one exception is this centaur, Chiron by name. He was highly educated, and learned medicine from the great physician Aesculapius, whom we see in the sky to the upper right as the constellation Ophiuchus. His drawn bow and arrow can also be seen in the stars here, pointing to Scorpius the scorpion’s heart. If it’s hard seeing a Centaur here don’t be disappointed. To most of us the constellation looks like a stout little teapot.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Sagittarius and the Milky Way September 11, 2012 10 p.m. Created using Stellarium.
07/10/2012 – Ephemeris – The constellation of Ophiuchus
Ephemeris for Tuesday, July 10th. Today the sun will be up for 15 hours and 20 minutes, setting at 9:27. The moon, at last quarter today, will rise at 12:50 tomorrow morning. Tomorrow the sun will rise at 6:08.
The red star Antares shines in the south at 11 p.m. In the area of sky above it lies a large constellation of faint stars called Ophiuchus, the serpent bearer. Ophiuchus represent the legendary physician Aesculapius. The constellation shape is like a large bell, which reminds me of the head, shoulders and arms of a fellow that’s holding the snake like a weight lifter struggling to pull up a heavy barbell. Serpens, the constellation of the serpent is in the sky in two sections. The front end lies to the right as Serpens Caput, and wends its way up towards Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown. Serpens Cauda, the tail rises to the left of Ophiuchus. It’s a rewarding sight, and not that hard to spot.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Ophiuchus and Serpens July 10, 2012 at 11 p.m.. Created using Stellarium.
Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog 