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06/24/2019 – Ephemeris – Ophiuchus the serpent bearer
Ephemeris for Monday, June 24th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 34 minutes, setting at 9:32, and it will rise tomorrow at 5:58. The Moon, 1 day before last quarter, will rise at 2 tomorrow morning.
The planet Jupiter shines brightly in the south-southeast at 11 p.m. In the area of sky above it lies a large constellation of faint stars called Ophiuchus, the serpent bearer. Ophiuchus represents 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.
The times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Ophiuchus finder animation for 11 p.m. June 24, 2019. Also showing the constellation boundaries. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium and GIMP.
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).
06/05/2019 – Ephemeris – Where are the bright planets for this week?
Ephemeris for Wednesday, June 5th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 25 minutes, setting at 9:24, and it will rise tomorrow at 5:58. The Moon, 2 days past new, will set at 11:49 this evening.
Let’s look at the bright planets for this week. Mars will be low in the west-northwestern sky this evening, below and right of the crescent Moon. It will set at 11:33 p.m. In the morning sky we have Jupiter, in Ophiuchus, which will actually rise at 9:35 tonight in the east-southeast. Jupiter will reach opposition from the Sun next Monday and thereafter rise before sunset and officially become an evening planet. Saturn will be next to rise at 11:39 p.m., also in the east-southeast. It’s in Sagittarius. Both planets are easily visible in as morning twilight grows. Mercury will become visible in the evening sky below Mars in a few days. It’s greatest separation from the Sun will be on the 23rd. 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
Mars, the Moon, and Jupiter tonight at 10:30 p.m. June 5, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
The Moon as it might appear in binoculars or a small telescope tonight at 10:30 p.m. June 5, 2019. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn at 5 a.m. June 6, 2019. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn with the same magnification but at different times. Jupiter at 11 p.m. June 5, 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 5, 2019. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 6th. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
06/04/2019 – Ephemeris – The night sky previews summer
Ephemeris for Tuesday, June 4th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 24 minutes, setting at 9:23, and it will rise tomorrow at 5:58. The Moon, 1 day past new, will set at 10:51 this evening.
The Moon will be visible early this evening. By early I mean by 10 p.m. since the Sun sets so late now. By the time you see it it will be a day and a half old and a thin sliver. Closer inspection will reveal the the whole Moon will be visible due to Earth shine. That’s due to the nearly full Earth shining on the night side of the Moon.
Even though Summer is 17 days away the three bright stars of the Summer Triangle are visible in the eastern sky at 11 p.m. The three stars are Vega highest in the east. Deneb is lower in the northeast. Altair is lower close to the horizon in east. They will rise higher throughout the summer season. Looking close to the horizon in the southeast that bright star at that hour is the planet Jupiter.
The times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
The eastern skies at 11 p.m. June 4, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium and GIMP.
05/29/2019 – Ephemeris – Looking at the bright planets tonight
Ephemeris for Wednesday, May 29th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 16 minutes, setting at 9:18, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:01. The Moon, 3 days past last quarter, will rise at 4:21 tomorrow morning.
Let’s look at the planets for this week. Mars will be low in the west-northwestern sky this evening, in Gemini crawling up Castor’s leg. It will set at 11:42 p.m. In the morning sky we have Jupiter, in Ophiuchus, which will actually rise at 10:02 tonight in the east-southeast. Jupiter won’t be considered an evening planet until it rises before sunset, which will occur after June 10th. Saturn will be next to rise at 12:11 a.m., also in the east-southeast. It’s in Sagittarius. Both planets are easily visible in as morning twilight grows. Venus will rise 53 minutes before the Sun in the east northeast. It will remain in our morning sky, though too close to the rising Sun to be easily glimpsed. In August it will pass behind the Sun to enter the evening sky.
The times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Mars in the evening in Gemini tonight at 10:30 p.m. May 29, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn at 5 a.m. May30, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
The Moon, enlarged 3 times, is only 6 degrees above the eastern horizon at 5 a.m. on May 30, 2019. The inset is the binocular view. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn with the same magnification at 5 a.m. tomorrow morning May 30, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. 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 May 29, 2019. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 30th. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
05/22/2019 – Ephemeris – Where are the bright planets for this week
Ephemeris for Wednesday, May 22nd. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 3 minutes, setting at 9:11, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:06. The Moon, half way from full to last quarter, will rise at 12:56 tomorrow morning.
Let’s look at the planets for this week. Mars will be low in the west-northwestern sky this evening, entering Gemini near Castor’s foot. It will set at 11:52 p.m. In the morning sky we have Jupiter, in Ophiuchus, which will actually rise at 10:38 tonight in the east-southeast. Jupiter won’t be considered an evening planet until it rises before sunset, which will occur after June 10th. Saturn will be next to rise at 12:40 a.m., also in the east-southeast. It’s in Sagittarius. Both planets are easily visible in as morning twilight grows. Venus will rise 53 minutes before the Sun in the east northeast. It will remain in our morning sky, though too close to the rising Sun to be easily glimpsed. In August it will pass behind the Sun to enter the evening sky.
The times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Mars and the setting winter stars tonight at 10 p.m. May 22, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter, Saturn and the Moon at 5 a.m. May23, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
The waning gibbous Moon at 5 a.m. May 23, 2019. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn with the same magnification at 5 a.m. tomorrow morning May 23, 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 May 22, 2019. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 23rd. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
05/15/2019 – Ephemeris – The bright planets this week
Ephemeris for Wednesday, May 15th. Today the Sun will be up for 14 hours and 49 minutes, setting at 9:04, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:13. The Moon, 3 days before full, will set at 5:22 tomorrow morning.
Let’s look at the planets for this week. Mars will be in the western sky this evening, entering Gemini near Castor’s foot. It will set at 12:04 a.m. In the morning sky we have Jupiter, in Ophiuchus, which will actually rise at 11:09 tonight in the east-southeast. Jupiter won’t be considered an evening planet until it rises before sunset, which will occur after June 10th. Saturn will be next to rise at 1:04 a.m., also in the east-southeast. It’s in Sagittarius. Both planets are easily visible in as morning twilight grows. Venus will rise 53 minutes before the Sun in the east. It will remain in our morning sky, though too close to the rising Sun to be easily glimpsed. In August it will pass behind the Sun to enter the evening sky.
The times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Mars and the Moon tonight at 10 p.m. May 15, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
The waxing gibbous nearly full Moon at 10 p.m. May 15, 2019. Created using Stellarium.
Morning planets at 5:30 a.m. May 16, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn with the same magnification at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow morning May 16, 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 May 15, 2019. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 16th. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
05/08/2019 – Ephemeris – Let’s look at the bright planets for this week
Ephemeris for Wednesday, May 8th. Today the Sun will be up for 14 hours and 32 minutes, setting at 8:55, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:22. The Moon, 3 days before first quarter, will set at 12:59 tomorrow morning.
Let’s look at the planets for this week. Mars will be in the western sky this evening, between Gemini and Taurus the bull. It will set at 12:07 a.m. In the morning sky we have Jupiter, in Ophiuchus, which will actually rise at 11:40 tonight in the east-southeast. Saturn will be next to rise at 1:32 a.m., also in the east-southeast. It’s in Sagittarius. Both planets are easily visible in the morning twilight. Venus will rise 53 minutes before the Sun in the east. It will remain in our morning sky, though too close to the rising Sun to be easily glimpsed. In August it will pass behind the Sun to enter the evening sky. It will be in position later this year to be our bright evening Christmas Star.
The times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Mars and the Moon (at 3 times its actual size) tonight at 10 p.m. May 8, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
The Moon as it might appear in binoculars or a small telescope tonight at 10 p.m. May 8, 2019. Created using Stellarium.
Morning planets and Moon at 5:30 a.m. May 9, 2019. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn with the same magnification at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow morning May 9, 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 May 8, 2019. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 9th. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog 