Archive
07/25/2017 – Ephemeris – Why do solar eclipses happen?
Ephemeris for Tuesday, July 25th. The Sun rises at 6:21. It’ll be up for 14 hours and 54 minutes, setting at 9:15. The Moon, 2 days past new, will set at 10:48 this evening.
We have a day less than 4 weeks before the Great American Total Solar Eclipse on August 21st will occur. Solar eclipses occur at new moon, when the moon is aligned so its shadow falls on the Earth. It doesn’t happen every new moon because the Moon is a long ways away, and its orbit is tipped some 5 degrees from the Earth’s orbit of the Sun, so usually the Moon is north or south of the Sun at new moon. About one in every 6 new moons produces an eclipse. They occur when the Moon is near the crossing point of the two orbital planes, called nodes. The point where the Moon is passing the node in northward direction is called the ascending node, and 180 degrees around the orbit there is the descending node, but you have to be in the right spot to see an eclipse.
The times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
What happens to create a total solar eclipse. Note the Sun’ distance as being 400 times the distance of the Moon. The Sun is also 400 times the Moon’s diameter, so they appear nearly the same size from the Earth. Credit NASA and the Eclipse2017.NASA.gov website.
07/19/2017 – Ephemeris – Our weekly look at the bright planets
Ephemeris for Wednesday, July 19th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 5 minutes, setting at 9:21, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:16. The Moon, 3 days past last quarter, will rise at 3:33 tomorrow morning.
Let’s take our weekly look at the bright planets. Jupiter is in the west-southwest as it gets dark in the evening. The bright blue-white star Spica, which pales in comparison to Jupiter, is seen left of it. In even the smallest telescopes Jupiter’s four largest moons can be seen. They shift positions from night to night. Jupiter will set at 12:32 a.m. Saturn can now be seen in the evening as twilight fades in the south. The reddish star Antares is off to the right of Saturn. Saturn’s rings are spectacular in telescopes. Saturn will set at 3:46 a.m. In the morning sky, brilliant Venus will rise at 3:22 a.m. and be visible until about quarter to 6 tomorrow morning. Mercury sets too close to sunset to be easily seen now.
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 southern summer constellations at 10:30 p.m., July 19, 2017. Created using Stellarium. Click on the image to enlarge.
Jupiter and three of its moons. Io can be seen here in transit of the planet, but very difficult in reality, at 10:30 p.m,. July 19, 2017. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Project Pluto has the following events for the 12/13th:
Time is UT. Events prior to 20 July 2:35 UT (10:35 p.m. 19 July EDT) or later than 4:24 UT or 12:24 a.m. EDT will not be visible from Northern Michigan. Data from Project Pluto: https://www.projectpluto.com/jevent.htm#jun. The website also has a link to a list of Great Red Spot transits.
I : Tra start: 20 Jul 2017 1:21
I : Sha start: 20 Jul 2017 2:35
I : Tra end : 20 Jul 2017 3:32
II : Occ start: 20 Jul 2017 4:24
I : Sha end : 20 Jul 2017 4:46
II : Occ end : 20 Jul 2017 6:54
II : Ecl start: 20 Jul 2017 6:55
II : Ecl end : 20 Jul 2017 9:17
Satellites: I = Io and II = Europa
Tra = Transit of a satellite across the face of Jupiter, Sha = Transit of a moon’s shadow, Ecl = Eclipse (In Jupiter’s shadow), Occ = Occultation (Moon behind the planet).
The Great Red Spot transit: 20 Jul 2017 02:50 (10:50 p.m. 19 July EDT).
Saturn and its brightest moons overnight July 19/20, 2017. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Venus and the Moon at twice its actual size at 5 a.m. July 20, 2017. Created using Stellarium.
The Moon as it might be seen in binoculars showing also Earth shine at 5 a.m. July 20, 2017. Created using Stellarium.
Venus as it might be seen through a telescope at 5 a.m. July 20, 2017. This is displayed at a larger scale/magnification than the Jupiter or Saturn images above. Created using Stellarium.
Planets at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on July 19, 2017. The night ends on the left with sunrise on July 20. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
07/12/2017 – Ephemeris – Let’s check out the whereabouts of the bright planets
Ephemeris for Wednesday, July 12th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 17 minutes, setting at 9:26, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:10. The Moon, 3 days past full, will rise at 11:32 this evening.
Let’s take our weekly look at the bright planets. Jupiter is in the southwest as it gets dark in the evening. The bright blue-white star Spica, which pales in comparison to Jupiter, is seen left of it. In even the smallest telescopes Jupiter’s four largest moons can be seen. They shift positions from night to night. Jupiter will set at 12:58 a.m. Saturn can now be seen in the evening as twilight fades in the south. The reddish star Antares is off to the right of Saturn. Saturn’s rings are spectacular in telescopes. Saturn will set at 4:15 a.m. In the morning sky, brilliant Venus will rise at 3:23 a.m. and be visible until about quarter to 6 tomorrow morning. Mercury sets too close to sunset to be easily seen now.
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 southern summer constellations at 10:30 p.m., July 12, 2017. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and three of its moons. Europa is behind the planet at 10:30 p.m,. July 12, 2017. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Project Pluto has the following events for the 12/13th:
Time is UT. Events prior to 13 July 1:47 UT (9:47 p.m. 12 July EDT) will not be visible from Northern Michigan. Data from Project Pluto: https://www.projectpluto.com/jevent.htm#jun. The website also has a link to a list of Great Red Spot transits.
I : Tra start: 12 Jul 2017 23:25
I : Sha start: 13 Jul 2017 0:41
I : Tra end : 13 Jul 2017 1:36
II : Occ start: 13 Jul 2017 1:47
I : Sha end : 13 Jul 2017 2:51
II : Occ end : 13 Jul 2017 4:16
II : Ecl start: 13 Jul 2017 4:20
II : Ecl end : 13 Jul 2017 6:42
III: Occ start: 13 Jul 2017 7:10
III: Occ end : 13 Jul 2017 9:45
III: Ecl start: 13 Jul 2017 12:29
III: Ecl end : 13 Jul 2017 14:40
Satellites: I = Io, II = Europa, and III = Ganymede
Tra = Transit of a satellite across the face of Jupiter, Sha = Transit of a moon’s shadow, Ecl = Eclipse (In Jupiter’s shadow), Occ = Occultation (Moon behind the planet).
The Great Red Spot transit: 13 Jul 2017 02:01 (10:01 p.m. 12 July EDT).
Saturn and its brightest moons overnight July 12/13, 2017. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Venus and the Moon at 5 a.m. July 13, 2017. Created using Stellarium. Click on the image to expand.
Venus as it might be seen through a telescope at 5 a.m. July 13, 2017. This is displayed at a larger scale/magnification than the Jupiter or Saturn images above. Created using Stellarium.
Planets at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on July 12, 2017. The night ends on the left with sunrise on July 13. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
07/05/2017 – Ephemeris – Our weekly look at the bright planets
Ephemeris for Wednesday, July 5th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 26 minutes, setting at 9:30, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:04. The Moon, 4 days before full, will set at 4:22 tomorrow morning.
Let’s take our weekly look at the bright planets. Jupiter is in the southwest as it gets dark in the evening. The bright blue-white star Spica, which pales in comparison to Jupiter, is seen left of it. In even the smallest telescopes Jupiter’s four largest moons can be seen. They shift positions night from to night and sometimes even as you watch. Jupiter will set at 1:25 a.m. Saturn can now be seen in the evening as twilight fades in the south, tonight it’s just left of the bright waxing gibbous Moon. Saturn’s rings are spectacular in telescopes. In the morning sky, brilliant Venus will rise at 3:36 a.m. and be visible until about quarter to 6 tomorrow morning. Mars and Mercury are too close to the direction of 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
Jupiter, Saturn and the Moon at 10:30 p.m., July 5, 2017. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and its four Galilean moons in tight to the planet as they might be seen in a telescope at 10:30 p.m,. July 5, 2017. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Project Pluto has the following events for the 5/6th:
Time is UT. Events prior to 5 July 1:41 UT (9:41 p.m. EDT) and after 6 July 4:08 UT (12:08 a.m. EDT) will not be visible from Northern Michigan. Data from Project Pluto: https://www.projectpluto.com/jevent.htm#jul
I : Tra start: 5 Jul 2017 21:30 I : Sha start: 5 Jul 2017 22:46 II : Occ start: 5 Jul 2017 23:12 I : Tra end : 5 Jul 2017 23:41 I : Sha end : 6 Jul 2017 0:56 II : Occ end : 6 Jul 2017 1:41 II : Ecl start: 6 Jul 2017 1:46 III: Occ start: 6 Jul 2017 3:09 II : Ecl end : 6 Jul 2017 4:08 III: Occ end : 6 Jul 2017 5:44
Satellites: I = Io, II = Europa, and III = Ganymede
Ecl = Eclipse (In Jupiter’s shadow), Occ = Occultation (Moon behind the planet), Sha = Moon’s shadow crossing the face of the planet, Tra = Transit of the moon across the face of the planet
Saturn and its brightest moons overnight July 5/6, 2017. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
The Moon as it would appear in binoculars at 10:30 p.m. July 5, 2017. Created using Stellarium.
Venus at 5 a.m. July 6, 2017. Created using Stellarium.
Venus as it might be seen through a telescope at 5 a.m. July 6, 2017. This is displayed at a larger scale/magnification than the Jupiter or Saturn images above. Created using Stellarium.
Planets at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on July 5, 2017. The night ends on the left with sunrise on July 6. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
06/28/2017 – Ephemeris – A last look at the bright planets for June 2017
Ephemeris for Wednesday, June 28th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 31 minutes, setting at 9:31, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:00. The Moon, 2 days before first quarter, will set at 12:51 tomorrow morning.
Let’s take our weekly look at the bright planets for the last time in June. Jupiter is in the southwest as it gets dark in the evening, while the Moon is in the west. The bright blue-white star Spica, which pales in comparison to Jupiter, is seen left and below it. In even the smallest telescopes Jupiter’s four largest moons can be seen. They shift positions night from to night and sometimes even as you watch. Jupiter will set at 1:51 a.m. Saturn can now be seen in the evening as twilight fades in the southeast. It’s rings are spectacular in telescopes. It is to the left of the reddish star Antares, now more to the south. Brilliant Venus will rise at 3:31 a.m., at 5 a.m. it is seen in the east with Saturn about to set in the southwest.
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 at 10:30 p.m., June 28, 2017. Click on image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
The Moon as it would appear in binoculars at 10:30 p.m. June 28, 2017. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and its four Galilean moons in tight to the planet as they might be seen in a telescope at 10:30 p.m,. June 28, 2017. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Project Pluto has the following events for the 28/29th:
Time is UT. Events prior to 29 June 4:30 UT (12:30 a.m. EDT) will not be visible from Northern Michigan. Data from Project Pluto: https://www.projectpluto.com/jevent.htm#jun
I : Tra start: 28 Jun 2017 19:36
II : Occ start: 28 Jun 2017 20:39
I : Sha start: 28 Jun 2017 20:51
I : Tra end : 28 Jun 2017 21:47
I : Sha end : 28 Jun 2017 23:02
II : Occ end : 28 Jun 2017 23:07
II : Ecl start: 28 Jun 2017 23:11
III: Occ start: 28 Jun 2017 23:13
II : Ecl end : 29 Jun 2017 1:34
III: Occ end : 29 Jun 2017 1:46
III: Ecl start: 29 Jun 2017 4:30
III: Ecl end : 29 Jun 2017 6:43
Satellites: I = Io, II = Europa, and III = Ganymede
Ecl = Eclipse (In Jupiter’s shadow), Occ = Occultation (Moon behind the planet).
Saturn and its brightest moons overnight June 28/29, 2017. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Venus and the setting Saturn at 5 a.m. June 29, 2017. Created using Stellarium. Click on the image to expand.
Venus as it might be seen through a telescope at 5 a.m. June 29, 2017. This is displayed at a larger scale/magnification than the Jupiter or Saturn images above. Created using Stellarium.
Planets at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on June 28, 2017. The night ends on the left with sunrise on June 29. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
06/21/2017 – Ephemeris – Checking out the bright planets on the first day of summer
Ephemeris for Wednesday, June 21st. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 33 minutes, setting at 9:31, and it will rise tomorrow at 5:57. The Moon, 2 days before new, will rise at 4:54 tomorrow morning.
Let’s take our weekly look at the bright planets on this first day of summer. Dominating the evening sky now is Jupiter in the southwest. The bright blue-white star Spica, which pales in comparison to it, is seen left and below it. In even the smallest telescopes Jupiter’s four largest moons can be seen. They shift positions night from to night and sometimes even as you watch. Jupiter will set at 2:18 a.m. Saturn can now be seen in the evening as twilight fades in the southeast. It is now officially an evening planet after opposition last week. At 5 a.m. both Saturn and Venus will be seen in the morning twilight. Brilliant Venus will be low in the east tomorrow morning after rising at 3:37 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 and the southern evening constellations at 10:30 p.m., June 21, 2017. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and its four Galilean moons as they might be seen in a telescope at 10:30 p.m,. June 21, 2017. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Saturn and its brightest moons overnight June 21/22, 2017. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Saturn, Venus and the rising crescent Moon at 5 a.m. June 22, 2017. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium. Click on the image to expand.
Venus as it might be seen through a telescope at 5 a.m. June 22, 2017. This is displayed at a larger scale/magnification than the Jupiter or Saturn images above. Created using Stellarium.
The skinny crescent moon as it might be seen in binoculars, after 5 a.m., June 22, 2017. Created using Stellarium.
Planets at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on June 21, 2017. The night ends on the left with sunrise on June 22. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
06/14/2017 – Ephemeris – Let’s take our weekly look at the bright planets
Ephemeris for Flag Day, Wednesday, June 14th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 32 minutes, setting at 9:29, and it will rise tomorrow at 5:56. The Moon, 3 days before last quarter, will rise at 12:56 tomorrow morning.
Let’s take our weekly look at the bright planets. Dominating the evening sky now is Jupiter in the south-southwest. The bright blue-white star Spica, which pales in comparison to it, is seen left and below it. In even the smallest telescopes Jupiter’s four largest moons can be seen. They shift positions night from to night and sometimes even as you watch. Jupiter will set at 2:46 a.m. Saturn can now be seen in the evening as twilight fades in the southeast. Saturn will reach opposition from the Sun early tomorrow morning. At 5 a.m. both Saturn and Venus will be in the morning twilight. Brilliant Venus will be low in the east tomorrow morning after rising at 3:45 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 and the southern evening constellations at 10:30 p.m., June 14, 2017. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and its four Galilean moons as they might be seen in a telescope at 10:30 p.m,. June 14, 2017. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Saturn and its brightest moons overnight June 14/15, 2017. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Venus, Saturn and the Moon at 5 a.m. June 15, 2017. Created using Stellarium. Click on the image to expand.
The moon as it might be seen in binoculars, at 5 a.m., June 15, 2017. Created using Stellarium.
Venus as it might be seen through a telescope at 5 a.m. June 15, 2017. This is displayed at a larger scale/magnification than the Jupiter or Saturn images above. Created using Stellarium.
Planets at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on June 14, 2017. The night ends on the left with sunrise on June 15. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
06/07/2017 – Ephemeris – It’s Wednesday and time to look at this week’s planets
Ephemeris for Wednesday, June 7th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 27 minutes, setting at 9:25, and it will rise tomorrow at 5:57. The Moon, 2 days before full, will set at 5:44 tomorrow morning.
Let’s take our weekly look at the bright planets. I’m no longer going to cover Mars until it’s back in the morning sky next year. It’s too dim in twilight t really spot. Though next year July it will be closer to us than it’s been since 2003. Dominating the evening sky now besides the Moon is Jupiter in the south-southwest. The bright blue-white star Spica is seen left and below it. In even the smallest telescopes Jupiter’s four largest moons can be seen. They shift positions night from to night and sometimes even as you watch. Jupiter will set at 3:13 a.m. Saturn can now be seen late in the evening after it rises in the east-southeast at 9:46 p.m. At 5 a.m. both Saturn and Venus will be in the morning twilight. Brilliant Venus will be low in the east tomorrow morning after rising at 3:33 a.m.
The times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Jupiter and the Moon in twilight at 10:30 p.m., June 7, 2017. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and its four Galilean moons as they might be seen in a telescope at 10:30 p.m,. June 7, 2017. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
The moon as seen in binoculars, tonight at 10:30 p.m., June 7, 2017. Created using Stellarium.
Venus, Saturn and the setting Moon at 5 a.m. June 8, 2017. Created using Stellarium. Click on the image to expand.
Saturn and its brightest moons overnight June 7/8, 2017. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Venus as it might be seen through a telescope at 5 a.m. June 8, 2017. This is displayed at a larger scale/magnification than the Jupiter or Saturn images above. Created using Stellarium.
Planets at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on June 7, 2017. The night ends on the left with sunrise on June 8. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
05/31/2017 – Ephemeris – Wednesday is bright planets day on Ephemeris
Ephemeris for Wednesday, May 31st. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 19 minutes, setting at 9:19, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:00. The Moon, 1 day before first quarter, will set at 2:19 tomorrow morning.
Let’s take our weekly look at the bright planets. Mars is still in the west-northwest after sunset and fading. It appears left of the bottom edge of the constellation Auriga. It will set at 10:43 p.m. Dominating the evening sky now is Jupiter in the south. The bright blue-white star Spica is seen below and left of it. In even the smallest telescopes Jupiter’s four largest moons can be seen. They shift positions night from to night and sometimes even as you watch. Jupiter will set at 4:09 a.m. Saturn can now be seen late in the evening after it rises in the east-southeast at 10:15 p.m. At 5 a.m. both Saturn and Venus will be in the morning twilight. Brilliant Venus will be low in the east tomorrow morning after rising at 4:05 a.m.
The times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Mars, Jupiter and the Moon in twilight at 10 p.m., May 31, 2017. Created using Stellarium. Click on the image to enlarge.
Jupiter and its four Galilean moons as they might be seen in a telescope at 10 p.m,. May 31, 2017. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
The moon as seen in binoculars, tonight at 10 p.m., May 31, 2017. Created using Stellarium.
At 11 p.m., May 31, 2017 Saturn can be seen low in the southeast. Created using Stellarium.
Saturn and its brightest moons overnight May 31/June 1, 2017. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Venus and Saturn at 5 a.m. June 1, 2017. Created using Stellarium. Click on the image to expand.
Venus as seen through a telescope at 5 a.m. June 1, 2017. This is displayed at a larger scale/magnification than the Jupiter or Saturn images above. Created using Stellarium.
Planets at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on May 31, 2017. The night ends on the left with sunrise on June 1. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
05/17/2017 – Ephemeris – Let’s look at the bright planets for this week
Ephemeris for Wednesday, May 17th. Today the Sun will be up for 14 hours and 54 minutes, setting at 9:06, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:11. The Moon, 1 day before last quarter, will rise at 2:20 tomorrow morning.
Let’s take our weekly look at the bright planets. Mars is still in the west-northwest after sunset and fading. It appears under the left edge of the constellation Auriga. It will set at 10:54 p.m. Dominating the evening sky now is Jupiter in the south-southeast. The bright blue-white star Spica is seen below and left of it. In even the smallest telescopes Jupiter’s four largest moons can be seen. They shift positions night from to night and sometimes even as you watch. Jupiter will set at 4:42 a.m. At 5:30 a.m. both Saturn and Venus will be in the morning twilight. Saturn will be low in the south-southwest. It will rise in the east-southeast at 11:14 p.m. Brilliant Venus will be low in the east tomorrow morning after rising at 4:27 a.m.
For us Mercury, at greatest western elongation of 25.8°will be on the horizon at 5:30, but those south of the equator it will be well placed for viewing in the morning.
The times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Mars and Jupiter with the spring constellations in the fading twilight at 10 p.m., May 17, 2017. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and its four Galilean moons as they might be seen in a telescope at 10 p.,. May 17, 2017. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Venus, Saturn and the Moon at 5:30 a.m. May 18, 2017. Created using Stellarium. Click on the image to expand.
Saturn and its brightest moons at 5:30 a.m. May 18, 2017. This is displayed at the same scale/magnification as the Jupiter image above. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
The Moon as it might be seen in binoculars at 5:30 a.m., May 18, 2017. Created using Stellarium.
Venus as seen through a telescope at 5:30 a.m. May 18, 2017. This is displayed at a larger scale/magnification than the Jupiter and Saturn images above. Created using Stellarium.
Planets and the Moon at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on May 17, 2017. The night ends on the left with sunrise on May 18. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog 