Archive
12/22/2016 – Ephemeris – Could Jupiter and Saturn have combined to be the Star of Bethlehem?
Ephemeris for Thursday, December 22nd. The Sun will rise at 8:17. It’ll be up for 8 hours and 48 minutes, setting at 5:05. The Moon, 2 days past last quarter, will rise at 2:45 tomorrow morning.
This morning the planet Jupiter is seen right below the waning crescent Moon. It reminds me of one of the possible answers to the questions to what the Star of Bethlehem was. Back in 7 BC Jupiter passed Saturn three times in that year. This is a reasonably rare occurrence especially against a particular constellation, which in this case was Pisces the fish, which would occur every 800 plus years. Early in the run of this program there was another so-called triple conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. This time it was against the constellation of Virgo the virgin in 1980 and 81. Jupiter passes Saturn every 20 years, but only when it does so when they are opposite the Sun in the sky is there a chance for a triple conjunction. Tomorrow I’ll look at two really close conjunctions of Jupiter and Venus that also could have been seen by the Magi as the Star of Bethlehem.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Jupiter and the Moon at 7 a.m. this morning, December 22, 2016. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn pass each other three times from May to December in 7 BC. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts) and GIMP. Click image to enlarge.
12/07/2016 – Ephemeris – Where are the bright planets
Ephemeris for Wednesday, December 7th*. The Sun will rise at 8:06. It’ll be up for 8 hours and 55 minutes, setting at 5:02. The Moon, at first quarter today, will set at 1:16 tomorrow morning.
In the east-southeast before 7:30 these mornings. Jupiter can be glimpsed in the morning twilight. Jupiter will rise tomorrow at 3:01 a.m. We are approaching Jupiter as it appears to move away from the Sun. We will pass it on April 7th next year. 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. Venus will be the lower and brighter of the two, Mars will be higher to the left. Venus will set at 8:14. Mars will hang on a bit longer and will set at 10:10. Mars’ setting time hasn’t changed much in the last month and a half. It’s losing to the Sun by only a little bit each day. 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.
* 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. I was only 3 days old at the time, so had nothing to do with it.
Addendum
Venus, Mars and the Moon at 6 p.m., December 7, 2016. This is approximately one hour after sunset. Click on image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
A closeup of the Moon at 6 p.m., December 7, 2016. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and a preview of spring constellations at 6:30 a.m. December 8, 2016. Click on image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and moons at 6:30 a.m. December 8, 2016. Europa is in Jupiter’s shadow at this time. It will disappear in its shadow at 4:46 a.m. (9:46 UT). Image created using Cartes du Ciel. Note that Europa was on the image, but was removed. Stellarium had it right, but I prefer Cartes’ rendering.
Planets and Moon at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on December 7, 2016. The night ends on the left with sunrise on December 8. Click on image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
Note that Saturn is practically plotted on top of the Sun. It will be in conjunction with the Sun on the 10th. After that it will enter the morning sky.
11/16/2016 – Ephemeris – Where are the bright planets now?
Ephemeris for Wednesday, November 16th. The Sun will rise at 7:41. It’ll be up for 9 hours and 31 minutes, setting at 5:13. The Moon, 2 days past full, will rise at 7:38 this evening.
Low in the east-southeast before 7:15 a.m. Jupiter can be glimpsed in the morning twilight. Jupiter will rise tomorrow at 4:05 a.m. We are approaching Jupiter, though it’s 5 times Earth’s distance from the Sun and will pass it April 7th. Venus, Saturn and Mars are in the evening sky. At 6 p.m. these planets will be seen in the southwest and low in the sky. Venus will be the brightest, Saturn might be picked out of the twilight to the right and below Venus, and Mars will be higher to the left. Saturn will set first at 6:30, with Venus setting at 7:33. Mars will hang on a bit longer and will set at 10:07. Mars’ setting time hasn’t changed from last week. Venus is slowly heading northward for the rest of it’s evening appearance.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
The evening planets in twilight in the southwestern sky at 6 p.m. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter rising in the morning sky this morning at 7 a.m. November 19, 2016. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and its Galilean moons, as they might be seen in a telescope at 7 a.m., this morning, November 16, 2016. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
The Moon is visible both in the evening and the next morning. At right is the evening Moon at 8 p.m. On the left is the Moon at 7 a.m. A sharp-eyed person, with binoculars, can notice a slight change in the sunset terminator in the 11 hours between the two views. Created using Stellarium.
Planets and Moon at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on November 16, 2016. The night ends on the left with sunrise on November 17. If you are using Firefox right-click on the image and select View Image to enlarge the image. That goes for all the large images. Created using my LookingUp program.
11/09/2016 – Ephemeris – Your mid-week bright planet report
Ephemeris for Wednesday, November 9th. The Sun will rise at 7:32. It’ll be up for 9 hours and 48 minutes, setting at 5:20. The Moon, 2 days past first quarter, will set at 2:23 tomorrow morning.
Low in the east-southeast at 6 a.m. Jupiter can be glimpsed in the morning twilight. Jupiter will rise tomorrow at 4:25 a.m. We are approaching Jupiter, though it’s 5 times Earth’s distance from the Sun and will pass it April 7th. Venus, Saturn and Mars are in the evening sky. At 6 p.m. these planets will be seen in the southwest and low in the sky. Venus will be the brightest, Saturn might be picked out of the twilight to the right and a bit below Venus, and Mars will be higher to the left. Saturn will set first at 6:54, with Venus setting a half and hour later at 7:24. Mars will hang on a bit longer and will set at 10:07. Venus is almost at its farthest south in the sky, and will be slowly heading northward for the rest of it’s evening appearance.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
The evening planets in twilight in the southwestern sky at 6 p.m. November 9, 2016. Created using Stellarium.
Looking south at Mars, two bright stars, and the Moon at 8 p.m. November 9, 2016. Created using Stellarium.
The Moon as it might be seen in binoculars at 8 p.m. November 9, 2016. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter in the morning sky at 6:30 a.m. November 10, 2016. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and its Galilean moons, as they might be seen in a telescope at 6 a.m. November 11, 2016. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts). Note the image is not inverted.
Planets and Moon at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on November 9, 2016. The night ends on the left with sunrise on November 10. If you are using Firefox right-click on the image and select View Image to enlarge the image. That goes for all the large images. Created using my LookingUp program.
11/02/2016 – Ephemeris – Venus, Saturn and the Moon make a tight triangle in the southwest tonight
Ephemeris for Wednesday, November 2nd. The Sun will rise at 8:22. It’ll be up for 10 hours and 6 minutes, setting at 6:29. The Moon, 3 days past new, will set at 8:42 this evening.
Low in the east this morning at 7 Jupiter can be glimpsed in the twilight. Jupiter rose this morning at 5:48 a.m. Venus, Saturn and Mars are in the evening sky. Venus, Saturn and the Moon will appear together tonight with Saturn to the right of the much brighter Venus. The thin crescent Moon will appear above Saturn. Venus will set at 8:18 p.m. and Saturn a minute later. Venus continues to move southward and will still be hugging the southwestern horizon for the next week, but it’s high enough to spot with a reasonably low horizon. Mars can be seen in the darkened sky after Venus and Saturn set. The Red Planet will enter the constellation of Capricornus in a week and moves into the southwest by 8 p.m. Mars will set at 11:07 p.m.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
The Moon, Saturn and Venus low in the southwest tonight at 7:30 p.m., November 2, 2016. Created using Stellarium.
Mars and the evening constellations tonight at 8 p.m., November 2, 2016. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter rising in the morning sky this morning at 7 a.m. November 2, 2016. Created using Stellarium.
Planets and Moon at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on November 2, 2016. The night ends on the left with sunrise on November 3. If you are using Firefox right-click on the image and select View Image to enlarge the image. That goes for all the large images. Created using my LookingUp program.
Bob King has an excellent article in Universe Today about the planet and Moon grouping in the southwest tonight: http://www.universetoday.com/131700/november-opens-splendid-gathering-moon-planets/
10/26/2016 – Ephemeris – Bright planet count: 1 in the morning, 3 in the evening, 1 behind the Sun
Ephemeris for Wednesday, October 26th. The Sun will rise at 8:13. It’ll be up for 10 hours and 26 minutes, setting at 6:39. The Moon, half way from last quarter to new, will rise at 5:03 tomorrow morning.
Low in the east this morning at 7 Jupiter can be glimpsed in the twilight. Jupiter’s rose this morning at 6:09 a.m. Venus, Saturn and Mars are in the evening sky. Venus is briefly visible after sunset, low in the west-southwest. It will set at 8:16 p.m. Venus is still moving a bit southward and will still be hugging the southwestern horizon for the next month or so, but it’s high enough to spot with a reasonably low horizon. Saturn is above and left of Venus, It will set at 8:44 p.m. Mars can be seen in the darkened sky after Venus sets. Mars is way out to the left of Saturn, above and left of the setting Teapot of Sagittarius at 9 p.m. in the southwest. Mars will set at 11:08 p.m. Mercury will pass behind the Sun tomorrow.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
The evening planets in twilight at 7:30 p.m. Venus and Mars are easily spotter, but Saturn is problematic. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and the Moon at 7 a.m. this morning, October 26, 2016. Created using Stellarium.
The Moon as it might appear in binoculars at 7 a.m. this morning, October 26, 2016. The Mood will also show a faint earthshine on its normally hidden light side to the right of the crescent. Created using Stellarium.
Planets and Moon at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on October 26, 2016. The night ends on the left with sunrise on October 27. If you are using Firefox right-click on the image and select View Image to enlarge the image. That goes for all the large images. Created using my LookingUp program.
10/19/2016 – Ephemeris – Jupiter is in morning twilight, Venus in evening twilight
Ephemeris for Wednesday, October 19th. The Sun will rise at 8:04. It’ll be up for 10 hours and 46 minutes, setting at 6:50. The Moon, half way from full to last quarter, will rise at 9:58 this evening.
Low in the east this morning at 7:15 Jupiter might be glimpsed in the twilight. Jupiter’s rise time is at 6:28 a.m. Venus, Saturn and Mars are in the evening sky. Venus is briefly visible after sunset, low in the west-southwest. It will set at 8:16 p.m., following the Sun’s earlier setting times. Venus is still moving a bit southward and will still be hugging the southwestern horizon for the next month or so, but it’s high enough to spot with a reasonably low horizon. Mars and Saturn can be seen in the darkened sky after Venus sets. Mars is way out to the left of Saturn passing above the Teapot of Sagittarius. Saturn, spectacular in telescopes with its rings, will set at 9:09 p.m. Mars will set at 11:11 p.m,
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Venus, Saturn and Mars at 7:30 p.m. October 19, 2016. Last night I saw Venus and Mars, but not Saturn with the naked eye at that hour. Created using Stellarium.
Saturn and Mars at 8:30 p.m. October 19, 2016. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter rising at 7 a.m. this morning, October 19, 2016. Created using Stellarium.
The Moon as it might be seen in binoculars at 7 a.m. this morning, October 19, 2016. Created using Stellarium.
Planets and Moon at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on October 19, 2016. The night ends on the left with sunrise on October 20. If you are using Firefox right-click on the image and select View Image to enlarge the image. That goes for all the large images. Created using my LookingUp program.
10/12/2016 – Ephemeris – Jupiter joins Mercury in the morning sky22
Ephemeris for Wednesday, October 12th. The Sun will rise at 7:55. It’ll be up for 11 hours and 7 minutes, setting at 7:02. The Moon, 3 days past first quarter, will set at 4:35 tomorrow morning.
Low in the east this morning at 7:15 both Mercury and Jupiter might be glimpsed, with Mercury just below Jupiter which is a bit brighter. Jupiter will rise at 6:38 a.m. and Mercury will rise at 6:47 a.m. Venus, Saturn and Mars are in the evening sky. Venus is briefly visible after sunset, low in the west. It will set at 8:20 p.m., following the Sun’s earlier setting times. Venus is still moving a bit southward and will still be hugging the southwestern horizon for the next month or so. Mars and Saturn can be seen in the darkened sky after Venus sets. Mars is way out to the left of Saturn passing above the Teapot of Sagittarius. Saturn, spectacular in telescopes with its rings, will set at 9:35 p.m. Mars will set at 11:14 p.m.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Jupiter and Mercury at 7:15 a.m. low in the east today October 12, 2016. Created using Stellarium.
Venus and Saturn at 7:22 p.m. tonight October 12, 2016, looking to the southwest. I doubt if you could spot Saturn at this time. Created using Stellarium.
Saturn, Mars and the Moon at 8:30 p.m. October 12, 2016. Created using Stellarium.
Saturn and moon as it might be seen in a telescope. at 8:30 p.m. October 12, 2016. More than likely only the satellite Titan would be seen with Saturn. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
The Moon as it might be seen with binoculars tonight at 8:30 p.m. October 12, 2016. Created using Stellarium.
Planets and Moon at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on October 12, 2016. The night ends on the left with sunrise on October 13. If you are using Firefox right-click on the image and select View Image to enlarge the image. That goes for all the large images. Created using my LookingUp program.
10/04/2016 – Ephemeris – The bright planets score: three in the evening and one in the morning
Ephemeris for Wednesday, October 5th. The Sun will rise at 7:46. It’ll be up for 11 hours and 28 minutes, setting at 7:15. The Moon, 4 days before first quarter, will set at 10:04 this evening.
Mercury is seen in the morning now, rising at 6:21 today, and should be high enough to be visible between 7 and 7:30 this morning low in the east if it’s clear. Venus, Saturn and Mars are in the evening sky. Venus is briefly visible after sunset, low in the west-southwest. It will set at 8:28 p.m., following the Sun’s earlier setting times. Mars, Saturn and the star Antares start the evening in the southwestern sky in a lengthening triangle, with Saturn on top and Antares below. Mars is way out to the left of the other two. Tonight Saturn will be about 10 of the Moon’s diameter to the left of the crescent Moon. Saturn, spectacular in telescopes with its rings, will set at 10 p.m. and Mars will set at 11:18 p.m.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Mercury in the east at 7 a.m. this morning, October 5, 2016. Created using Stellarium.
Venus, low in west-southwest with the Moon (enlarged to show phase), Saturn and Mars at 7:35 p.m. (20 minutes after sunset). Created using Stellarium.
The Moon, Saturn, Antares and Mars with the low constellations in the southwest at 8:30 p.m. October 5, 2016. Created using Stellarium.
The Moon as it might appear in binoculars at 8:30 p.m. October 5, 2016. Created using Stellarium.
Saturn and some of its moons at 8:30 p.m. October 5, 2016. 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 October 5, 2016. The night ends on the left with sunrise on October 6. If you are using Firefox right-click on the image and select View Image to enlarge the image. That goes for all the large images. Created using my LookingUp program.
09/21/2016 – Ephemeris – Mercury escaped to the morning sky and Jupiter will soon follow
Ephemeris for Wednesday, September 21st. The Sun will rise at 7:29. It’ll be up for 12 hours and 11 minutes, setting at 7:41. The Moon, 2 days before last quarter, will rise at 11:15 this evening.
Tonight we have four of the five bright classical planets in the evening sky. Mercury crossed into the morning sky last week, and Jupiter will follow next Monday. Jupiter is too close to the Sun to be seen. We are left with Venus, Saturn and Mars. Venus is briefly visible after sunset, low in the west. It will set at 8:42 p.m., following the Sun’s earlier setting times. Mars, Saturn and the star Antares start the evening in the southwestern sky in a lengthening triangle, with Saturn on top, Mars below and way out to the left, and Antares below Saturn. Saturn, spectacular in telescopes with its rings, will set at 10:52 p.m. And Mars, moving rapidly to the east against the stars will set at 11:31 p.m.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Looking very low in the west at 8:01 p.m., 20 minutes after sunset, September 21, 2016. To see how Venus’ position changes from week to week, check out the last few Wednesday’s posts. I’m using the same landscape for each which is supplied by Stellarium. Created using Stellarium.
The lengthening Mars-Saturn-Antares triangle and the background constellations at 9 p.m., September 21, 2016. Created using Stellarium.
Saturn and some of its moons at 9 p.m. September 21, 2016. 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 September 21, 2016. The night ends on the left with sunrise on September 22. Mercury has escaped to the Morning sky and will rise at 614 a.m. on the 22nd. If you are using Firefox right-click on the image and select View Image to enlarge the image. That goes for all the large images. Created using my LookingUp program.
