Archive
03/11/2015 – Ephemeris – On Wednesday we look at the bright planets
Ephemeris for Wednesday, March 11th. The Sun will rise at 8:02. It’ll be up for 11 hours and 40 minutes, setting at 7:43. The Moon, 2 days before last quarter, will rise at 1:42 tomorrow morning.
Lets take a look at the bright planets for this week. Brilliant Venus is in the west by 8:30 p.m. It will set at 10:31 p.m. Mars appears below and right of it. The Red Planet will set tonight at 9:47. Jupiter will appear In the southeastern sky in the evening. It will set at 6:41 a.m. It’s near the sickle-shaped head of Leo the lion, and it’s the brightest star-like object in the sky after Venus sets. In telescopes tonight the moon Io duck behind Jupiter at 9:29 early, but will pop into sunlight a bit away from the planet on the other side at 12:33 a.m. because it also will be hidden in Jupiter’s shadow. Early risers will be able to spot Saturn which will rise in the east-southeast at 1:54 a.m. It will appear below the Moon tomorrow morning.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
The evening planets Mars, Venus, and Jupiter with the winter constellations at 9 p.m. March 11, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and moons at 9 p.m. March 11, 2015, about 29 minutes before Io moves behind Jupiter. Created using Cartes du Ceil (Sky Charts).
Jupiter and moons at 12:33 a.m. March 12, 2015, about when Io emerges into sunlight from Jupiter’s shadow. Created using Cartes du Ceil (Sky Charts).
Saturn and the Moon in Scorpius in the south at 6 a.m. March 12, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
Closeup of Saturn and the Moon at 6 a.m. March 12, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
What Saturn and its moons might appear like in a telescope at 6 a.m., March 12, 2015. Small telescopes will show only the moon Titan. Created using Cartes du Ceil (Sky Charts).
03/04/2015 – Ephemeris – Our weekly look at the bright planets
Ephemeris for Wednesday, March 4th. The Sun will rise at 7:15. It’ll be up for 11 hours and 18 minutes, setting at 6:34. The Moon, 1 day before full, will set at 6:59 tomorrow morning.
Lets take a look at the bright planets for this week. Brilliant Venus is in the west by 7:30 p.m. It will set at 9:13 p.m. It’s separating from Mars which appears below and right of it. The Red Planet will set tonight at 8:47 p.m. Jupiter will appear In the southeastern sky in the evening. It will be up just about all night, and will set at 6:16 a.m. It’s near the sickle-shaped head of Leo the lion, and it’s the brightest star-like object in the sky. In telescopes tonight the moon Io will be behind Jupiter and will pop into sunlight a bit away from the planet at 9:39 p.m. Tomorrow night the 5th the moon Europa will duck behind Jupiter at 8:48 p.m. After that only 3 of the moons will be visible, until 12:57 a.m. when Europa will appear on the other side.* Early risers will be able to spot Saturn which will rise in the east-southeast at 1:25 a.m. It’s in the south at 6 a.m.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
* Due to a date mix up the radio program may be incorrect. The occultation of Europa on the 5th being set on the 4th. The Io occultation is since added.
Addendum
Venus and Mars in the west at 7:30 p.m. on March 4, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter, the full Moon and the winter stars at 9 p.m. on March 4, 2014. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and moons at 9:39 p.m., when Io leaves Jupiter’s shadow on March 4, 2015. Created using Cartes du Ceil (Sky Charts).
The nearly full moon at 9 p.m. on March 4, 2015. Created using Virtual Moon Atlas.
Looking south toward Saturn along with the summer stars and the setting Moon in the west at 6 a.m. March 5, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
What Saturn and its moons might appear like in a telescope at 6 a.m., March 5, 2015. Small telescopes will show only the moon Titan. Created using Cartes du Ceil (Sky Charts).
02/25/2015 – Ephemeris – It’s planet day on Ephemeris
Ephemeris for Wednesday, February 25th. The sun will rise at 7:27. It’ll be up for 10 hours and 57 minutes, setting at 6:24. The moon, at first quarter today, will set at 2:28 tomorrow morning.
Lets take a look at the bright planets and a fading binocular comet for this week. Brilliant Venus is in the west-southwest by 7 p.m. It will set at 8:55 p.m. It’s separating from Mars which appears below and right of it. The Red Planet will set tonight at 8:46 p.m. Jupiter will appear In the southeastern sky in the evening. It will be up just about all night, and will set at 6:44 a.m. It’s near the sickle-shaped head of Leo the lion, and it’s the brightest star-like object in the sky. Early risers will be able to spot Saturn which will rise in the east-southeast at 1:48 a.m. It’s in the south at 6 a.m. Comet Lovejoy, visible in binoculars, is about half way from the star at the end of Andromeda, called Almaak and the “W” of Cassiopeia.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Venus and Mars low in the west after sunset. This is 7 p.m., February 25, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter with the first quarter moon and the winter stars at 9 p.m., February 25, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
Closeup of the Moon and Aldebaran at 9 p.m. on February 25, 2015. They appeared their closest at 6 p.m. They might be glimpsed with binoculars or a small telescope at that time.
Jupiter and it’s moons at 9 p.m. February 25, 2015. Note that at this time the Great Red Spot is on the face if Jupiter. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Looking southward at Saturn and a preview of the summer constellations at 6 a.m. February 26, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
What Saturn and its moons might appear like in a telescope at 6 a.m., February 26, 2015. Small telescopes will show only the moon Titan. Created using Cartes du Ceil (Sky Charts).
The track of Comet 2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) from 2/25/15 to 03/03/15 which will appear high in the west at 9 p.m. The comet is approaching Cassiopeia. The comet is dropping below binocular visibility, so this is the last time I will cover it on this blog. Created using Cartes du Ceil (Sky Charts).
02/18/2015 – Ephemeris – Wednesday is bright planet day (or night) on Ephemeris
Ephemeris for Ash Wednesday, Wednesday, February 18th. The sun will rise at 7:38. It’ll be up for 10 hours and 36 minutes, setting at 6:15. The moon is new today, and won’t be visible.
Lets take a look at the bright planets and a fading binocular comet for this week. Brilliant Venus is in the west-southwest by 7 p.m. It will set at 8:37 p.m. It’s nearing Mars which appears above and left of it. They will be at their closest on the 22nd. The Red Planet will set tonight at 8:45 p.m. Jupiter will appear In the southeastern sky in the evening. It will be up all night, and will set at 7:14 a.m. It’s near the sickle-shaped head of Leo the lion, and it’s the brightest star-like object in the sky. Early risers will be able to spot Saturn which will rise in the east-southeast at 2:15 a.m. Comet Lovejoy, visible in binoculars, is about half way from the star at the end of Andromeda, called Almaak and the “W” of Cassiopeia.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Venus and Mars low in the west after sunset. This is 7 p.m., February 18, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
Venus, Mars and the moon on Friday night at 7 p.m. (2/20/15). Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter with the winter constellations at 9 p.m., February 18, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and it’s moons at 9 p.m. February 18, 2015. Note that at this time the Great Red Spot is on the face if Jupiter. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
The track of Comet 2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) from 2/18/15 to 02/24/15 which will appear high in the west at 9 p.m. On the 20th the comet will pass near M76, a 10th magnitude planetary nebula. It will be much dimmer than the comet. Created using Cartes du Ceil (Sky Charts).
Looking southward at 6 a.m. February 19, 2015 to a preview of the constellations of summer with Saturn in the south and Jupiter setting in the west. Click to enlarge.
What Saturn and its moons might appear like in a telescope at 6 a.m., February 19, 2015. Small telescopes will show only the moon Titan. Created using Cartes du Ceil (Sky Charts).
02/11/2015 – Ephemeris – Wednesday is bright planet day around here
Ephemeris for Wednesday, February 11th. The sun will rise at 7:49. It’ll be up for 10 hours and 16 minutes, setting at 6:05. The moon, at last quarter today, will rise at 1:52 tomorrow morning.
Lets take a look at the bright planets and a binocular comet for this week. Brilliant Venus is in the west-southwest by 7 p.m. It will set at 8:19 p.m. Mars appears above and left of Venus in the southwest. Venus is approaching Mars and they will be at their closest on the 22nd. The Red Planet will set tonight at 8:44 p.m. Jupiter will appear In the southeastern sky in the evening. It will be up all night, and will set just before sunrise. It’s near the sickle-shaped head of Leo the lion, and it’s the brightest star-like object in the sky. Early risers will be able to spot Saturn which will rise in the east-southeast at 2:41a.m. Comet Lovejoy, visible in binoculars, is about the width of a binocular field to the right of the star at the end of Andromeda, called Almaak.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Venus and Mars low in the west at 7 p.m. on February 11, 2015. The crescent moon will be seen with the two planets on the evening of the 20th, and they will be in conjunction on the 22nd. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and the bright winter stars at 9 p.m. on February 11, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and its moons as they might appear in a telescope tonight. Created using Cartes du Ceil (Sky Charts).
The Moon will appear near Saturn at 6 a.m. February 12, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
The Moon as it might appear in binoculars at 6 a.m. on February 12, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
What Saturn and its moons might appear like in a telescope at 6 a.m., February 12, 2015. Small telescopes will show only the moon Titan. Created using Cartes du Ceil (Sky Charts).
The track of Comet 2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) from 2/11/15 to 02/17/15 which will appear high in the west at 9 p.m. Toward the end of the period the comet will pass near M76, a 10th magnitude planetary nebula. It will be much dimmer than the comet. Created using Cartes du Ceil (Sky Charts).
02/04/2015 – Ephemeris – We have 4 bright planets and a fading comet
Ephemeris for Wednesday, February 4th. The sun will rise at 7:58. It’ll be up for 9 hours and 56 minutes, setting at 5:55. The moon, 1 day past full, will rise at 6:59 this evening.
Lets take a look at the bright planets and a reasonably bright comet for this week. Brilliant Venus is in the west-southwest by 6:30 p.m. It will set at 8 p.m. Mars appears above and left of Venus in the southwest. Both of them are in the constellation of Aquarius. The Red Planet will set tonight at 8:43 p.m. Jupiter, 2 days from being in opposition from the sun, and opposite the sun in the sky, when it will be rising at sunset and setting at sunrise will rise tonight in the east at 5:49 p.m. It’s near the sickle-shaped head of Leo the lion. It will be seen above the Moon at 9 p.m. Early risers will be able to spot Saturn which will rise in the east-southeast at 3:06 a.m. Comet Lovejoy, visible in binoculars, is near the star at the end of Andromeda, called Almaak.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Evening
Venus and Mars low in the west with the setting autumn constellations and a few northern summer stars at 7 p.m. on February 4, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter the Moon and the bright winter stars at 8 p.m. on February 4, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and its Galilean moons as they might appear in a telescope. Created using Cartes du Ceil (Sky Charts).
The Moon as it might appear in binoculars at 8 p.m. on February 4, 2015. Created using Cartes du Ceil (Sky Charts).
The track of Comet 2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) from 2/04/15 to 02/10/15 which will appear high in the west at 9 p.m. Created using Cartes du Ceil (Sky Charts).
Morning
Saturn will appear above the red giant star Antares at 6 a.m. February 5, 2015. At this time Jupiter and the Moon will appear above the western horizon. Created using Cartes du Ceil (Sky Charts).
What Saturn and its moons might appear like in a telescope at 6 a.m., February 5, 2015. Small telescopes will show only the moon Titan. Created using Cartes du Ceil (Sky Charts).
01/28/2015 – Ephemeris – Wednesday is bright planet and comet day on Ephemeris
Ephemeris for Wednesday, January 28th. The sun will rise at 8:06. It’ll be up for 9 hours and 39 minutes, setting at 5:45. The moon, 2 days past first quarter, will set at 3:37 tomorrow morning.
Lets take a look at the bright planets and a pretty bright comet for this week. Venus is in the west-southwest by 6:30 p.m. It will set at 7:41. Mercury is now too close to the direction of the sun to be seen. Mars appears above and left of Venus in the southwest, and is in the constellation of Aquarius. The Red Planet will set tonight at 8:42 p.m. Jupiter, 9 days from being in opposition from the sun, and opposite the sun in the sky, when it will be rising at sunset and setting at sunrise will rise tonight in the east at 6:27 p.m. It’s near the sickle-shaped head of Leo the lion. Early risers will be able to spot Saturn which will rise in the east-southeast at 3:32 a.m. Comet Lovejoy, visible in binoculars, is near the short end of the constellation of Triangulum.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Venus and Mars with the setting autumn constellations at 7 p.m. January 28, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter, the Moon and the constellations of winter at 9 p.m. January 28, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
What the moon might look like in binoculars at 9 p.m. January 28, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
What Jupiter and its moons might appear like in a telescope at 9 p.m., January 28, 2015. Created using Cartes du Ceil (Sky Charts).
Saturn and a preview of the summer constellations at 6:30 a.m. January 29, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
What Saturn and its moons might appear like in a telescope at 6:30 a.m., January 29, 2015. Small telescopes will show only the moon Titan. Created using Cartes du Ceil (Sky Charts).
Comet Lovejoy
The track of Comet Lovejoy for the next week (from 1/28/2015 to 2/03/2015 at 9 p.m.) Created using Cartes du Ceil (Sky Charts).
There are some fuzzy objects in this part of the sky. However only M31, the Great Andromeda Galaxy, is bright enough to be mistaken for the comet. Next Tuesday and Wednesday the comet will appear close to Almaak (γ Andromedae), a 2nd magnitude star. Note: six of the seven Big Dipper stars are 2nd magnitude.
01/21/2015 – Ephemeris – Our weekly look at the bright planets and a comet
Ephemeris for Wednesday, January 21st. The sun will rise at 8:12. It’ll be up for 9 hours and 23 minutes, setting at 5:35. The moon, 1 day past new, will set at 7:29 this evening.
Lets take a look at the bright planets and a pretty bright comet for this week. Venus and Mercury are close low in the southwest by 6:30 p.m.. Mercury is about 8 moon widths at about 4 o’clock angle from the brighter Venus. Tonight the Noon will be above and between them. Mercury will set at 6:59, while Venus will set at 7:22 p.m. Mars appear above and left of Venus in the southwest, and is in the constellation of Aquarius. The Red Planet will set tonight at 8:41 p.m. Jupiter will rise in the east at 6:59 p.m. It’s near the sickle-shaped head of Leo the lion. Early risers will be able to spot Saturn which will rise in the east-southeast at 3:57 a.m. Comet Lovejoy, visible in binoculars, is a bit more than the width of a fist to the right of the Pleiades.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Venus, Mercury and the crescent Moon, which will be a lot dimmer than seen here, with Mars at 6:30 p.m. January 21, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
One day old Moon at 6:30 p.m., January 21, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and the winter constellations at 9 p.m., January 21, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and 4 Galilean moons through a telescope. The moon’s aren’t really that bright compared to Jupiter. The time for this observation will be 9 p.m. January 21, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
The track of Comet Lovejoy for the next week (from 1/21/2015 to 1/27/2015 at 9 p.m.) Created using Cartes du Ceil (Sky Charts).
What we need in the depths of winter, a preview of the summer stars, 5 months hence, but at 7 a.m. January 22, 2015. Saturn is visible in Scorpius. Created using Stellarium.
Saturn and its moons at 7 a.m., January 22, 2015. Actually only Titan would be visible in small telescopes. Created using Stellarium.
01/14/2015 – Ephemeris – Five bright planets and Comet Lovejoy are visible now
Ephemeris for Wednesday, January 14th. The sun will rise at 8:17. It’ll be up for 9 hours and 9 minutes, setting at 5:26. The moon, 1 day past last quarter, will rise at 3:05 tomorrow morning.
Lets take a look at the bright planets and a pretty bright comet for this week. Venus and Mercury are side by side low in the southwest by 6 p.m. Mercury is about 2 and a half moon widths to the right of the much brighter Venus. Mercury will set at 7:02, while Venus will set at 7:03 p.m. Mars is low in the southwest at 7 p.m. and is in the constellation of Aquarius. The Red Planet will set tonight at 8:39 p.m. Jupiter will rise in the east at 7:31 p.m. It’s near the sickle shaped head of Leo the lion. Early risers will be able to spot Saturn which will rise in the east-southeast at 4:21 a.m. Comet Lovejoy, visible in binoculars, makes an equilateral triangle with the V shaped head of Taurus and the Pleiades, to the right of both.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Venus, Mercury and Mars at 6:15 p.m. on January 14, 2015. Note that Mercury is getting dimmer, and Venus is overtaking Mars which is a bit more than a month away. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and the winter constellations at 9 p.m. on January 14, 2015. Comet Lovejoy is not shown. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and it’s Galilean satellites as seen in a telescope at 9 p.m. on January 14, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
Saturn and the Moon at 7 a.m., January 15, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
The Moon as it would be seen in binoculars at 7 a.m., January 15, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
Saturn as seen with a telescope at 7 a.m., January 15, 2015. Titan is visible in most small telescopes. Created using Stellarium.
Comet Lovejoy
We finally had a clear night. Comet Lovejoy was not visible to me to the naked eye last night. But I thing an observer far from city lights and perfectly dark adapted might be able to spot it. It was a great sight in 10X50 binoculars. it was a bright featureless round blob of light. I couldn’t spot a tail, which I expected. My friend Scott Anttila, an excellent astrophotographer unfortunately has moved down to the Detroit area and is hindered by the lights down there. However he was able to get this image of the comet sans tail. But the green color of the come shows wonderfully. Unfortunately our eyes don’t register color at low light levels.
Scott Anttila’s photo of Comet Lovejoy from the light polluted skies of the Detroit area.
The track of Comet Lovejoy for the next week (from 1/14/2015 to 1/20/2015 at 9 p.m.) Created using Cartes du Ceil (Sky Charts).
01/07/2015 – Ephemeris – Lets take our first looks at the bright planets and a pretty bright comet
Ephemeris for Wednesday, January 7th. The sun will rise at 8:19. It’ll be up for 8 hours and 59 minutes, setting at 5:18. The moon, 3 days past full, will rise at 8:10 this evening.
Lets take our first look at the bright planets for 2015. Mercury is visible below right of Venus by about 2 moon widths low in the southwest shortly after sunset. On Saturday Mercury will be its closest to Venus. Mercury will set at 6:38, while Venus will set at 6:44 p.m. They will be visible low in the southwestern twilight by 6 p.m. Mars is low in the southwest at 7 p.m. and is in the constellation of Capricornus and will cross the boundary into Aquarius tomorrow. The Red Planet will set tonight at 8:37 p.m. Jupiter will rise in the east at 8:02 p.m. It’s near the sickle-shaped head of Leo the lion. Early risers will be able to spot Saturn which will rise in the east-southeast at 4:46 a.m. On the 18th it will cross the border from Libra to Scorpius.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Animation of the Quasi-conjunction of Venus and Mercury. Time span 1/05/2015 to 1/15/2015 at 7 p.m. Created by Bob Moler using Stellarium and GIMP.
Note that Mercury gets dimmer as the days go by. This is because its phase moves from gibbous to half illuminated on the 14th at its greatest elongation from the Sun.
Mars and the setting constellations, with constellation boundaries in red. at 7 p.m. on January 7, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter, the Moon and the winter constellations at 10 p.m. on January 7, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
The Moon as seen through binoculars at 10 p.m. on January 7, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and its satellites as seen through a telescope at 10 p.m. on January 7, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
Saturn and the spring constellations at 7 p.m. on January 8, 2015. Created using Stellarium.
Saturn and satellites through a telescope at 7 a.m. January 8, 2015. Note that the moons other than Titan will be difficult to spot. Created using Stellarium.
Comet C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy)
Comet Lovejoy track for January 7 to January 13, 2015. Despite the magnitudes being less than 6, binoculars will, most likely, be needed to spot it. Every other day is marked with month-day and magnitude of the comet.
