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08/04/2021 – Ephemeris – Let’s search for the naked-eye planets for this week
This is Bob Moler with Ephemeris for Wednesday, August 4th. Today the Sun will be up for 14 hours and 31 minutes, setting at 9:04, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:33. The Moon, halfway from last quarter to new, will rise at 3:16 tomorrow morning.
Let’s search for the naked-eye planets for this week. Venus can be spotted low in the western twilight by 9:45 pm. It will set at 10:29 pm. Venus will be spending the rest of summer low in the western sky, and not be as conspicuous as it usually is as the Evening Star. Mars is to faint and close to the Sun to be seen from northern latitudes. Saturn, now officially an evening planet, rises before sunset. It will be seen low in the southeast in the evening. Brighter Jupiter will rise at 9:38 pm in the east-southeast and will be seen thereafter trailing Saturn to it’s left or east. Jupiter will join Saturn as an evening planet on the 19th when it too reaches opposition from the Sun.
The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (EDT, UT – 4 hr). They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Venus in evening twilight at 9:45 pm, or about 40 minutes after sunset tonight, August 4, 2021. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn in the Southeastern sky at 10;30 pm tonight, August 4, 2021. Created using Stellarium.
The waning crescent Moon as it might be seen in binoculars tomorrow morning at 6 am, about an half an hour before sunrise. Created using Stellarium.
Telescopic view of the bright planets (north up) as they would be seen in a small telescope, with the same magnification, this evening, August 4, 2021. Apparent diameters: Venus, 12.93″; Saturn 18.60″, its rings 43.32″; Jupiter, 48.71″. The ” symbol means seconds of arc (1/3600th of a degree.) Click on the image to enlarge it. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).
Note on Jupiter and its moons. The Great Red Spot will be visible on the face of Jupiter. Europa will end its transit of the planet around 11:00 pm (03:00 UT on the 5th) Io will be occulted by Jupiter (behind the planet) in the early evening until about 11:27 pm (03:27 UT on the 5th) and will appear to the east of the planet.
Planets and the Moon at sunset and sunrise of a single night, starting with sunset on the right on August 4, 2021. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 5th. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
07/28/2021 – Ephemeris – Searching for the naked-eye planets on the last Wednesday in July
This is Ephemeris for Wednesday, July 28th. Today the Sun will be up for 14 hours and 48 minutes, setting at 9:13, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:25. The Moon, 3 days before last quarter, will rise at 11:58 this evening.
Let’s search for the naked-eye planets for this week. Venus can be spotted low in the west-northwest twilight by 9:45 pm. It will set at 10:39 pm. Venus will be spending the rest of summer low in the western sky, and not be as conspicuous as it usually is as the Evening Star. Mars, I believe, is too faint and close to the Sun to be seen from northern latitudes. Saturn will be seen low in the southeast in the evening, with Jupiter rising later. Saturn, 5 days from opposition, that is being opposite the Sun in the sky and closest to Earth, will rise at 9:21 pm. Brighter Jupiter will rise at 10:12 pm, both planets will rise in the east-southeast. By 5:30 am, these two planets will be in the southwestern sky in the morning twilight.
The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (EDT, UT – 4 hr). They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Venus in evening twilight in the west at 10 pm, July 28, 2021. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn low in the southeast at 11 pm. Created using Stellarium.
The waning gibbous Moon as it might be seen in binoculars or small telescope at 5:30 am, July 29, 2021. Created using Stellarium.
Telescopic view of the bright planets (north up) as they would be seen in a small telescope, with the same magnification, this evening, July 28, 2021. Apparent diameters: Venus, 12.58″; Saturn 18.59″, its rings 43.31″; Jupiter, 48.28″. The ” symbol means seconds of arc (1/3600th of a degree.) Click on the image to enlarge it. 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 July 28, 2021. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 29th. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
07/14/2021 – Ephemeris – It’s Wednesday, do you know where your naked-eye planets are?
This is Bob Moler with Ephemeris for Wednesday, July 14th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 15 minutes, setting at 9:26, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:11. The Moon, 3 days before first quarter, will set at 12:23 tomorrow morning.
Let’s search for the naked-eye planets for this week. Venus can be spotted low in the west-northwest twilight by 10 pm or a little after. It will set at 10:57 pm. Venus will be spending the rest of summer low in the western sky, and not be as conspicuous as it usually is as the Evening Star. Mars’ visibility is a real problem. It will be to the right and a bit below Venus in the evening, and will set at 10:52 pm. It’s much dimmer than Venus, so I doubt anyone at our northern latitude could spot it. Saturn and Jupiter, are seen starting very late in the evening and best in the morning sky. Saturn will rise at 10:18 pm. Brighter Jupiter will rise at 11:09 pm, both in the east-southeast. By 5 am, these two planets will be in the southern sky in the morning twilight.
The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (EDT, UT – 4 hr). They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Venus, Mars and the Moon in evening twilight at 10:15 pm, about 50 minutes after sunset on July 14, 2021. Created using Stellarium.
The Moon as it might appear in binoculars or small telescope this evening, July 14, 2021. Created using Stellarium.
Saturn, rising in the southeast at 11 pm, about an hour and a half after sunset tonight, July 14, 2021. Astronomical twilight here has not yet ended. The Teapot asterism of Sagittarius is seen in the south-southeast. Scorpius’ tail, not shown, is scraping the horizon in the south. Saturn is in Capricornus, with two of its stars visible above it. Click on the image to enlarge it. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn at 5 am tomorrow morning. Click on the image to enlarge it. Created using Stellarium.
The planets as seen in a telescope (north up) with the same magnification for the night of July 14/15, 2021. Times of the display are: Venus, 10:30 pm; Saturn and Jupiter, 5 am. Apparent diameters: Venus, 11.77″; Saturn 18.50″, its rings 43.09″; Jupiter, 46.99″. Mars has an apparent diameter of only 3.75″ and is not represented. The ” symbol means seconds of arc (1/3600th of a degree.) Click on the image to enlarge it. 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 July 14, 2021. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 15th. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
07/07/2021 – Ephemeris – Let’s search for the naked-eye planets for this week
This is Ephemeris for Wednesday, July 7th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 24 minutes, setting at 9:30, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:05. The Moon, 2 days before new, will rise at 4:36 tomorrow morning.
Let’s search for the naked-eye planets for this week. Venus can be spotted low in the west-northwest twilight by 10 pm or a little after. It will set at 11:03 pm. Venus will be spending the rest of summer low in the western sky, and not be as conspicuous as it usually is as the Evening Star. Mars’ visibility is getting to be a real problem. It can be found to the left and a bit above Venus at 10:30 pm, and will set at 11:06 pm. Saturn and Jupiter, are seen best in the morning sky. Saturn will rise before midnight at 10:47 pm. It’s seen with the stars of Capricornus. Brighter Jupiter, to the left of Saturn, will rise at 11:34 pm. By 5 am, these two planets will be in the southern sky in the morning twilight.
The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (EDT, UT-4 hr). They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Venus and Mars in the evening twilight at 10:30 pm tonight, July 7, 2021. I’m not promising that Mars will be visible, since it’s now down to second magnitude. Created using Stellarium.
Saturn finder animation for 11:30 pm tonight, July 7, 2021. Click on the image to enlarge it. Created using Stellarium and GIMP.
Jupiter and Saturn at 5 am tomorrow morning, July 8, 2021. Created using Stellarium.
Mercury and the Moon at 5:15 am tomorrow morning, July 8, 2021. Created using Stellarium.
The planets as seen in a telescope (north up) with the same magnification for the night of July 7/8, 2021. Times of the display are: Venus, 10:30 pm; Saturn and Jupiter, 5 am. Apparent diameters: Venus, 11.46″; Saturn 18.41″, its rings 42.88″; Jupiter, 46.18″. Mars has an apparent diameter of only 3.80″, and Mercury of 7.32 and are not represented. The ” symbol means seconds of arc (1/3600th of a degree.) Click on the image to enlarge it. 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 July 7, 2021. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 8th. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
06/30/2021 – Ephemeris – Let’s search for the naked-eye planets for this week
This is Ephemeris for Wednesday, June 30th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 31 minutes, setting at 9:32, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:01. The Moon, 1 day before last quarter, will rise at 1:35 tomorrow morning.
Let’s search for the naked-eye planets for this week. Venus can be spotted low in the west-northwest twilight by 10 pm or a little after. It will set at 11:06 pm. Venus will be spending the rest of summer low in the western sky for the rest of summer, and not be a conspicuous as it usually is. Mars can be found in the west-northwest at 11pm. It’s in Cancer and will set at 11:25 pm as it is slowly losing its race with the Sun. Saturn and Jupiter, are seen best in the morning sky. Saturn will rise before midnight at 11:15 pm. It’s seen with the stars of Capricornus. Brighter Jupiter, to the left of Saturn, will rise at 12:06 am. By 5 am, these two planets will be in the south in the morning twilight.
The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (EDT, UT-4). They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Venus in evening twilight at 10:30, about an hour after sunset. Mars is in the picture, but the twilight is overpowering it. Created using Stellarium.
Mars with Venus setting at 11 pm, an hour and a half after sunset. Also, visible may be the bright star Regulus in the constellation of Leo the lion with the asterism of the Sickle or backwards question mark that delineate the head and mane of the beast. Created using Stellarium.
Saturn, Jupiter and the Moon in morning twilight of 5 am, about an hour before sunrise. Created using Stellarium.
The Moon at last quarter as it might be seen in binoculars or small telescope at 5 am, July 1, 2021. Created using Stellarium.
The planets as seen in a telescope (north up) with the same magnification for the night of June 30/July 1, 2021. Times of the display are: Venus, 10:30 pm; Saturn and Jupiter, 5 am. Apparent diameters: Venus, 11.19″; Saturn 18.29″, its rings 42.62″; Jupiter, 45.30″. Mars has an apparent diameter of only 3.86″ and is not represented. The ” symbol means seconds of arc (1/3600th of a degree.) Click on the image to enlarge it. 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 30, 2021. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the July 1st. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
06/23/2021 – Ephemeris – Let’s search for the naked-eye planets for this week
This is Bob Moler with Ephemeris for Wednesday, June 23rd. 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 full, will set at 5:30 tomorrow morning.
Let’s search for the naked-eye planets for this week. Venus can be spotted low in the west-northwest twilight by 10 pm or a little after. Venus will set at 11:07 pm. Mars can be found in the west-northwest at 11pm, It’s in Cancer and is currently passing in front of the Beehive star cluster which can be spotted in a pair of binoculars. Mars will set at 11:38 pm as it is slowing losing its race with the Sun. Saturn and Jupiter, are in the morning sky. Saturn will actually rise before midnight at 11:44 pm. It’s seen with the stars of Capricornus. Brighter Jupiter, to the left of Saturn, will rise at 12:34 am. By 5 am, these two planets will be in the south and south-southeast in the morning twilight.
The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (EDT, UT-4). They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Venus and Mars in Evening twilight, seen at 10:30 pm, about an hour after sunset. Venus is about 5 1/2 degrees in altitude above a sea or lake horizon. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
The Moon tonight at 10:30 pm, approximately 16 hours before actual full moon. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter, Saturn and the Moon tomorrow morning at 5 am, about an hour before sunrise. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
The planets as seen in a telescope (north up) with the same magnification for the night of June 23/24, 2021. Times of the display are: Venus, 10:30 pm; Saturn and Jupiter, 5 am. Apparent diameters: Venus, 10.94″; Saturn 18.16″, its rings 42.29″; Jupiter, 44.38″. Mars has an apparent diameter of only 3.91″ and is not represented. The ” symbol means seconds of arc (1/3600th of a degree.) 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 23, 2021. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 24th. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
06/16/2021 – Ephemeris – Let’s search for the naked-eye planets for this week
This is Bob Moler with Ephemeris for Wednesday, June 16th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 34 minutes, setting at 9:30, and it will rise tomorrow at 5:56. The Moon, 1 day before first quarter, will set at 1:55 tomorrow morning.
Let’s search for the naked-eye planets for this week. Venus can be spotted low in the west-northwest twilight by 10 pm or a little after. Venus will set at 11:04 pm. Mars can be found in the west-northwest at 10:30 tonight, It’s in Cancer and by next Wednesday will pass in front of the Beehive star cluster which can be easily seen in a pair of binoculars. Check it out each night before then and watch Mars approach the cluster, now to its upper left. Mars will set at 11:55 pm. Jupiter and Saturn, are in the morning sky. Saturn will rise at 12:12 am. It’s seen with the stars of Capricornus. Brighter Jupiter, to the left of Saturn, will rise at 1:01 am. By 5 am, these two planets will be in the south-southeast in the morning twilight.
The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Venus in evening twilight at 10 pm or a half hour after sunset tonight over a sea or Lake Michigan horizon. Venus is a bit less than 10 degrees altitude. Created using Stellarium.
The Moon, Mars and Venus at 11 pm or an hour and a half after sunset tonight over a sea or Lake Michigan horizon. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
Mars and the Beehive star cluster at 11 pm tonight as they might be seen in binoculars. Created using Stellarium.
The Moon as it might appear tonight in binoculars or small telescope tonight. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn at 5 am or an hour before sunrise tomorrow morning. Created using Stellarium.
Telescopic views of Venus, Saturn and Jupiter. Venus at the same magnification. Venus, seen at 10 pm, will be 10.72″ in diameter. Saturn at 5 am will be 18.00″ in diameter, its rings 44.43″ in extent. And Jupiter will be 43.43″. The normal cutoff for whether to show a planet here is an apparent diameter of 10″ or greater. Mars doesn’t make the cut, its apparent diameter will be 3.98″ tonight. The ” symbol means seconds of arc (1/3600th of a degree). 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 16, 2021. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 17th. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
06/10/2021 – Ephemeris – Let’s take a belated search for the naked-eye planets for this week
This is Ephemeris for Thursday, 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 is new today, and won’t be visible.
Let’s take a belated look at the naked-eye planets for this week. Venus can be spotted low in the west-northwest twilight by 10 pm or a little after. Venus will set at 10:58 pm. Mars can be found in the west at 10:30 tonight, and about to leave the constellation of Gemini, the twins. Tonight it’s below and left of Gemini’s brightest star, Pollux. Mars will set at 12:10 am. Jupiter and Saturn, are in the morning sky. Saturn will rise at 12:40 am. It’s seen with the stars of Capricornus. It has begun its retrograde or westward motion caused by the fact that we are viewing it from another moving planet. Brighter Jupiter, is now in Aquarius, and will rise at 1:28 am. By 5 am, these two planets will be in the south-southeast in the morning twilight.
The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Venus in the evening twilight at 10 pm or a half hour after sunset tonight, June 10, 2021. Created using Stellarium.
Mars in the evening with Castor and Pollux at 11 pm or about an hour and a half after sunset. Created using Stellarium.
Jupiter and Saturn at 5 am, one hour before sunrise. Created using Stellarium.
Saturn and Jupiter as seen in a small telescope at the same magnification at 5 am June 11, 2021. Apparent diameters: Saturn, 17.85″, rings, 41.58″; Jupiter, 42.60″. Mars is too far away to make out detail on its surface, except maybe a polar cap. Its apparent diameter is 4.04″. Venus’ apparent diameter is 10.55″ and will be added when it gets far enough from the Sun to be easily seen. The normal cutoff for whether to show a planet here is an apparent diameter of 10″ or greater. The ” symbol means seconds of arc (1/3600th of a degree). Note that Io is transiting the face of Jupiter. It would normally not be visible, but its shadow on Jupiter might be. 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 10, 2021. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 11th. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
06/02/2021 – Ephemeris – Let’s look for the naked-eye planets for this week
This is Bob Moler with Ephemeris for Wednesday, June 2nd. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 22 minutes, setting at 9:22, and it will rise tomorrow at 5:59. The Moon, at last quarter today, will rise at 3:10 tomorrow morning.
Let’s look for the naked-eye planets for this week. Venus can be spotted low in the west-northwest twilight by 10 pm. Venus will set at 10:49 pm. Mars can be found in the west at 10:30 tonight, and about to leave the constellation of Gemini, the twins. Tonight it’s below and left of Gemini’s brightest star, Pollux. Mars will set at 12:34 am. Jupiter and Saturn, are in the morning sky. Saturn will rise at 1:08 am. It’s seen with the stars of Capricornus. It has begun its retrograde or westward motion caused by the fact that we are viewing it from another moving planet. Brighter Jupiter, is now within the boundaries of Aquarius, and will rise at 1:55 am. By 5 am these two planets will be in the south-southeast in the morning twilight.
The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Venus on a flat lake horizon at 10 pm (38 minutes after sunset), June 2, 2021. Created using Stellarium.
Mars finder chart for 11 pm, June 2, 2021. Created using Stellarium.
Saturn Jupiter and the crescent Moon at 5 am, about an hour before sunrise. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.
The waning crescent Moon as it should appear in binoculars, tomorrow morning at 5 am, June 3, 2021.
Saturn and Jupiter as seen in a small telescope at the same magnification at 5 am June 3, 2021. Apparent diameters: Saturn, 17.64″, rings, 41.09″; Jupiter, 41.51″. Mars is too far away to make out detail on its surface, except maybe a polar cap. Its apparent diameter is 4.13″. Venus’ apparent diameter is 10.35″ and will be added when it gets far enough from the Sun to be easily seen. The normal cutoff for whether to show a planet here is an apparent diameter of 10″ or greater. The symbol means seconds of arc (1/3600th of a degree). 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 2, 2021. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 3rd. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.
05/26/2021 – Ephemeris – Let’s search for the naked-eye planets for this week
There is a lunar eclipse this morning. See https://bobmoler.wordpress.com/2021/05/25/05-25-2021-ephemeris-viewing-the-lunar-eclipse-tomorrow-morning/
This is Ephemeris for Wednesday, May 26th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 12 minutes, setting at 9:16, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:03. The Moon, at full today, will rise at 9:57 this evening.
Let’s search for the naked-eye planets for this week. Venus might be spotted low in the west-northwest twilight by 10 pm. Mercury will be a bit above and left of Venus, but is now too dim to spot. Venus will set at 10:36 pm. Mars can be found in the west at 10:30 tonight, in the constellation of Gemini the twins. Tonight it’s on the left side of the constellation, below Gemini’s brightest star, Pollux. Mars will set at 12:37 am. Jupiter and Saturn, are in the morning sky. Saturn will rise at 1:36 am. It’s seen with the stars of Capricornus. Brighter Jupiter, now within the boundaries of Aquarius, will rise at 2:21 am. By 5 am they will be in the southeast in the morning twilight.
The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Addendum
Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog 