January 2013 Celestial Highlights

January 2: Earth reaches perihelion, its annual closest distance to the sun: 91.4 million miles.

January 3: 3 a.m. Quadrantid meteor shower. Over 60 meteors per hour emanating from the northeast — but the bright waning gibbous moon washes out the sky drastically reducing the number of meteors seen.

January 7: 5 a.m., Waning crescent Moon below Saturn.

January 10: 6:30 a.m., crescent Moon near Venus

January 21, the bright waxing gibbous Moon directly below Jupiter

January 26, full Moon (11:39 p.m.)

Such is our view from Earth...

The Moon's apparent celestial companion

Tonight, as darkness settles, the bright near full Moon has a companion nearly bumping into it. The Moon happens to be in direct alignment with the largest planet of the solar system, Jupiter. While Jupiter is 40 times wider than the Moon, it is over 1500 times farther away, making it appear as a bright pinpoint next to the glaring Moon.

Such is our view from Earth...

The Full Moon slides under Jupiter

Early this morning, the full Moon sat below bright Jupiter, nearly wiping out the planet in its glare. The image shows a greatly overexposed Moon and nearby Jupiter. (Light saturation and consequent spillage causes the Moon to appear much larger than it actually was.) Three of Jupiter's four Galilean moons can be glimpsed, two on the left of the planet and the third on the right. The order from left to right is Europa, Io, Jupiter, and Callisto. The fourth moon, Ganymede, is lost in the planet's glare and lies to Jupiter's immediate right.

Tonight, the Moon will be to the left of Jupiter.

Such is our view from Earth...

December 2012 Celestial Highlights

December 2012 Celestial Highlights

11/29: Full Moon is just below  Jupiter

12/2, Jupiter is at opposition and shines all night. 

12/4: Mercury reaches its farthest point from the sun in the morning sky. If the skies are clear near the southeastern horizon, the little planet can be glimpsed as a "star." Binoculars will help find it in the bright dawn sky.

12/7: Earliest sunset

12/8, The brightest asteroid,Vesta, is at opposition. Binoculars and a finder chart are needed to find this dim object.

12/9: Moon lies just below the bright star Spica in the constellation Virgo. This is visible in the morning sky.

12/10: Moon is next to Saturn in the morning sky.

12/12: Crescent Moon is next to Mercury very low in the sky at 6:50 a.m. Binoculars may be needed to spot Mercury. 

12/13: Geminid Meteor Shower beginning about 8 p.m. and continuing through dawn on the 14th. No moonlight interferes this year, so, over 60 meteors per hour might be glimpsed from a dark location.

12/15: Crescent Moon glows just above Mars at 6:00 p.m. in the southwest. Because of the Red Planet's dimness in the bright evening twilight, binoculars may be needed to see it.

12/21: 6:12 a.m. EST, Winter solstice. The sun reaches it lowest point along its daily arc across the sky and winter officially begins. The length of time of daylight increases, very slowly at first then faster in February. 

12/26: Moon sits just below Jupiter

12/28: Full moon

Such is our view from Earth...

Venus sinks, Saturn rises

Earlier this week, brilliant Venus passed Saturn in our early morning sky. Now, the Earth-sized planet drops closer to the horizon as the Ringed Planet pulls away higher in the sky. As the mornings pass, Venus approaches closer to the not-yet-risen sun, eventually coming between it and us next year.

Look for Venus and Saturn in the southeast at 6 a.m. all this week.

Such is our view from Earth...

November 2012 Celestial Highlights

Nov. 1: Moon next to Jupiter (occultation in South Africa)

Nov. 4: End of daylight saving time

Nov. 11: Moon close to Venus, in morning sky

Nov. 13: Total eclipse of sun, not visible in Virginia

Nov. 16: Moon close to Mars, low in the southwest 60 minutes after sunset.

Nov. 17: Leonids, no moon visible, after 1 am, maybe 20 per hour. (The numbers seem to be declining over the past few years.)

Nov. 24 — Nov. 29: Brilliant Venus passes Saturn in the morning sky. Venus appears to merge with Saturn on November 26. Best seen at 6 a.m.

October 2012 Celestial Highlights

Celestial Highlights for October:

October 3: 5:30 a.m. in the east, brilliant Venus lies next to the bright star Regulus in Leo.

October 5: after 11 p.m., Moon next to bright Jupiter

October 12: 5:30 a.m. in the east, Crescent Moon near Venus giving a pretty sight.

October 18: 7:30 p.m. in the west, Crescent Moon near Mars and the bright star Antares in Scorpius.

October 21: after 11 p.m. in the east, Orionid Meteor Shower. Up to 25 meteors per hour. No moon interferes this year.

This is the best time of year for stargazing, weatherwise. The softly glowing band of the Milky Way arcs overhead as darkness falls. 

Such is our view from Earth...

Mars Enters Libra

Mars marches across the sky past stars and other planets. All throughout August, Mars approached, passed, and receded from Saturn. Now, the Red Planet approaches the wide double star Zubenelgenubi in Libra. On September 15, it will lie right below the star, whose double nature is easily apparent through binoculars. Look for the continuing Mars scenes at 8:30 p.m. in the west-southwest.

The first image shows the general area of the sky with Mars glowing to the lower right and Zubenelgenubi just to its upper left. Scorpius with its bright star Antares sits to their far left. The moderately bright star in the upper right corner is another Zuben: Zubeneschamali.

The second image shows Mars and Zubenelgenubi. The two stellar components are apparent when the image is enlarged slightly. They are to Mars' upper left. 

 Such is our view from Earth...

2012 September Celestial Highlights

Celestial Highlights for September

Sept. 6: Venus in a line with Pollux and Castor

Sept. 8: Moon near Jupiter

Sept. 12: Moon near Venus

Sept. 13: Venus near Beehive, look at 5 a.m. to the east.

Sept. 15: Mars near the double star Zubenelgenubi. Binoculars will reveal the star's two components.

Sept. 18: Moon near Spica

Sept. 19: Moon near Mars

Sept. 22: 10:47 a.m. Autumnal Equinox. The moon's location on the celestial dome is near the point of the  Winter Solstice.

Sept. 29: 11:17 p.m. EDT, Full Moon, Harvest Moon

Such is our view from Earth...

The Moon joins Mars, Saturn, and Spica

The moon moved into the Saturn, Mars, Spica triangle last night. Tonight, it slides farther east leaving the trio behind. As the night's proceed, Mars also moves eastward, but very slowly, breaking apart the equilateral triangle and forming an isosceles triangle with Saturn and Spica. By the end of August, Mars begins approaching Zubenelgenubi in Libra.

In the photo Saturn is at the top and Spica lies near the bottom, just peeking above the trees. Mars is at the left, and, of course, the moon needs no introduction.

Such is our view from Earth...

Celestial Triple Play

Three bright celestial bodies lined up tonight for a rare triple star. Saturn appeared on top, Mars shone in the middle, and the star Spica twinkled on the bottom. Mars continues its trek eastward forming an attractive equilateral triangle with Saturn and Spica on August 20 and 21. Look to the west at 9:00 p.m. for the changing celestial scene.

Such is our view from Earth...

Mars splits Saturn and Spica

Tonight and tomorrow night Mars moves between Saturn and Spica, ending its two week long approach. After Tuesday, the Red Planet continues moving to the east sliding beyond Saturn and Spica.

Look to the west about 9:15 p.m. to see this.

The photo was taken last night (8/12). Mars (right) is almost forms a straight line with Saturn (top) and Spica (bottom).

Such is our view from Earth...

Mercury and the Moon

Mercury is the most difficult of all the "bright" planets to spot. A good opportunity to identify this little world comes on Wednesday morning, August 15. At 5:45 a.m., look to the east for the thin crescent moon hovering far below brilliant Venus. To the moon's lower left shines an object — Mercury — almost lost in the morning hazy twilight. To the moon's lower right, shines another object, the bright star Procyon, again, almost lost in the twilight. Mercury might appear a little brighter than Procyon.

Bring out the binoculars for an easier, more definitive view.

Such is our view from Earth...

Changing Western Triple Star

Mars, Saturn, and Spica continue to give a show in the early evening western sky. Look for Mars to continue to slide between Saturn and Spica. On Monday and Tuesday nights, the Red Planet positions itself between the Ringed Planet and the true star, Spica.

In the photo, Mars lies on the right and Saturn shines at the upper left. Spica twinkles on the lower left.

Such is our view from Earth...

Look to the sky for Mars and "Curiosity"

Congratulations to NASA for its incredible accomplishment of safely landing the advanced rover, Curiosity, on the surface of Mars! All went as planned.

You can find where Mars — and Curiosity — are located in our early evening sky. Look to the west at 9:15 p.m. for three similarly bright objects. The one on the right is Mars, lying some 155 million miles from us. (Mars is three times the distance from Earth as it was in March. This means it is now nine times dimmer, which is why the planet isn't a "standout" in the darkening sky.) The other two objects are Saturn, on top, and the star Spica, on the bottom left.

Over the next week, Mars creeps towards the gap spanning Saturn and Spica. It slides between them on  August 13 and 14.

Such is our view from Earth...

August 2012 Celestial Events

Mars approaches Saturn and Spica

August 6 through August 21, 9:15 p.m.: Mars, Saturn, and the bright star Spica form a tight group in the west-southwest. They effectively form a bright "triple star." (Remember though that Saturn and Mars aren't really stars.)

• August 6: Mars, Saturn and Spica form an equilateral triangle

• August 13 and 14: Mars splits the gap between Saturn and Spica.

• August 21: Mars, Saturn and Spica form an equilateral triangle. This time, Mars lies to the left of the other two.

August 11, 4:30 a.m.: The crescent moon floats next to Jupiter in the east.

August 12 and 13 before 1:30 a.m.: Perseid Meteor Shower. Emanating in the northeast. Up to 60 meteors per hour but most of them will be dim. After 1:30 a.m., the moon rises spoiling the view.

August 13, 4:30 a.m., The thin crescent moon hovers next to Venus in the east..

August 1 and August 31: Full Moon. The August 31 moon is the "Blue Moon," the second full moon in the month.

Such is our view from Earth...

Creating an unusual, but temporary "Triple Star"

When the sky is clear in the early evening, say at 9:30 p.m., look to the west-southwest for the slowly developing "triple star," composed of the planets Saturn and Mars and the true star Spica. In this photo, Saturn and Spica are the similarly bright objects on the left side with Saturn being above Spica. Mars is to their right and is shining at the same luminosity as both Saturn and Spica. A dimmer star, Porrima, lies to Mars' right.

As the nights progress, Mars moves away from Porrima and towards the space between Saturn and Spica, creating a tighter "triple star."

Such is our view from Earth...

Mars, Saturn, and Spica in the western evening sky

In the photo, Mars lies to the far right, and Saturn, on the left, sits above Spica. Over the next two weeks, Saturn remains about where it is, while Mars heads through the gap between Saturn and Spica. An apparent "triple star" forms as Mars approaches that gap. Look to the west-southwest after 9:30 p.m. to see this celestial scene play out.

Such is our view from Earth...

Tuesday's Celestial Scene

In this shot, Mars is to the far upper left of the glowing moon. (The star to Mars' upper right is Porrima, a moderately bright star in Virgo.) To Mars' upper left lie Saturn and Spica. Saturn is above Spica. The moon will be next to Mars on Tuesday night and to the left of Saturn and Spica on Wednesday night.

Look to the west at 9:30 p.m. to enjoy the view.

Such is our view from Earth...

Mars, Saturn and Spica: A "triple star" begins its formation

Over the next two nights, the crescent moon moves near Mars, Saturn and Spica providing an easy ID of these three similarly bright celestial objects. The moon lies next to Mars on Tuesday night and, on Wednesday night, to the left of Saturn and Spica forming a heavenly triangle. Look to the west around 9:30 a.m. 

The end of July sees Mars creeping closer towards the short gap between Saturn and Spica. Finally, on August 14, the Red Planet slide between them, making an unusual apparent triple star.

Such is our view from Earth...

Catch two planets and two star clusters in the early morning

Early morning risers view a celestial treat over the next week. Since early July Venus and Jupiter have been drifting near the Hyades and Pleiades star clusters. As July advances, they slowly move to the east of these clusters, but over the next few days, Venus, Jupiter and the Pleiades remain in near alignment, creating a very pretty scene at 4:45 a.m.

Venus is the brightest object and Jupiter is the next. Aldebaran, the brightest star in Taurus, lies to Venus' upper right and it is in the Hyades cluster. (The Hyades resembles a "V" on its side.) The Pleiades is above Jupiter about the same distance Jupiter is above Venus.

Such is our view from Earth...

The Crescent Moon Splits Jupiter and Venus

Sunday morning, July 15 head outside to see a very pretty sight. The thin crescent moon lies between bright Jupiter and brilliant Venus low in the southeast. Look about 4:45 a.m. before the brightening dawn dulls the scene. If you have a pair of binoculars, scan the area for the many stars of the Hyades star cluster which lies to the right of Venus.

The moon appears almost magical and certainly inspiring. What a great way to start the day!

Such is our view from Earth...

July 2012 Celestial Highlights

July 1 — July 20, 4:30 a.m.: Bright Jupiter and Brilliant Venus glide among the stars of the Pleiades and Hyades star clusters.

July 4, 11 p.m.: The Earth reaches its farthest point from the sun, 94.5 million miles.

July 14 and 15, 4:30 a.m.: The crescent moon joins Jupiter and Venus. Should be a very dramatic sky sight.

July 24: The crescent moon forms a distorted rectangle with Mars, Saturn, and Spica.

July 25: The moon glows to the left of Spica, forming a right triangle with it and Saturn.

The Milky Way

Scan the Milky Way with binoculars. You will be rewarded with many celestial delights: star clusters, nebulae, and dark fields that are sparse of stars next to fields full of stars.


Such is our view from Earth...

The moon guides you to Saturn

Last night the moon was just to the right of the celestial pair of Saturn and Spica. In the photo, Saturn is to the moon's upper left and Spica is to the moon's left. The moon tonight will be on the opposite side of Spica and Saturn. Look after 9:30 p.m.

A bonus body is Mars which is currently found to the far right of the moon, Spica and Saturn. In the photo it shines to the left of the tall tree. During the next seven weeks, Mars heads towards Saturn and Spica, sliding between them in mid-August.

Such is our view from Earth...

Mercury appears after sunset

Yesterday evening about 9:30, Mercury could be found to the left of the two brightest stars of Gemini, Castor and Pollux. (Pollux is the star closer to Mercury.) All three celestial lights were difficult to spot. Look closely, they were there. They will be there again tonight and the next few nights, with Mercury shining a little higher having broken the straight line it formed with the two stars.

You need clear skies and a clear west-northwestern horizon to see this.

Such is our view from Earth...

Position of Mercury

Over the next week, Mercury presents itself climbing in the west-northwest each night. Look about 9:30 p.m., or slightly before for this little star-like object shining near the true stars of Pollux and Castor in Gemini. By 10 p.m. it will have dropped to low to find. 

On June 21st, Mercury lies half way between the thin crescent moon and Pollux. Two nights later, it forms a straight line with Pollux and Castor. By July 4th, it will be lost from view as it dips quickly towards the sun.

This is tough object to spot, especially in the summer haze. Binoculars are sure to help.

Such is our view from Earth...

The Moon greets Jupiter and Venus

Tomorrow morning about 5 a.m., the thin crescent moon floats to the upper right of Jupiter. The scene may give a magical feel as the moon appears softly glowing with Earthshine, the back reflected sunlight bouncing of the nearly full Earth. Twenty-five minutes later, as the dawn brightens appreciably, Venus shines just above the eastern-northeastern horizon. It sits in our murky atmosphere about the same distance to Jupiter's lower left that the moon lies to Jupiter's upper right.

Twenty-four hours later, the moon slips directly next to Jupiter, providing an easy identification of the giant planet. As the mornings pass, both Jupiter and Venus rise higher and grow brighter becoming the dominant objects in the morning sky.

Such is our view from Earth...

Venus returns, joining Jupiter as "Morning Stars"

The early morning scene will attract skywatchers over the next month. Venus, after crossing the face of the sun during last week's transit, now can be glimpsed peeking above the eastern-northeastern horizon 30 minutes before sunrise. Be aware, though, it is difficult to spot in the bright twilight.  It may be lost in distant tree tops, due to its low elevation. That will change in the next week or so with Venus rising higher and becoming easier to see than Jupiter, which currently lies to Venus' right and much higher.

Such is our view from Earth…

Venus transit aftermath

Two days ago, Venus moved between the Earth and the sun allowing viewers on Earth to see the planet cross the face of the sun. Venus appeared as a jet black round dot about 1/30 of the sun's diameter. A few sunspots were also present at the time. (The accompanying photo also depicts wispy clouds in our atmosphere.) This sight will not be seen again on Earth for over 100 years.

Venus' true diameter is less than 1/100 that of the sun and it is more than three times closer than the sun. These two factors result in Venus appearing to be about 1/30 the diameter of the sun. 

Since Venus is about the same size as our planet, the black dot represents the apparent size of the Earth as viewed from 26 million miles away.

Such is our view from Earth...

Venus transits the sun

Tuesday evening brings a very rare planetary event to Virginia skywatchers. The planet Venus can be seen crossing the face of the sun. This event won't occur again until December 10, 2117, and then it won't be visible in Virginia. Most inferior conjunctions of Venus, those times when Venus passes between the Earth and the sun, occur when that planet passes just above or just below the sun. 

This will certainly be the year's most famous sky event that can't be seen. It can't be seen because, without the proper filters, the sun should never be viewed directly. But it is a curious event nevertheless.

Such is our view from Earth...

June 2012 Celestial Events

June 5: Venus crosses the face of the sun for a very rare transit. This should not be viewed without the proper filter: number 14 welders glass. The next one occurs on December 10, 2117, but it won't be visible from the East Coast of the US.

June 14: Earliest sunrise for observers at 40º N latitude.

June 18, 5:30 a.m.: Thin crescent Moon lies to the lower left of Venus in the east-northeast

June 20, 7:09 p.m.: Summer solstice

June 21, 9:30 p.m.:  Crescent Moon, Mercury, the bright stars Pollux and Castor appear in a row above the west-northwest horizon. 

June 27: Latest sunset for observers at 40º N latitude.

Second half of June: This will be a good time to view Mercury low in the west-northwest at 9:30 p.m. The planet will be to the left of the stars Castor and Pollux. Binoculars will be helpful picking out the little planet in the bright twilight.


Such is our view from Earth...

The Crescent of Venus

Look to the west-northwest at 9 p.m. for a starlike object just above the horizon. That is no star; that is Venus.

At 28 million miles, it is near its closest approach on June 5, and, consequently, Venus shows a relatively large angular size in the sky. Use binoculars to spy its thin crescent phase. If the planet's glare is too great, wear sunglasses. A good digital camera on full zoom should be able to pick up the crescent, as well. In a few days, Venus will be lost in the bright evening twilight, next to be found crossing the solar face on the evening of June 5.

Such is our view from Earth...

A ghostly crescent Moon joins Venus

If you have clear skies, look to the west-northwest tomorrow night (Tuesday) thirty minutes after sunset. The very thin crescent mMon, after having slid across the face of the sun yesterday, hovers above the ridge lines as a ghostly image. Next to it lies bright point of Venus. Use binoculars for an easier, better view.

Such is our view from Earth...

Annular Eclipse? Not for us!

On Sunday May 20, the sun becomes partially eclipsed by the Moon beginning as the sun sets. While the eclipse will be missed completely by Virginia observers, those farther west will see at least some of the event. For observers in parts of northern California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and west Texas, an annular eclipse just might be witnessed. This special type of partial solar eclipse happens when the whole moon crosses directly in front of the sun, which normally gives a total solar eclipse. This time, however, the moon is near apogee, i.e., in its farthest point from the Earth, and therefore, appears smaller in the sky than usual. Since it is smaller, it does't cover the full face of the sun, but leaves a ring of brilliant sunlight streaming around it. This is an "annular eclipse." As with other partial solar eclipses, do not observe it without the proper solar filters!

Such is our view from Earth...

Venus: the beginning of the end

Brilliant Venus is sinking fast in the west-northwest right after sunset. The planet, which has dominated our western sky over the past few months, ends its reign in just a few weeks as it approaches the sun. Since Venus orbits closer to the sun than the Earth, occasionally it moves between the sun and the Earth. This happens on June 5.

Be sure to watch this beacon over the next few weeks as it drops closer to the set sun each evening. Venus' evening reign is ending.

Such is our view from Earth...

May Celestial Events

Celestial Events: May 2012

April 30: Venus at greatest brilliancy. Magnitude -4.5

April 30: First quarter Moon forms a tight triangle with Regulus and Mars.  

May 20: Annular eclipse of the sun. Begins at sunset here.

May 22: Venus is next to the thin crescent moon in the bright evening twilight at 9:00 p.m.

May 31: Gibbous moon forms a straight line with Saturn and Spica.

Such is our view from Earth...

Moon meets Venus in Taurus

The crescent moon entered the constellation Taurus to join Venus in our early evening sky tonight. This magical scene was made even more mysterious by fast passing clouds riding the latest front.

Tomorrow night, the moon will be higher in the sky, farther from Venus.  Over the next few weeks, Venus drops closer to the horizon and closer to the sun as it catches the Earth. It eventually passes exactly between the Earth and the sun on June 5. Then the brilliant planet enters our morning sky.

Such is our view from Earth...

Our Moon Positions Itself next to Jupiter, then Venus

Tonight, our moon positions itself next to mighty Jupiter very low in the western sky directly after sunset. If you have a good view of the western horizon, catch this sight through binoculars. It will likely be the last time you see Jupiter for a month or two. In July mornings it will be found peeking above the eastern horizon before sunrise.

Tuesday night features the moon glowing next to brilliant Venus. This just might be the prettiest moon - planet pairing of 2012.

Such is our view from Earth...

Saturn Saunters in the early evening Spring Sky

This is the best time of year to spot Saturn in our early evening sky. Of the five "bright" planets, it is the farthest and the dimmest. It does not blaze forth, nor does it shine brightly. It appears as another bright star.

Look to the southeast about 9:30 p.m. for Saturn and another object of similar brightness, Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo. In the accompanying top image, Saturn lies just to the upper left of Spica. Saturn appears a tad bit brighter than Spica. The four quadrangle stars of Corvus lie to Spica's far right. To top two stars of that quadrangle point left directly to Spica, helping to identify it.

The planet takes about 29 years to orbit the sun, and, as a result, it moves quite slowly across the celestial sphere. It takes 29 years to move through all the zodiacal constellations along the ecliptic before it returns to its starting spot.

The bottom image shows Saturn and Spica as they were on April 28, 2011. Saturn was to Spica's upper right, near the moderately bright star Porrima. In the past year, it has crawled only 1/14 across the evening's celestial dome. Next year about this date, it will have moved another 1/14 across the sky far to Spica's lower left. 

Such is our view from Earth...

Mars moves Eastward

The planets, including Mars, normally move eastward across the celestial dome. Occasionally, they shift directions and head west. This is what Mars has been doing since January. Tonight, the Red Planet reaches as far west in the constellation Leo as it gets. Tomorrow, it begins its proper movement heading east, albeit very slowly.

This is all due to the Earth overtaking Mars in early March.

Look for Mars tonight when it lies just east of the bright star Regulus. Mars will be brighter. At 10 p.m. Mars shines high in the south. To find it, first find the Big Dipper. The two sets of bowl stars point south directly to Leo and Regulus.

The bottom photo was captured on March 15, the next one on April 11. The westward change of position of Mars can be easily seen. After tonight, Mars creeps eastward for the next two years.

Such is our view from Earth...

The Zodiacal Light, your best opportunity to see it

An often missed sight in our night sky is the Zodiacal Light. This cone shaped western glow found 90 minutes after sunset is never bright, but always occurs. The Zodiacal Light is simply the combined sunlight reflected off minute dust grains orbiting our sun. Most of the dust lies in the plane of the ecliptic and, therefore, its reflected sunlight can be found on or near the ecliptic band as seen from Earth.

During April, the ecliptic band stands nearly straight up from the western horizon after sunset. Once twilight ends and true night begins, the Zodiacal Light rises almost straight up from the western horizon to perhaps 45 degrees, maybe less. Careful observers notice that it tilts slightly to the left as does the ecliptic band.

In April, the Pleiades and Hyades frame the cone, and this year, Venus joins the scene. This phenomenon can be seen from a dark location with a dark western horizon until moonlight interferes on April 22.

Such is our view from Earth.

Celestial Line up

Saturn, Spica, and the Moon line up tonight. The planet is farthest to the left, or east, with Spica in the middle. The bright glare of the moon nearly overpowers Spica, and not so much Saturn. Tomorrow night (Saturday) the moon moves below the other two objects.

Such is our view from Earth...

Venus says goodbye to the Pleiades

Venus begins to leave the Pleiades behind after their close encounter on Tuesday and Wednesday. For the next several weeks, each night the Pleiades sinks closer to the horizon and Venus trails higher in the sky. Keep an eye on Venus as it remains very bright, brilliant really.vBy mid-May, the planet will be lost from view as it approaches the sun.

Such is our view from Earth...

Moon, Spica, Saturn line up

The moon can be a guide to identifying other celestial bodies. Friday night, the full moon forms a straight line with the bright star Spica and the planet Saturn. Look to the east at 10 p.m. The moon may act as a guide, but it can also be a hinderance with its glare. Can you spot Spica immediately to its left and Saturn immediately to Spica's left?

A good way of finding Spica, without the moon's help, is to first locate the handle of the Big Dipper. At this time of year, the Dipper is high in the northeast after darkness falls. Continue the handle's arc until it hits Arcturus, the second brightest star from Virginia. Follow the arc more, and it hits Spica.

Such is our view from Earth...

Venus finally meets the Pleiades

Venus finally catches the Pleiades. After a week of inching closer to the famous star cluster, Venus begins to pass directly underneath it. The planet's glare blocks the relatively faint light of the Pleiades, so binoculars definitely will be useful in seeing for yourself the scene. Over the next couple of nights, Venus moves below then above the cluster's stars.

Such is our view from Earth...

Celestial Highlights for April

Celestial Highlights for April

4/02, 03, 04: Venus passes the Pleiades, skirting its southern edge. Before these dates, Venus rises slightly higher each evening to catch the Pleiades. After these dates, Venus lies above the Pleiades. As April progresses, Venus drops closer to the set sun each evening.
4/02: The ten day old gibbous moon forms a straight line with Regulus and Mars.
4/06: When the full moon rises high enough, about 10:30 p.m., it can be see forming a straight line with Saturn and Spica.
4/15: Saturn reaches opposition and is at its annual closest to the Earth, orbiting 810 million miles from our fair blue world. This is the best time of year to view it and its beautiful ring system.
4/15: Mars ends retrograde motion, just east of Regulus. During April and May, observe the motion of Mars in Leo. It can be found drifting slowly towards Regulus, then abruptly changing direction and begin moving away from Leo’s brightest star.
4/22: If you are inclined to test your observing skills on a challenge event, look for the thin crescent Moon sinking in the bright western twilight next to Jupiter. They both should be very low at 8:30 p.m. Binoculars will help.
4/24: For a great photo opportunity, look to the west at 9:00 p.m. for the thin crescent Moon hovering near Venus. The Moon will be full with Earthshine lending a magical air to the scene. This is the last Moon/Venus pairing before the Venus transit on June 5.

Such is our view from Earth...