Gemini, the triplets?

The last week of April and the first week of May find Mars moving past the twin stars of Gemini, Castor and Pollux. On April 27, the Red Planet forms an interesting squashed isosceles triangle with those two similarly bright objects. A straight line can then be drawn from Pollux through Mars to the brighter star Procyon in Canis Minor. On May 3, Mars moves to form a straight line with Castor and Pollux. All three objects form the "triplets of Gemini" but only for 1 night.

Such is our view from Earth...

Moon occults the Pleiades

Tuesday April 8 brings the Curious Skywatcher an enchanting sight. After darkness settles, the thin crescent moon hovers serenely in the west. It glows almost magically with Earthshine. Just above it glitters the diminutive dipper-shaped cluster of stars, the Pleiades. Beginning about 9:30 the moon slowly moves in front of the Pleiades' northern edge.

Look through binoculars at this pretty scene until it sets shortly after 11 p.m. Some stars disappear behind the moon's disk, some stars pop out from behind the crescent's rim. The moon moves!

Such is our view from Earth...

Mars is on the move

After several months of lurking near the Gemini-Taurus-Auriga borders, Mars makes its move to the east. On March 28, 29, and 30, the Red Planet glows next to the not-so-bright star Mebsuta in Gemini. Try using binoculars to separate the pair. By April 16, it sits next to another little known star, Wasat. Again, bring out the binoculars to split them.

An isosceles triangle is formed on April 27 when Mars begins to pass Pollux and Castor. All three of these objects have about the same brightness. Mars continues for another week when it then lines up with the twins, making for a triplet!

Such is our view from Earth...

The Inner Planets, pt. 2

Mercury is often difficult to spot, but not now — if the skies are clear. In the first part of March, the solar system's smallest planet appears in our dawn sky close to the-easily-viewed Venus. Look to the southeast at about 6:10 to 6:15 a.m. for bright Venus poking above the horizon. Much dimmer Mercury lies to its upper right. Binoculars will help you discover this diminutive world.

Good hunting!

Such is our view from Earth...

The Two Inner Planets

Mornings during the seven days or so offer the skywatcher a chance to glimpse our solar system's two inner planets, Mercury and Venus. Their angular separation from the sun isn't great so they rise shortly before sunrise. Try looking very low in the east at 6:20 a.m. for bright Venus with dimmer Mercury above it. On March 5, the thin crescent moon joins them, but all three may be lost in the brightening twilight.

Such is our view from Earth...

Eclipse and clouds

Unfortunately, the weather in southwest Virginia includes a generous amount of clouds during the total eclipse of the moon tonight. Therefore, the public observing near Explore Park session is cancelled. This certainly does not rule out people looking up on their own! Give it a try!

Even if it is cloudy, the backlit clouds resulting from the full moon, will be absent during totality. Between 10 and 11 pm, the clouds should be dark, except for any up-lighting from city lights below.

Such is our view from southwest Virginia...

Public viewing of the eclipse

If the skies are clear tonight, the total eclipse is for all to see!
Partial phase begins — 8:43 p.m.
Total phase begins — 10:01
Total phase ends — 10:52
Partial phase ends — 12:09 a.m.

The Roanoke Valley Astronomical Society will hold a special observing session in honor of the Total Eclipse of the Moon.
When — Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Time — 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Where — First overlook on the Explore Park spur off the Blue Ridge Parkway
Telescopes will be focusing on the moon, Saturn, and other objects of interest.
The public is welcome! The event is free.
Of course, this public observing event occurs only if the skies are clear!

Such is our view from Earth...