What's Happening in the Night Sky? Upcoming Astronomy Events to Look Out For!

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Saturn Opposition, 12/31/03

Saturns opposition on 12/31/03 will be the closest in 30 years. And, the ~25 degree ring-tilt is perfect for anyone with a telescope.

http://www.rocklandastronomy.com/saturn_info.htm
 
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Astronomy news on Phys.org
For weekly updates of sky events...
http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/ataglance/

Don't forget to watch for Venus, which sits high and bright (mag -4.1) in the west-southwest after sunset. It's quite striking. Slap a telescope on it and you will see its gibbous shape (it has phases just like Earth's Moon).
 
Originally posted by Phobos
For weekly updates of sky events...
http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/ataglance/

Don't forget to watch for Venus, which sits high and bright (mag -4.1) in the west-southwest after sunset. It's quite striking. Slap a telescope on it and you will see its gibbous shape (it has phases just like Earth's Moon).
From that same site, this is a biggie:

"Triple shadow transit on Jupiter! The tiny black shadows of Callisto, Io, and Ganymede are all on Jupiter's face from 3:00 to 3:19 a.m. Sunday morning Eastern Standard Time."

I have seen two in transit several times, but three transits with three shadows should be quite a sight, even in a small (3" or so) telescope.
 
For tonight's "triple transit, here are the event times. Remember, these times are for ARIZONA, mountain time.

Saturday, 3/27: 7:59 pm, Callisto, Egress from Transit (nothing exciting
here)
" , 3/27: 9:59 pm, Callisto, Shadow Ingress (first shadow
appears - then wait 2.5hrs until the second shadow appears)
" , 3/27: 10:44 pm, Ganymede, Ingress Transit
" , 3/27: 11:32 pm, Europa, Occultation Disappearance (goes
behind the planet)
" , 3/27: 11:59 pm, Io, Ingress Transit
Sunday, 3/28: 12:32 am, Io, Shadow Ingress (second shadow appears)
" , 3/28: 1:00 am, Ganymede, Shadow Ingress (Triple shadow transit
begins)
" , 3/28: 1:19 am, Callisto, Shadow Egress (and then there are
two)
" , 3/28: 2:05 am, Ganymede, Egress from Transit
" , 3/28: 2:14 am, Io, Egress from Transit
" , 3/28: 2:48 am, Io, Shadow Egress (and then there is one)
" , 3/28: 3:27 am, Europa, Eclipse Reappearance (becomes visible
after being behind the planet)
" , 3/28: 4:23 am, Ganymede, Shadow Egress (and then there are
none)

So the triple shadow event is visible from 1:00 am to 1:19 am. To have
three shadows transiting the planet at one time is rather rare. This is the
only occasion of it happening this year. Jupiter's Red Spot will be on the
central meridian of Jupiter at 4:48 am (3/28)

Go out if you get the chance, this doesn't happen often. It's Sunday, you can sleep-in. :smile:
 
June 8, 2004. The transit of Venus. Venus will pass between the Earth and sun putting a dark spot on the sun. wear your sunglasses!
 
2Pac said:
June 8, 2004. The transit of Venus. Venus will pass between the Earth and sun putting a dark spot on the sun. wear your sunglasses!
Here is from where you can and can't see it.

http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/planets/article_1021_1.asp
 
Is anyone going to observe it and post their information here, so we can all collaborate to find a rough estimate of the distance of 1 AU just for fun? It won't be too accurate, but anyone think it is worth a try? We've got people from all over the world here on PF, so it might be a good idea. :)
 
Two things going on:
http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/planets/article_1021_1.asp

http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/comets/article_1229_1.asp
 
Labguy said:
http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/comets/article_1229_1.asp

Anyone get a good look at Comet NEAT yet? I tried last night, but through the cloud haze and light pollution in my area, I had a lousy view. Gotta keep trying.
 
NASA has started planning an ambitious mission to orbit Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
 
haha recon, ur a true dork, i recpect that. :P
I would have wanted to do that too, but i forgot completely about the transit of venus, i was so f**kin pissed. I forgot cause i was studying for damn exams that day, hehe.
 
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Perseid Meteor Shower:

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/25jun_perseids2004.htm?list1111149
 
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Phobos said:
In September, you should be able to use binoculars to track the asteroid Toutatis swinging by. On Sept 29, it will be 4x the distance to the moon.
But where? Is there a tracking-chart out yet showing position over several weeks or months?
 
Labguy said:
But where? Is there a tracking-chart out yet showing position over several weeks or months?

I saw one in the recent issue of Astronomy magazine. I have not found one on the internet to link to.
 
i'm an amateur, and this year i will be graduating from high school,
and i like to watch astronomy events in the sky.. let's say it's my passion
but the problem is that i need to buy "good and not too expensive binoculars"
since i am an amateur in this whole thing,
so i need some experts' advises.
PS: i live in lebanon, i don't know if i can find all the trademarks u will tell me about :$.
 
a quick reply would be so great :)
 
A_I_ said:
but the problem is that i need to buy "good and not too expensive binoculars"

Something with big lenses and not too much magnification. Maybe up to 7x50 if they're hand-held. (The first number is the magnification..7x...the second number is a measurement of the lens diameter...50 mm.) If you have a tripod that you can mount them on, then you can get bigger/stronger binoculars if you want.

Something stable with good focus.
 
Phobos said:
In September, you should be able to use binoculars to track the asteroid Toutatis swinging by. On Sept 29, it will be 4x the distance to the moon.

Unfortunately, you'll need a big telescope (> 6") and dark skies to see it with any ease. (mag = 9) :frown:
 
Toutais Tsunami...

A mountain-sized asteroid will make its closest approach to Earth at 6:35 a.m. Pacific Time tomorrow. Although asteroid 4179 Toutatis will come no closer than four times the distance between Earth and the Moon, this will be the closest approach of any known asteroid of comparable size this century. (Sept. 28)

Reference:
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/asteroid/toutatis-montage-540-300.jpg
 
Good Lunar Eclipse for the US.

October 27th is the last Lunar eclipse we get for about three years. There are links for easy photo tips at the bottom of the page too. See:

http://skyandtelescope.com/printable/observing/objects/eclipses/article_1343.asp
 
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The annual Leonid meteor shower is expected to peak pre-dawn on November 16. However, it’s expected to be pretty weak this year. I happened to catch one by chance last night around midnight.
 
Labguy said:
October 27th is the last Lunar eclipse we get for about three years. There are links for easy photo tips at the bottom of the page too. See:

http://skyandtelescope.com/printable/observing/objects/eclipses/article_1343.asp

Right on my birthday! :smile:
 
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Moon Occults Jupiter

Check it out. You can even put in your state and city to get the times.

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/29nov_moonjupiter.htm?list1111149
 
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Labguy said:
Check it out. You can even put in your state and city to get the times.

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/29nov_moonjupiter.htm?list1111149


If any of you can get some pictures of it, please post them on the Astrophotography sticky.

I'll try my best (weather permitting) to get a few pictures.
 
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1 in 45 chance of an asteroid hitting Earth in 2029.

From space.com:
Update, Dec. 25, 9:47 p.m. ET: The risk of an impact by asteroid 2004 MN4 went up slightly on Saturday, Dec. 25. It is now pegged at having a 1-in -45 chance of striking the planet on April 13, 2029. That's up from 1-in-63 late on Dec. 24, and 1-in-300 early on Dec. 24.
more at: http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/asteroid_risk_041224.html

That’s pretty neat, don’t you think? A nice little xmas present.

The asteroid is thought to be about 400m across, so not a global killer but big enough to be of some concern. It’s also the first time an asteroid has ever been categorized a level 4 (or above level 1 for that matter) on the Torino Scale (http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/astronomy/torino_scale.html )
This thing will probably miss us, but it might be a good idea to keep an eye out for it. Friday the 13th of April, 2029 might not be our lucky day.
 
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