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

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on upcoming astronomical events, including the visibility of the asteroid Vesta and the total lunar eclipse on May 15-16. Participants share information about local sky-watching events, such as a monthly star party in Sacramento, and emphasize the importance of reducing light pollution for better stargazing. Notable celestial bodies like Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn are highlighted for their visibility in the night sky, with specific dates for their movements and interactions. Additionally, resources for tracking sky events, such as JPL's calendar and various astronomy websites, are recommended for enthusiasts. Observers are encouraged to prepare their telescopes and binoculars for the exciting events ahead.
  • #51
Skywatcher's Information for September 2003
Some information from www.space.com,[/url] [url]www.astronomy.com[/URL]
======================================================

Moon phases:
------------
Sept 3 - 1st quarter
Sept 10 - Full moon
Sept 18 - Last quarter
Sept 25 - New moon


Planets: (in a few days see: [url]http://www.space.com/spacewatch/sky_calendar.html[/url] in case I don't update this part.)
--------
-Saturn

-Mars

-Jupiter will be in the morning sky later in September.

-Mercury

-Venus


Day-by-day: (All times ET unless noted)
-----------
Wednesday, Sept. 3
-1st quarter Moon

Sunday Sept. 7
-Neptune 5 degrees north of moon

Tuesday, Sept. 9
-Uranus 5 degrees north of moon
-Mars 1.2 degrees south of moon, occultation

Wednesday, Sept. 10
-Full moon
-Mercury in inferior conjunction

Tuesday, Sept. 16
-Moon at apogee

Thursday, Sept. 18
-Last quarter moon

Friday, Sept. 19
-Mercury stationary
-Saturn 5 degrees south of moon

Tuesday, Sept. 23
-Autumnal equinox, 6:47 a.m. EDT
-Jupiter 4 degrees south of moon

Wednesday, Sept. 24
-Mercury 5 degrees south of moon

Thursday, Sept. 25
-New Moon

Friday, Sept. 26
-Mercury at greatest western elongation (18 degrees)

Sunday, Sept. 28
-Moon at perigee
 
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  • #52
watch for an aurora tonight

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/10/24/solar.forecast/index.html

The coronal mass ejection, or CME, is expected to reach Earth about 3 p.m. EDT and its effects could last 12 to 18 hours, according to space weather forecasters.
...
Solar activity is rated, similar to the system for hurricanes or earthquakes, on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 as the most intense. The effects from this storm are expected to be classified 3, or moderate.

Supposedly, the aurora may reach down into the northern U.S. Be sure to turn off your porch lights. :wink:
 
  • #53
Solar Flare

Good picture here of what's going on with the sun...

http://spaceweather.com/

"SEVERE SOLAR ACTIVITY: One of the most powerful solar flares in years, a remarkable X17-category explosion, erupted from sunspot 486 this morning at approximately 1110 UT. A strong solar radiation storm is in progress. (Click here to learn about the effects of such storms.) The explosion hurled a coronal mass ejection almost directly toward Earth, which could trigger bright auroras when it arrives perhaps as early as tonight."
 
  • #54
Holy crap this is cool!

http://science.nasa.gov/spaceweather/images2003/28oct03/cme_c3_big.gif

- Warren
 
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  • #55
  • #56
an exciting November

total eclipse of the moon coming up on Nov. 8!
http://skyandtelescope.com/aboutsky/pressreleases/article_1087_1.asp

Leonid meteors peak on Nov 17-18
 
  • #57
phobos, i would also like to add that at the same time as the lunar eclipse of 11/8, 6 major planets will form the star of david above the earth...a rare event that we are lucky to witness...

pm me if you want more info :)
 
  • #58
...and here is where I would have posted a photo of this weekend's lunar eclipse if my camera battery had not died.

oh well...the view I had was spectacular and I held a mini-star party with some of my family (and 1 passerby). I was thrilled that they were so interested in the eclipse.
 
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  • #59
anyone else get to see the eclipse? the clouds parted in time for a viewing here in oregon...
 
  • #60
Originally posted by Kerrie
phobos, i would also like to add that at the same time as the lunar eclipse of 11/8, 6 major planets will form the star of david above the earth...a rare event that we are lucky to witness...

A debunking of this idea, for your consideration...
http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/misc/concordance.html
 
  • #61
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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  • #63
NASA says that the Mars rover Spirit's twin, the Opportunity, is still on course to land in the Meridiani Planum at 6:05 p.m. EST tomorrow (Jan 24).
 
  • #64
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).
 
  • #65
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.
 
  • #66
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:
 
  • #67
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!
 
  • #68
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
 
  • #69
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. :)
 
  • #70
Two things going on:
http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/planets/article_1021_1.asp

http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/comets/article_1229_1.asp
 
  • #71
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.
 
  • #72
NASA has started planning an ambitious mission to orbit Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
 
  • #73
June 11 - NASA's Cassini spacecraft to visit Saturn's moon Pheobe
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/operations/approach.cfm
 
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  • #74
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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  • #75
Perseid Meteor Shower:

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/25jun_perseids2004.htm?list1111149
 
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  • #76
New Comet

New comet coming this winter.
http://skyandtelescope.com/news/article_1333_1.asp
 
  • #77
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.
 
  • #78
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?
 
  • #79
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.
 
  • #80
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 :$.
 
  • #81
a quick reply would be so great :)
 
  • #82
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.
 
  • #83
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:
 
  • #84
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
 
  • #85
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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  • #86
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.
 
  • #87
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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  • #88
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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  • #89
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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  • #90
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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  • #91
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  • #92
Has anyone seen approximate distances, in miles, from Earth that it may pass? I've been following this asteroid a little but haven't seen that info yet. The image is pretty crazy though if it's accurate.
 
  • #93
sporff said:
Has anyone seen approximate distances, in miles, from Earth that it may pass? I've been following this asteroid a little but haven't seen that info yet. The image is pretty crazy though if it's accurate.

From my understanding its between about 30,000 and 100,000 km
 
  • #94
i used the search option to look for saturn but did not find any matches. just read in a local paper that saturn will be visible to naked eyes this january is it true? if so do give me a link
 
  • #95
Yes its true! Here's a link
 
  • #96
March...night sky...yea for spring stars! :approve:
In the western half the winter stars and constellations make their last stand. From the east the spring sky enters. Saturn is still a head-turner, but now is joined by even brighter Jupiter. And Comet Machholz is near the North Star all month, as it begins its journey back to the outer solar system.
 
  • #97
April skys
On the 3rd look for Mars next to the moon just before sunrise.
There is a partial eclipse of the sun on April 8th. It will look as if the moon has taken a small bite of the sun. CAUTION: Even during an eclipse, do not look at the sun without approved eye protection!
Between midnight and sunrise the Lyrid meteor shower takes place, but this year the moon is too bright.
A few hours before sunrise on the 24th the moon will move through the faint outermost part of the Earth's shadow. Most people will not notice it.
 
  • #98
A map of the eclipse % coverage and locations is at:
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2005/01apr_solareclipse.htm?list1111149
 
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  • #99
Good link Labguy, wish I had been in a area to view it.
 
  • #100
What are everyone's opinions as far as the predictions of Wormwood and the like in biblical prophecy? Have astronomers named any stars/asteroids Wormwood yet?Probabilities of an Earth impact and the time frames of thousands of years and all of that do not mean anything really.
 

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