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Skywatch November 2006
(newest at top)
Dudley Observatory Sky Watch Line for Thursday
November 30, 2006
By Mike Molitor
On this final day of November, sunrise is 7:05 am and
sunset is 4:23 pm. The waxing gibbous Moon sets at 1:43 am leaving the balance
of the wee-hours dark. Rising around 10 pm, Saturn is best placed for
telescopic observations when it is highest around 5 am. Find Saturn due south
and 61 degrees altitude at that hour. The predawn hours also provide an
opportunity for viewing Mercury during is best morning appearance of 2006. You
must have good east-southeast horizon however, as it is only 10 degrees above
the horizon at 6:30 am. The Moon rises at 1:35 pm Thursday and transits the
meridian at 8:10 pm, setting by 2:59 am Friday.
Initial reports of this years Leonid meteor shower on
November 18-19, indicate that there was a short duration increase to about 3 to
4 meteors a minute around midnight. This is about what was predicted. Dramatic
meteor showers, like the Leonids of 2001 with hundreds of meteors per hour are
rare, and are often referred to as meteor storms.
One can also have a meteorite shower. In a
meteorite shower, a swarm of meteoroid particles reach Earth’s surface. These
events are rarely observed by humans, but when they are it must be spectacular.
Of the more recent, an image of the 1947 Sikhote-Alin meteorite is commemorated
on a Russian postage stamp. The image shows a large smoke trail over small
homes, plunging downward toward the horizon. The Sikhote-Alin mountains are
located along the Russian east coast bordering the Sea of Japan, 100 miles north
of the city of Vladivostok. The fireball was observed at 10:30 am and was
stated as being as large and as bright as the Sun, and casting a separate
shadow. Observers close to the terminal location reported the object breaking
apart. Sonic booms were reported as far away as Vladivostok. The “shower”
spread over an area ½ mile wide by 1mile long. To date, over 23 tons of iron
meteorites have been recovered from this location.
More recently meteorite showers have occurred in 1969 in
Chihuahua, Mexico, and in Victoria, Australia; and in 1960 in Alberta, Canada,
and Wiluna, Australia. These showers were of the more common, but more complex,
stony meteorite variety. Experiencing a meteorite shower might be spectacular,
but I personally would not want to be too close to the final location.
This is the Dudley Observatory Skywatch Line for Tuesday, November
28th, 2006, written by Steven Russo, Planetarium Manager of the Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at the Schenectady Museum.
Sunrise today was at 7:02 AM, and it set tonight at 4:24 PM. Sunrise
tomorrow is at 7:03 AM, and Sunset tomorrow is at 4:23 PM.
A beautiful Waxing Crescent Moon graced the sky last night, and the First
Quarter Moon is tonight. It rose just after Noon today, and will set after
midnight tonight. Tomorrow, Wednesday, it will rise at 1:13 PM, and will set
after midnight again. Look for the moon tonight, in the constellation of
Aquarius. It will be just past due south at 6:45 PM.
With darkness falling by 6PM, the Summer Triangle of Vega, Deneb, and
Altair is still visible in the south west sky. By 9:00 PM, the constellations
of Pegasus and Andromeda are just about overhead, and so is the Andromeda
Galaxy.
Very low to the horizon during this time of year in the evening, is
the famous Big Dipper. It is in the northern sky, and appears upright. Using
the end stars of the cup, draw a line upwards, and it will point to the North
Star, Polaris, on the end of the handle of the Little Dipper. The Little Dipper
is “upside down” compared to the Big Dipper. Technically speaking, the Big and
Litter Dippers are not constellations, but parts of the constellations known as
Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, the Big and Little Bears.
The Planet Saturn, in the constellation of Leo the Lion, rises by 10:30
PM in the northeast, and by that time, the Winter constellations of Orion,
Taurus, and the Seven Sisters are high up in the east.
The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at the Schenectady Museum has re 0pened and
is now running its regular schedule. Public Programs at the Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at the Schenectady Museum, are on Saturdays and Sundays at 1, 2, and
3 P. M. The 1:00 program is “The Sky Above Mister Rogers Neighborhood”, a
program for young people. At 2 P. M. is “Tis the Season”, and at 3 P. M. is a
live narration of the Fall Sky. “Tis the Season” also plays Tuesday through
Fridays at 2 PM.
This is the Skywatch Line for Monday, November 27.
by Joe Slomka
The Sun sets tonight at 4:24 PM, with night falling at 6:04.
Dawn breaks at 5:23 AM and ends with sunrise at
7:03.
As the Sun sets only the First Quarter Moon is visible. The Moon is about half
illuminated. If you have binoculars, look for the star Lambda Aquarii about ten
degrees (two binocular fields) to the Moon’s upper left. The otherwise difficult
planet Uranus lies within a degree of the star. Neptune is to the Moon’s right
and harder to find amid the stars of Capricornus.
Two other solar system objects are more removed from the Moon’s glare and may be
more visible to binocular users. Comet Swan is still observable at nightfall. It
lies within two degrees of Altair, the lowest of the “Summer Triangle” stars,
high in the southwest. The comet should appear as a faint smudge of about
seventh magnitude – just to Altair’s right. The asteroid 7 Iris, which was naked
eye visible a few weeks ago, is also still visible. Iris lies about nine degrees
West of the Pleiades star cluster. It, too, shines at seventh magnitude, but as
a pinpoint of light. One must examine that field and make either paper or mental
notes. A repeat observation, a few days later, should show one of those objects
moved. That would be Iris.
Saturn is easiest: but it rises after 10 PM and best seen after midnight. Its
ring system makes it a favorite of star parties. Saturn is found just above the
bright star Regulus, which forms the backward question mark of the constellation
Leo, the Lion. Dawn finds Leo and Saturn high in the South.
Shortly before sunrise, Mercury and Mars make their appearance low in the East.
This is Mercury’s best showing of the year, while Mars struggles to climb out of
the Sun’s glare. Mercury is highest and brightest, but will soon retreat down,
while Mars gets higher and rises earlier. Mars’ appearance means that both
Martian Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, can now receive commands from Earth and
will shortly begin new adventures on the Red Planet. Watch the NASA website for
further information.
This is Dudley Observatory's Skywatch Line for Friday, November
24, through
Sunday, November 26.
by Alan French
The Moon was new this past Monday and is now back in the evening sky, moving
toward first quarter just after midnight next Monday. The Sun now sets
just
before 4:30 PM. On Monday night, look for a pretty, fat crescent Moon
toward the south-southwest about an hour later. If you look for the Moon
around 5:30 PM on each following night, you will find its eastward motion
among the stars has moved it farther eastward and higher in the sky. Any
modest optical aid – binoculars, a small spotting scope, or any astronomical
telescope – will reveal a wealth of detail on the Moon. The craters and
mountains will be most obvious along the terminator – the line between light
and darkness, which is now the line of sunrise marching across the Moon's
surface.
Early morning risers have a chance to see elusive Mercury during the coming
days. Because Mercury orbits close to the Sun, it can never rise high into
the night sky, and is only visible occasionally during brief periods just
after sunset or just before sunrise. Right now, it can be seen in the
morning sky just before sunrise.
The Sun rises just before 7:00 AM on Saturday morning, and just after 7:00
AM on Sunday and Monday mornings. To spot Mercury, you'll want to look at
6:15 AM, and you'll need a very good view of the east-southeastern horizon.
The view will have to be free of trees and other obstructions, because
Mercury will be just 10 degrees above the horizon. (Remember that a fist
held at arm's length spans 10 degrees across the knuckles). Mercury will
be
the brightest object just above the east-southeastern horizon. If the
skies
are clear and free of haze, it should be visible to the unaided eye. If
the
skies are a bit hazy, or you can't find it with your eye alone, binoculars
will help in your search.
If you have trouble finding Mercury, look for a bright star 24 degrees above
the southeastern horizon. This is Spica, the brightest star in Leo, the
Lion. Mercury is 20 degrees to the lower left of Spica, and is about as
far
below Spica as it is to the left of Spica. If you scan down from Spica at
a
45-degree angle with binoculars, you should encounter Mercury.
Clear skies, and good hunting!
This is the Dudley Observatory Skywatch Line for Tuesday, November
21st, 2006, written by Steven Russo, Planetarium Manager of the Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at the Schenectady Museum.
Sunrise today was at 6:54 AM, and it set tonight at 4:28 PM. Sunrise
tomorrow is at 6:55 AM, and Sunset tomorrow is at 4:27 PM.
New Moon was yesterday, so tonight the Moon is in a Waxing Crescent phase.
Only one day old, it probably will be extremely difficult to find. By Thursday,
it will be visible low in the southwest, but sets around 6:20 PM.
Very low to the horizon during this time of year in the evening, is
the famous Big Dipper. It is in the northern sky, and appears upright. Using
the end stars of the cup, draw a line upwards, and it will point to the North
Star, Polaris, on the end of the handle of the Little Dipper. The Little Dipper
is “upside down” compared to the Big Dipper. Technically speaking, the Big and
Litter Dippers are not constellations, but parts of the constellations known as
Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, the Big and Little Bears.
High overhead by 8:00 PM, look for four stars forming a large square.
This is the Constellation of Pegasus, the flying horse. Many people today, know
it as the Great Fall Square.
The Planet Saturn, in the constellation of Leo the Lion, rises after
midnight in the northeast.
In the east at around 10:00 PM, the winter constellation of Orion the
Hunter is beginning to make an appearance.
The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at the Schenectady Museum has re 0pened and
is now running its regular schedule. Public Programs at the Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at the Schenectady Museum, are on Saturdays and Sundays at 1, 2, and
3 P. M. The 1:00 program is “The Sky Above Mister Rogers Neighborhood”, a
program for young people. At 2 P. M. is “Tis the Season”, and at 3 P. M. is a
live narration of the Fall Sky. “Tis the Season” also plays Tuesday through
Fridays at 2 PM.
This is the Skywatch Line for Monday, November 20.
by Joe Slomka
The Sun sets tonight at 4:28; night falls at 6:07 PM. Dawn breaks at 5:15
AM, and ends with sunrise at 6:54.
As the Sun sets, there are no easily seen planets. The planets Uranus and
Neptune are found low in southern skies in constellations Capricornus and
Aquarius; Comet Swan is heading to the outer Solar System, and fading. All three
objects can be found in magazine charts or astronomy websites.
Another member of our Solar System, the asteroid 7 Iris is nicely placed for
observation. Iris is about eight degrees to the right of the Pleiades star
cluster. Iris might still be visible to the naked eye in rural skies; binocular
and telescope observers can find it in suburban environments.
Saturn, first easily seen planet, rises before 11:00 PM. However, Saturn is best
seen in pre-dawn hours. Almost any size telescope shows off its ring system.
Astronomers have known for a long time that the ring system is made of ice
particles ranging in size from dust to small moons. The Cassini-Huygens space
probe, now orbiting Saturn, has revealed great complexity in the rings. The
rings can be twisted like rope and deflected in many ways. More study is needed
to fully understand these beautiful rings.
Two planets peek up from the eastern horizon just before sunrise. Mercury rises
at dawn; Mars follows at 6:08 AM. Mercury should be easily visible – Mars less
so. However, Mercury makes a rapid rise in the next two weeks and is at its best
all year! Mars is just beginning to emerge from the Sun’s glare to start a long
apparition.
Distances in astronomy are huge. One convenient way to measure distance is by
light. It travels about 186,000 miles per second. So the Moon, about a quarter
million miles distant, is only about one and a half seconds away. Venus and Mars
are about 4.5 minutes away. Jupiter is about an hour, Saturn an hour and a
quarter. Distant Pluto is 4.4 hours away. These are still quite near when you
consider that the nearest star is about four years distant.
This is Dudley Observatory's Skywatch Line for Friday, November
17, through
Sunday, November 19.
This weekend is the peak of the famous Leonid Meteor Shower. While some
Leonids can be seen during the hours after midnight any night over the
weekend, there is a chance for a brief but intense display between 11:30 PM
and 12:00, midnight, Saturday night. Meteor showers are best when the
radiant – or apparent point of origin – of the meteors is high overhead.
For the Leonids, which appear to come from the constellation Leo, the Lion,
this is during the early morning hours. During the half hour before
midnight on Saturday night, Leo will be just on the northeast horizon.
This
will reduce the number of meteors, but if we do have the predicted burst of
activity, the ones that are visible will be long and dramatic. Get out
your
lawn chair, dress warmly, and watch high in the northeastern sky from 11:30
until midnight Saturday.
Weather permitting; the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers will host a public
Star Party this coming weekend at George Landis Arboretum in Esperance.
The
Star Party will be held Friday night, November 17, beginning at 8:00 PM.
At
Star Parties a variety of telescopes are set up for your viewing pleasure.
During the early part of the Star Party, club members will have their
telescopes pointed at some of the celestial showpieces. Later on, we take
requests, as long as the object is above the horizon.
If you enter Esperance traveling west on Route 20, watch for the arboretum
sign on your right, immediately after crossing the bridge over the Schoharie
River. After taking the right, follow the signs to the arboretum.
Continue
up the short hill past the main parking area and farmhouse, and turn right
into the Meeting House drive as you reach the top of the hill. A
reflective
"Star Party" sign will mark the driveway.
The Star Parties will be canceled if the skies are mostly cloudy. If in
doubt, call 374-8460 after 6:00 PM.
The Albany Area Amateur Astronomers will meet this coming Tuesday night,
November 21, at the Schenectady Museum on Nott Terrace Heights. The
program
features some of the finest amateur and professional photographs of
celestial objects. All club meetings are open to all without charge, and
you are invited to join us for this interesting program
Dudley Observatory Sky Watch Line for Thursday
November 16, 2006
By Mike Molitor
Sunrise is 6:48 am and sunset is 4:32 pm. The Moon rises
at 2:30 am Thursday, sporting an 18% illuminated waning crescent. Saturn rises
just after midnight and is the only planet reasonably placed for telescopic
observation. Find Saturn 50-degrees up in the south-southeast before dawn.
Observers should be on the lookout for Leonid meteors
particularly after midnight. Dramatic Leonid meteor showers with hundreds of
meteors per hour are now a few years past, but occasional short lived outbursts
are possible and sky watchers should be aware of the potential for an outburst.
The traditional Leonid shower peak is by comparison a paltry 15 meteors
per-hour. This peak is around 7 pm on Friday the 17th making predawn
hours of Friday a reasonable time to watch for typical Leonids. If the track of
a meteor seems to originate from the constellation Leo, then you have likely
seen a Leonid meteor. Recent calculations concerning the dust trails left
behind by comet 55P/Temple-Tuttle (Comet 1866 I) indicate a possible short
lived burst of Leonid meteors could occur sometime between midnight and 3am
Saturday/ Sunday November 18-19.
A second meteor shower with outburst potential is on-going
as well. The a-Monocerotid meteor shower is normally not very notable, with a
scant rate of just five meteors per-hour. However this shower has been known to
have an outburst to several hundred meteors per hour for a short period. The a-Monocerotids
can occur from November 15 through the 25th, with the traditional
peak on the 21st.
In addition to the two meteor showers which have the
potential for a dramatic but short-lived display, two other meteor showers are
in progress through Thanksgiving. The Northern Taurids and the Southern Taurids
each have a rate of just ten meteors per-hour.
Even without the outburst potential, the combination of
four simultaneous meteor showers could result in a visible meteor every few of
minutes. As always, a dark-sky site far from artificial lighting, is essential
for good meteor viewing.
This is the Dudley Observatory Skywatch Line for Tuesday, November
14th, 2006, written by Steven Russo, Planetarium Manager of the Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at the Schenectady Museum.
Sunrise today was at 6:45 AM, and it set tonight at 4:34 PM.
The Moon is currently in a waxing crescent phase today, with the New Moon
on Monday the 20th. It rose at 12:28 this morning, and it set at
around 2:00 this afternoon.
Early in the morning, about one and a half hours before Sunrise, look for
the Moon in the south south east sky. This thin crescent is good to view in a
small telescope, as many craters can be seen along the terminator, the area on
the Moon where the lighted up portion meets the dark portion.
High overhead by 8:00 PM, look for four stars forming a large square.
This is the Constellation of Pegasus, the flying horse. Many people today, know
it as the Great Fall Square.
Very low to the horizon during this time of year in the evening, is the
famous Big Dipper. It is in the northern sky, and appears upright. Using the
end stars of the cup, draw a line upwards, and it will point to the North Star,
Polaris, on the end of the handle of the Little Dipper. The Little Dipper is
“upside down” compared to the Big Dipper.
In the east at around 10:00 PM, the winter constellation of Orion the
Hunter is beginning to make an appearance.
The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at the Schenectady Museum has re 0pened and
is now running its regular schedule. Public Programs at the Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at the Schenectady Museum, are on Saturdays and Sundays at 1, 2, and
3 P. M. The 1:00 program is “The Sky Above Mister Rogers Neighborhood”, a
program for young people. At 2 P. M. is “Hubble Vision”, and at 3 P. M. is a
live narration of the Fall Sky. “Hubble Vision” also plays Tuesday through
Fridays at 2 PM.
This is the Skywatch Line for Monday, November 13
by Joe Slomka.
The Sun sets tonight at 4:34; night falls at 6:12 PM. Dawn breaks
at 5:08 AM and ends with sunrise at 6:46.
Uranus and Neptune lie due south at sunset and still lie low at nightfall. Both
require at least binoculars and a good star chart to be found.
Two lesser members of our solar system are a bit easier to observe. Comet Swan
is still visible though binoculars. The comet is just west of the small
constellation Sagitta. Look for Cygnus, the Swan, also known as the Northern
Cross. Look for the Swan’s nose (the foot of the Cross). Just below is a small
arrow-shaped constellation. This is Sagitta. Comet Swan is ten degrees west of
the arrow’s feathers. This amounts to two binocular fields to the arrow’s right.
The comet is now speeding back into deep space, but glows at magnitude six or
seven – enough for binocular or telescope viewing.
Another solar system visitor is asteroid 7 Iris. As its number implies, it is
among the first to be found.
Like planets and comets, asteroids have defined orbits about the Sun. Comets are
ice and rock mixes, while asteroids are mostly rock. Iris is also about
magnitude six or seven and also visible to binocular users. Best seen at nine or
ten PM, Iris is found about six degrees west of the Pleiades star cluster in
Taurus. A star chart from a magazine or website is needed. Look for the
mini-dipper of the Pleiades, in the East, and move right one binocular field.
Iris is so bright because it is both close the Sun and Earth. Iris should be
naked eye visible from dark rural areas.
Other members of the Solar system may be glimpsed at various times. We are now
between two meteor showers. The Taurid meteor shower peaked Sunday night and the
Leonid meteor shower climaxes Friday night. Occasionally, one may witness brief
spurts of meteors from either Taurus or Leo. Meteors, for the most part, are
litter left behind by various comets. Planets, comets and asteroids are all
members of our Solar System.
Dudley Observatory's Skywatch Line for Friday, November 10, through Sunday, November 12.
by Alan French
The skies were completely cloudy for the transit of Mercury across the face
of the Sun this past Wednesday afternoon. Indeed, the northeast and much of
the eastern U.S. was clouded out. In case you've been wondering, the next
two transits of Mercury are on May 9, 2016, and November 11, 2019. Mark
your calendars, as both will be visible from our area in their entirety –
weather permitting.
Weather permitting the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers will host a public
Star Party this weekend. At a Star Party a variety of telescopes are set up
for your viewing pleasure. During the early part of the Star Party, club
members will have their telescopes pointed at some of the
celestial showpieces. Later on, we take requests, as long as the object is
above the horizon.
The Star Party will be held Saturday night in Indian Meadows Park in
Glenville, beginning at 8:00 PM. Indian Meadows Park is off of Droms Road
in East Glenville, and is marked by a large sign. After passing the park
buildings, bear left at the fork in the road, and continue to a gravel
parking lot on your left. The telescopes are set up beyond the gravel
parking lot. Please park in the gravel lot and walk to the telescope area.
If you are bringing a telescope, you may drive to the observing area, but
try to arrive early.
There is no admission charge and all ages are welcome. You are welcome to
stay as long or as briefly as you wish. Keep in mind that the temperature
feels 20 to 30 degrees cooler when you are inactive under the night sky – so
dress appropriately! The Star Party will be canceled if the skies are
mostly cloudy. If in doubt, call 374-8460 after 6:00 PM.
Skywatch, Thursday November 9, 2006
by Bob Mulford
Yesterday a rare event occurred: a transit of the planet Mercury across the disk
of the Sun. This was the first Transit of Mercury since 2003.
Although it was cloudy in the Capital District, this transit could be seen from
most locations in North or South America. In a transit, Mercury moves between
the Earth and the Sun in a special kind of eclipse. With the proper
equipment, it is possible to view Mercury as a tiny black dot moving across the
face of the Sun. Remember than it is not safe to look directly at the Sun
without special filters to protect your eye. Although it is possible to
view a transit with inexpensive equipment, the easiest and perhaps the best
method is to locate a museum, university, or amateur astronomy group that has
arranged for public viewing using safe equipment. Viewers in the capital
district have two more chances to view a Transit of Mercury. The next
opportunity occurs on May 9, 2016, and another on Nov 11, 2019. Both of
these transits begin shortly after Sunrise in the Capital District and end in
the early afternoon. Hopefully we will have good weather for one of these
transits. After this pair, no transits of Mercury will be visible from the
Capital District until the year 2049.
Venus can also transit the Sun, and the Capital district has a chance to view a
transit of Venus in a few years. On June 6, 2012, a transit of Venus will begin
late in the afternoon.
Sunset tonight is at 4:39 PM, and the 18 day old Moon rises shortly after
dinnertime, at 8:02 PM
This is the Dudley Observatory Skywatch Line for Tuesday, November 7th,
2006, written by Steven Russo, Planetarium Manager of the Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at the Schenectady Museum.
Sunrise today was at 6:36 AM, and it set tonight at 4:41 PM.
The Moon is currently in a waning gibbous phase today, with the Last
Quarter Moon on Sunday the 12th. It rose at 5:56 this evening, and
will set at around 10:30 tomorrow morning..
Comet Swan is still visible as a binocular object, and as the Moon moves
out of the picture after November 8th, it may be easier to find. It
can be located to the east of the constellation of Hercules. It is currently
moving through the constellation of Hercules.
The big event for the week, is the Transit of the Planet Mercury across
the face of the Sun on Wednesday afternoon. The best viewing time for the
Capital District will be from around 2:30 until around 4:30 in the afternoon.
Sunset is at 4:40 PM. The Schenectady Museum Planetarium will have an outdoor
observing session weather permitting, and will have the Transit Via Webcast in
the Planetarium.
Very low to the horizon during this time of year in the evening, is the
famous Big Dipper. It is in the north west sky, and appears upright. Using the
end stars of the cup, draw a line upwards, and it will point to the North Star,
Polaris, on the end of the handle of the Little Dipper. The Little Dipper is
“upside down” compared to the Big Dipper. The Square of Pegasus, also known as
the Fall Square, is high overhead by 9 PM
The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at the Schenectady Museum has re 0pened and
is now running its regular schedule. Public Programs at the Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at the Schenectady Museum, are on Saturdays and Sundays at 1, 2, and
3 P. M. The 1:00 program is “The Sky Above Mister Rogers Neighborhood”, a
program for young people. At 2 P. M. is “Hubble Vision”, and at 3 P. M. is a
live narration of the Fall Sky. “Hubble Vision” also plays Tuesday through
Fridays at 2 PM.
Skywatch Line for Monday, November 6.
by Joe Slomka
The Sun sets tonight at 4:42 PM, with night falling at 6:18. Dawn breaks at 5:00
AM and ends with sunrise at 7:37
As the Sun sets, there are no easily seen planets to be found in tonight’s sky.
However, one lesser member of our Solar System can be located.
Astronomers have been following Comet Swan with great interest for the last few
weeks. The Comet unexpectedly brightened last week, making the comet briefly
naked eye visible in rural skies. Binocular users were also rewarded with very
bright images, compared with nearby M-13 in Hercules. Comet Swan is slowly
parading eastward. By twilight’s end, it is about midway between Hercules’ knee
and Lyra.
Recent reports have the comet reverting to a dimmer state.
A nearly full Moon rises shortly after sunset. Nightfall finds the Moon within
five degrees of the Pleiades. Since the Pleiades are a group of bright stars,
they withstand the onslaught of the Moon’s light. The Pleiades are one of the
few objects that look better in binoculars than a telescope. If you can, watch
the course of the Moon over the next few nights. At Midnight, the Moon-Pleiades
duo will be high in the Southeast.
The same time the Moon rises, the constellation Auriga also makes its
appearance. The constellation is found to the Moon’s left. Auriga resembles a
pentagon or home plate. The brightest star is Capella and is found in the upper
right corner. The opposite corner is the more obscure star Menkalinan –
“shoulder of the charioteer.” Menkalinan, a member of Auriga, is actually
connected to the Big Dipper – Ursa Major.
Five of the Big Dipper’s stars formed together from the same gas cloud.
Menkalinan also formed from that same cloud; it sails through space along with
its Big Dipper brothers. It shares the same color, brightness, speed and
direction. It is also the same distance from Earth – 82 light years. Menkalinan
is easy to find. It is opposite Capella, on the eastern top portion of the
pentagon.
Skywatch Line for Friday, November 3, through Sunday, November 5.
by Alan French
The weekend skies will be bright and moonlit. The Moon will be Full at 7:58
AM Sunday morning, when it will be below our western horizon. When we see
the Moon in the east after sunset on Saturday night it will be approaching
full, while on Sunday night it will be past full. To the eye, the Moon will
probably look full on both nights. Can you tell it is not quite full? The
full moon of November is called the Frosty Moon, and as the first full moon
after the harvest Moon, this will be the Hunter's Moon.
We'll have two fine opportunities to see the International Space Station
pass over the Capital District this weekend. The pass on Friday evening
will see the ISS move into the Earth's shadow and fade from view when high
overhead, while Sunday's appearance will find the ISS moving almost directly
overhead and from horizon to horizon. We see satellites because they are
still up in the sunlight while we are down in the Earth's shadow, and the
ISS is bright enough to see in spite of the bright moonlight.
The times for the ISS given on the Skywatch Line are for Schenectady, but
they should be close enough for anyone in the Capital District.
On Friday night, the ISS will appear above the west northwestern horizon
just after 6:24 PM. It will be highest at 6:26:50 PM when it will appear 69
degrees above the west northwestern horizon. If you missed it coming up
from the horizon, simply face the west-northwest and look high overhead at
6:26. Just as it reaches its highest point, the ISS will move into the
Earth's shadow and fade from view. How long can you see it before it
vanishes completely?
Sunday night's appearance will be a bit earlier in the evening, and you'll
be able to see the ISS cross the entire sky. It will appear above the
northwestern horizon at 5:31:43 PM and will be moving straight up from the
horizon. It will pass directly overhead at 5:34:31 PM, and will vanish
below the east southeastern horizon soon after 5:37.
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