‘Earth & Sky’ Archives
EarthSky Tonight—October 25, Moon between Pleiades
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org Our sky chart shows the eastern sky for around mid-evening at mid-northern latitudes in North America, with the bright waning gibbous moon shining between the Pleaides star cluster and the star Aldebaran, the constellation Taurus’ brightest. Mid-northern latitudes elsewhere around the world will see the Pleiades and Aldebaran in the same place in the sky at the same hour of the night – yet the moon will be positioned somewhat ... Full Story
EarthSky Tonight—October 24, Moon can guide you to
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org Our sky chart shows the waning gibbous moon and the Pleiades star cluster for around mid-evening at North American mid-northern latitudes. However, no matter where you live worldwide, tonight’s moon will shine near the Pleiades cluster, so let the moon guide your eye to this cluster of stars tonight. At mid-northern latitudes in Europe or Asia, the gap between the moon and Pleaides will be greater than in North America, and the ... Full Story
EarthSky Tonight—October 23, Waning moon rises soon
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org For the northern hemisphere, last night’s moon was the full Hunter’s Moon. In the southern hemisphere, it was the second full moon of spring. The full moon reached the crest of its full phase today (Saturday, October 23) at 1:36 Universal Time. For the Central Time zone in the U.S., that was 8:36 p.m. yesterday, on Friday, October 22. Tonight’s moon is past full. It is actually a waning moon. However, no matter where you ... Full Story
EarthSky Tonight—October 21, Full Hunter’s Moon of
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org Tonight’s moon is only a prelude to the full Hunter’s Moon that will grace North American skies tomorrow – on Friday evening, October 22. Nevertheless, the moon looks plenty full tonight, too, as it parades across the sky from dusk until dawn. The moon will reach the crest of its full phase tomorrow at precisely 8:46 p.m. Central Time (9:46 p.m. Eastern Time, 7:46 p.m. Mountain Time, 6:46 p.m. Pacific Time). Elsewhere in the ... Full Story
EarthSky Tonight—Tonight October 20, Moon washes out
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org The almost full waxing gibbous moon makes 2010 an unfavorable year for watching tonight’s Orionid meteor shower. However, that same big bright moon near Jupiter will be a sight to behold. Meteors first. The Orionid meteor shower will probably rain down their greatest number of meteors for 2010 before dawn on Thursday, October 21, 2010. Only diehard meteor enthusiasts will be watching, however, as the meteors are sure to be few ... Full Story
EarthSky Tonight—October 19, Moon and Jupiter close
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org As seen from North America, the waxing gibbous moon and the blazing planet Jupiter are the closest together for the month tonight. From Asia, they will be closest tomorrow night. Nevertheless, no matter where you live worldwide, look for Jupiter near tonight’s moon. Want more? Bright star in southeast on October evenings? It’s the planet Jupiter With the exception of the moon, Jupiter is the brightest heavenly object in ... Full Story
EarthSky Tonight—October 18, Bright object near
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org Here is the waxing gibbous moon shortly after sunset on Monday, not real far away from the largest planet in our solar system Jupiter. The waxing moon will be closer to Jupiter on Tuesday. If you are outside in twilight this evening, turn your focus on the moon. The best time to observe craters, mountains and valleys on the moon is in morning or evening twilight. That is when the moon appears bright against the darkening sky, but ... Full Story
EarthSky Tonight—October 17, Solar system’s
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org Do not expect to see Neptune, even though it is close to the moon tonight. Neptune, the 8th planet out from the sun, is the only solar system planet that you absolutely cannot see with the unaided eye. Pluto is not visible to the unaided eye, either, but in 2006, this distant world was reclassified – some say demoted – to “dwarf planet” status. Because of the moonlit glare, you probably will not even see the rather faint ... Full Story
EarthSky Tonight—October 16, See Cassiopeia and Big
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org On October evenings, the Big Dipper resides rather low in the northwest sky, and the W or M-shape constellation Cassiopeia the Queen sits on her throne in the upper northeast sky. These two star formations are like riders on opposite side of a Ferris Wheel. They spin around Polaris, the North Star, once a day. As one rises upward, the other plunges downward – and vice versa. As evening deepens into late night, the Big Dipper ... Full Story
EarthSky Tonight—October 15, See the sky’s
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org Andy wrote, "Early this morning, looking southeast, I saw a beautiful star, bright and multicolored. . .Can you identify it for me?" Paula wrote, "This morning two of us got up early. We found a pulsing star straight down the sky below Orion’s Belt. It was pulsing the colors of green, yellow, blue and red like a strobe light. I will search for it every morning as it was so enchanting.” It is enchanting, so much so that – ... Full Story