Posts Tagged ‘waxing gibbous Moon’
EarthSky Tonight—September 19, Venus brightest for
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org Comet Hartley 2 might brighten to binocular object by late September 2010 Venus is the brightest planet and it is brightest this week in the evening for all of 2010. Look outside shortly after sunset and you cannot miss Venus. It is an eerie light low in the southwestern sky. Venus’ brightness will surprise you if you have never noticed it before. It is so bright that, around now, many people will report Venus as a UFO. However, ... Full Story
EarthSky Tonight—Sept 18, Best predawn of view
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org Comet Hartley 2 might brighten to binocular object by late September 2010 Our sky chart shows the eastern sky for about one hour before sunrise at our mid-northern latitudes. If it is clear, there is a good chance that you will spot Mercury – the solar system’s innermost planet – sneaking onto the stage of sky. However, to catch this elusive world, you will need a level, unobstructed horizon in the direction of ... Full Story
EarthSky Tonight—September 17, Close-up on
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org Will you be able to see the ‘demon’ star in the constellation Perseus the Hero tonight? Yesterday’s chart showed you how to use the constellation Cassiopeia to locate Perseus in the northeast at mid to late evening. The brightest star in Perseus is Alpha Persei, whose proper name is Mirfak, pronounced MEER-fak. Comet Hartley 2 passes in front of Cassiopeia, Perseus in autumn 2010 Meanwhile, the best-known star in this ... Full Story
EarthSky Tonight—Sept 16, Cassiopeia and Perseus in
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org At this time of year, if you are in the northern hemisphere, try looking northeast at mid to late evening for two prominent constellations, Cassiopeia and Perseus. Learn these constellations now, and you may be able catch Comet Hartley 2 in front of Cassiopeia in late September and the first week in October. Then watch as the comet passes through Perseus until October 17. Comet Hartley 2 might brighten to binocular object by late ... Full Story
EarthSky Tonight—September 15, Moon helps you
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org A spacecraft is now in route to the dwarf planet Pluto, scheduled to arrive in the year 2015. Tonight’s moon can help you visualize this Pluto spacecraft’s whereabouts on our sky’s dome. We are talking about the New Horizons spacecraft, launched from Earth in 2006. Will you see the spacecraft itself tonight? No. Even with a high-powered telescope, this little craft cannot be seen from Earth now as it speeds toward the outer ... Full Story
EarthSky Tonight—August 22, Almost full moon lights
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org We draw in the arrowhead-shape figure of the constellation Capricornus by the moon on tonight’s chart. However, you are not likely to see this star pattern tonight because of the overwhelming glare of the full-looking waxing gibbous moon. When the moon drops out of the evening sky by the end of the month, you will be able to see this loop of stars in a dark sky. The signpost of the summer skies – the Summer Triangle – ... Full Story
Earthsky Tonight—June 19 Waxing moon between
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org Tonight the moon is in a waxing gibbous phase, meaning it appears more than half lighted but less than full. Tonight, the moon is to the west of the bright star Spica and to the east of the planet Saturn. Yesterday evening, the moon was closer to Saturn. Tomorrow evening, the moon will be closer to Spica. Spica is the brightest star in the constellation Virgo the Maiden. We have also indicated the whereabouts of the ... Full Story
Earthsky Tonight—May 24: Bright star near moon is
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org The waxing gibbous moon glides past the star Spica in the constellation Virgo this evening. It passes relatively close to Spica for a day or two each month that Spica is visible in our night sky. It does the same with other bright stars such as Regulus in the constellation Leo, Antares in the constellation Scorpius and Aldebaran in the constellation Taurus. Have you ever heard of the moon near Polaris the North Star? If someone ... Full Story
Earthsky Tonight – May23: Moon leaving Saturn,
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org Yesterday – on Saturday evening – the waxing gibbous moon shone close to the planet Saturn. This Sunday evening, a fuller waxing gibbous moon beams in between Saturn and the star Spica. Tomorrow – on Monday – a larger yet waxing gibbous moon will couple up with Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo. As the moon makes its rounds through the starry heavens, its passes through every constellation of the ... Full Story
Earthsky Tonight—May 22, Moon near golden planet
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org find the moon in a waxing gibbous phase this evening – more than half lighted but less than full – in the sky from sunset until after midnight. Tonight’s moon will be visible near a bright object in our sky. It’s not a star, but a planet – Saturn, planet of the rings. Given clear skies, almost everyone around the world can see the moon and Saturn near each other this evening. Earth passed between Saturn and the sun on ... Full Story
