Archives for the 'observing' Category
Perseid Meteors
Published on 11 Aug 2009 at 10:57 am.
3 Comments.
Filed under meteors, observing, skywatching.
Every year, in mid-August, the Earth passes near the orbit of Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. The comet, itself, is seldom seen. It was last easily viewed by amateur astronomers in 1992 and 1993. With an orbital period of about 133 years, the comet will next be in the inner Solar System in the year 2126, when it […]
A dark spot on Jupiter
Published on 29 Jul 2009 at 11:48 pm.
2 Comments.
Filed under Jupiter, astronomy, observing.
Amateur astronomer Anthony Wesley took an image of Jupiter on July 19 showing a dark spot on the planet. The spot looked remarkably like the sort of impact features left when Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 hit Jupiter in July 1994. In fact, a lot of people very quickly announced that this was another impact on […]
June and July Star Parties
Published on 9 Jun 2009 at 8:28 pm.
1 Comment.
Filed under observing.
For many people, summer is a time to get out and do things. Many amateur astronomers like to observe in the winter because the skies are often clearer, darker, and the nights are longer (permitting more observing and observing starting earlier). Serious amateur astronomers know how to dress for cold weather. However, for most other […]
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The Moon and Antares
Published on 6 Jun 2009 at 1:41 pm.
2 Comments.
Filed under observing, skywatching.
As the Moon goes around the Earth, it naturally passes in front of various stars now and then. The heavens are full of stars, so this is a pretty normal occurrence. When my students are doing their moon observations through the telescope, I often look to see if a star is near the limb (the […]
Really, Mars will NOT be the size of the Moon in the sky!
Published on 2 May 2009 at 3:58 pm.
15 Comments.
Filed under Mars, observing, public science, sky lore, skywatching.
Already, the annual urban myth about Mars being the size of the Moon in the sky is circulating the internet. Come on. Stop it people! Before you forward this thing on to other people, check it out! Actually, before you forward any “news” item that you get in email, text message, […]
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Occultation of Venus
Published on 21 Apr 2009 at 3:20 pm.
7 Comments.
Filed under observing, skywatching.
On Wednesday morning, the Moon will appear to pass in front of the planet Venus for some observers on Earth. Whenever the Moon (or some other astronomical body) passes in front of another body, we call it an occultation. This lunar occultation of Venus will be technically visible for many North American observers, […]
So, where is Mercury?
Published on 2 Feb 2008 at 8:53 am.
No Comments.
Filed under Mercury, observing, planets.
Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve posted several things about the planet Mercury. So, you might be tempted to ask, “Can I see Mercury in the sky tonight?” Unfortunately, the answer is, “Probably not.”
In the image below, I show the view to the western sky right at sunset. The Sun is […]
