Just a reminder for you early risers, 16-18 February 2009 is a great time to catch Mars and Jupiter in close conjunction with Mercury in the area to boot. You’ll have to get out just before sunrise and have a clear eastern horizon, but it’s worth the effort.
Full details in my post from 29 Jan 2009. Share it with someone you love. It’s a great opportunity to introduce the kids to astronomy and start their education early before they have to go to school where everything is dumbed down.
For February’s sky pretty, you’re going to need a couple of things: a good, clear eastern horizon and an alarm clock. A hot pot of coffee wouldn’t be a bad idea either. Your window of opportunity is 16-18 February 2009. Your target is the eastern horizon just before sunrise. Your payoff is a close conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Mars with Mercury in the neighborhood for good measure.
Your local sunrise will be around 6am, but the key to seeing this treat is getting out before the rising sun overpowers the sight. The sun will be following only 5° behind. Get your coffee brewed and get a seat by 0540, local time. It is important the your chosen vantage point have an unobstructed view of the horizon.
You’ll first spot Mercury 5° above the horizon. Five degrees is about a thumb’s width at arm’s length. Mercury is shining brightly at -0.17 magnitude. On the 16th Mars and Jupiter will rise side-by-side about 0543, local time. Red Mars will be on the right at +1.58 magnitude and -1.58 magnitude Jupiter is less than one degree left of Mars.
If you miss the sixteenth’s sky pretty, try again on 17 Feb. when Mars will be slightly lower than Jupiter, but separated by less then 1/2°. On the 19th, Mars will be one degree directly below Jupiter. From then on, Jupiter will be on a rapid escape from Mars and the Sun. If you get up five minutes earlier on 24 Feb., you’ll catch Jupiter and Mercury just ¾° apart.
If you’re an earlier riser, this sky pretty was made for you. If you’re not, get the coffee pot ready the night before. This is one sight worth the effort. Besides, when’s the last time you enjoyed a sunrise?
Jupiter, courtesy of JPL/NASA
Whether your an amateur astronomer or just a casual star-gazer, right now is a beautiful, near conjunction of Jupiter and Venus in the constellation Sagittarius. What I like to call a sky pretty. Here’s a chance to get your kids interested in astronomy or just impress your date with a little sky knowledge.
Where to look
South West (SW), right about where the sun is setting or better, just has set. The scene should be the same for anyone in the 30°N latitudes.
When to look
Just as the sunsets. As of this posting that should be just around 1730 hours (5:30 PM) local time.
What to look for
The two bright objects about a hand’s width above the horizon. You really can’t miss them.
What you are seeing
The brighter object, closer to the horizon is the planet Venus, Earth’s nearest neighbor. She has magnitude of -4.02 and is the third brightest object in our sky, out shown only by the Sun and the Moon. Just above Venus is our solar system’s largest planet, Jupiter. The king of the planets has a magnitude of -1.59.
This close conjunction is taking place in the constellation Sagittarius, the hunting centaur. The magnitude 2.05 star below Venus is Nunki (sigma Sgr). This sky pretty is bright enough to be enjoyed with the naked eye. Using a good pair of binoculars may reveal some of the Jovian details, but don’t count on Venus showing you what lies beneath her skirt. One reason Venus is so bright is her highly reflective, dense atmosphere which masks any surface details. If you have access to even a small telescope, you’ll have no trouble seeing the four Galilean moons of Jupiter: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
While you’re out, look around for these other bright objects. Up and to the right (slightly west) of Venus and Jupiter, is the star Altair (alpha Aql). Altair is the brightest star (mag. 0.75) of the constellation Aquila, the eagle. Continue west and slightly higher than Altair to find Vega (alpha Lyr) the zero magnitude and brightest star in the tiny constellation Lyra, the lyre.
Continue turning north and you may be able to spot the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor) about half way between Vega and the horizon while facing due north. Alpha Umi, is more commonly known as Polaris, the North Star.
This sky pretty will peak on 1 December 2008 when the two planets will be closest together and joined by the crescent moon. Keep your eyes on the sky.
The Odd, Little Happy 