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Look Up!

Planetary Treats
Crescent Venus ~ Our Morning Star During Aries
Mercury at Its Best ...
Saturn's Ring Tilt ~ Similar to 1996
Jupiter Near the Edge of the Sun
Mars Requires Keen Eyes!
Celestial Delights
How Many Heavenly Rabbits Do You Know?
Scorpius the Rival of Orion
Who Rules Spring?
National Dark Sky Week ~ 4/20-26
Plus ...
Sky Lights
Printable Date Tables
Moon Dances 2/24-3/26
Moon Dances 3/26-4/24
The Night Sky ~ Home Page
Aries Navigation Page

Planetary Treats

Crescent Venus ~ Our Morning Star During Aries
March 31, 2009	April 18, 2009
Images: U.S. Naval Observatory / Adobe Photoshop

These sunrise phases of Venus were generated for 13:30 UT (6:30am PDT) for the dates given above. These images represent telescopic views of the planet. The image at the left shows a .014 crescent phase of Venus March 31, which increases to a .137 crescent phase April 18, as seen on the right. Notice how the phase increases, while the disk size decreases. Keep reading to learn more about the phases of Venus.

Venus is often called the Morning Star or the Evening Star because it reaches maximum brightness shortly before sunrise or shortly after sunset.

Crescent Venus on Both Horizons!

Venus seen on the horizon means that it is in a close approach to Earth. When viewed with a telescope during this time it is seen in its thin crescent phase. Venus has phases like the Moon. See this helpful image.

Venus can be seen very low on both horizons at dusk and dawn March 24,25,26! This is a rare viewing challenge and opportunity that occurs only once every 8 years; it requires a clear flat eastern horizon and right predawn timing. Begin looking March 22-24 and you'll see a predawn Crescent Moon transit Jupiter and Mars. Maps/Video/Text Binoculars come in handy, however be eye-safe by taking care not to focus on the Sun.

Rainbow Crescent Venus!

Amateur astronomers who've looked at Venus during its sunset crescent phase have noticed something extraordinary. Venus looks like a rainbow.

Venus resembles a rainbow because Earth's atmosphere acts like a prism. When Venus is near the horizon, refraction separates the red crescent from the blue. The crescent is so thin, the splitting of colors is obvious. SpaceWeather.com

When Earth's atmospheric prism is unsteady, telescopic Venus is seen rippling and flashing all the colors of the rainbow. See this video taken by Ron Wayman 3 years ago in January 2006. Click SpaceWeather.com to see more images of a crescent Venus.

Venus has phases like the Moon. As it sinks toward the western horizon in the evening sky, its phase wanes (thins) and its apparent disk size increases respectively. When the planet rises above eastern horizon the opposite occurs; its phase waxes (fattens) and the disk size decreases, as shown in the two images above. Just before and after Venus switches horizons, it is at its closest to Earth and therefore its disk appears the largest. See Animated Phases of Venus.

BTW: The phases of Venus were first observed by Galileo. His telescopic discovery confirmed the theory of Copernicus; that the planets did indeed revolve around the Sun.

To recognize the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first major legendary observations of 1609, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have deemed 2009 the International Year of Astronomy. The IAU, the governing board of professional astronomy, plans to help world citizens rediscover their place in the Universe through a day and night sky global celebration, thereby engaging a personal sense of wonder and discovery.

Venus disappears from view in the Sun's glowing embrace, when it reaches inferior conjunction and is in the process of switching from our "Evening Star" to our "Morning Star". This solar conjunction and change of horizons occurs in 2009 on March 27.

Note: In 2009 because Venus passes well north of the Sun during this conjunction (8º-10º, sources vary) it will remain visible to dedicated and skilled observers. This observation is rare, once in 8 years.

... that means on the day of conjunction Venus will rise before the Sun, take a higher arc through the sky, and set after the Sun. Combined with Venus' inherent brilliance, it will be possible to spot the planet! aaa.org. 3/09

For most of us Venus rises out of the Sun's glaring light and reappears in the morning sky for a brief challenging glimpse March 31, when the planet hugs the eastern horizon just before sunrise. Shining at magnitude -4.2 the planet pierces through the twilight. By April 18 it blazes at magnitude -4.6 and rises in a dark sky 1 1/2 hours before the Sun.

Venus is currently transiting the faint constellation Pisces found south of Pegasus. Venus retrograde (3/6 - 4/16) remains in the vicinity of Algenib, the wing of Pegasus the Flying Horse. Meditative Reflections

April 22 a waning Crescent Moon occults Venus for North America excluding the far south and east. Occultation Map Click Moon Dances for a star map and meditative reflections.

Venus and Pluto

Three Venus squares to Pluto characterize this Venus cycle (February 5, April 3 and May 2, 2009). Issues involve integrity in relationships, deepening connections with others, discovering the shadow behind desire and transforming our relationship to money and self-worth. Covert manipulations fueled by jealousy, anger or resentment. Persisting, fighting resistance. Beneath obsession and control, there is life-force, vitality and passion fighting to emerge. Rekindle a fiery passion. Clarify and apply your heart's desire. Jacqueline Lasahn Astroflash! 3/4/09

This cycle is a good time to evaluate financial responsibilities, payoff and consolidate debts. Re-negotiate contracts. Uproot self-doubt, organize and finish creative projects. Renew devotion to creative work.

Mercury at It’s Best …
MESSENGER’S 2008 View ~ 12 Months
Our 2009 Evening View ~ Best in April

Image: NASA / JHU APL / CIW

Larger Image  (685.1 kB)

When 2008 began, only 45% of Mercury surface had been seen by spacecraft. Then in 2008, the MESSENGER mission flew by Mercury twice, first on January 14 and again on October 6, capturing images of previously unseen terrain. At the end of 2008 to the present, imaging coverage of Mercury’s surface is about 90%. The MESSENGER mission still has much to look forward to, with a third Mercury flyby September 29, 2009 and with the orbiting of Mercury beginning in March 2011.

For the description of the 12 months of images shown above click here. Hmmm ... December's description is missing :-( ?!

NASA Sends a MESSENGER to Mercury!
This is NASA’s first trip to the planet in 30 years.
Successful Launch ~ August 2/3, 2004
Orbital Arrival ~ March 2011
News Center

Mercury, in the Sun's glowing embrace, is out of our sight as Aries begins. March 30 the elusive planet is in superior conjunction. April 8 it gloriously reappears hugging the sunset horizon for its best evening performance of 2009. April 9 Mercury's brightness matches that or our brightest star, Sirius.

Mercury at Its Best for the Year
Star Gazer's fun and informative 1-minute
video helps you locate Mercury April 10-26

Catch several April sunsets and afterwards observe Mercury, located low on the west-northwest horizon, rise higher as the days go by. Ascending Mercury dims, yet it gets easier to see positioned further from the Sun in a darker sky. Mercury moves toward reddish Aldebaran and the mini dipper-shaped Pleiades, the eye and shoulder of Taurus the Bull respectively. See Winter Stars ~ 4/15 8pm Sky Chart for orientation.

Mark your calendar!

April 26, Thursday, the planet is at greatest elongation (20º), when a Crescent Moon joins the Pleiades very near the planet. Map

Saturn's Ring Tilt ~ Similar to 1996

Image: NASA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI / AURA)

Larger Image  (60 kB)

Saturn's thin rings are currently tilting open at about 3.4º, similar to the Hubble image shown above taken in 1996. Saturn's rings have been closing after reaching their maximum tilt of 27º in April 2003. In 2009 from January-May there is a gradual re-opening after which they close to edge-on in September — unfortunately, Saturn will be out of sight at that time in conjunction with the Sun.

Star Gazer's 5-minute video from the week of 1/12-18/09 shows the movement of Saturn's rings over time. I highly recommend watching this fun video for its explanation of Saturn's shrinking rings and wonderful "ring dance" animation.

View Saturn’s Ring Tilt
Using the Solar System Simulator choose:
Saturn seen from Earth
any month/day/year at anytime UTC
body 30%—no options chosen—run simulator.
Compare annual ring tilt by viewing years 2003-2009.
Compare monthly ring tilt for 2009.

 

Saturn is growing noticeably brighter positioned high in the southeast at sunset. It's reflective rings, temporarily re-opening through mid-May, are responsible for its increased golden glow. Sources vary slightly on the degree of ring tilt. The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada lists the following in their Observer’s Handbook 2009 pg.231:

The Lord of the Rings lies near the hindquarters of Leo the Lion. Shining at magnitude 0.7 the planet is about twice as bright as Regulus, the Lion's heart star, which shines at magnitude 1.35. Saturn retrograde (12/31/08 - 5/15/09) is moving westerly toward the Lion's belly.

April 5 the waxing Gibbous Moon guides us to Regulus and April 6 to Saturn. Click Moon Dances for a map and meditative reflections.

Any night after 9:00pm, look for the triangle formed by Saturn, Spica and Arcturus. The two stars lie to the southeast and northeast of the planet respectively. Find the Big Dipper, arc down to bright golden Arcturus in Bootes and then spike down to dimmer blue-white Spica in Virgo. Helpful Image ~ 4/10 9pm Sky Chart

April 13 the shadow of Saturn's largest moon Titan, glides across the globe of Saturn in the predawn hours. This transit takes over 4 hours.

During the early morning hours of April 13, watch for Titan's black shadow to begin transiting shortly after 3:22 a.m. EDT (12:22 a.m. PDT). It can take a dozen minutes or so before the shadow becomes noticeable. For those people on the East Coast, Saturn sets before the transit ends at 7:51 a.m. EDT. West Coast observers fare better, seeing the entire event before it concludes at 4:51 a.m. PDT. Image Astronomy Magazine 4/09

April 29 another Titan shadow transit occurs at 2:22am EDT (11:22 pm PDT 4/28). The event ends at 7:16am EDT (4:16am PDT).

Seeking Saturn’s Moons
Sky & Telescope’s JavaScript utility helps
locate Saturn’s five brightest satellites anytime
between January 1900-December 2100.

Jupiter Near the Edge of the Sun

Image: STEREO

NASA's STEREO-B spacecraft was able to observe Jupiter and its four moons over a 30-hour period, March 15-16, 2009. During that time a mammoth coronal mass ejection (CME) billowed overhead, while the planet was near the edge of the blinding Sun! Check out this 5MB Quicktime movie to see Jupiter and the Galilean satellites move toward our “eruptive” solar luminary.

STEREO was able to capture this image using a coronagraph, which is a telescope that can see things very close to the Sun. It uses a disk to block the Sun's bright surface, revealing the solar corona and a variety of celestial objects. A coronagraph produces an artificial solar eclipse.

STEREO's coronagraph (occulting disk+camera) is designed to monitor faint but powerful activity in the sun's outer atmosphere. The CME is a good example. With a limiting magnitude [ * ] of +6.5; it can also see stars, planets, moons and comets so close to the edge of the sun, it seems impossible. In fact, it happens all the time. Browse the STEREO gallery for examples. SpaceWeather.com

STEREO's Image Description + Additional Movie Options

 

Jupiter, a morning planet, rises in the southeast at 5:00am in the beginning of Aries and at 4:00am by its end. The planet is brilliant and easy to see at magnitude -2.0. Located in the dim constellation Capricornus it far outshines any stars in its vicinity. Note: Jupiter lies near and west of telescopic Neptune in Capricornus.

At twilight Jupiter lies less than 25º degrees above the horizon. Watch it ascend as the months unfold.

The low altitude limits the [telescopic] detail visible on the planet's 36"-diameter disk. Don't give up, however; continue following the planet into twilight. When Jupiter's yellowish disk appears against a deep-blue sky, the reduced contrast enhances the visibility of some features. Astronomy Magazine 4/08

Mark Your Calendar!

April 19-22, predawn Sunday-Wednesday, a slim Moon journeys between brilliant Jupiter and stunning Venus, which lies low on the eastern horizon. This 4-day predawn planetary treat promises to delight early bird viewers! See the Date Table for more details regarding these four days.

BTW: Faint Mars is located south of Venus and April 22 the Moon occults Venus for observers in North America excluding those in the far South and East.

Note: Venus and Mars lie near telescopic Uranus in the constellation Pisces during these days.

Check out Star Gazer's fun and informative 5-minute video that maps out these days. Use AstroViewer an interactive sky map to locate the visible and telescopic planets, as well as the Moon. Click Moon Dances for a star map and meditative reflections.

Mars requires keen eyes or an optical aid to see it before sunrise low on the east-southeastern horizon. Mars rises around 6:00am during the beginning of Aries and 5:30am by its end. Visibility improves at the end of April and much better views of our Red Planet occur at the end of the year.

Mars journeys through the constellation Aquarius and enters the constellation Pisces where it teams up with telescopic Uranus and blazing Venus. Use AstroViewer an interactive sky map to locate the visible and telescopic planets, as well as the Moon.

April 19-22, predawn Sunday-Wednesday, Mars lies south Venus. In the Jupiter section just above, see Mark Your Calendar! to learn more.

The Planets
Is it a planet? ... What planet? When you look up at the night sky, how do you know you are looking at a planet? Learn what a plutoid is. Click here.

 

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Celestial Delights

How Many Heavenly Rabbits Do You Know?
Full Moon	Easter Bunny?
Images: Michael Myers

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Scorpius the Rival of Orion
Scorpius Rises in the East as Orion Sets in the West
Scorpius	Orion
Images: StarDate Online / Adobe Photoshop

The Myth ~ Scorpius the Rival of Orion

Scorpius is the legendary killer of Orion. Orion was a great hunter who bragged about his skills until the gods grew tired of his boasting. The scorpion was sent to punish Orion, who never thought of such a small creature as a threat. Once he was stung, it was too late. Both were placed in the sky although Orion's last wish was that he never be in the sky as the same time as the scorpion. Thus, Scorpius rules the northern hemisphere's summer while Orion rules the winter skies. StarrySkies.com

Orion and His Rival
A Fun Cartoon comparing the HUGE red star
in Orion with the HUGE red star in Scorpius. Enjoy!

Who rules Spring?
Leo the Lion!

Image: StarDate Online / Adobe Photoshop

During Aries as Orion sets in the west and Scorpius rises in the east around midnight, Leo the Lion, as if chasing winter Orion out of the sky, lies overhead as the master of spring. This cosmic Lion rules spring.

In 2009 during Aries, Saturn's golden orb can be observed in the vicinity of Lion's hindquarters.

Regulus and Leo the Lion Spring Up!

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National Dark Sky Week in 2009 occurs Monday - Sunday, April 20 - April 26. This event raises awareness about the importance of preserving a dark sky and promotes the hobby of astronomy. During this week people are encouraged to turn out their unnecessary outdoor lights in order to temporarily reduce light pollution. National Dark Sky Week is an educational and a take action event.

As cities continue to grow, so does light pollution through poor planning and misuse of outdoor lighting. While light pollution is detrimental to our ability to observe and enjoy the night sky, it also disrupts the surrounding natural environment, wastes energy, and has the potential to cause health problems. Astronomy.com Newsletter 3/19/08

The mission of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment from any adverse effect of artificial light. See IDA’s Best Choice Lighting page for resources. Check out Sky and Telescope's Saving Dark Skies for links to helpful, interesting and pertinent articles.

IDA is encouraging everyone to support Earth Hour, which is a global initiative to "turn off the lights" in cities around the world for one hour, starting at 8:30pm local time on March 28, 2009. It is intended to bring together a diverse group of community, municipal, corporate and non-governmental organizations, to heighten awareness of the impacts of climate change on the world, and to inspire individuals and businesses to take practical action to reduce their own carbon footprint.

As of March 22, 2,140 cities, towns and municipalities in 82 countries had indicated their intention to participate in this event. Learn more at EarthHour.org.

The value of the night is explored in Ecology Of The Night. National Park scientists on the Night Sky Team work to preserve the Natural Lightscapes, dark night skies above our national parks.

Take action for a dark sky!

May Spring's Emerging Opportunities Bless you!

Printable Date Tables

Lunar cycle 2/24/09-3/26/09

Lunar cycle 3/26/09-4/24/09

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I'd like to know your thoughts about The Night Sky and
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May your Night Sky traveling always be filled
with Celestial Delights and Treats!
Susan Sun

Getting Started in Astronomy
Includes a downloadable Moon map and bimonthly star charts.

At Skymaps.com download a current monthly guide, evening sky map & calendar.

Link to Sky and Telescope's This Week's Sky at a Glance.

Spaceweather.com keeps you looking up!

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