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Look Up!

Planetary Treats
Giant Jupiter Is Dimming, Descending, Diminshing
Martian North Polar Cap Springs Into View
Saturn Brightens
Mercury ~ A Cratered Inferno
Celestial Delights
Ophiuchus Our "Thirteenth Constellation"
Orion ~ A Sure Sign That Winter Is Near
The Winter Solstice ~ December's Planetary Meditation
Plus ...
Sky Lights
Printable Date Table
Moon Dances 11/16-12/16
Moon Dances 12/16/09-1/15/10
The Night Sky ~ Home Page
Sagittarius Navigation Page

Planetary Treats

Giant Jupiter Is Dimming, Descending, Diminshing

Image: Created by NASA / Wikipedia's image info

How LARGE is JUPITER?

1300 Earths could fit inside of Jupiter and 11 Earths could horizontally line up across the planet! If the Earth was the size of a ping pong ball, Jupiter would be the size of a basketball. Jupiter is 88,000 miles wide and the Earth is 8,000 miles wide.

Jupiter is near the end of its evening performance. This beacon of light is dimming in brightness, descending toward horizon and diminishing in size. Savor the remaining views of this gaseous giant who brilliantly journeys above the southwestern horizon during Sagittarius.

Interactive Planet Size Comparision
Fun program ... it'll wow you.

Jupiter, King of the planets, pierces the twilight with a glowing brilliance, yet the rule of this evening planet is coming to an end. It's orbital motion is taking it further and further from the Earth, resulting in its dimming and smaller appearance. In addition, the opportunity to view the planet decreases, as it sinks toward the setting Sun. Jupiter sets in the southwest at 10:30pm in the beginning of Sagittarius and at 9:15pm by its end.

Jupiter remains eye-catching at magnitude -2.2 in the dim constellation Capricornus. It continues to far outshine any stars in its vicinity. Telescopic Neptune lies near and to the left of Jupiter at the northeast corner of smiling Capricornus the Sea Goat, above its Delta star, Deneb Algedi. Helpful Image Jupiter in its forward motion is moving toward Neptune for a December 21 solstice conjunction.

Mark Your Calendar!

The Moon anywhere near Jupiter is a planetary treat. Check it out in the southwest November 21-26. Be sure to look Monday evening, November 23 when the waxing Crescent Moon lies above Jupiter. Click Moon Dances for a map and meditative reflections.

In a mid-December encore performance the Crescent Moon appears with Jupiter again. December 18 it can be seen below Jupiter near Mercury, December 20 to the right of the Jupiter/Neptune duo and December 21 above Jupiter. Dusk 12/18 ~ Early Evening 12/20 ~ Early Evening 12/21 Look Up! Click Moon Dances for a 12/18-21 map and meditative reflections.

Telescopic Jupiter

Throughout 2009 Jupiter's 4 brightest moons, the Galilean Moons, are being occulted and eclipsed by one another, Jupiter and its shadow!

Note: When a celestial body hides any part of another celestial body, it occults it. When the shadow of a celestial body covers any part of another celestial body, it eclipses it. Helpful Image

These 4 moons are located above Jupiter's equator and in 2009 so is our Earth. This special geometry of Earth allows us to view these mutual events, which occur only every 6 years, twice during Jupiter's 12-year orbit around the Sun.

December offers two good events for North American observers. On December 2 at 9:08 p.m. EST, Io passes in front of Europa, and the pair dims by 45 percent. The second event occurs December 14 at 7:26 p.m. EST (during twilight in western North America). Europa then occults Io, which produces a 23 percent drop in their combined brightness. Astronomy Magazine 12/09

BTW: The four largest and brightest moons of Jupiter can be seen in a dark country sky with binoculars.

In 2009, as part of the International Year of Astronomy, professional astronomers have organzied a worldwide observing campaign to record as many of these events as possible. Details ~ Links to Observations

Jupiter's Moons Dance for You!
Sky&Telescope tells the whole story and
lists mutual events through December, 2009

Jupiter’s Moons
Sky & Telescope’s JavaScript utility helps
locate Jupiter’s four brightest satellites anytime
between January 1900–December 2100.
It also lists the satellite phenomena for the chosen day.

Jupiter ~ The Fun To Watch Planet

Jupiter Observing Guide

Transit Times of Jupiter's Great Red Spot

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Martian North Polar Cap Springs Into View

Image: APOD 12/24/02 / MSSS / JPL / NASA

In the above image from the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS), the bright, frosty surface at the top is the Martian North Polar Cap (NPC); it is made of frozen carbon dioxide. Choppy clouds of at least three spring dust storms can be identified in the image and were observed during the northern spring on Mars in May 2002. Full APOD Description Note: In 2002, the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere of Mars occurred in mid-April. MGS Went Silent in 11/06.

Did you know there is Lots of Pure Water Ice at Mars North Pole?

Martian North Polar Cap Springs Into View

Like Earth, Mars is tilted on its axis and thus experiences a change of seasons as it orbits the Sun. Unlike Earth, a Martian year is about 687 Earth days long and the seasons are unequal in length.

The four seasons on Earth each last about 90 earth days, while Mars' larger and more eccentric elliptical orbit results in seasons that are longer and vary more widely in length - from about 140 to 190 martian sols. APOD 3/25/06

In 2009 the Martian equinox occurred October 26, when neither planetary pole pointed strongly toward the Sun nor the Earth. At that time spring dawned on the Northern Hemisphere of Mars and autumn on its Southern Hemisphere.

As spring progresses, the north polar cap of Mars begins to point more and more toward the Sun and it melts. As the Martian NPC points toward the Sun, it also points toward Earth making it the most prominent feature we can observe. View the thawing polar cap over time and see it noticeably shrink!

Note: The melting NPC creates a temperature difference between the still frozen region and the recently thawed surface area, resulting in swirling winds that lead to dust storms.

Solar System Simulator
View Mars from Earth Any Day

International MarsWatch
View Telescopic Images of Mars

Mars now faces Leo the Lion, while positioned at its sickle-shaped head near Algenubi, the Lion's eye star. Helpful Constellation Image . Bright blue-white Regulus, the heart star of Leo the Lion, lies east of (below) Mars. The planet is easily seen by night owls in the late evening and by early birds before daybreak. Mars rises in the east at 10:00pm in the beginning of Sgittarius and around 8:45pm at its end. By dawn Mars can be seen high in the southwest.

Mark Your Calendar!

The Gemini Twins, Castor and Pollux, lie above (west of) Mars. December 3-7 look for the waning Gibbous Moon, the Twins and Mars 10pm - dawn. The Moon lies near Mars the evening/morning of December 6/7. 12/3-6 10pm Map ~ 12/7 2am Map Click Moon Dances for a December 6-9 map and meditative reflections.

Shining at magnitude -0.1 to -0.7 during December our Red Planet outshines the Twin stars and Regulus.

Note: Saturn lies below (southeast of) Mars in the constellation Virgo and is a little brighter than the Gemini Twin star Pollux. 12/7 6am Sky Chart

Telescoping Mars

Use an 8-inch scope or larger to see more and more details of Mars as the weeks unfold and the planet approaches Earth. Due to the extra 37 minutes it takes Mars to rotate compared to Earth, when one observes the planet the same time every night its distinctive features will appear to move backwards. To observe the same feature in the same location the following evening, look about a half hour later. Four Faces of Mars Mars is in its waxing gibbous phase now.

Mars Nov.15, 2009 ~ View More Telescopic Images of Mars

The planet's shrinking north polar cap promises to be of interest to many. Review image description above.

Look Up!

Mars is approaching Earth and is noticeably growing in size and brightness and deepening in color. The combined orbital motions of Earth and Mars are bringing the two planets closer together and making the views of our Red Planet better and better. Mars reaches opposition and is at its best in January 29, 2010.

Saturn Brightens As ...
Its Rings Open and It Approaches Earth

Image: Solar System Simulator

This image of Saturn was generated by the Solar System Simulator. It views the planet from Earth December 18, 2009 at 00:00 UTC (5:00pm PST 12/17).

Saturn's rings are opening, revealing more and more of their northern face. Saturn's ring tilt is 4.3º 11/31 and 5º by the year's end. Saturn brightens as it approaches Earth and its rings open to reflect more light. The planet reaches opposition and is at its best March 21, 2010.

Saturn reaches western quadrature Christmas Day, when the planet forms a right angle with the rising Sun. This causes a shadow to form on the rings as shown in the image above.

The angle between the Sun and Saturn as viewed from Earth reaches 90° December 25. At this so-called quadrature, Saturn's shadow falls -farthest west where it crosses the rings behind the planet. The shadow shows up easily under moderate magnification and lends a powerful 3-D effect to Saturn. Astronomy Magazine 12/09

Saturn's Ring Progression in Review

Saturn 8/18/09: The Sun and Earth were positioned over Saturn's equator and therefore over its rings at this time. This “high noon” position of the Sun marked the planet’s equinox (Exact 8/10/09), the halfway point between the southern and northern hemisphere of Saturn. At this time the rings appeared black, when viewed from Earth because they tipped edge-on to the Sun and no longer reflected light.

Saturn 9/18/09: September 4 the Earth was exactly above Saturn's equator and the plane of its rings. Afterwards both the Sun and Earth, having completed their ring plane crossings, began transiting Saturn's Northern Hemisphere. Unfortunately the crossings occurred when Saturn was very close to the Sun, hidden in its glaring light. The Solar System Simulator reveals Saturn's rings during this time.

Saturn 10/18/09: In October 2009 Earthlings got their first glimpse of the northern face of the rings, the ring face that hadn't been seen for 14 years! This generated view shows a ring tilt of about 3º. Notice the quadrature shadow beginning to form on the right side of Saturn's globe.

Saturn 11/18/09: The rings open to about 4º. The shadow grows as quadrature nears. The December 18 image above shows the rings open to about 5º.

Note: NASA's Cassini spacecraft has been orbiting Saturn since 2004. Originally called the Cassini-Huygens Mission, the Mission Extension (7/1/08 - 6/30/10) has been dubbed the Cassini Equinox Mission, named after the equinox position of the Sun above Saturn in August 2009.

Saturn rises in the east at 2:00am in the beginning of Sagittarius and by 12:30am at its end. Saturn is positioned high in the south at daybreak.

Saturn lies in the constellation Virgo the Virgin above (west of) Spica, Virgo's brightest star. At magnitude 0.9 the planet shines as bright this star. In a dark sky check out the golden color of Saturn with the blue-white hue of Spica.

December 10, Thursday morning, 1:30am - early dawn look east-southeast to see the waning Crescent Moon near Saturn. Spica lies below (east of) the pair. 12/10 4am Map Stay tuned for a Moon Dance link with an additional map and meditative reflections.

Telescopic Saturn

Any telescope will give a splendid view of this Lord of the Opening Rings and its brightest and largest moon, Titan

During each 16-day orbit of Saturn, Titan passes just above and just below the planet. You'll find it near Saturn the mornings of December 1, 9, 17, and 25. Astronomy Magazine 12/09

You are sure to see Saturn's 4 other brightest moons: Dione, Rhea, Tethys, Enceladus with a 6-inch scope.

Seeking Saturn’s Moons
Sky & Telescope’s JavaScript utility helps
locate Saturn’s 5 brightest satellites anytime
between January 1900-December 2100.

APOD: September 12, 2004 – Mercury: A Cratered Inferno

Image: Mariner 10, NASA

Mercury's surface looks similar to our Moon's. Each is heavily cratered and made of rock. Mercury's diameter is about 4800 km, while the Moon's is slightly less at about 3500 km (compared with about 12,700 km for the Earth). But Mercury is unique in many ways. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, orbiting at about 1/3 the radius of the Earth's orbit.

As Mercury slowly rotates, its surface temperature varies from an unbearably cold –180 degrees Celsius to an unbearably hot 400 degrees Celsius. The place nearest the Sun in Mercury's orbit changes slightly each orbit — a fact used by Albert Einstein to help verify the correctness of his then newly discovered theory of gravity: General Relativity.

The above picture was taken by the first spacecraft ever to pass Mercury: Mariner 10 in 1974.

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

Current Astronomy Picture of the Day

Mercury lies east of and close to the setting Sun as Sagittarius begins. The planet won't be easily seen until the second week of December. At that time it lies low, 5 degrees above the southwestern horizon, about 30 minutes after sunset. 12/10 5:15pm Sky Chart

At magnitude -0.6 Mercury is bright enough to be seen in the twilit sky. By December 18 it reaches greatest elongation (20 degrees east of the Sun) and stands 8 degrees above the horizon. Look for Jupiter above Mercury. Dusk 12/18 Map  Afterwards Mercury sinks back toward the Sun. Click Moon Dances for a 12/18-21 map and meditative reflections.

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

Ophiuchus Our "Thirteenth Constellation"
Sol Visits the Medicine Man Annually
November 30 – December 17

Image: Club Astronomie des Moulins

Ophiuchus the Serpent Bearer also known as Aesculapius, the first doctor of medicine has the reputation of being the "thirteenth constellation" of the zodiac. Each year from November 30 to December 17 the Sun journeys through its southern regions.

Ophiuchus is a large constellation including Serpens Caput (snake’s head) and Serpens Cauda (snake’s tail). It lies above, on and actually crosses the ecliptic. Scorpius lies below the feet of Ophiuchus and below the ecliptic. The Serpent Bearer is often shown with his left foot on the heart of the Scorpion and his right foot above the stinger. Images 1, 2

Each year, as November ends and December begins, the Sun spends a substantial amount of time transiting the legs of Ophiuchus, hence the claim it is the "thirteenth constellation" of the zodiac or the tenth Sun Sign. The legs of Ophiuchus lie in sidereal Scorpio.

Ophiuchus is knowledge holder over the raw creative forces governing life and death--one who has attained ascension from the lower-order forces that perpetuate our scenarios of (re-incarnational) entrapment. Ophiuchus is exemplar of one who has mastered the initiatory forces of life and who has brought the interplay of these forces to a greater spiritual fulfillment. The neck (Unukalhai) and head of the snake embody the essence and wisdom of living true to soul, in one's true self-mastery--as a Christed (soul infused) being of light.

The astronomical symbol of Ophiuchus is the caduceus--the entwined double serpent upon a staff--the double helix of the DNA. Nick Fiorenza 12/12/04

The double helix of the DNA and the caduceus always remind me of the kundalini serpent fire within each of us. 3 Nadis/Channels of the Kundalini

Note: As our Sun transits this area of the sky November 30 through December 17, take time each day to feel its warm rays touching you with the healing energies of Ophiuchus.

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Orion ~ A Sure Sign That Winter Is Near

Image: Naperville Community Unit School District 203

Winter's Orion rises in the east as the cosmic Scorpion disappears below the western horizon. The following mythology tells us why.

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. StarySkies.com

Orion the Hunter, a heavenly cosmic giant, is easy to spot. He emerges and towers above the eastern horizon about 8:00pm local time during the first two weeks of December. His illustrious starlit belt helps one navigate the winter sky. Click the link below to learn more.

Navigating with Orion
The Hunter Heralds the Coming of Winter.

At our deepest level
we are all essentially Divine.
Take time on any day to
acknowledge and act on this truth.
Give thanks that we are all
spiritual beings having human experiences.
Give thanks that we can help
each other create the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth.
Happy "Thanks Giving" throughout all the seasons!

Jupiter, King of the planets, pierces the twilight with a glowing brilliance, yet the rule of this evening planet is coming to an end. Jupiter, moving away from the Earth, is dimming and will appear smaller in the coming weeks. As it sinks toward the setting Sun, we view it less and less. Jupiter sets in the southwest at 10:30pm in the beginning of Sagittarius and at 9:15pm by its end. Jupiter located in the dim constellation Capricornus far outshines any stars in its vicinity and remains eye-catching at magnitude -2.2. Telescopic Neptune lies near and to the left of Jupiter at the northeast corner of Capricornus. Jupiter in its forward motion is moving toward Neptune for a December solstice conjunction. 11/23 the waxing Crescent Moon lies above Jupiter. The Moon anywhere near Jupiter is a planetary treat. Check it out 11/21-26. Map/Reflections In a mid-December encore performance the Crescent Moon appears near Jupiter again. 12/18 it can be seen below Jupiter near Mercury, 12/20 near the Jupiter/Neptune duo and 12/21 above Jupiter. Dusk 12/18 ~ Early Evening 12/20 ~ Early Evening 12/21 Look Up!

Mars lies at the head of Leo the Lion rising in the east at 10:00pm in the beginning of Sgittarius and around 8:45pm at its end. By dawn Mars can be seen high in the southwest. The bright blue-white star to the east of (below) Mars is Regulus the heart star of Leo the Lion. The Gemini Twins, Castor and Pollux, lie west of (above) Mars. 12/3-7 look for the waning Gibbous Moon, the Twins and Mars 10pm - dawn. The Moon lies near Mars Dec. 6/7. 12/3-6 10pm Map ~ 12/7 2am Map Shining at magnitude -0.1 to -0.7 during December our Red Planet outshines the Twin stars and Regulus. Saturn, a little brighter than Pollux, lies southeast of (below) Mars. 12/7 6am Sky Chart Mars is approaching Earth and is noticeably growing in size and brightness. Mars reaches opposition and is at its best January 29, 2010.

Saturn rises in the east at 2:00am in the beginning of Sagittarius and near 12:30am by its end. At dawn Saturn is positioned high in the south. Saturn lies in the constellation Virgo the Virgin above (west of) Spica and at magnitude 0.9 shines as bright this star. Compare the color of golden Saturn and blue-white Spica in a dark sky. 12/10 1:30am - early dawn look ESE to see the waning Crescent Moon near Saturn. Spica lies below (east of) the pair. 12/10 4am Map Saturn's rings are opening, revealing more and more of their northern face. Saturn's ring tilt is 4.3º 11/31 and 5º by the year's end. Saturn brightens as it approaches Earth and its rings open to reflect more light. The planet reaches opposition and is at its best March 21, 2010.

Mercury lies east of and close to the setting Sun as Sagittarius begins. The planet won't be easily seen until the second week of December. At that time it lies low, 5 degrees above the southwestern horizon, about 30 minutes after sunset. 12/10 5:15pm Sky Chart At magnitude -0.6 Mercury is bright enough to be seen in the twilit sky. By December 18 it reaches greatest elongation (20 degrees east of the Sun) and stands 8 degrees above the horizon. Look for Jupiter above Mercury. Dusk 12/18 Map Afterwards Mercury sinks back toward the Sun.

Venus is difficult to see in the bright twilight at the end of November and is lost in the Sun's glowing embrace through December.

Vega is the brightest star in the northwest setting at 11:00pm in the beginning of Sagittarius and by its end at 9:00pm. It is the western point of the Summer Triangle, which is slowly sinking on the western horizon giving way to the autumn stars overhead. Altair is the triangle's southern point and Deneb the eastern point.

Fomalhaut is the brightest star in the south setting at 11:00pm in the beginning of Sagittarius and at 9:00pm by its end. In 2009 Jupiter's brilliant beacon of light lies nearby, northwest of this star. Fomalhaut is the Southern Royal Star and the brightest star in the constellation Pisces Austrinus below Aquarius. It is part of the celestial sea constellations. Star Chart

Capella is the bright star in the northeast as the sky darkens. It lies north of the Pleiades. Capella is the brightest star seen the most often. Star Map

The Great Square of Pegasus is a sure sign of autumn. Look for the four stars almost overhead as night begins. Star Map Also see Autumn Dipper? A Flying Horse?.

The Pleiades star cluster is another sign of autumn. Look east as the Sun sets for Taurus the Bull and its bright red Bull's eye, Aldebaran; then look above to find the mini dipper-shaped, sparkling Pleiades, the Bull's shoulder. Autumn Stars

Orion The Hunter, the cosmic giant, is a sure sign that winter is near. During the first two weeks of every December you can see him emerge and tower above the eastern horizon around 8:00pm. Around 10:00pm use his belt stars to locate Sirius and Aldebaran and Betelgeuse and Rigel. Navigating with Orion Notice the colors of these 4 stars. Winter Stars

Printable Date Table

Lunar Cycle 11/16/09-12/16/09
(Can be used through 12/21)

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send me an email.
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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