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Look Up!

Planetary Treats
Three Red Spots on Jupiter?
South Polar Eye of Venus
Mercury at Its Best
Mars and Saturn Hold Our Attention
Celestial Delights
An Eta Aquarid Surge?
Wesak ~ Two Taurus Full Moons
Plus ...
Sky Lights
Printable Date Tables
Moon Dances 4/5-5/5
Moon Dances 5/5- 6/3
The Night Sky ~ Home Page

Planetary Treats

Three Red Spots on Jupiter?

Image: spaceweather.com from Mike Salway / Adobe Photoshop

Note: South is at the top

The following image description comes from spaceweather.com 3/20/08

How many red spots does Jupiter have?

On March 17th [2008], Mike Salway of Australia looked through his 12-inch telescope and counted three:

Red spot #1 is the Great Red Spot you've heard about, hundreds of years old and twice as wide as Earth. Red spot #2 is Oval BA, which formed white in 2000 and turned red in 2006. Red spot #3 is a newcomer, "the Little Red Spot," says Salway, possibly only weeks old.

All these spots are storms--anticyclones big enough to swallow a rocky planet. What makes them red? Curiously, no one knows why the Great Red Spot itself is red. A favorite idea is that the storm dredges "chromophores" (color-changing compounds) from deep inside Jupiter up to the cloud tops where sunlight triggers a chemical reaction with red by-products. But what are the chromosphores and what is the chemical reaction? It's a mystery--now multiplied by three.

... "I'm still waiting for some 'excellent' morning to deliver the best resolution and detail," says Salway, "but as Jupiter keeps climbing I'm sure it will come soon."

Original Image ~ Animation

Here's what the March 2008 Astronomy Magazine says about Jupiter:

… The planet's cloud belts have shown dramatic changes during the past 12 to 18 months, and it will be fascinating to see how long this turmoil lasts.

Last year, Jupiter's dark North Equatorial Belt appeared more prominent than the South Equatorial Belt, and both the latter belt and its neighbor, the South Tropical Zone, underwent major changes. Now that Jupiter has reappeared after solar conjunction, backyard observers will be keen to follow what's happening in 2008.

Any telescope will show the four bright Galilean moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. Io circles Jupiter in less than 2 days, and once each orbit, Io's dark shadow transits the planet's disk. The other three moons' shadows do the same thing, only less frequently.

Jupiter also occults each moon as it passes behind the planet. Jupiter's shadow now extends west of the planet's disk, so each moon passes into the shadow before an occultation occurs. These jovian lunar eclipses are easy to observe. At the end of an occultation, each moon reappears from behind Jupiter's eastern limb. Astronomy Magazine 4/08

South Polar Eye of Venus

Image: ESA / VIRTIS / INAF-IASF / Obs. de Paris-LESIA / Univ. of Oxford

Note: The yellow dot in the image indicates the location of the South Pole.

 

The European Space Agency (ESA) image above shows a region in the venusian atmosphere about 60 km (37 miles) from the surface, at a wavelength of about 5 micrometres. The hurricane-like vortex measures 2,000 km (1,240 miles) across, and was first discovered by the Mariner 10 flyby in 1974. The Pioneer Venus mission in 1979 found a second, similar vortex at the planet's north pole.

When ESA observed the South Pole of Venus in June of 2006, the vortex looked like this. Currently Venus Express has an ever watching eye on this enormous whirling region. Scientists are puzzled by the morphing central structure, which resembles an eye of a hurricane and changes shape within just a few days. Though not really sure what creates the vortex, scientists have come up with a theory.

One explanation is that atmospheric gases heated by the Sun at the equator, rise and then move poleward. In the polar regions, they converge and sink again. As the gases move towards the poles, they are deflected sideways because of the planet’s rotation. Colin Wilson / Oxford University

Here's a south polar animation composed of images obtained April 7, 2007. Read the full article and see the vortex variations in ESA News 3/13/08.

Venus rises within 20 minutes of the Sun during Taurus and is too deep in the solar glare to be seen from the Northern Hemisphere.

SOHO Sees Sun-Hidden Planets ~ So Can You!

When any planet is lost in the bright glow of our Sun, it can be seen from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). The SOHO spacecraft's coronagraph blocks out the Sun's glare to reveal Sun-hidden objects.

SOHO Sees Mercury
Hidden by sunlight at superior conjunction 4/16/08

The approximate dates to see the transit of Venus across SOHO's coronagraphs are May 9-July 8. Try viewing Venus on the SOHO site. First click THE SUN NOW and then click the LASCO C3 (or C2) image. Clicking More LASCO C3 will give you a series of images taken about every half hour or so. Expected Transits gives information about planets and other objects moving through the coronagraph's field of view.

Reappearance in the Sunset Sky

Venus reaches superior conjunction June 9. Begin looking for the planet's brilliance to pop through the twilight glow of sunset during mid-July. By August 5 Venus sets less than an hour after the Sun.

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Mercury's Best Evening Performance for 2008
Looking West-Northwest - 9:00pm
Eleven Days - Monday-Thursday - May 5-15

Image: Star Gazer Graphic Made with Starry Night / Adobe Photoshop

* Printable Image *

Mercury first reappears from the Sun's glowing embrace late in April, low in the west-northwest just after sunset. During May the elusive and innermost planet gives its best 2008 evening performance. Why its best at this time? Since springtime's evening ecliptic rises directly above the horizon rather than on an angle, Mercury is positioned higher in the sky making it easier to see. An unobstructed horizon and binoculars improve visibility in the twilight glow through May 5.

BTW: Mercury has its best 2008 morning performance in October, when autumn's morning ecliptic rises sharply above the horizon.

May 2-3, Friday-Sunday, Mercury first lies next to (left of) the Pleiades star cluster; the following nights it can be seen higher above the cluster. Use the map above for orientation.

May 6, Tuesday, a young slim Crescent Moon lies just above Mercury low on the horizon. This planetary treat, though challenging in regards to timing and a clear horizon, gives a sense of awe and reverie when seen with the unaided eye. Binoculars bring the view to life. Map/Text

Click Moon Dances to see a May 6-9 star map highlighting the eastward movement of Mercury, the Moon, and Mars. Ponder reflections for this time period.

Compute Set Times for the Sun, Mercury, Moon

Mercury, as seen in the image above, rises higher every night at the same time, but the Sun sets later and later. This means observers must find a balance between planetary altitude and sky darkness to glimpse Mercury. Nightly viewing aids in this process.

Using the above map as a guide look for red Aldebaran, the eye of Taurus the Bull. The cosmic Bull's head is formed by the V-shaped Hyades. Can you spot red Betelgeuse, the shoulder star of Orion?

Mercury reaches greatest elongation May 13 and its altitude falls rapidly after May 18. By May 21 binoculars are needed to see the planet, May 26 a telescope and May 31 it is invisible. The planet reaches inferior conjunction June 7.

BTW: Saturday May 10 is Astronomy Day. This is a great time to visit your nearest science center, planetarium or astronomy club. You might even get a chance to look through a solar telescope or enter drawings to win a Meade telescope. In the evening look at Mercury, Mars and Saturn. Watch the Moon pass through the Beehive star cluster. Enjoy lots of astronomical activities throughout the day!

Learn more about Mercury at its best, its expanding disk, decreasing phase and our exploration of this planet by watching Star Gazer's informative and entertaining May 5-11 ~ 5 minute video.

Image the Telescopic Phase / Disk Size of Mercury

As Mercury the messenger of the gods journeys through the cosmic Bull, be receptive to evolutionary insights. Ponder the keynote of Taurus and the esoteric significance of Mercury.

Mars and Saturn Hold Our Attention Mars Dances with the Twins Saturn Flirts with the Lawgiver
Mars	Saturn
Image: Hubble Heritage Project	Image: NASA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI / AURA)
Image Description	Image Description

Mars and Saturn hold our attention, as they embellish the evening sky during Taurus. Both can be observed in the deep evening twilight, Mars high in the west and Saturn overhead; both set an hour or more after midnight. Use this mid-May 9:30pm Sky Chart to locate the planets and the Moon's position (dated spheres). BTW: When predawn Saturn sinks in the west, Jupiter rises in the east. 5/10 Sky Chart 2am

Dancing and Flirting ~ Mark Your Calendar!

Mars can be observed in the vicinity of the Gemini Twins, "dancing" with Castor and Pollux. Mimicking a star in Gemini, Mars equals the brightness of Pollux and diagonally aligns with the Twins during the first week of May. Some say the three resemble Gemini triplets! Check it out! 5/4 9pm Map

Mars moves southeasterly away from the Twins toward the dim constellation of Cancer. This May 6-9 star map shows the movement of Mars, the Moon and Mercury.

Mark your calendar! Mars buzzes Cancer's Beehive for a rare binocular treat May 21-23. Mars is 5x brighter than the Hive (M44) at the heart of the constellation. Unlike the Beehive star cluster, Mars can be seen with the unaided eye. Get out those binoculars to view the bees and get a better look at the colorful Red Planet. Here are two other views plus and an animation. Look Up!

Saturn partners and "flirts" with Regulus, the blue-white heart star of Leo the Lion also known as the Lawgiver. Saturn outshining the star, first moves toward Regulus until the planet is stationary direct May 2; it then slowly moves away from the star to the east. Click Moon Dances for reflections and a map.

Science

Mars is about to receive a new visitor. NASA's Phoenix Mission spacecraft successfully launched August 4, 2007 is scheduled to land on the Red Planet May 25, 2008. The arctic Phoenix Lander (not a rover) is about to end its nearly 10 month journey at the North Pole of Mars. There it will dig just beneath the surface soil, gather up water ice and put it into a set of experiments aboard the lander to determine its chemistry. What is in the ice? Does it provide conditions favorable to life in the present or past? Note: The spacecraft has this mythic name because it is made of parts from a scrapped 2001 mission. Phoenix on Jeopardy!

Phoenix Mars Lander ~ Latest News

Saturn's rings are closing toward their 2009 edge-on view. This phenomenon occurs every 14-15 years, when the planet tilts its northern hemisphere away or toward the Sun during its 30 year solar orbit. This is similar to the Earth's solar/seasonal tilt during its 1year orbit of the Sun. The ring tilt seen in the image above, part of Saturn's seasonal montage 1996-2000, pretty much matches Saturn's present ring system attitude. Compute the view of Saturn as seen from the Earth (choose 30% of the image).

Why Are Saturn's Rings Disappearing?

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? Click here.

 

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Celestial Delights

Will the Eta Aquarid Meteors Surge in 2008?
May 5th Peak - Looking East-Southeast 4:00am.

Image: Astronomy Magazine / Roen Kelly

4am Sky Chart

The Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower occurs April 21-May 12, as the Earth nears the orbit of Halley’s Comet and passes through its shedding skin. These shooting stars appear to radiate from the constellation Aquarius near the star Eta. They are challenging to see because their radiant rises only a couple of hours before the Sun. For optimal viewing, look east-southeast from 4:00am local time until sunrise. BTW: There is no light interference from the Moon at its new phase.

The Eta Aquarids are among the fastest meteors averaging 41 miles per second! This low altitude shower normally produces about 15 swift meteors an hour. More meteors can be seen in a higher sky the further south you go. Those who see the radiant overhead in a dark sky can normally expect 30 meteors per hour.

Astronomers are expecting the number of meteors from this shower to peak between 2008 and 2010. Will this rate surge in 2008?

This year, though, the rate could more than double. Studies suggest the shower's rates rise and fall in a 12-year cycle. This period hints that Jupiter, the solar system's largest planet, is affecting the debris that creates the shower.

Jupiter orbits the Sun in just under 12 years. Every time it passes closest to the Eta Aquarid track, the orbiting particles feel an extra-strong tug. This results in a wavy track that sometimes places extra dust in Earth's way. Full Article / Astronomy Magazine

In 2008 Jupiter lies south of the shower's radiant. See the 4am Sky Chart and this E-SE View. To learn more about the Eta Aquarids click here.

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The Wesak ~ Festival of the Buddha
Two Full Moons During Taurus

Image: Astronomy Magazine / Tim Boyle

Tim Boyle imaged the Moon shining behind a large statue of Buddha in Tsukuba, Japan. Boyle captured this view about 1 mile from the statue February 2, 2007. No explanation was given for the red "flame" above the Buddha's head.

The Wesak is a Full Moon Festival occurring during the sign Taurus. An ancient legend says the Buddha, for a brief period, renews His touch and association with the work of our planet at this time. The Festival of the Buddha releases forces of enlightenment from our highest spiritual planetary center, Shamballa. These forces spark initiation and are stepped down for humanity through the Buddha, the Christ and the Spiritual Hierarchy. The Wesak Festival, when the Buddha and the Christ come together in a sacred ritual, is spiritually known to be the supreme moment in the annual cycle.

In 2008 there are two Full Moons during the sign of Taurus, one at the beginning and one at the end. Note: The second is not considered a Blue Moon by the trendy definition of two Moons in a month, but it is the third of 4 Full Moons in a season and meets an older Blue Moon definition.

Here are the dates of the two Full Moons during Taurus.

April 20 at 3:25am PDT (10:25 UT)
May 19 at 7:11pm PDT (02:11UT 5/20).

In the somewhat rare event that there are two full moons during the period of Taurus, the first Full Moon is generally considered to be the more potent of the two and would be the one dedicated to the Festival of Wesak, however the second would underscore the energies of the first and deepen our connection to them.

The essential frequency of these Festivals [Wesak I, Wesak II] is the quality of livingness: two magnetic fields, heaven and earth, meet. The Kingdom of Humanity fuses with the Kingdom of Souls. This fusion of Kingdoms is bringing to pass the gradual transformation of our planet. Meditation Mount / May 2008 Events

During Taurus we have the opportunity to tap into the channel of direct communication between humanity and Deity and celebrate the evolutionary blessings that come to all of humanity. It is important that groups of all faiths unite globally to invoke the divine in everyone. Together we are the Chalice, the Holy Grail on Earth, prepared to receive the outpouring of potent energies from on High.

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Mars pierces through the deep twilight in the west. The planet sets around 1:45am at the beginning of Taurus and by its end at 1:00am. Mars, like a bright star in Gemini, equals the brightness of Pollux and diagonally aligns with Pollux and Castor during the first week of May. Some say the three resemble Gemini triplets! See for yourself! 5/4 9pm Map May 21-23 Mars buzzes Cancer's Beehive for a rare binocular treat.

Saturn and Regulus, the blue-white heart star of Leo the Lion, pair up overhead. Saturn, outshining the star, can be observed in the deep twilight. The planet is stationary direct 5/2, when it is at its closest to Regulus, afterwards it can be seen slowly moving away to the east. Both the star and planet set at 3:45am in the beginning of Taurus and by its end at 2:30am. As predawn Saturn sets in the west, Jupiter rises in the east. 5/10 2am Sky Chart Saturn's rings are closing toward their 2009 edge-on view.

Jupiter is brilliant as it ascends above the predawn southeastern horizon, outshining any nearby stars or planets. It rises in the southeast at 1:30am in the beginning of Taurus and by its end at 12:15am. As it nears Earth and opposition 7/9/08, Jupiter grows bigger and brighter in our sky. Jupiter remains located at the eastern border of the constellation Sagittarius throughout 2008. 5/10 2am Sky Chart

Venus rises within 20 minutes of the Sun during Taurus and is too deep in the solar glare to be seen from the Northern Hemisphere. Venus reaches superior conjunction 6/9. Look for Venus to pop through the twilight glow of sunset during mid-July.

Mercury reappears in the evening sunset sky in late April. The planet transits Taurus first near the Pleiades then near Aldebaran 4/30-5/10. Find an unobstructed W-NW horizon and use binoculars to spot the cluster and star in the twilight glow. 5/6 Map Mercury gives its best performance for 2008 in May, reaching greatest elongation 5/13. Afterwards the planet sinks toward the horizon. Mercury grows fainter as the month of May unfolds.

Orion The Hunter is found with the winter stars sinking in the southwest at sunset. The stellar giant fully sets in the beginning of Taurus by 11:15pm and by its end at 8:45pm. Use Orion's stars to navigate this area of the sky. Winter Star Map Orion helps one find the Winter Triangle and the Great Winter Hexagon.

Capella is the very bright star in the northwest setting in the beginning of Taurus at 1:45am and by its end at 12:30am. It is the brightest star seen the most often. Spring Star Map

Sirius the brightest star in the heavens can be seen high in the south as the sky darkens. Sirius sets in the beginning of Taurus around 10:45pm and by its end at 9:30pm.

Regulus and Leo the Lion spring up overhead. Look for Saturn's pale yellow orb east of blue-white Regulus.

Arcturus, is the bright golden star, high in the east at sunset. Use the handle of the Big Dipper to arc down to Arcturus from there spike down to blue-white Spica in the south. The westward movement of Arturus and the Big Dipper can be observed until sunrise. Big Dipper Navigation Notice the seasonal position of the Big Dipper's bowl.

Vega is the very bright star rising above the northeast horizon after sunsest.

Printable Date Tables

Lunar cycle 4/5/08-5/5/08

Lunar cycle 5/5/08-6/3/08

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May your Night Sky traveling always be filled
with Celestial Delights and Treats!
Susan Sun

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