What's Happening in the Night Sky? Upcoming Astronomy Events to Look Out For!

In summary: Jupiter: Last night the sky was overcast, but Jupiter still shown through the clouds. (At least by Notre Dame.) Amazing.Mars: For neat and detailed stuff, you can go to JPL's calendar and click on the month of your choice.Saturn: Phobos: Do you mean ANY sky watch? There's one here in Sacramento, I think. It's supposed to be every last Friday of the month. Star parties are ok to list here too. In general, I meant things like letting everyone know about upcoming astronomical events (like, events in the sky). For example, you amateur astronomers
  • #71
Labguy said:
http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/comets/article_1229_1.asp

Anyone get a good look at Comet NEAT yet? I tried last night, but through the cloud haze and light pollution in my area, I had a lousy view. Gotta keep trying.
 
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  • #72
NASA has started planning an ambitious mission to orbit Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
 
  • #73
June 11 - NASA's Cassini spacecraft to visit Saturn's moon Pheobe
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/operations/approach.cfm
 
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  • #74
haha recon, ur a true dork, i recpect that. :P
I would have wanted to do that too, but i forgot completely about the transit of venus, i was so f**kin pissed. I forgot cause i was studying for damn exams that day, hehe.
 
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  • #75
Perseid Meteor Shower:

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/25jun_perseids2004.htm?list1111149
 
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  • #76
New Comet

New comet coming this winter.
http://skyandtelescope.com/news/article_1333_1.asp
 
  • #77
In September, you should be able to use binoculars to track the asteroid Toutatis swinging by. On Sept 29, it will be 4x the distance to the moon.
 
  • #78
Phobos said:
In September, you should be able to use binoculars to track the asteroid Toutatis swinging by. On Sept 29, it will be 4x the distance to the moon.
But where? Is there a tracking-chart out yet showing position over several weeks or months?
 
  • #79
Labguy said:
But where? Is there a tracking-chart out yet showing position over several weeks or months?

I saw one in the recent issue of Astronomy magazine. I have not found one on the internet to link to.
 
  • #80
i'm an amateur, and this year i will be graduating from high school,
and i like to watch astronomy events in the sky.. let's say it's my passion
but the problem is that i need to buy "good and not too expensive binoculars"
since i am an amateur in this whole thing,
so i need some experts' advises.
PS: i live in lebanon, i don't know if i can find all the trademarks u will tell me about :$.
 
  • #81
a quick reply would be so great :)
 
  • #82
A_I_ said:
but the problem is that i need to buy "good and not too expensive binoculars"

Something with big lenses and not too much magnification. Maybe up to 7x50 if they're hand-held. (The first number is the magnification..7x...the second number is a measurement of the lens diameter...50 mm.) If you have a tripod that you can mount them on, then you can get bigger/stronger binoculars if you want.

Something stable with good focus.
 
  • #83
Phobos said:
In September, you should be able to use binoculars to track the asteroid Toutatis swinging by. On Sept 29, it will be 4x the distance to the moon.

Unfortunately, you'll need a big telescope (> 6") and dark skies to see it with any ease. (mag = 9) :frown:
 
  • #84
Toutais Tsunami...

A mountain-sized asteroid will make its closest approach to Earth at 6:35 a.m. Pacific Time tomorrow. Although asteroid 4179 Toutatis will come no closer than four times the distance between Earth and the Moon, this will be the closest approach of any known asteroid of comparable size this century. (Sept. 28)

Reference:
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/asteroid/toutatis-montage-540-300.jpg
 
  • #85
Good Lunar Eclipse for the US.

October 27th is the last Lunar eclipse we get for about three years. There are links for easy photo tips at the bottom of the page too. See:

http://skyandtelescope.com/printable/observing/objects/eclipses/article_1343.asp
 
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  • #86
The annual Leonid meteor shower is expected to peak pre-dawn on November 16. However, it’s expected to be pretty weak this year. I happened to catch one by chance last night around midnight.
 
  • #87
Labguy said:
October 27th is the last Lunar eclipse we get for about three years. There are links for easy photo tips at the bottom of the page too. See:

http://skyandtelescope.com/printable/observing/objects/eclipses/article_1343.asp

Right on my birthday! :smile:
 
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  • #88
Moon Occults Jupiter

Check it out. You can even put in your state and city to get the times.

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/29nov_moonjupiter.htm?list1111149
 
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  • #89
Labguy said:
Check it out. You can even put in your state and city to get the times.

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/29nov_moonjupiter.htm?list1111149


If any of you can get some pictures of it, please post them on the Astrophotography sticky.

I'll try my best (weather permitting) to get a few pictures.
 
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  • #90
1 in 45 chance of an asteroid hitting Earth in 2029.

From space.com:
Update, Dec. 25, 9:47 p.m. ET: The risk of an impact by asteroid 2004 MN4 went up slightly on Saturday, Dec. 25. It is now pegged at having a 1-in -45 chance of striking the planet on April 13, 2029. That's up from 1-in-63 late on Dec. 24, and 1-in-300 early on Dec. 24.
more at: http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/asteroid_risk_041224.html

That’s pretty neat, don’t you think? A nice little xmas present.

The asteroid is thought to be about 400m across, so not a global killer but big enough to be of some concern. It’s also the first time an asteroid has ever been categorized a level 4 (or above level 1 for that matter) on the Torino Scale (http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/astronomy/torino_scale.html )
This thing will probably miss us, but it might be a good idea to keep an eye out for it. Friday the 13th of April, 2029 might not be our lucky day.
 
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  • #91
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  • #92
Has anyone seen approximate distances, in miles, from Earth that it may pass? I've been following this asteroid a little but haven't seen that info yet. The image is pretty crazy though if it's accurate.
 
  • #93
sporff said:
Has anyone seen approximate distances, in miles, from Earth that it may pass? I've been following this asteroid a little but haven't seen that info yet. The image is pretty crazy though if it's accurate.

From my understanding its between about 30,000 and 100,000 km
 
  • #94
i used the search option to look for saturn but did not find any matches. just read in a local paper that saturn will be visible to naked eyes this january is it true? if so do give me a link
 
  • #95
Yes its true! Here's a link
 
  • #96
March...night sky...yea for spring stars! :approve:
In the western half the winter stars and constellations make their last stand. From the east the spring sky enters. Saturn is still a head-turner, but now is joined by even brighter Jupiter. And Comet Machholz is near the North Star all month, as it begins its journey back to the outer solar system.
 
  • #97
April skys
On the 3rd look for Mars next to the moon just before sunrise.
There is a partial eclipse of the sun on April 8th. It will look as if the moon has taken a small bite of the sun. CAUTION: Even during an eclipse, do not look at the sun without approved eye protection!
Between midnight and sunrise the Lyrid meteor shower takes place, but this year the moon is too bright.
A few hours before sunrise on the 24th the moon will move through the faint outermost part of the Earth's shadow. Most people will not notice it.
 
  • #98
A map of the eclipse % coverage and locations is at:
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2005/01apr_solareclipse.htm?list1111149
 
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  • #99
Good link Labguy, wish I had been in a area to view it.
 
  • #100
What are everyone's opinions as far as the predictions of Wormwood and the like in biblical prophecy? Have astronomers named any stars/asteroids Wormwood yet?Probabilities of an Earth impact and the time frames of thousands of years and all of that do not mean anything really.
 
  • #101
May

Venus, will slowly become visible during May, moveing away from the Sun in the western evening skies. On the 9th with clear horizons, you may be able to see it. Mars is also makeing its way across the skies, riseing in the south west around 4 AM.
Around the 5th, the eta Aquarids metors are at there peak. With just a sliver of a moon, it should make for some good shooting star viewing!
 
  • #102
OceansAura1 said:
What are everyone's opinions as far as the predictions of Wormwood and the like in biblical prophecy?

Religion topics are typically not hosted here at PF.

Have astronomers named any stars/asteroids Wormwood yet?

nope.
 
  • #103
June will start off dark, a new moon, so star watching should be good.
Around the 11-13 is a good time to look at the moon, its going to have lots of shadows from craters and mountians.
The full moon in June is called the Lovers Moon, so on the 19th find someone special and perhaps share a walk in the moon light.




Happy Summer Solstice! The the Sun will reach its maximum altitude of about 80 degrees above the southern horizon.
 
  • #104
Cool Conjunction...

...of Mercury, Venus and Saturn coming in the next few days.

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2005/22jun_spectacular.htm?list86010
 
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  • #105
And its been just fantastic! We have had really clear nights here!
 

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