Starry Skies to one and all!
From around 9pm to 9.30pm tonight you have the chance to easily find a planet that not even some "proper" astronomers have seen: Mercury. The Moon is once again our locator for this elusive planet. Look above the horizon just to the right of west, in the direction where the Sun set. With clear skies you will see a very thin crescent Moon (and I mean thin). The delicate "star" just below is Mercury.
Easy-Peasy-Mercury-Squeezy.
Anton
[Captain Cosmos]
More Space and Astronomy at: www.vamplew.co.uk
Saturday, 25 April 2009
Monday, 20 April 2009
Shooting Stars tonight: 21 Aptil 2009
Tonight (21 April and into the early hours of 22 April) sees the peak of the Lyrids meteor shower. The name comes from the constellation from which the Shooting Stars, or meteors, appear - in this case, Lyra, the Harp.
The maximum number of meteors is around 15 per hour. That's with good clear horizons, away from trees, houses, street lights, big dinosaurs, etc.
The later at night you look the better - but from 10:30pm you should begin to see the odd streak of light across the sky appearing anywhere in the sky zooming in an east to west direction.
Best of all, there is no moonlight to spoil the view.
Starry Skies and Happy Wishing,
Anton
[Captain Cosmos]
More Space & Astronomy at: www.vamplew.co.uk
The maximum number of meteors is around 15 per hour. That's with good clear horizons, away from trees, houses, street lights, big dinosaurs, etc.
The later at night you look the better - but from 10:30pm you should begin to see the odd streak of light across the sky appearing anywhere in the sky zooming in an east to west direction.
Best of all, there is no moonlight to spoil the view.
Starry Skies and Happy Wishing,
Anton
[Captain Cosmos]
More Space & Astronomy at: www.vamplew.co.uk
Thursday, 9 April 2009
Shooting Stars tonight: 10 Aptil
Tonight (10 April) sees the peak of the Virginids meteor shower. The name comes from the constellation from which the Shooting Stars, or meteors, appear; in this case, Virgo, the Maiden.
This isn't the best shower in terms of numbers, with peak numbers only around 5 per hour. But 5 is better than nothing, right?
The later at night you look the better - from 10:30pm you should begin to see the odd streak of light across the sky appearing anywhere in the sky zooming in an east to west direction.
The problem is the Moon is one day after Full, meaning its bright light will wash out the fainter meteors. Nevertheless, if it is clear and you are outside (gardening or whatever!) then take a glance up and see if you can make a wish or two.
Starry Skies,
Anton
[Captain Cosmos]
More Space & Astronomy at: www.vamplew.co.uk
This isn't the best shower in terms of numbers, with peak numbers only around 5 per hour. But 5 is better than nothing, right?
The later at night you look the better - from 10:30pm you should begin to see the odd streak of light across the sky appearing anywhere in the sky zooming in an east to west direction.
The problem is the Moon is one day after Full, meaning its bright light will wash out the fainter meteors. Nevertheless, if it is clear and you are outside (gardening or whatever!) then take a glance up and see if you can make a wish or two.
Starry Skies,
Anton
[Captain Cosmos]
More Space & Astronomy at: www.vamplew.co.uk
Monday, 6 April 2009
The Night Sky on Tuesday 7th April 2009
May the force be with you, Space fans!
Yesterday, once dark enough (around 8.30pm) in the south/south-west skies there was the Moon sitting to the right of the planet Saturn. Tonight, Saturn is in the same place, but the Moon has moved on its travels around the Earth. This means that Saturn will be the brightish "star" almost directly above the Moon this evening.
Anton
[Captain Cosmos]
More Space and Astronomy at: www.vamplew.co.uk
Yesterday, once dark enough (around 8.30pm) in the south/south-west skies there was the Moon sitting to the right of the planet Saturn. Tonight, Saturn is in the same place, but the Moon has moved on its travels around the Earth. This means that Saturn will be the brightish "star" almost directly above the Moon this evening.
Anton
[Captain Cosmos]
More Space and Astronomy at: www.vamplew.co.uk
Sunday, 5 April 2009
The Night Sky on Monday 6th April 2009
Starry Skies Space fans!
Once it is darkish tonight (around 8.30pm) take a look up in the south/south-west skies. Here you'll see the almost Full Moon with a fairly bright star off to its left - this is the planet Saturn.
Happy Planet Hunting!
Anton
[Captain Cosmos]
More Space and Astronomy at: www.vamplew.co.uk
Once it is darkish tonight (around 8.30pm) take a look up in the south/south-west skies. Here you'll see the almost Full Moon with a fairly bright star off to its left - this is the planet Saturn.
Happy Planet Hunting!
Anton
[Captain Cosmos]
More Space and Astronomy at: www.vamplew.co.uk
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