The Night Sky For June 2011

Interesting things that Bellatrix Orionis is hoping to observe.

Visual guide from Hubble

Planets

	Mercury – can be found in the constellation of Taurus but is not in a good position for observing this month.
Source: Hubblesite.org	Venus – can be found in the constellation of Gemini and is best viewed on Friday 24 June at 2140BST.  During the month it will go from a magnitude -1.0 object to a -0.4 object.
Source: Hubblesite.org	Mars – Can be found in the constellation of Taurus and is best placed to view on Tuesday 28 June at 0400BST. It is at magnitude +1.3
Source: Hubblesite.org	Jupiter – Can be found in the constellation of Aries and is at magnitude -2.0 all month. It’s best placed to view on Thursday 30 June at 0330BST.
Source: Hubblesite.org	Saturn – Can be found in the constellation of Virgo and fluctuates from magnitude +0.8 at the begining of the month to +0.9 by 25 June. The planet is best placed to view on Wednesday 1 June at 2200BST.
Source: Hubblesite.org	Uranus – Is not visible this month.
Source: Hubblesite.org	Neptune – Can be found in the constellation of Auquarius and is a magnitude +7.8 object.  Neptune is best placed to view on Thursday 30 June at 0230BST.

Dwarf Planets

Pluto – Can be found in the constellation of Sagittarius.  It is a magnitude +13.7 object.

Ceres – Is very low in the morning sky and can be found in the constellation of Taurus.  It is a magnitude +9.0 object.

Eris – Can be found in the constellation Cetus, but is only visible with a CCD camera and is at magnitude +18.8.

Makemake – Is an evening CCD object at magnitude +16.9.

Haumea – Is in the constellation of Bootes and also requires a CCD camera to enable observations as it is at magnitude +17.4.

Wednesday 1 June

New Moon

Thursday 9 June

First quarter Moon.

Friday 10 June

Saturn can be found 15 arcminutes from the star Porrima in the constellation of Virgo.

Wednesday 15 June

Full Moon.  A total lunar eclipse will occur at 2100BST and is expected to last an hour.

Sunday 19 June

The double star Beta Cygni/Albireo is well placed for observing.  When viewed through a small telescope you will be able to see the bright yellow primary star next to a very blue, but dimmer companion.

Tuesday 21 June

Today is the summer solstice, why not try a spot of solar observing.  WARNING:- Never look directly at the sun with the naked eye or an unfiltered telescope. 

Thursday 23 June

Last quarter Moon.

Monday 27 June

The June Boötes meteor shower peaks tonight.  It’s a variable shower and is normally active between 22 June and 2 July.

The Night Sky For May 2011

Interesting things that Bellatrix Orionis is hoping to observe.
Visual guide from Hubble

Planets

	Mercury – can be found in the constellation of Pisces. It is best viewed on Tuesday 17 May at 0450BST. It’s brightness goes from magnitude +0.1 to -0.8 by the end of the month.
Source: Hubblesite.org	Venus – can be found in the constellation of Pisces and is best viewed on Sunday 1 May at 0520BST.  It will be a magnitude -3.8 object.
Source: Hubblesite.org	Mars – Can be found in the constellation of Aries and is best placed to view on Tuesday 31 May at 0410BST.  It is at magnitude +1.3
Source: Hubblesite.org	Jupiter – Can be found in the constellation of Pisces and is at magnitude -2.1 all month.  It’s best placed to view on Tuesday 31 May at 0415BST.
Source: Hubblesite.org	Saturn – Can be found in the constellation of Virgo and fluctuates from magnitude +0.6 at the begining of the month to +0.7 by 25 May.  The planet is best placed to view on Sunday 1 May at 2300BST.
Source: Hubblesite.org	Uranus – Is not visible this month.
Source: Hubblesite.org	Neptune – Is not visible this month.

Dwarf Planets
Pluto – Is a morning object and can be found in the constellation of Sagittarius.
Ceres – Is very low in the morning sky.
Eris – Can be found in the constellation Cetus, but is only visible with a CCD camera.
Makemake – Too close to the Sun to view.
Haumea – Is in the constellation of Bootes and also requires a CCD camera to enable observation.

Wednesday 3 May
New Moon

Friday 6 May
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks and is best viewed from 0330BST until dawn.  The UK usually only sees a peak of approximately 10 meteors per hour.

Tuesday 10 May
Moon at first quarter.

Friday 13 May
Venus, Jupiter and Mercury can all be seen close to each other at approximately 0450BST

Sunday 15 May
If you have a large telescope or webcam/CCD why not see if you can spot comet C/2010 G2 Hill as it meanders past the pole star.  Its approximate magnitude is +13.9.

Tuesday 17 May
Full Moon.

Saturday 21 May
Mercury, Mars and Venus can be found in the east-northeast sky just before dawn

Tuesday 24 May
Moon at last quarter.

Sunday 29 May
From around 0415BST you should be able to see Venus low in the east-northeast sky, with Jupiter in the east along with the cresent Moon.

The Night Sky For April 2011

Interesting things that Bellatrix Orionis is hoping to observe.
Visual guide from Hubble

Planets
Mercury – can be found in the constellation of Pisces.  It is best viewed on Friday 1 April at 20:20BST (19:20UT) and will be at magnitude +2.4.

Venus – can be found in the constellation of Aquaris.  It is best placed to view on Friday 1 April at 06:15BST (05:15UT) and is magnitude -3.8.

Mars – Can be found in the constellation of Pisces and is best placed to view on Saturday 30 April just before sunrise.

Jupiter – can be found in the constellation of Pisces.  It is best placed for viewing on Saturday 30 April just before sunrise.

Saturn – can be found in the constellation of Virgo.  It is best placed to view on Monday 4 April at 01:00BST (Midnight UT), its at magnitude +0.3 .

Uranus – Not visible this month.

Neptune – Not visible this month.

Dwarf Planets
Pluto – Can be found in the constellation of Sagittarius during morning.
Ceres – Very low in the morning sky making it almost impossible to observe.
Eris – Is in conjunction with the Sun.
Makemake – only visible with a CCD camera  during early evening.
Haumea – At opposition on Thursday 7 April.

Sunday 3 April
New Moon at 15:00BST (14:00UT).

Monday 4 April
Saturn is at opposition at midnight.

Tuesday 5 April
Parthenope (Asteroid 11) is at opposition (magnitude +9.9).

Wednesday 6 April
Saturn will be in conjunction with the Sun at 15:00BST.

Thursday 7 April
Dwarf planet Haumea is at opposition (magnitude +17.3).

Monday 11 April
First quarter Moon.

Tuesday 12 April
Nemausa (Asteroid 51) is at opposition (magnitude +17.3).

Wednesday 13 April
Using your ‘scope, see if you can spot Dione (Saturns moon) as it passes against the south pole of Saturn between 03:00 and 04:00BST (02:00 and 03:00UT).

Friday 15 April
If you missed Dione passing against Saturn’s south pole aim your telescope as it happens again today at 21:10BST (20:10UT).  Rhea can also be seen nearby.

Saturday 16 April
Saturn is visible above the full Moon.  To the naked eye it will appear as a +0.3 magnitude star.

Monday 18 April
Full Moon.

Tuesday 19 April
Mercury and Mars in conjunction, but due to both planets being close to the Sun it will be exceptionally difficult to see.

Friday 22 April
It’s the peak of the April Lyrids meteor shower, but unfortunately the Moon will make it difficult to see them.

Monday 25 April
Last quarter Moon.

Saturday 30 April
If you’re an early riser (or late to bed) see if you can spot five planets (Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars and Uranus) and the Moon before sunrise.

The Night Sky For March 2011

Interesting things that Bellatrix Orionis is hoping to observe.
Visual guide from Hubble

Planets
Mercury – can be found in the constellation of Pisces.  It is best viewed on Wednesday 23 March at 19:00UT.  It’s brightness goes from magnitude -1.4 to +2. during the month.

Venus – can be found in the constellation of Sagittarius.  It is best placed to view on Tuesday 1 March from 06:00UT.  Its  brightness goes from magnitude -4.1 to -4.0 during the month.

Mars – Is not visible this month.

Jupiter – can be found in the constellation of Cetus.  It is best placed for viewning on Tuesday 1 March at 18:15UT.

Saturn – can be found in the constellation of Virgo.  It is best placed to view on Thursday 31 March at 01:30BST.

Uranus – Is not visible this month.

Neptune – Is not visible this month.

Dwarf Planets
Pluto – Is a morning object in Sagittarius.
Ceres – Is too close to the Sun to view.
Eris – Is too close to the Sun to view.
Makemake – Can be found in the constellation of Coma Berenices, but also is only visible with a CCD camera as it is magnitude +16.8.
Haumea – Is in the constellation of Bootes and also requires a CCD camera to enable observation due to being at magnitude +17.4.

Friday 4 March
New Moon.
The Rosette Nebula, also known as Caldwell 49 is  visible due south at approximately 20:00UT in the constellation Monoceros.  This is a challenge to observe with binoculars but possible to resolve the central part.  This is a perfect astro-imagine challenge.

Saturday 12 March
First quarter Moon.

Sunday 13 March
Eta Geminorum is occulted by the Moon and should be viewable form approximately 20:30 onwards.

Saturday19 March
Full Moon.

Sunday 20 March
The spring equinox occurs at 23:21.

Saturday26 March
Last quarter Moon.

Sunday 27 March
Don’t forget to put your clocks forward in the UK at 01:00 to British Summer time.

The Night Sky For February 2011

Interesting things that Bellatrix Orionis is hoping to observe.
Visual guide from Hubble

Planets
Mercury – can be found in the constellation of Sagittarius in the south east of the sky.  It is best viewed on Tuesday 1 February before 07:55UT.  Due to the position of the planet it is unlikely to be visible for the rest of the month.

Venus – can be found in the constellation of Sagittarius.  It is best placed to view on Tuesday 1 February from 06:00UT onwards.  It’s brightness goes from magnitude -4.2 to -4.0 by the end of February.

Mars – Is not visible this month.

Jupiter – can be found in the constellation of Pisces.  It is best placed for viewing on Tuesday 1 February at 18:30UT and is at magnitude -2.0.

Saturn – can be found in the constellation of Virgo.  It is best placed to view on Monday 28 February at 02:30UT, its at magnitude +0.6 at the beginning of the month and will be +0.4 by the end of February.

Uranus – can be found in the constellation of Pisces.  It’s best placed to view on Monday 1 February at 18:30UT and is at magnitude +5.9.

Neptune – Is not visible this month.

Dwarf Planets
Pluto – Is a pre-dawn object and is magnitude +14.6.
Ceres – Is too close to the Sun to observe.
Eris – Can be found in the constellation Cetus, but is only visible with a CCD camera as it is magnitude +18.8.
Makemake – Can be found in the constellation of Coma Berenices, but also is only visible with a CCD camera and is magnitude +16.9.
Haumea – Is in the constellation of Bootes and also requires a CCD camera to enable observation and is magnitude +17.4.

Thursday 3 February
New Moon( rises at 07.24UT and sets at 17:42UT).

Sunday 6 February
Jupiter can be seen at approximately 18.30UT in the constellation of Pisces in the south west.  Try resolving the Great Red Spot using binoculars or a telescope.

Monday 7 February
If you are an early riser you should be able to spot Venus at approximately 05:00UT.  You’ll find it near the star Mu Sagittarii.

Wednesday 9 February
The minor planet (4) Vesta can be found near Venus in the earl morning approximately 05:30UT.  Vesta is at magnitude +7.8 in the constellation of Sagittarius.   (Binoculars or telescope needed to resolve Vesta).

Friday 11 February
First quarter Moon (rises 09.58UT and sets 01.34UT).

Friday 18 February
Full Moon (rises at 04:36UT and sets at06:44UT)

Sunday 20 February
The Orion Nebula (M42) is at its highest point in the sky at approximately 19:30UT.

Tuesday 22 February
The weak Delta Leonid meteor shower peaks today.  The hourly maximum rate is 3 meteors per hour.

Thursday 24 February
Last quarter Moon (rises at 01:07UT and sets at 09:19UT).

The Beehive Cluster (M44) is at its highest point at 22:30UT.

Saturday 26 February
The Mira type variable star U Orionis is expected to be close to maximum brightness.  The star varies between magnitude +6.3 and +12 over a period of 368 days.

Sunday 27 February
Epsilon Auriga, the longest period eclipsing binary star known should start to show signs of brightening as it slowly comes out of eclipse.  Epsilons period is 27.1 years with an eclipse lasting between 640 to 730 days.  There is a citizen science project looking at collecting information and analysing the star.

The Night Sky for January 2011

Interesting things that Bellatrix Orionis is hoping to observe.
Visual guide from Hubble

Planets
Mercury – can be found in the constellation of Ophiuchus.  It is best viewed on Sunday 9 January at 07:30UT.  It’s brightness goes from magnitued +0.2 to -0.2 during the first week of January.

Venus – can be found in the constellation of Libra.  It is best placed to view on Saturday 8 January from 06:45UT onwards and is magnitude -4.4.

Mars – Is not visible this month.

Jupiter – can be found in the constellation of Pisces.  It is best placed for viewning on 1 January at 17:45UT.

Saturn – can be found in the constellation of Virgo.  It is best placed to view on 31 January at 04:30UT, its at magnitude +0.7 and will appear slightly yellowish to the naked eye.  Saturns rings will now also be visible through a telescope because the planets north pole is tilted 10° towards Earth.

Uranus – can be found in the constellation of Pisces.  It’s best placed to view on 4 January at 18:00UT and is at magnitude +5.9.

Neptune – can be found in the constellation of Capricornus.  It’s best placed to view on 1 January at 18:20UT and  is at magnitude +7.9, but still visible with binoculars.

Dwarf Planets
Pluto – Is too close to the Sun to be observed.
Eris – Can be found in the constellation Cetus, but is only visible with a CCD camera.
Makemake – Can be found in the constellation of Coma Berenices, but also is only visible with a CCD camera.
Haumea – Is in the constellation of Bootes and also requires a CCD camera to enable observation.

Saturday 1 January
Happy New Year!!

Sunday 2 January
Jupiter is in conjunction with Uranus in the constellation of Pisces during the evening.

Monday 3 January
Quadrantid Meteor shower peaks tonight at approximately 00:00.

Tuesday 4 January
New Moon.
Partial solar eclipse during the morning.

Saturday 8 January
Venus is at its greatest elongation and is well placed to view during the morning twilight.

Sunday 9 January
Mercury is at its greatest western elongation and is also well placed to view during the morning twilight.

Monday 10 January
Thick crescent Moon can be seen north of Jupiter and Uranus.

Wednesday 12 January
First quarter Moon can be found in the constellation of Pisces.

Wednesday 19 January
Full Moon can be found in the constellation of Cancer during the evening.

Friday 21 January
The Moon can be found below the star Regulus in Leo during the evening.

Wednesday 26 January
Last quarter Moon can be found near the star Spica in Virgo during the morning.

Sunday 30 January
The cresent Moon can be found near Venus during the morning twilight.

Mobile Star Charts

So you’ve asked Santa for that that fantastic new telescope, you’ve got your beginners books and you now realise you can get an application for your phone to save dragging the laptop down to the bottom of the garden.  But what to use?

Well admittedly it does rather depend on the sort of phone you have, but there is a good selection for pretty much any device you care to use.

As you’d expect ‘there’s an ap for that’ if you use an iPhone,  iPod Touch or iPad and infact there are numerous options due to the popularity of Apples devices.  You can have NASA’s ‘Astronomy picture of the day’ which is an immensely popular website and is now available as a mobile version.  You can download numerous planet maps(there are some costs involved) as well as the Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy.  There’s also a Nasa app which is free to download

Starry Night also has a mobile option for iPhone and Blackberry users.

If you’re a Palm user then you also have a planetarium programme.

If you don’t have a thing for Apple products don’t dispair as there are other applications as well.  For you Blackberry users (though not exclusively – there is a list of other mobile devices) there’s MicroSky which is a free application and can provide you with information on approximately two and a half million stars as well as eight thousand deep space objects.  There is also Mobile start chart for Blackberry users

If you prefer the Android option, there is  Google Sky as well as list of other options including a Messier List, ISS Calendar, Solars which shows 3d images of Earths aurora as well as sunspots and uv solar flares.  The only challenge for droid users is actually finding the apps as unlike the iPhone they are not all in the same place.

The Night Sky for December 2010

Interesting things happening in December that Bellatrix Orionis is hoping to observe

Visual guide from Hubble Site.

Planets

Mercury - Can be found in the constellation of Ophiuchus.  It is best viewed on 31 December at 07:00UT and will appear as magnitued +0.3 in the southeast.

Venus - Is in the constellation of Virgo.  It’s best placed on  2 December to view at 07:00UT at magnitude -4.5 in the southeast.

Mars -Is not visible this month.

Jupiter - Can be found in the constellation of Aquarius.  It’s best viewing position is on 1 December at 19:00UT and will be at magnitude -2.3.

Saturn - Can be found in the constellation of Virgo.  It’s best placed to view on 31 December at 06:30UT and will appear to be slightly yellowish at magnitude +0.8.

Uranus - Can be found in the constellation of Pisces.  It’s best placed for viewing on 31 December at 18:15UT.

Neptune – Can be found in the constellation of Capricornus this month and is best placed for viewing on 1 December at 18:00UT.

Dwarf Planets

Pluto - Is in conjunction with the Sun.

Ceres - Is too close to the Sun to be observed.

Eris - Is a CCD object in the morning sky in the constellation of Cetus.

Makemake - An evening object in the constellation Coma Berenices.

Haumea - Is an evening object in Boötes.

Wednesday 1 December

Both the crescent Moon and Sturn can be seen in the morning sky at around 06:00.

Mercury is at its greatest eastern elongation.  Due to it’s close proximity to the Sun it will be exceptionally difficult to observe until the end of the month.

Friday 3 December

As the Moon isn’t visible for a few nights why not try finding some of the deepsky delights in our Universe.

Sunday 5 December

New Moon.

Tuesday 7 December

The Orion Nebula (M42) is a.t its highest point in the sky just after midnight which makes it perect for observing and imaging.

Monday 13 December

Last quarter Moon.

If you are able to observe Jupiter from approximately 22:00 onwards you’ll be treated to a view of the Galilean Moons strung out to the west of the planet.  The moons as you look at them will be Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.

Tuesday 14 December

The Geminid meteor shower peaks tonight.  Once the Moon has set at 00:30 you should have no problem observing the shower (providing the weather plays ball).  If the conditions are good we could see up to a maximum of 100 meteors per hour.

Saturday 18 December

From now until 24 December Iris (asteroid 7) can be found in the constellation of Cancer close to the open cluster M67 (which would be a good imaging opportunity).  Iris is at magnitude +8.6 and should be easily found with a small telescope or binoculars.

Monday 20 December

Mercury is at an inferior conjunction with the Sun.  After today you will find the planet in the morning sky to the east.

Tuesday 21 December

Full Moon.

There is also a total lunar eclipse which will take place between 05:00 and 08:30.  the Moon will actually set before the eclipse ends.

Wednesday 22 December

Ursids meteor shower peaks tonight.  It’s a very weak shower with approximately 10 meteors an hour at peak.  The Moon is also likely to cause problems with trying to observe the shower.

Tuesday 28 December

Last quarter Moon.

The Night Sky for November 2010

Interesting things happening in November that Bellatrix Orionis is hoping to observe

Visual guide from Hubble Site.

Planets

Mercury - Not visible during this month.

Venus - Is in the constellation of Virgo in the south east of the sky.  It’s best placed on  30 November to view at 06:30UT.

Mars -Is not visible at all this month.

Jupiter - Can be found in the constellation of Aquarius in the south of the sky.  It’s best viewing position is on 1 November at 21:00UT.

Saturn - Can be found in the constellation of Virgo in the south east of the sky.  It’s best placed to view on 30 November at 06:00UT.

Uranus - Is a binocular object  and can be found in the constellation of Pisces in the south of the sky.  It’s best placed for viewing on 30 November at 19:00UT.

Neptune – Can be found in the constellation of Capricornus in the south of the sky and is best placed for viewing on 1 November at 19:15UT.

Dwarf Planets

Pluto - Is lost in the twilight this month.

Ceres - Is also lost in the twilight this month.

Eris - Is a CCD object in the morning sky in the constellation of Cetus.

Makemake - An evening object in the constellation Coma Berenices.

Haumea - Is an evening object in Boötes.

Monday 1 November

The Southern Taurid meteor shower peaks (best viewed between 22:00 and dawn).

Wednesday 3 November

Gannymede reappears from behind Jupiters disc at 16:52UT and remains visible for approximately an hour before being eclipsed by Jupiters shadow.

Thursday 4 November

Peak of Northern Taurids starts tonight (again best viewed between 22:00UT and dawn).  The number of meteors per hour is low at approx 7 Per hour.

Saturday 6 November

New Moon.

Wednesday 10 November

Grab your binoculars or telescope (your choice) and grab an eyeful of M31 (the Andromeda Galaxy).  M31 will be at its highest point in the sky at 21:30UT.

Friday 12 November

My monthly challenge to you all.  Can  you spot the double star Zeta Aquarii in the south of the sky? and can you resolve it into two stars?

Saturday 13 November

Half Moon.

Wednesday 17 November

Tonight is the peak of the annual Leonid meteor shower.  Unfortunately the 11 day old Moon will cause some observing challenges.

Thursday 18 November

The eclipsing binary star Algol reaches its maximum brightness at 23:42UT.

Saturday 20 November

If you’re up for spotting the Galilians, Callisto transits Jupiter at 20:28UT and is off the disk at 21:13UT.

Sunday 21 November

Full Moon.

Ganymede starts to transit Jupiter at 16:18UT and ends at 19.11UT.

Monday 22 November

Jupiters moon’s Io and Europa are in conjuction, watch it from 19:30UT.

Friday 26 November

Comet 103P/Hartley can be seen between the two open clusters M46 and M47 in the constellation Puppis. Binoculars or a telescope with be needed to view it.

Sunday 28 November

Ganymede transits Jupiter again.

The Night Sky For October 2010

Interesting things happening in October that Bellatrix Orionis is hoping to observe

Visual guide from Hubble Site.

Planets

Mercury - Can be found in the constellation Virgo.  It is best viewed on 1 October at 06:30BST (05:30UT).

Venus - Is in the constellation of Libra.  It’s best placed on  S9 October to view at 14:30BST (13:30UT).

Mars -Is not visible at all this month.

Jupiter - Can be found in the constellation of Pisces.  It’s best viewing position is on 1 October at 00:18BST (23:18UT 30 September).

Saturn - Can be found in the constellation of Virgo.  It’s best placed to view on 31 October at 05:15UT.

Uranus - Is a binocular object  and can be found in the constellation of Pisces.  It’s best placed for viewing on 21 September at 01:00BST (00:00UT).

Neptune – Can be found in the constellation of Capricornus this month and is best placed for viewing on 1 October at 00:20BST (23:20UT 30 September).

Dwarf Planets

Pluto - Can be found in the constellation of Sagittarius and is an early evening object.

Ceres - Is low in the evening sky in the constellation of Ophiuchus.

Eris - Is a CCD object in the morning sky in the constellation of Cetus.

Makemake - An evening object in the constellation Coma Berenices.

Haumea - Is an evening object in Boötes.

Friday 1 October

The last quarter Moon rises at 23.43BST and sets at 15.21BST the following day.

Fancy a bit of comet spotting tonight?  If so you can find Comet Hartley 2 in Cassiopeia, below the star Shedir.

Thursday 7 October

New Moon.

Friday 8 October

The comet 103P/Hartley can be found close to the Double Cluster in Perseus.

Thursday 14 September

First quarter Moon, rises at 14:42BST and sets at 23:08BST.

Friday 15 October

This month’s challenge is to see if you can locate the minor planet Eris.  It’s in the constellation of Cetus and it’s magnitude is +18.7 so is beyond the visual range of most amateur telescopes, but if you have a CCD you should be able to pick it up.

Saturday 16 October

The variable star Mira is due to reach maximum brightness today.  When the star is at maximum it’s visible to the naked eye.

Tuesday 18 October

Comet 103P/Hartley is still visible at magnitude +4.5 between Cappella and The Kids in the constellation of Auriga.

Thursday 20 October

Jupiter is visible as it starts to go dark.

Saturday 22 October

Orionid meteor shower peaks.

Sunday 23 October

Full Moon rises at17:31BST and sets at 08:15BST the following morning.

Saturday 30 October

First quarter Moon rises at 00:11UT and sets at 14:23UT.