What's Coming Up?

There's always something else coming up in the night sky. This is where you can check in to see what upcoming astronomical events you can observe from your own back yard.

Venus in the Daytime

Venus is now visible high in the western sky before the Sun goes below the horizon. Check on any clear afternoon in the next couple weeks and see if you can't spot that silver ball-bearing in the midst of a clear blue sky.

 

Watch the sunset one evening and see how soon you can spot this bright planet. Get a good indication of the distance and angle from the point where the Sun disappeared below the horizon. The next evening or so go out an hour or so before sunset and scour the region of the sky the same distance and the same angle from the location of the Sun while it is above the horizon. A pair of binoculars will help immensely. Scan the described area and you will see a bright spot flash by. Relocate it, focus and slowly lower the binocs while fixing your vision on the prescribed point. It may take a moment for your eyes to focus at the right distance but - there she is. Venus by day!

Credit: Astronomy: Roen Kelly Credit: Astronomy: Roen Kelly

Late February Sky Show


 

Watch in late February for the crescent Moon to join Mercury and Venus in the western sky after sunset for a few evenings. On the 22nd it will be quite close to Mercury and very close to the horizon during twilight. Venus, the brightest planet, will be above the Mercury and Moon conjunction. Successive evenings will find the Moon passing by Venus and then Jupiter.

 

While you are looking, see if you can't get a look at the dark side of the Moon as well. Those first few evenings of the lunar cycle in the evening often offer a glimpse of the Earth-lit surface of the dark side. That would be twice richocheted sunlight you are seeing. Light bouncing off the cloud tops and polar caps of Earth shine down on the dark side of the Moon and bounce back so that it is visible to the unaided eye.

 

The Moon, known as Diana, goddess of the hunt, to some earlier skywatchers will be joining Venus, the goddess of love, for a few evenings each month as it passes through its waxing crescent phase. By mid-March, Jupiter, king of the gods will be adding his presence to the western twilight sky.

Credit: Astronomy Magazine:Roen Kelly Credit: Astronomy Magazine:Roen Kelly

On February 25th the Moon will be exceptionally close to the planet Venus; wiithin a few degrees of arc. These two brightest objects of the night sky should present a dazzling display. Hope for clear skies.

 

In more arid parts of the world, where skies are more commonly clear for such events, the image has been inspiring enough to be chosen as a symbol for religion and/or national flags. The symbol for the Islamic religion includes a crescent Moon and Venus and the flag of Turkey.

 

The Moon should be seen closer to Juipter on the following evenings.

Mars in January

 

Mars will become rather impressive during the month of January. Moving from Leo the Lion into Virgo the Maiden and then back toward Leo, the Red Planet will increase in brightness as the Earth gets closer to it and Mars begins its impressive retrograde motion.

 

Mars, the god of war, will be rising in the east before midnight and will begin to become a very prominent feature in the night sky for the remainder of the year. It will rise a bit earlier each evening until it is at opposition and coming up at sunset in March.

Jupiter Venus Conjunction

Unfolding Now through Mid-March

 

If you haven't already been watching the Jupiter/Venus conjunction unfold, it's time to get started.

 

Last October, Jupiter was rising in the east around sunset and Venus was setting in the west after sunset. The two brightest objects in the night sky after the Moon were seen on opposite horizons.

 

Jupiter has been rising a few minutes earlier each evening and is now very high in the east at dusk. Venus is now much higher and brighter in the west after sunset. Each evening these two  brilliant objects are a bit closer to each other in the night sky.

 

Watch as Jupiter closes in a bit more each day until we have a rather close gathering of the two of them on the evening of March 12th when they will be side by side in the western twilight. A week or so later the crescent Moon  will pass between them and the three brightest objects in the evening sky will present an inspiring spectacle. It may, however, be cloudy and snowing on these evenings. So, begin your vigil now and watch the approach during January and February. That way, if it's cloudy on the evening of the closest passing you will have a very good idea of what is going on and you'll see it quite clearly in your mind's eye. Don't wait until then. The dance has begun.

Athens Clear Sky Chart - sky conditions for Athens, Ohio

The Athens Clear Sky Chart is an astronomers forecast. It shows at a glance when, in the next 48 hours, we might expect clear and dark skies for Athens, Ohio. It's is specifically intended for amateur astronomers. Thanks to Attilla Danko for this widget.