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Current Solar X-rays: Current Geomagnetic Field: |
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Gary A. Becker using software Bisque's The Sky... |
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This sequence of images shows the Moon occulting Mars on the evening of January 13, 2025. The disappearance began at 9:18-57 (computer prediction (9:19-56) and continued for approximately 37 second, ending at 9:19-34. I first became aware of Mars'emergence from Mare Smythii at 10:34-25 with the disk of Mars tangent to the lunar limb at 10:34-52 (computer prediction 10:34-58). Conditions were clear, calm, and without frost. Gary A. Becker composite image... |
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Gary A. Becker using software Bisque's The Sky... |
Sunday, January 26: The thin waning crescent moon graces the dawn sky before sunrise. If you are awake by 6:30 a.m., look for an 11 percent illuminated moon with the crescent portion pointed to where the sun will rise. The moon will be eight degrees above the southeastern horizon. After the 26th, the moon is essentially invisible because of its proximity to the sun. Luna passes under the sun between the 27th and the 29th of January to emerge in the western sky after sunset as a razor-thin waxing crescent. Thursday, January 30: If your location has a nearly flawless WSW horizon, Luna should become visible five degrees above the horizon 30 minutes after sundown. For Moravian's campus, the time will be 5:50 p.m.
Friday, January 31: The nearly eight percent waxing crescent moon lies below Saturn by under four degrees. Because the moon has gained considerable altitude during the previous 24 hours, the best time to view would be between 6-6:30 p.m. when there will still be some twilight in the sky. Binoculars should easily reveal earthshine, the light reflected from a nearly full Earth reflecting from the unlit, nighttime portion of the moon. Use averted (side) vision to enhance your view of the earthshine effect through binoculars or without optical aid. Use your smartphone, particularly if it has motion stabilizing algorithms, to take a stunning evening portrait of the scene.
Saturday, February 1: This evening, a splendid sight awaits viewers as the 15 percent waxing crescent moon approaches within 2.5 degrees of Venus, which currently is at its greatest brilliance. Again, binoculars will enhance the view, especially if you want to reveal earthshine on the moon's unlit surface, but wait. There is an additional surprise in store if you observe at 6:30 p.m., 80 minutes after sundown, or a half hour longer when it is entirely dark. Neptune will be less than one degree to the left of the moon's limb (western boundary) in line with Luna and the planet Venus. A star of similar brightness (SAO 146791) will be above Neptune and slightly to its right, just one-third degree away. Neptune will be the object below and slightly to the right of that star. It's an excellent opportunity, in addition to a rare astronomical event, to view the last and farthest planet in our solar system, along with the closest planet to Earth, Venus, with the moon in between, all fitting nicely within the field of view of an average pair of binoculars. Binoculars and a steady hand will be necessary for a successful observation, as well as a tripod and metal tripod smartphone clip holder, if you attempt to catch the trio digitally. Experiment with magnifications of 2x and 5x on your smartphone if you have those options.
Sunday, February 2: The nearly 25 percent waxing crescent moon has now moved high above Venus, Neptune, and Saturn and can be viewed in a completely dark sky around 7 p.m. If the air is transparent, binoculars should quickly reveal earthshine along with the unaided eye if averted vision is used. Faint objects are seen more easily if the eye's rods of the retina are engaged in trying to make the observation. Requiring more light to trigger the receptors, the central vision composed mostly of cones is designed for color and clarity of vision. The rods mostly positioned away from the cones require less light for activation allowing them to discern much fainter targets. They are also not adapted for color.P> More about the moon's journey across the procession of planets will be the focus of next week's StarWatch article, or read ahead. Ad Astra!
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