sijui nini
JF-Expert Member
- Sep 29, 2010
- 2,553
- 1,285
kwa wale wapenzi wa night-sky watching...(in fact tangu mwezi umeanza kuna sayari kama tatu zinaonekana kwa macho ukiangalia angani kuanzia jua linapozama..Venus, Jupiter na Mars..
Venus is due for a date with the moon tonight, July 15, with the two bodies appearing to dance within half an inch of each other in the western sky, depending on your location.
The conjunction is Venus' second celestial appointment this week, after it met up with the star Regulus on Monday night.
Wherever you're located, be sure to head outside early in the evening, because both bodies will set at around 10 p.m. local time.
Tonight, the moon will be only about 12 percent illuminated, because a few days have passed since the new moon appeared. But the dark part of the moon should show earthshine, a faint glow caused by light reflecting off the planet.
Moon and a bright planet
It's always easy to positively identify a planet when the moon is nearby, and a number of such conjunctions will happen this summer. Here is the complete list:
July 15 – This evening, the 3.5-day-old crescent moon will sit just to the right of Venus.
July 20 – The planet Jupiter will be prominently placed below the moon this evening.
July 24 – As the waxing gibbous moon ascends the south-southeast sky this evening, take note of Saturn shining below it.
Aug. 14 – A 4-day-old crescent moon will be poised high above Venus after sunset this evening.
Aug. 17 – Jupiter will be situated a good distance to the lower right of the moon.
Aug. 20 – As darkness falls, look for Saturn well to the lower left of a 75 percent illuminated gibbous moon.
Aug. 22 – An even wider gibbous moon can be found tonight sailing far above Mars, which dominates the sky east of Saturn. All through this summer, Mars will appear very bright and fiery, because it is making its closest approach to Earth in 15 years.
Sept. 13 – The 4.5-day-old crescent moon will pass well to the upper right of Jupiter in this evening's sky.
Sept. 17 – The 60-percent-illuminated waxing gibbous moon will be found to the upper left of Saturn this evening.
Sept. 19 – A somewhat wider gibbous moon will be found well to the upper right of Mars this evening.
Bright green meteors dart across the sky in this photo of the Perseid meteor shower over Terlingua, Texas on Aug. 14, 2016.
Credit: Jason Weingart/Barcoft/Getty
Perseid meteors
This most famous of all meteor showers is expected to reach its peak late at night on Sunday, Aug. 12, into the early morning hours of Monday, Aug. 13. The Perseid meteor shower never fails to provide an impressive display, and due to its summertime appearance, it tends to provide the majority of meteors seen by families and campers. These meteoroids are no bigger than pebbles, have the consistency of cigar ash and burn up in Earth's atmosphere many miles above our heads. They're fast and bright, and they frequently leave persistent trains.
Best views will come from midnight late Saturday night on until the first light of dawn. Far from bright lights and tall obstructions, a single observer looking overhead and toward the northeast may see up to 90 shooting stars per hour. Get some friends with lounge chairs. Arrange the audience radially, heads together. Record the "oohs" and "ahhs" when flashes are seen streaking from the common radiant in Perseus.
This will be a great year to watch for these meteor because the moon will be new, so no bright moonlight will interfere with viewing
Look Up! Venus Snuggles Up to the Moon Tonight
Venus is due for a date with the moon tonight, July 15, with the two bodies appearing to dance within half an inch of each other in the western sky, depending on your location.
The conjunction is Venus' second celestial appointment this week, after it met up with the star Regulus on Monday night.
Wherever you're located, be sure to head outside early in the evening, because both bodies will set at around 10 p.m. local time.
Tonight, the moon will be only about 12 percent illuminated, because a few days have passed since the new moon appeared. But the dark part of the moon should show earthshine, a faint glow caused by light reflecting off the planet.
Moon and a bright planet
It's always easy to positively identify a planet when the moon is nearby, and a number of such conjunctions will happen this summer. Here is the complete list:
July 15 – This evening, the 3.5-day-old crescent moon will sit just to the right of Venus.
July 20 – The planet Jupiter will be prominently placed below the moon this evening.
July 24 – As the waxing gibbous moon ascends the south-southeast sky this evening, take note of Saturn shining below it.
Aug. 14 – A 4-day-old crescent moon will be poised high above Venus after sunset this evening.
Aug. 17 – Jupiter will be situated a good distance to the lower right of the moon.
Aug. 20 – As darkness falls, look for Saturn well to the lower left of a 75 percent illuminated gibbous moon.
Aug. 22 – An even wider gibbous moon can be found tonight sailing far above Mars, which dominates the sky east of Saturn. All through this summer, Mars will appear very bright and fiery, because it is making its closest approach to Earth in 15 years.
Sept. 13 – The 4.5-day-old crescent moon will pass well to the upper right of Jupiter in this evening's sky.
Sept. 17 – The 60-percent-illuminated waxing gibbous moon will be found to the upper left of Saturn this evening.
Sept. 19 – A somewhat wider gibbous moon will be found well to the upper right of Mars this evening.
Bright green meteors dart across the sky in this photo of the Perseid meteor shower over Terlingua, Texas on Aug. 14, 2016.
Credit: Jason Weingart/Barcoft/Getty
Perseid meteors
This most famous of all meteor showers is expected to reach its peak late at night on Sunday, Aug. 12, into the early morning hours of Monday, Aug. 13. The Perseid meteor shower never fails to provide an impressive display, and due to its summertime appearance, it tends to provide the majority of meteors seen by families and campers. These meteoroids are no bigger than pebbles, have the consistency of cigar ash and burn up in Earth's atmosphere many miles above our heads. They're fast and bright, and they frequently leave persistent trains.
Best views will come from midnight late Saturday night on until the first light of dawn. Far from bright lights and tall obstructions, a single observer looking overhead and toward the northeast may see up to 90 shooting stars per hour. Get some friends with lounge chairs. Arrange the audience radially, heads together. Record the "oohs" and "ahhs" when flashes are seen streaking from the common radiant in Perseus.
This will be a great year to watch for these meteor because the moon will be new, so no bright moonlight will interfere with viewing
Look Up! Venus Snuggles Up to the Moon Tonight
