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Tom Kielbasinski 03-29-2005
What’s up Column
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The astronomy column for the week of June 1st through June 15th shows what’s up in the sky with several
objects. These include: the stars, planets, and constellations. You can stargaze these stars, planets and
constellations in the sky with the use of your fist. One finger equals two degrees above the horizon. One
full fist equals ten degrees above the horizon. This astronomy or stargazing technique is to measure how
high in the sky a certain star, planet or constellation is from the horizon. The mountains could block the
actual horizon a few degrees. The best areas to stargaze are dark areas and clear to see horizon areas.
Inner Planets
The planet of Mercury will be seen from 8:55 p..m. until 9:30 p.m. from June 10th through the 15th in the
West-Northwest at 10 degrees and setting in the West-Northwest. Mercury will be too close to the sun on
June 1st through June 9th to see. Mercury will be seen through the week partially seen with the most
powerful small telescope for the two week period. Venus will be seen in the West-Northwest at 20 degrees
above the horizon from 8:55p.m. until 10:00p.m. Venus is the brightest planet appearance in the solar
system. Venus has a couple of mistaken appearances; you can even see its light appear as a shadow or
mistaken as a flying saucer. Mars “the red planet” will be seen in the North-Northeast at 45 degrees above
the horizon from 8:55 p.m. in the North-Northeast until 2:30 a.m. at 1 degree in the East-Southeast in the
14 day period. The two moons of mars are difficult to see, but the average stargazer can see them through a
small-powered telescope.
Outer Planets
Jupiter, the largest and gas giant will be seen in the South-Southeast at 30 degrees at 8:55 p.m. through
2:55a.m.in the West-Southwest at 2 degrees in the two week period. Jupiter appears as a yellow star and the
second brightest planet in the solar system. Jupiter’s three biggest moons can be seen by beginner stargazer
through an average small size telescope. These three moons are Io, Europa, and Ganymede. Jupiter also has
a thin ring that can be seen through high-powered binoculars. Saturn appears as a small dim orange star
because of its distance. Saturn will be seen at 8:55p.m. in the West-Northwest at 25 degrees and until 11:30
p.m. in the West-Northwest at 1 degrees for the 14 day period. Saturn’s visible rings can be seen at a 60
degree tilted angle on its axis. These rings and moons of Saturn are visible after 9:25p.m. Saturn biggest
moon Titan can be seen after 9:45p.m. Uranus has an appearance of a blue and green dim star. Uranus will
appear in the sky visible by the naked eye or an above average telescope in the East-Southeast from 1
degree at 2:00-5:30a.m. at 30 degrees in the Southeast for the 14 day period. Uranus is tilted to a 90 degree
angle on its axis because of a major impact thousands of years ago. Uranus sometimes can be seen with the
naked eye or small powered telescope. Neptune has a blue dim star appearance. Neptune will appear in the
East-Southeast at 1 degrees at 12:50a.m. until 5:10 a.m. in the South-Southeast at 25 degrees for the two
week period.
Constellations
Spica is in the Virgo constellation. Virgo constellation is a small boot like constellation. Spica appears as a
blue-white star in the South-Southwest at 35 degrees at 8:55p.m. Spica will be about 10 degrees away from
Jupiter. Spica will set at 2:30a.m. right off to the West of Jupiter. Spica will be at 1 degrees in the West-
Southwest at 2:30 a.m. The brilliant “J” or fish hook constellation Scorpius can be seen from 8:55 p.m.
until 4:30a.m.. The most apparent star is Antares about 520 light years away. This star changes colors
constantly. This star will appear in the South-Southeast at 20 degrees at 8:55p.m. and in the South-
Southwest at 15 degrees at
The constellation Cassiopeia will be seen in the North-Northwest at 9:00 p.m. until the constellation will be
in the North-Northeast at 5 degrees until dawn. Cassiopeia constellation appears as a backwards, sideways
and different sided W. The Ursa Minor constellation or small dipper can be seen in the North-Northeast at
9:30p.m. until its position will be in the North-Northwest until the sun rises. The end of the pot handle of
the constellation is located 90 degrees straight up. The Ursa Major constellation or The Big Dipper as it is
called. The Big Dipper or Ursa Major can be seen North-Northeast at 9:15p.m.until its position will be in
the North-Northwest at 5 degrees until dawn. Ursa Major can be seen below the smaller dipper or pot figure
in the sky.
Any comments, questions or comments please contact: Thomas Kielbasinski at