Tom Kielbasinski 03-29-2005

What’s up Column

Hints

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. Pluto is the furthest and coldest with a very dim blue appearance in the East-Southeast at 1 degree at 9:35p.m. until 5:20p.m.in the West-Southwest at 20 degrees. This planet will only be seen with larger telescopes.

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 5:35p.m.

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 80 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. Polaris is the center star of the sky at 90 degrees directly overhead.

The summer triangle of Deneb, Altair, and Vega will be out to play in the East-Northeast at 5, 10, 15 degrees respectively from 10:45p.m. until dawn in the South-Southeast at 40. 50, 55 degrees respectively.

Any comments, questions or comments please contact: Thomas Kielbasinski at thomas_kielbasinski@yahoo.com.