Fall 2024
Each semester offers opportunities and events worth your attention. Below are some astronomical news for your current semester.
The following web page offers a great overview of current activities in astronomy - http://skyandtelescope.com/
More on astronomy events at: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy_calendar_current.html
And even more at: http://in-the-sky.org/newsindex.php?feed=DFAN
Robert Bonadurer, director of the MPM Planetarium, sends out a terrific monthly newsletter on astronomy. Email bonadurer@mpm.edu to request and receive his FREE monthly sky map and newsletter.
Planets
Mercury will be at its greatest western elongation of 18 degrees from the sun on September 4th. This means you can spot it above the eastern horizon at dawn. Missed it? Don't worry, it will swing to the eastern side of the sun and reach its greatest elongation of 22 degrees on November 16th. Look for it above the western horizon at dusk.
Both Jupiter and Saturn will be the stars of the show this semester. When the class starts Saturn will be the south-east at dusk and be visible throughout the night. Jupiter will rise several hours later. By the end of the class Jupiter will rule the sky at night.
Saturn reaches opposition on September 8th. This means it will is "opposite the sun" .... meaning it will be the best time to view it. It will be close to the meridian at midnight.
The class ends with Jupiter at opposition on December 7th. Use a small telescope or good binoculars to see the four moons Galileo first spotted on 1609.
Mars will also be visible throughout the semester. It can be seen east of Jupiter. At the beginning of the semester, you need to stay up late to spot it but by semester end, it will be much easier to view. It will reach opposition on January 16th, 2025 .... well past the end of the class.
Venus was hiding in the glare of the sun most of the semester. By the end of the semester, it will be visible above the western horizon at dusk. It will dominate the sky next semester as well.
Eclipses (as seen from Milwaukee area)
There is a lunar eclipse on September 17th. This is a partial eclipse. The moon skims the umbra late in the night. Not the best, but better than nothing.
On October 2nd, there is an "annular" solar eclipse. But don't hold your breath .... you will need to be on a boat (or in South America) to see it.
Other
The Autumnal Equinox is on September 22nd. The sun's rays are directly over Earth's equator and we will have 12 hours of sunlight and 12 hours of night.
ŠJim Mihal 2004, 2014, 2017, 2022, 2024 - all rights reserved