Fall 2025
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 reaches its greatest eastern elongation of 24 degrees from the sun. Look for it just above the western horizon about 15-20 minutes after the sun sets. It is difficult to spot because if you look too early, it is too bright out. If you wait too long, it is too close to the horizon to spot. If you miss it, Mercury swings around to the other side of the sun reaching 20 degrees west of the sun on December 7. Now look for it in the east at pre-dawn
When the class starts, Venus and Jupiter will be "morning stars" ... meaning they are visible in the pre-dawn. Look east for both. As the semester progresses, Venus will fade as it aligns closer to the sun but Jupiter will do just the opposite. It will be seen lagging east of Saturn the entire semester.
Saturn will be visible the entire semester. Saturn reaches opposition on September 21th. This is the best time to view it. Look for it on the meridian around midnight. Got a small telescope? You can treat yourself to Saturn's rings and then look east to see the moons of Jupiter. It is super cool!
Eclipses (as seen from Milwaukee area)
Nothing ... sorry A total lunar eclipse occurs on September 7th but NOT visible from Milwaukee. On September 21th there will be a solar eclipse but, again, NOT visible from Milwaukee.
Other
On September 22 we arrive at the first day of fall. The sun is at the autumnal equinox and we have an equal split of day and night. From there nighttime exceeds daylight. Boo!
The Leonid meteor shower is on November 17th. Go out after midnight for the best viewing opportunity.
ŠJim Mihal 2004, 2014, 2017, 2022, 2025 - all rights reserved