Tonight – August 21, 2015 – watch for the rather wide waxing crescent moon, the planet Saturn and the star Antares to adorn the sky as darkness falls. Then, in the next two evenings, you can watch as the moon sweeps past this planet and star.
For us at northerly latitudes, they’ll be in the southwest. From mid-latitudes in the S. Hemisphere, you’ll see them in the northwest. Take a stroll with a loved one, or family and friends, to see all these celestial luminaries lighting up starry heavens first thing at nightfall.
How easily will you be able to view Saturn and Antares in the moon’s glare tonight? So if you have binoculars, use them to get a better view. Antares exhibits a ruddy color whereas Saturn appears golden.
EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order yours from the EarthSky store.
Because the Earth spins from west-to-east upon its rotational axis, it causes the moon, Saturn and Antares to swing in the opposite direction – westward – during the evening hours. Relative to Saturn and Antares, however, the moon actually moves eastward, toward Saturn and Antares.
The dark side of the waxing moon always points in the direction that the moon travels in front of the constellations of the Zodiac. Relative to the backdrop stars of the Zodiac, the moon travels eastward at about one-half degree per hour, or about 13o daily.
Bottom line: The moon and two bright celestial luminaries – Saturn and Antares – adorn the southwest sky as darkness falls on August 21, 2015. In the next two evenings, the moon sweeps past this planet and star.
Help support EarthSky! Check out the EarthSky store for fun astronomy gifts and tools for all ages!
Enjoying EarthSky so far? Sign up for our free daily newsletter today!
from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1NJ8wuF
Tonight – August 21, 2015 – watch for the rather wide waxing crescent moon, the planet Saturn and the star Antares to adorn the sky as darkness falls. Then, in the next two evenings, you can watch as the moon sweeps past this planet and star.
For us at northerly latitudes, they’ll be in the southwest. From mid-latitudes in the S. Hemisphere, you’ll see them in the northwest. Take a stroll with a loved one, or family and friends, to see all these celestial luminaries lighting up starry heavens first thing at nightfall.
How easily will you be able to view Saturn and Antares in the moon’s glare tonight? So if you have binoculars, use them to get a better view. Antares exhibits a ruddy color whereas Saturn appears golden.
EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order yours from the EarthSky store.
Because the Earth spins from west-to-east upon its rotational axis, it causes the moon, Saturn and Antares to swing in the opposite direction – westward – during the evening hours. Relative to Saturn and Antares, however, the moon actually moves eastward, toward Saturn and Antares.
The dark side of the waxing moon always points in the direction that the moon travels in front of the constellations of the Zodiac. Relative to the backdrop stars of the Zodiac, the moon travels eastward at about one-half degree per hour, or about 13o daily.
Bottom line: The moon and two bright celestial luminaries – Saturn and Antares – adorn the southwest sky as darkness falls on August 21, 2015. In the next two evenings, the moon sweeps past this planet and star.
Help support EarthSky! Check out the EarthSky store for fun astronomy gifts and tools for all ages!
Enjoying EarthSky so far? Sign up for our free daily newsletter today!
from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1NJ8wuF
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