Tonight – September 15, 2015 – it may be a challenge to catch the thin waxing crescent moon and the star Spica from mid-northern North American latitudes. The chart at top shows the pair from North America on this date. The moon and star – which, by the way, is the brightest star in the constellation Virgo the Maiden – will sit near the horizon, in the midst of the sunset glare. At mid-northern latitudes in Europe and Asia, it’ll even be harder to spot the young lunar crescent, because it’ll sit lower in the sky at sunset and set sooner after sundown. Meanwhile, from mid-southern latitudes, both the moon and star Spica will be much easier!
From the Southern Hemisphere, the moon and Spica will be perched higher up above the horizon at sunset. Both stay out longer after sundown in the Southern Hemisphere than they do from the Northern Hemisphere.
People at northerly latitudes could easily miss the young moon and Spica this evening. But with clear skies and an unobstructed western horizon, you might be able to catch ’em.
It should be possible to see the moon on September 15, 2015. This photo is from the previous night, September 14. Gene Porter in Georgia wrote: “Just a last minute idea since the skies were clear, so I ran out to the park and saw the moon.” Congrats, Gene, and thanks for submitting this photo to EarthSky!
From southerly latitudes, you might even have a good chance of catching our solar system’s innermost planet Mercury below the moon and Spica as dusk gives way to darkness. On these September evenings, the planet Mercury is in the midst of its best evening apparition of the year … for southerly latitudes. At northerly latitudes, Mercury sits too close to the glare of sunset to be easily visible.
From mid-northern and far-northern latitudes, Mercury is now setting long before nightfall. It’s essentially lost in the glare of sunset in our part of the world, although some of you in the Northern Hemisphere might capture it with your cameras.
Check out the chart below for more about Mercury.
Will you see Mercury on these September evenings? This chart shows the Southern Hemisphere view. The green line depicts the ecliptic, or sun’s path across our sky.
You should also be able to spot the golden planet Saturn and the ruddy star Antares in the southwest at nightfall. They stay out until mid-evening at mid-northern latitudes (and until late night, or around midnight, at temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere). The chart below is another Northern Hemisphere chart … but, from the whole Earth, the idea is the same.
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The young moon and Spica might be tough to catch after sunset September 15. However, the planet Saturn and the star Antares will still be out at nightfall and early evening.
The waxing crescent moon will be edging eastward (toward the sunrise direction) each evening now, as you spot it after sunset. Later this week, around September 17, 18 and 19, all of us – on all parts of Earth – will see the moon sweep past Saturn. See the chart below.
The moon will be waxing larger each evening as you see it after sunset. On September 17, 18 and 19, it’ll sweep past the planet Saturn. Also, notice the reddish star Antares – Heart of the Scorpion in the constellation Scorpius – nearby.
Bottom line: On the night of September 15, 2015, if you’re up for a challenge, try for the moon and Spica after sunset. Binoculars might come in handy!
The lunar calendars are almost here! They’ll help you know the moon phases throughout the year.
Super Blood Moon eclipse on night of September 27-28
from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1URkZE6
Tonight – September 15, 2015 – it may be a challenge to catch the thin waxing crescent moon and the star Spica from mid-northern North American latitudes. The chart at top shows the pair from North America on this date. The moon and star – which, by the way, is the brightest star in the constellation Virgo the Maiden – will sit near the horizon, in the midst of the sunset glare. At mid-northern latitudes in Europe and Asia, it’ll even be harder to spot the young lunar crescent, because it’ll sit lower in the sky at sunset and set sooner after sundown. Meanwhile, from mid-southern latitudes, both the moon and star Spica will be much easier!
From the Southern Hemisphere, the moon and Spica will be perched higher up above the horizon at sunset. Both stay out longer after sundown in the Southern Hemisphere than they do from the Northern Hemisphere.
People at northerly latitudes could easily miss the young moon and Spica this evening. But with clear skies and an unobstructed western horizon, you might be able to catch ’em.
It should be possible to see the moon on September 15, 2015. This photo is from the previous night, September 14. Gene Porter in Georgia wrote: “Just a last minute idea since the skies were clear, so I ran out to the park and saw the moon.” Congrats, Gene, and thanks for submitting this photo to EarthSky!
From southerly latitudes, you might even have a good chance of catching our solar system’s innermost planet Mercury below the moon and Spica as dusk gives way to darkness. On these September evenings, the planet Mercury is in the midst of its best evening apparition of the year … for southerly latitudes. At northerly latitudes, Mercury sits too close to the glare of sunset to be easily visible.
From mid-northern and far-northern latitudes, Mercury is now setting long before nightfall. It’s essentially lost in the glare of sunset in our part of the world, although some of you in the Northern Hemisphere might capture it with your cameras.
Check out the chart below for more about Mercury.
Will you see Mercury on these September evenings? This chart shows the Southern Hemisphere view. The green line depicts the ecliptic, or sun’s path across our sky.
You should also be able to spot the golden planet Saturn and the ruddy star Antares in the southwest at nightfall. They stay out until mid-evening at mid-northern latitudes (and until late night, or around midnight, at temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere). The chart below is another Northern Hemisphere chart … but, from the whole Earth, the idea is the same.
Enjoying EarthSky so far? Sign up for our free daily newsletter today!
Donate: Your support means the world to us
The young moon and Spica might be tough to catch after sunset September 15. However, the planet Saturn and the star Antares will still be out at nightfall and early evening.
The waxing crescent moon will be edging eastward (toward the sunrise direction) each evening now, as you spot it after sunset. Later this week, around September 17, 18 and 19, all of us – on all parts of Earth – will see the moon sweep past Saturn. See the chart below.
The moon will be waxing larger each evening as you see it after sunset. On September 17, 18 and 19, it’ll sweep past the planet Saturn. Also, notice the reddish star Antares – Heart of the Scorpion in the constellation Scorpius – nearby.
Bottom line: On the night of September 15, 2015, if you’re up for a challenge, try for the moon and Spica after sunset. Binoculars might come in handy!
The lunar calendars are almost here! They’ll help you know the moon phases throughout the year.
Super Blood Moon eclipse on night of September 27-28
from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1URkZE6
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