Tonight – September 19, 2015 – the moon appears in the sky throughout the world near the planet Saturn and the star Antares. Our chart at top shows the view as seen from North America on the evening of September 19. As viewed from the world’s Eastern Hemisphere – Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand – the moon shines closer to the planet Saturn (and farther from the star Antares) as darkness falls. From around the world tonight – no matter where you live – look westward at nightfall to enjoy the celestial threesome’s regal presence in the evening sky.
Saturn is the 6th planet from the sun, it’s the most distant world that’s easily visible with the unaided eye. With a modest backyard telescope, you can gaze at Saturn’s beautiful rings, which are tilted somewhat more than 24o from edge-on. This evening, Saturn lodges out there at 10.4 astronomical units from Earth and 10 astronomical units from the sun.
That means, from Saturn, the diameter of the sun would appear 1/10 as large as the sun’s diameter appears from Earth. However, the solar disk from Saturn would only appear 1/100th (1/10 x 1/10 = 1/100) the size. So the sun must look pretty small at Saturn’s distance from the sun.
Notice the moon’s position relative to Saturn and Antares on September 17, 18 and 19. You’ll see that the moon has moved eastward, in the direction of Antares, the supergiant red star depicting the beating heart of the constellation Scorpious the Scorpion.
The moon always moves eastward in front of the constellations of the Zodiac.. The green line depicts the ecliptic – the sun’s annual pathway in front of the zodiacal constellations.
Bottom line: On the evening of September 19, 2015, the moon’s orbit around Earth has moved it past Saturn, and closer to Antares, the red supergiant star depicting the ruby heart of the Scorpion in the constellation Scorpius.
EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order yours today.
Help support posts like these at the EarthSky store. Fun astronomy gifts and tools for all ages!
from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1QNFlII
Tonight – September 19, 2015 – the moon appears in the sky throughout the world near the planet Saturn and the star Antares. Our chart at top shows the view as seen from North America on the evening of September 19. As viewed from the world’s Eastern Hemisphere – Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand – the moon shines closer to the planet Saturn (and farther from the star Antares) as darkness falls. From around the world tonight – no matter where you live – look westward at nightfall to enjoy the celestial threesome’s regal presence in the evening sky.
Saturn is the 6th planet from the sun, it’s the most distant world that’s easily visible with the unaided eye. With a modest backyard telescope, you can gaze at Saturn’s beautiful rings, which are tilted somewhat more than 24o from edge-on. This evening, Saturn lodges out there at 10.4 astronomical units from Earth and 10 astronomical units from the sun.
That means, from Saturn, the diameter of the sun would appear 1/10 as large as the sun’s diameter appears from Earth. However, the solar disk from Saturn would only appear 1/100th (1/10 x 1/10 = 1/100) the size. So the sun must look pretty small at Saturn’s distance from the sun.
Notice the moon’s position relative to Saturn and Antares on September 17, 18 and 19. You’ll see that the moon has moved eastward, in the direction of Antares, the supergiant red star depicting the beating heart of the constellation Scorpious the Scorpion.
The moon always moves eastward in front of the constellations of the Zodiac.. The green line depicts the ecliptic – the sun’s annual pathway in front of the zodiacal constellations.
Bottom line: On the evening of September 19, 2015, the moon’s orbit around Earth has moved it past Saturn, and closer to Antares, the red supergiant star depicting the ruby heart of the Scorpion in the constellation Scorpius.
EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order yours today.
Help support posts like these at the EarthSky store. Fun astronomy gifts and tools for all ages!
from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1QNFlII
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