Before sunrise on the mornings of September 9 and 10, 2015, use the waning crescent moon to locate the planets Venus and Mars. Dazzling Venus is the most brilliant starlike object in all the heavens, ranking in brilliance only after the sun and moon. So it’ll be hard to miss Venus near the moon in the east for the next several days.
Mars is fainter, but Venus and the moon – and a very optimum sky, and possibly a pair of binoculars – should help you spot it.
The moon always moves eastward relative to the background planets and stars of the Zodiac. If you don’t know which way is east, remember … it’s the direction of sunrise. When the waning crescent moon is in the sky – as it is these next several mornings – keep in mind that the illuminated side of the crescent always points eastward – or in the sunrise direction.
By the morning of September 11, the moon will be near the star Regulus – brightest star in the constellation Leo the Lion – as it slides downward toward the sunrise point on the horizon.
And Jupiter? It’s shown on our chart, at top. But Jupiter is very near the sunrise, and you’ll need exceptional sky conditions to spot it this week. Keep watching, and Jupiter should come into view by about the middle of September.
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When the moon drops out of the morning sky by the end of this week, you could possibly mistake Sirius, the brightest star of the nighttime sky, for Venus. Both are very bright.
Yet there are a few ways to distinguish Sirius from Venus. Venus shines with a steadier light than does Sirius, which sparkles in a multitude of colors – especially when this star looms close to the horizon as it does now before sunrise. As seen from this hemisphere, Sirius appears over the southeast horizon before dawn at present. From any part of Earth, Sirius is quite a ways to the south of Venus, that is, to your right as you stand facing the sunrise.
Familiar with the constellation Orion? If so, Orion’s Belt will let you know that you’re looking at Sirius, the famous Dog Star. Click here for more about Sirius and Orion.
Bottom line: Look for the moon above Venus in the east before dawn on September 9, 2015, and then closer to Venus on the following morning, September 10.
Astronomy events, star parties, festivals, workshops for September-December, 2015
Super Blood Moon eclipse on night of September 27-28
EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order today from the EarthSky store
from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1UhrShJ
Before sunrise on the mornings of September 9 and 10, 2015, use the waning crescent moon to locate the planets Venus and Mars. Dazzling Venus is the most brilliant starlike object in all the heavens, ranking in brilliance only after the sun and moon. So it’ll be hard to miss Venus near the moon in the east for the next several days.
Mars is fainter, but Venus and the moon – and a very optimum sky, and possibly a pair of binoculars – should help you spot it.
The moon always moves eastward relative to the background planets and stars of the Zodiac. If you don’t know which way is east, remember … it’s the direction of sunrise. When the waning crescent moon is in the sky – as it is these next several mornings – keep in mind that the illuminated side of the crescent always points eastward – or in the sunrise direction.
By the morning of September 11, the moon will be near the star Regulus – brightest star in the constellation Leo the Lion – as it slides downward toward the sunrise point on the horizon.
And Jupiter? It’s shown on our chart, at top. But Jupiter is very near the sunrise, and you’ll need exceptional sky conditions to spot it this week. Keep watching, and Jupiter should come into view by about the middle of September.
Enjoying EarthSky so far? Sign up for our free daily newsletter today!
When the moon drops out of the morning sky by the end of this week, you could possibly mistake Sirius, the brightest star of the nighttime sky, for Venus. Both are very bright.
Yet there are a few ways to distinguish Sirius from Venus. Venus shines with a steadier light than does Sirius, which sparkles in a multitude of colors – especially when this star looms close to the horizon as it does now before sunrise. As seen from this hemisphere, Sirius appears over the southeast horizon before dawn at present. From any part of Earth, Sirius is quite a ways to the south of Venus, that is, to your right as you stand facing the sunrise.
Familiar with the constellation Orion? If so, Orion’s Belt will let you know that you’re looking at Sirius, the famous Dog Star. Click here for more about Sirius and Orion.
Bottom line: Look for the moon above Venus in the east before dawn on September 9, 2015, and then closer to Venus on the following morning, September 10.
Astronomy events, star parties, festivals, workshops for September-December, 2015
Super Blood Moon eclipse on night of September 27-28
EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order today from the EarthSky store
from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1UhrShJ
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