Skywatch Line for Monday and Tuesday April 8th and 9th, written by Joe Slomka
This is the Dudley Observatory’s Skywatch Line for Monday and Tuesday April 8th and 9th, written by Joe Slomka.
The Sun sets at 7:30 PM; night falls at 9:10. Dawn begins at 4:43 AM and ends with Sunrise at 6:23.
Monday’s Moon rises, in Pisces, at 6:20 AM and sets at 7:42 PM. Monday’s New Moon blocks out the planets. Coincidently, the Moon also blocks the Sun, the definition of a Solar Eclipse. Tuesday’s Moon, now in Aries, rises at 6:45 AM; by 8 PM, the Moon is 10° high in the west, appears 33 arc-minutes in size, only 2% illuminated and sets at 9:03 PM.
By 8 PM on Tuesday, only two planets are visible in Aries. Western Jupiter sets at 9:55 PM, 30° from the Sun, flashes with minus 2nd magnitude, 33 arc-seconds and 20° high. Uranus, 2° behind Jupiter, shines with 5th magnitude, 3 arc-seconds, 22° high and sets at 10:07 PM.
Jupiter, as usual, has treats for telescopic observers. Monday, Ganymede’s transit begins at 11:52 PM and ends on 1:54 AM, Tuesday. The Great Red Spot (a giant storm) is visible at 1:41 on Tuesday, followed by Ganymede’s shadow starting at 2:44 AM and ends at 4:25 AM. The Great Red Spot appears again, at 9:33 PM. Finally, Europa is occulted (eclipsed) at 12:13 AM on Wednesday, and ends at 3:58 AM.
Mars shares eastern Aquarius with Saturn. Mars rises at 5:14 AM, shines with 1st magnitude, 5 arc-seconds, 8° high at 6 AM and is 95% illuminated. Saturn is next, also 1st magnitude, rises at 20 AM, appears 15 arc-seconds and 8° high. At 5:47 AM Tuesday, Mars and Saturn are separated by 1° Wednesday finds them only 1/2° apart. Neptune and Venus share eastern Pisces. Neptune rises at 5:48 AM, 8th magnitude, 2 arc-seconds, and 3° high. Venus is last, rising at 6:02 AM, 15° from the Sun, blazes with minus 4th magnitude, 10 arc-seconds and 5° high at 6:30. Morning planets set during daytime.
While most people will be looking at the eclipsed Sun, there are other sights. We mentioned that Monday’s total eclipse blocks out planets. The eclipse begins at 2:12 PM, reaches maximum darkness at 3:26 and ends at 4:36.
For people observing total eclipse, during maximum, Saturn and Mars appear 35° West of the Moon, appear 1.5° apart and is 1st magnitude. Neptune is 22° high and 15° from Saturn. Venus blazes with minus 4th magnitude, 15° high and 6° behind Neptune. Jupiter lies 30° East of the Moon, Neptune is only 2° from Jupiter and Mercury, shining with 5th magnitude, is 6° East of the Moon.
Be careful. Do not look at the unfiltered Sun. For the Capital District, that means keep approved glasses and filters on for the entire event; since we see 96% of totality, that 4% of raw sunlight can damage eyes.
Clear Skies Joe Slomka