Skywatch Line for Monday and Tuesday July 14th and 15th written by Joe Slomka
This is the Skywatch Line for Monday and Tuesday July 14th and 15th written by Joe Slomka.
The Sun sets at 8:32 PM; night falls at 10:40. Dawn breaks at 3:23 AM and ends with sunrise at 5:31.
Monday’s Moon is in Aquarius, rises at 10:53 PM, 31 arc-minutes, 81% illuminated and sets at 9:27 AM; the Moon is very close to the horizon, making observation difficult; Tuesday’s does not rise, because it was too close. Wednesday, the Moon sets at 11:52 AM.
Mercury and Mars are the only evening planets. Mercury lies close to the western horizon in Cancer, rising at 7:37 AM, highest at 2:23 PM, 1st magnitude, appears 10 arc-seconds, 15° high, 22% illuminated and sets at 9:22 PM. Mars, now in Leo, rises at 10:08 AM, highest at 4:32 PM, also first magnitude, 39° high in the southwest, 5 arc-seconds and sets at 5:21 PM
Asteroid 4 Vesta is still visible, rises at 3:26 PM, highest at 8:55 PM, 29° high in the Southwest, 94% illuminated and sets at 2:28 AM.
Venus and Uranus share Taurus. Venus lies close to the eastern horizon, rises at 2:45 AM, highest at 10:03 AM, minus 4th magnitude, 16 arc-seconds, by 4 AM is 4° high, 70% lit and sets at 5:21 PM. Uranus, 11° from Venus, rises at 1:59 AM, highest at 9:16 AM, 6th magnitude, 3 arc-seconds, 13° high and sets at 4:33 PM.
Saturn and Neptune are also partners. Saturn rises at 23:37 PM, highest at 5:35 AM, 1st magnitude, 18 arc-seconds, 35° high and sets at 11:28; Saturn is stationary and 4° south of the Moon. Neptune rises at 11:33 PM, highest at 5:34 AM, 8th magnitude, 2 arc-seconds and sets at 11:31; also 3° south of the Moon. Wednesday, Saturn, Neptune and Moon congregate before Dawn.
With the exception of Venus, all early planets are either full or close to total brightness. Jupiter is still not visible.
Pluto is still visible, in Capricornus, rising at 21:19 PM, highest at 1:49 AM, 14th magnitude, 0.10 diameter, 22° high and sets at 6:14 AM.
Summer constellations are quite evident. If you live in rural areas, the Milky Way stretches from the northern horizon, overhead, to Sagittarius in the South. A binocular observer has a choice of objects. He can sweep the Milky Way and wonder at the myriad of stars. Our galaxy resembles a Frisbee. The Milky Way is actually the rim of our Galaxy. Globular clusters of stars surround the galaxy like Christmas ornaments. Many of these tightly packed star cities can be seen in binoculars. For example, M4 is only a binocular field away from Antares, the heart of Scorpius. Another is the pair on either side of the tip of Sagittarius’ teapot top. Both M22 and M28 are beautiful binocular objects.