Skywatch Line for Monday and Tuesday, September 2nd and 3rd, written by Joe Slomka

This is the Skywatch Line for Monday and Tuesday, September 2nd and 3rd, written by Joe Slomka.

The Sun sets at 7:27 PM; night falls at 9:07. Dawn begins at 4:43 AM and ends with the Sun rising at 6:23.

For the next two weeks, faint beams can be seen in a dark location. It is visible two hours before sunrise in the East. The inner Solar System is full of dust. These particles vary from small pebbles to smoke particles. When the position of the Sun and the ecliptic are right, a faint glow of light appears in the East, just before sunrise. This phenomenon is called Zodiacal Light.

Monday’s New Moon resides in Leo on both nights; the Moon rises at 5:42 AM, sets at 7:32 and officially “New” at 9:56 PM. Tuesday’s rises at 6:45 AM and sets at 7:50 PM. New Moon means that the Moon is not visible and the day after finds it setting just after Sunset.

There are only two planets visible in the evening sky. Venus, lies 22° from the Sun and close to the western horizon; it blazes with minus 4th magnitude, 11 arc-seconds in size, 4° high, 91% illuminated and sets at 8:31 PM; Venus becomes ever more visible in the evening sky as it separates from the Sun. Dwarf Planet 1Ceres continues it presence in Sagittarius, it glows with 8th magnitude, appears 0.5 arc-seconds, rises at 4:49 PM, 16° highest at 8:39 PM and sets at 12:33 AM.

The rest of the planets can be seen after Midnight. Saturn actually rises in southwestern Aquarius at 8:14 PM but easier seen after Midnight; it shines with zero magnitude, 19 arc-seconds, 39° highest at 1:50 AM, and 19° high at 5 AM. Saturn reaches Opposition on Sunday. Neptune, 12° away in Pisces, glimmers with 7th magnitude, 2 arc-seconds, rises at 8:36 PM, 45° highest at 2:33 AM and 30° at 5 AM.

Taurus again holds Uranus, Jupiter and Mars. Uranus in the Southeast, rises at 10:56 PM, shines with 5th magnitude, 3 arc-seconds and 65° at 5 AM. Giant Jupiter rises in Southeast at 12:15 AM, 22° from Uranus, flashes with minus 2nd magnitude, a large 38 arc-seconds and 55° high at 5 AM; the Great Red Spot is visible at 4:51 AM on Wednesday. Jupiter is now rushing forward at the rate of 1° per day.

Red Planet Mars is located in eastern Taurus rising at 12:36 AM, zero magnitude, 6 arc-seconds and brightening, 48° at 5 AM; the gap between Mars and Jupiter increases from 9° to 30° by month’s end. Eastern Mercury makes a challenging appearance. It rises at 5:23 in the brightening Dawn, 17° from the Sun, 1st magnitude, 7 arc-seconds, 33% illuminated. This is this is the best apparition for Northern Hemisphere observers, especially on Wednesday morning when it is 18° from the Sun; the observer should observe quickly, because it disappears into the Sun’s glare by month’s end.

Clear Skies Joe Slomka