Skywatch Line for Monday and Tuesday, May 12th and 13th, written by Joe Slomka
This is the Skywatch Line for Monday and Tuesday, May 12th and 13th. Written by Joe Slomka
The Sun sets at 8:09 PM; night falls at 10:07. Dawn breaks at 3:36 AM and ends with sunrise at 5:35.
The Southern Moon inhabits Libra both nights. Monday’s Full Moon sets at 5:08 AM, is 2° high in the Southeast, appears 29 arc-minutes in size, 100% lit and sets at 8:37 PM. Tuesday’s sets at 5:38 AM, the same size, 99% illumination, rises at 9:41 PM; the star Antares rises with the Moon, 1/2% degrees close and sets at 6:14 AM, Wednesday.
There are only two evening planets. Giant Jupiter is first, in Taurus, rising at 7:32 AM, glimmers with minus 1st magnitude, 33 arc-seconds, highest at 3:04 PM, 16° high at 9 PM and sets at 10:36 PM. Tuesday, the moon Europa begins an occultation (eclipse) at 2:49 AM and vanishes at Dawn; the Great Red Spot is also visible at 4:38 AM.
Mars, in Cancer, rises at 11:12 AM, shines with 1st magnitude, 6 arc-seconds, highest at 6 PM, 50° high at 9 PM and sets at 1:44 AM.
Asteroid 4Vesta remains in Virgo, rises in the East at 7:25 PM, 6th magnitude, 99% lit, 13° highest 1:17 AM; at 4 AM it is 23° in the Southwest.
Comet Swan (2025 F2) emerges in Orion, shining with 8th magnitude, 11° high in the West, rises at 8:58 AM, highest at 3:25 PM and sets at 9:50 PM.
Venus, Saturn and Neptune remain huddled in the East. Venus, in Cetus, rises at 4:53, blazing with minus 4th magnitude, large 30 arc-seconds, highest at 11:02 AM and sets at 5:11 PM; Venus is close to horizon, posing problems for the observer. Saturn and Neptune share Pisces; Saturn rises at 3:41 AM, shines with 1st magnitude, a moderate 16 arc-seconds, highest at 9:31 AM, 15° at 5 AM and sets at 3:21 PM. Neptune is last, rises at 9:39 AM, 8th magnitude, 2 arc-seconds, highest at 3:43 AM, 14° at 5 AM and sets at 3:35 PM.
Uranus and Mercury are too close to the Sun.
The dim planet Neptune currently inhabits Pisces. Neptune can be seen through binoculars, but requires a moderately large telescope and detailed chart to identify it as a planet. Neptune is a gas giant planet. It is also a modern planet. The planet Uranus was discovered in 1781. Irregularities in Uranus’ orbit inspired a search for another planet. Newton’s laws of planetary motion suggested a place to search. Johann Galle and Heinrich D’Arrest discovered Neptune in the place suggested, the constellation Aquarius, in 1846. The discovery of Neptune was a triumph of Newton’s theory. Neptune takes over 163 years to orbit the Sun; it has completed one circuit it since its discovery. Neptune is appropriately named as the Roman god of the Sea, and reigns over the heavenly ocean.
Clear Skies Joe Slomka