November 20 update: Sky & Telescope's annual SkyWatch is back for 2021. I'll have a review as soon as I get a chance to read it. The annual graph of rise and set times, the Sky Gazers's Almanac, is also available. It usually is included in the January issue of the S&T. Here's the list … Continue reading 2021 Annual Review of Annual Astronomy Reviews
Heads UP! for December 2020
Jupiter and Saturn Going for Greatness Get outside after dark, if you haven’t already, to a clear southwestern sky to see Jupiter and Saturn as they slink toward the horizon in December. Moon, Saturn and Jupiter and young observer - mid-November. The Great Conjunction you’ve heard so much about happens on the 21st. You’ll be … Continue reading Heads UP! for December 2020
S&T notes how early the sunset is these days – and why!
From This Week's Sky at a Glance at Sky&Telescope's website: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26■ The early Thanksgiving sunset. Does the Sun already seem to be setting about as early as it ever will? You're right! We're still nearly a month from the winter solstice on December 21st — but the Sun sets its earliest around December … Continue reading S&T notes how early the sunset is these days – and why!
Meteorology at the Stop Light- clouds and iridescence
With the Sun blocked by the 'turn only' sign, we could see colors in the funky clouds out here in the NYC area today. The bumpy clouds - those are wave clouds enabled by the strong winds bouncing over the hills to our northwest. The color was obvious to the unaided eye. But the iPhone … Continue reading Meteorology at the Stop Light- clouds and iridescence
Moon, Jupiter and Saturn Wed Evening Nov 18 2020
That's our Moon, with Earthshine lighting the 'darker' side. Jupiter and Saturn are to the upper left. The Moon will be to the left of Jupiter and Saturn tomorrow night. Canon XS on tripod. 1.6 seconds, ISO 800, f5/6, 55mm zoom lens. Cropped from the original .
Moon, Venus, Mercury in the Morning Nov 10 2020
This morning, about 5:45am Local Standard Time, I could easily see Mercury, low in the sky, to the lower left of the Moon and still-very-bright Venus. I snapped some shots with my iPhone SE, using the NightCap app to give me some control over the settings. Mercury, Venus and the crescent Moon 6:00am EST. Tuesday, … Continue reading Moon, Venus, Mercury in the Morning Nov 10 2020
Getting dark early out there?
Most everyone noticed the earlier darkness on their way home in the evening of Monday, November 2nd. It didn't surprise people, since we just jumped back to standard time on Sunday and sunset moved an hour earlier on our clocks, from 5:52pm (in White Plains, NY) to 4:52pm. But, somehow, the change seemed greater than … Continue reading Getting dark early out there?
Halloween Moonrise
Ever play the ball and cup game? Have a ball on a string, attached to a cup, and get the ball in the cup. Easy, right? Well, thanks to the science of atmospheric refraction and a fortuitously placed cloud, here's a cup a friend of mine caught on Halloween when he snapped a photo of … Continue reading Halloween Moonrise
Heads UP! for November 2020
Want your own evening sky map? Try the map at Skymaps.com! Mercury Mornings Mercury will be out in the morning sky all month, above and slightly to the right of where the Sun rises. This is the best view we Northern Hemispherians get of Mercury in the morning in 2020. On the 10th, Mercury is … Continue reading Heads UP! for November 2020
Latest Sunrise – Halloween Morning Sky Scene
The latest sunrise of the year (by the clock) will occur tomorrow, Saturday, October 31st for areas covered by daylight time. We go back to standard time Sunday morning at 2am, as we 'fall back' from 2am to 1am. Sunrise time 'by the clock': Saturday, October 31st: 7:25am EDT Sunday, November 1st: 6:26am EST January … Continue reading Latest Sunrise – Halloween Morning Sky Scene
