| Observatory |
What's Up...
Some observing hilights
to look forward to...
The following tips on current and upcoming astronomical events
have been assembled for our Okanagan region by Dave Gamble
with the objective of giving OC RASC members a heads-up on
special personal astro-experiences to look forward to.
Mon. Nov. 2 – November kicks off with some beautiful action in the early morning sky. The highlight will be the waning crescent Luna with Mars just to her left. Then, just below them, brilliant Jupiter will cast its spell and Regulus at the bottom of Leo’s reverse question mark asterism will complete the chorus line.
Tues. Nov. 3 - Another celestial distraction will kick off the new month this evening. Algol will perform another of its ‘blinks’ this evening. This time ‘the Devil Star’ will reach its minimum brightness in a two hour time period centered 10.45pm. Comparing its full brightness before or around 9.30pm and then revisiting the grouping of stars in Perseus sometime after 9.45pm will make it possible to appreciate its magic.
Thurs. Nov. 5 - Since we’re entering a dark moon period, this will be one the last opportunities this fall to view the faint Zodiacal Light, a delicate glowing triangle of light extending up from the easrtern horizon about an hour before sunrise. The phenomenon is caused by the Sun illuminating dust in the solar system's equatorial plane. Having the Moon out of the way will help, but a dark sky location is also needed for the delicate triangle of light to show and our Okanagan Observatory comes to mind.
Sat. Nov. 7- It will take a low eastern horizon, but just as morning light is beginning to arrive this morning it will be worthwhile to catch a thin crescent Moon rising in the company of brilliant Venus which is now beginning her performance as our Morning Star.
Mon. Nov. 9 – This evening marks New Moon night and it will offer another opportunity to catch ‘the Demon Star’ in one of its blinks. Algol in Perseus, high in the east, will reach its minimum brightness in a two hour time period centered at 7.23pm. Compare its dimmer role before 8.30pm and then see it at its regular brightness after that time.
Wed. Nov. 11 - Don't be surprised if you hear reports of an occasional bright fireball this month. If you’re lucky enough to see one yourself, it’s likely to be a member of one of the two Taurid meteor showers.The southern one peaked on Oct. 29-30, although members continue through to November 20. The northern one reaches its maximum tonight with members emanating from a point just southwest of the Pleiades in Taurus. This year with Luna out of the way this modest shower may have a chance. The debris from Comet 2P/Encke includes pebbles as well as dust grains and these produce the dramatic fireballs which would be a bonus.
Mon. Nov. 16 – In the wee hours this morning the southeastern sky will be highlighted by the meetup of Jupiter and Mars. The pair will only be a bit over a degree apart! The sight should be beautiful to the naked eye, through binoculars, and particularly when viewed in the field of a telescope eyepiece!
Mon. Nov. 16 - The annual Leonid meteor shower will peak after midnight tonight. The Leonids are known as being among the fastest meteors, hitting the Earth's atmosphere head on from a radiant point in the sickle of Leo in the eastern morning sky. The Leonids are not a strong meteor shower with perhaps only around 10 - 15 streaks per hour at maximum. Luna, being one day away from First Quarter, will not be a problem from later evening on.
Fri. Nov. 20 – This evening the waxing gibbous Moon will provide a fingerpost to the outer ice giant planet Neptune. Luna will be midway up the southern sky with Saturn just below her. The tiny bluish disk of Neptune will be located a similar distance apart to Saturn’s lower right. A telescope’s finder will help locate it as a ‘star’ before you lay on some magnification in the main scope to reveal the small blue disk.
Tues. Nov. 24 – This is Full Moon night, and with the ecliptic path now stretching upward into the night sky, Luna will be able to have a birds eye view of how early winter is progressing in the Okanagan Valley. Below her will be Aldebaran and the Hyades open star cluster, and the wonderful Pleiades will form a triangle with them to their right.
Thurs. Nov. 26 – Early this morning a highlight in the eastern sky will be a dramatic tight triangular grouping of Mars, Jupiter and Regulus in Leo. Meanwhile, the waning gibbous Luna and the brilliant stars of Orion will do their best to distract viewers off to the right.
Fri. Nov. 27 – Late tonight the eastern horizon will be the backdrop for the rising of the waning gibbous Moon which will form a line with the celestial twins Castor and Pollux above right in Gemini.
Sun. Nov. 29 - It’s always thrilling when Venus dominates a part of the night sky. In the pre-dawn sky this morning she will be doing just that… rising over the eastern horizon shining at her greatest brilliancy as the Morning Star.
Mon. Nov. 30 – For a bit of fireworks to wrap up November, the almost Last Quarter Moon has arranged to form a compelling tight grouping, not only with Jupiter and Mars, but with Regulus tucked in between them. It will be stunning either seen with the naked eye, or with low power binoculars.