www.skyandtelescope.org copy pastes.

[jusplay4fun]

https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-september-4-12-2/

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

■ The Moon and Mars rise close together in the east about a half hour after the end of twilight. For skywatchers in North America they'll be only about 1° apart or less. By dawn Sunday, they'll stand high in the southwest 2° or 3° apart.

■ Jupiter's Great Red Spot should transit Jupiter's central meridian around 10:18 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. It should be visible for about an hour before and after in a good 4-inch telescope if the atmospheric seeing is sharp and steady. A light blue or green filter helps.

The Red Spot transits about every 9 hours 56 minutes. But not quite like clockwork! It drifts east or west in Jupiter's atmosphere somewhat irregularly. A changes often becomes detectable to visual transit timers over a span of several months. Our transit-time predictions are based on fairly recent observations, but don't be surprised if the Red Spot has taken it into its head to drift a few minutes off schedule.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

■ This evening we get about an hour of good darkness between the end of twilight and the rising of the Moon. Use it to get out your binoculars and explore the small Milky Way star cloud known as M24, in Sagittarius north of the Teapot. It's roughly 1° wide. What you're actually looking into here is a "tunnel in space," as Matt Wedel notes in his September Binocular Highlight (September Sky & Telescope, page 43, with chart). Interstellar dust clouds generally block our view deep into the Milky Way's plane. But "M24" is a lucky lineup of gaps in the clouds for some 10,000 to 16,000 light-years, roughly halfway to the Milky Way's central region. No wonder the stars here are so rich!

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

■ A winter preview: Step out before the first light of dawn this week, and the sky, (with a waning Moon) displays the same starry panorama it does at dinnertime around New Year's. Orion is striding up in the southeast, with Aldebaran and the Pleiades high above it. Sirius sparkles far down below Orion. The Gemini twins are lying on their sides well up in the east.

[jusplay4fun]

https://astronomy.com/news/observing/2020/09/the-sky-this-week-from-september-4-to-11

The Sky This Week: See stormy Jupiter and Neptune at opposition
There's a new outbreak of storms on our solar system's largest planet, a Last Quarter Moon, and much more visible in the sky this Labor Day weekend.

[2dimes]

Have you seen Neptune?

I did not go outside but noticed via webcam the sky was fairly clear the other night. It's cloudy again right now.

[WILLIAMS5232]

I've never seen it, and never tried. Maybe one day.

The thing with Neptune is it's so far away, it would probably only be a bright dot even in a scope.

I knew it was far, but wasn't sure quite how far until I just looked it up.

Saturn is ......~800,000,000 miles
Uranus is ..~1,700,000,000 miles
Neptune is ~2,700,000,000 miles

I've always wondered just how bright the sun would be that far out. When new horizons did its thing with Pluto i was curious if the lighting was natural or enhanced, since then I stumbled across an interesting site explaining how bright it would be on Pluto at high noon. It tells you what time to step outside in your location to see the comparison. It was late evening, but still well lit. I was still surprised, i thought it would have been dimmer, like a full moon or something

[2dimes]

That explains why there is so much less conversation about the outer planets. It's pretty easy to get a better view of the rest. I have not tried to look at any besides Saturn and Jupiter yet. We were spotting Mars bare eyed a few times.

I was reading Mercury was disappointing but I would like to try to see all of them if possible.

It's too bad I was not interested when my eyes were so much better. I guess they were right when they say, "Youth is wasted on the young."

Of course there are so many useless telescopes sold and not knowing how bad they are until you look through one at random things did not help back in the 1900s. The improvements on eye pieces in the last 15 years has been quite impressive.

[jusplay4fun]

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

■ Jupiter's Great Red Spot should transit Jupiter's central meridian around 8:36 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Just 11 minutes later, the tiny black shadow of Io starts to cross Jupiter's face, entering the eastern limb. Then at 9:51 p.m. EDT, Io itself emerges from transit, budding off from Jupiter's western limb.

■ Most variable stars for amateur telescopes take days to weeks to change brightness noticeably. But the fastest eclipsing binary stars can change detectably in 10 minutes. A selection of such fast, deep eclipsers, with finder charts, await you and your scope in Bob King's article Take a Roller Coaster Ride on a Fast Eclipsing Binary.

https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-september-11-19-2/

[WILLIAMS5232]

the trouble with mercury is it's so close to the sun, you only have a small window to see it. and if you don't have a clear view to the horizon its' probably a lost cause. i've yet to see mercury. but i haven't put a lot of effort into it admittingly.

i've seen venus, which was not that impressive
mars, again not that impresive, but it wasn't the best time. they say you can see the polar cap. i think now is a good time to look, but i don't have my scope
jupiter, which is really spectacular for what i expected before i saw it
and saturn, which is the best.... because you just wouldn't think of that ring to be there. it just doesnt' make sense. if i could get the flat earthers to come i could convert them one by one.

also, i've been at my property here in the rural areas. i sit outside at night and try to count shooting stars while i drink a cool one or two. i have my binoculars and it's amazing to see so many stars. i don't have my book either so i can't do much locating. but i was checking out the tail of cygnus last night and i think i spotted an open cluster. it was only about 10-15 stars with my binoculars but im curious to get my scope and see how many more. also there is a fuzzy something near the scorpian, it's probably a globular cluster, i can't make it out with my binocs

anyway, i'm out of commision for a few days now with this hurricane. but i'm going to get my scope as soon as i can maybe i can take some pictures.

[WILLIAMS5232]

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

■ Jupiter's Great Red Spot should transit Jupiter's central meridian around 8:36 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Just 11 minutes later, the tiny black shadow of Io starts to cross Jupiter's face, entering the eastern limb. Then at 9:51 p.m. EDT, Io itself emerges from transit, budding off from Jupiter's western limb.

■ Most variable stars for amateur telescopes take days to weeks to change brightness noticeably. But the fastest eclipsing binary stars can change detectably in 10 minutes. A selection of such fast, deep eclipsers, with finder charts, await you and your scope in Bob King's article Take a Roller Coaster Ride on a Fast Eclipsing Binary.

https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-september-11-19-2/

are you looking at this stuff? or just posting for imformation?
i mean, can you see the moon transit with your own eyes?
i haven't put a lot of effort in the variable stars, but i do try and spot some of the binaries. but my scope needs adjusting for that kind of viewing i think.

[2dimes]

How do you guys track the planets? I have a pretty good idea where Saturn and Jupiter are because I keep looking for them, but at first I was using one or more sky charts linked in here. Then after knowing where they will be that night I could find them easily. It helps they were traveling together too.

I think you are probably right about most of the planets. Depending on when and where they are plus atmosphere issues, even Jupiter can just be a coloured ball. Not too thrilling.

Cutrrently I'm looking at almost everything with a bit of awe, partially because I have slowed down and give things more thought and partially because I can't get out enough and it still seems fresh.

saturn, which is the best.... because you just wouldn't think of that ring to be there. it just doesnt' make sense. if i could get the flat earthers to come i could convert them one by one.

Yeah Saturn is amazing.

I know what you mean about how it should help anyyone understand, the Earth is one of the planets orbiting the Sun but I think to be a flat earther, they must have some concept that they can't imagine could be wrong.

[jusplay4fun]

both observing and posting; read more in this thread and you will see what I do:

by jusplay4fun on Tue Jul 21, 2020 11:20 am

I cannot see the comet; too much light pollution where I live.

by jusplay4fun on Wed Jan 29, 2020 1:03 am

I saw Venus the last two nights:

https://www.skyandtelescope.com/observi ... -24-feb-1/

Very clear in the southwest sky shortly after sundown.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

■ Jupiter's Great Red Spot should transit Jupiter's central meridian around 8:36 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Just 11 minutes later, the tiny black shadow of Io starts to cross Jupiter's face, entering the eastern limb. Then at 9:51 p.m. EDT, Io itself emerges from transit, budding off from Jupiter's western limb.

■ Most variable stars for amateur telescopes take days to weeks to change brightness noticeably. But the fastest eclipsing binary stars can change detectably in 10 minutes. A selection of such fast, deep eclipsers, with finder charts, await you and your scope in Bob King's article Take a Roller Coaster Ride on a Fast Eclipsing Binary.

https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-september-11-19-2/

are you looking at this stuff? or just posting for imformation?
i mean, can you see the moon transit with your own eyes?
i haven't put a lot of effort in the variable stars, but i do try and spot some of the binaries. but my scope needs adjusting for that kind of viewing i think.

[WILLIAMS5232]

both observing and posting; read more in this thread and you will see what I do

I'm too lazy, instead I just will not care

[jusplay4fun]

for William:

by jusplay4fun on Fri Jan 10, 2020 8:43 pm

Venus has looked great in the Evening sky shortly after sundown here in the Eastern USA:

https://www.skyandtelescope.com/observi ... ary-10-18/

JP4Fun

[jusplay4fun]

more for William:

by jusplay4fun on Tue Dec 31, 2019 9:19 am

I went back to read much of page one of this thread: GOOD Stuff.

I enjoyed the discussion of viewing planets and stars and more; THAT is the really GOOD stuff.

The debate about Galileo is fun, and I think I was bit too harsh on some points. I like to look at the BIG PICTURE, but often get muddled in the minutia when debating others. I really enjoyed seeing Tzor's spirograph animation again; THAT is GREAT and I may have to find one for amusement and FUN later....!

I also find Tzor's posted diagrams comparing the Copernican and Ptolemaic models to be EXCELLENT. Well done, Tzor. ALL that is on page 1 of this thread. Check it out if you are interested.

JP4Fun

[WILLIAMS5232]

for justplay4fun:

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

■ Jupiter's Great Red Spot should transit Jupiter's central meridian around 8:36 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Just 11 minutes later, the tiny black shadow of Io starts to cross Jupiter's face, entering the eastern limb. Then at 9:51 p.m. EDT, Io itself emerges from transit, budding off from Jupiter's western limb.

■ Most variable stars for amateur telescopes take days to weeks to change brightness noticeably. But the fastest eclipsing binary stars can change detectably in 10 minutes. A selection of such fast, deep eclipsers, with finder charts, await you and your scope in Bob King's article Take a Roller Coaster Ride on a Fast Eclipsing Binary.

https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-september-11-19-2/

are you looking at this stuff? or just posting for imformation?
i mean, can you see the moon transit with your own eyes?
i haven't put a lot of effort in the variable stars, but i do try and spot some of the binaries. but my scope needs adjusting for that kind of viewing i think.

what i was asking is if you can see the moon of jupiter transit with your own eyes. i was wondering if you had a scope capable of seeing that. i have not tried to look, but i am going to bring my big telescope up to my property here in the next few days when the sky clears up. at the moment it is too cloudy.

[jusplay4fun]

If I see it, I post it. The other things I post to bring to attention to those who may find it of interest. That is the information I post.

Regarding your specific question:

i mean, can you see the moon transit with your own eyes?

No

[2dimes]

I just caught a glimpse of Mars from my back yard.
Using the https://skyandtelescope.org/interactive-sky-chart/ To locate it.
I understand why they call it the red planet now.

Funny how I could not see stars around it due to street lights,
until I look through the scope.
It was not Saturn but still interesting to see for myself.

Then it started hiding behind the neighbor's tree.
I did not even have time to get my spotting scope on the side adjusted.
Oh well, I should probably go to sleep.

update :
So much for sleep.

I found an article claiming the clouds and my timing was pretty good.
I guess Mars is brighter than usual starting last week and peaking October 13th.
https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentia ... imes-faint
And there's pictures.

[jusplay4fun]

Let us know if you see that transit; that will be really cool..!

what i was asking is if you can see the moon of jupiter transit with your own eyes. i was wondering if you had a scope capable of seeing that. i have not tried to look, but i am going to bring my big telescope up to my property here in the next few days when the sky clears up. at the moment it is too cloudy.

[2dimes]

Me? The entire sky was completely obscured here on September 15th there was nothing to see but clouds that week.

I still need to get the spotting scope adjusted better. Last night was the first time I attatched it since I had not attempted to set it and did not know if it would be of much use.

Sure enough trying to line up Mars in the main scope was pretty painful. I eventually found it, then changed the eyepiece and had a tougher time getting it back in sight because of the smaller field of view,

Another part of why I only caught a glimpse from the yard here Is because there is only a small area not obscured by trees in the south east direction where it rose. By the time I got everything set up and was finding it again in the field of view of my smaller eyepiece, I only had a brief time messing with spotter scope adjustments before it started going behind some leaves. I knew it was going to be hidden completely soon after.

That seemed like it was time to pack up.

I'm still excited that I have managed to see three planets through a fairly good telescope this year. I hope to get a better look at Mars and add Venus which might not be too exciting but it is usually easy to find since it's often really bright. I will need to start dressing warm and maybe go back out of town. At least the mosquitos are not a problem anymore.

[jusplay4fun]

I did see Jupiter and Saturn last night (9/23/20). I could not see Venus this morning as there were too many clouds here in VA.

I saw two planets in one sky; almost saw 3 planets within 12 hours.....NOT quite...

[2dimes]

Jupiter and Saturn have been fairly close to each other all year. They are supposed to be viewable in the same field of sometime this year.

Update: Friday September 25, 2020


My brother came over and asked to see my new Skywatcher. I was quite happy to ablige because I was over due to set the spotting scope. We looked at trees and set it up.

Good times and now I should be able to find things much easier.

[jusplay4fun]

THIS WEEK'S SKY AT A GLANCE

THIS WEEK'S SKY AT A GLANCE, SEPTEMBER 25 – OCTOBER 3
BY: ALAN MACROBERT SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-september-25-october-3/

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1

■ Full Moon (exact at 5:05 p.m. EDT). Once the Moon is up low in the east in twilight, look for yellow-orange Mars to come into view roughly a fist at arm's length to its lower left. They'll appear a lot closer together tomorrow!

■ Before dawn on Friday morning, look east. Venus and Regulus are only 0.6° apart. Regulus, below or lower left of Venus, is less that a hundredth as bright.

[WILLIAMS5232]

i finally brought my orion 10" scope up here to my property in the boondocks.

it wasn't the best conditions with the moon so bright. i tried to wait for it to set, but by then it was starting to get some high level clouds drifting in that was translucent at best. and also by midnight the dew was getting so heavy that things were starting to drip so i called it. i didn't want water spots on my mirror.

i did spot jupiter. and the four moons. it seems like if i was going to try and catch one of the moons transit, it may be possible. but would take some patience and a bit of luck. i will give it a shot. i want to track the moons orbits night by night so i can get a better understanding of how fast they move.

i checked out saturn, which was pleasant as always.

i did finally make out the polar cap of mars... which i wouldn't say was breathtaking. basically it was just a bright spot on top. if mars is orange then the ice cap was a real bright yellow. im red/green colorblind so orange shades is one of my trouble spots.

then i moved on to the ring nebula. which just looks like a cheerio

then Andromeda which i thought i remembered being a bit more remarkable. i guess the moon could have made it less

then the pleiades star cluster.

i then started to spot some items in casseiopea but that's when my eyepeices started get so wet with the dew it was getting a bit aggravating, and also i was fighting some of those feather clouds. i just decided to go to bed.

i really hope one day i pull the trigger on that 16' scope.

[2dimes]

Everything you looked at sounds like things I like to see in picture so That must have been a great session other than the moon and moisture.

Telescopes and accessories are getting less expensive all the time. That might change soon if the sky is falling folks are right.

Anyway, so far better equipment keeps getting more affordable. I think you like these guys.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products ... _Dobsonian

They have a "16 for $1,999.

Also a 6" for $315. That's the same brand as my unit. I am pretty particular and am very impressed by their quality.

I prefer the portability of my Mak but I'm tempted to see how much that little Dob is in Canada.

update: I was browsing used stuff at the place near me and they have a Skywatcher collapsible Dob for just over $1500us.
https://www.all-startelescope.com/sales ... rrency=CAD

[jusplay4fun]

https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-october-9-17-2/ source for most below:

also see: https://astronomy.com/observing/tonights-sky

THIS WEEK'S SKY AT A GLANCE, OCTOBER 9 – 17

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16

■ This is the time of year when, after nightfall, W-shaped Cassiopeia stands on end halfway up the northeastern sky — and when, off to its left in the north, the dim Little Dipper extends leftward from Polaris.

■ Jupiter's Great Red Spot should transit Jupiter's central meridian around 9:22 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

An hour later, at 10:23 p.m. EDT, Jupiter's moon Io reappears from eclipse out of Jupiter's shadow just east of the planet — very close to Callisto, with Europa and Ganymede farther out. A small telescope will show Io swel

[WILLIAMS5232]

A 6" dob should be very portable also....not as much as your current, but very portable.

I wanted to try and spot the Jupiter moon eclipse, bUT I never calculated the time to my zone....I'd be embarrassed if EDT was simply eastern.... but it sounded like one of those European time zones which meant most likely wouldn't have been possible. Regardless I was just lazy.

It has been very clear at night the past week. I only pulled my scope out once tho.

I mainly just scoured the sky being amazed at the amount of stars visible in the milky way. Which is visible still from my location. I did finally spot a star cluster in cassiopea, I think it was m32...or 34. Dont remember exactly. You may be able to make it out with your 5"...I could see it somewhat fuzzy with my binoculars. Pretty impressive tho in my scope, about 100 somewhat faint stars in the area the size of the moon.

I also checked out mars, which is perfect for viewing right now. This time I couldn't make out the polar cap, but I did see 2 very distinct dark spots which was pretty neat. After looking at some mars images, this must have been the side I was looking at. (Obviously not quite the same detail)

https://www.vaisala.com/en/blog/2020-07/international-collaboration-takes-vaisala-and-fmi-mars-again

I hope the link works