The Skywatcher's Diary for May 1998 has been prepared by Robert C. Victor. Credit to the author and to Abrams Planetarium, Department of Physics and Astronomy at Michigan State University, and mention of our Sky Calendar, would be appreciated.
A sample recent issue of the Sky Calendar is available over the Internet. It can be viewed via a World-Wide Web browser at
http://www.pa.msu.edu/abrams/SkyCalendar/Index.html
Our May 1998 issue may be reprinted for free distribution on National Astronomy Day, Saturday, May 2.
If you would like a printed sample of the May issue, send a long, self-addressed stamped envelope to:
May Sky Calendar
Abrams Planetarium
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Each month, the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Michigan State University also makes Skywatcher's Diary available over the Internet. It can be accessed with a World-Wide Web browser at
http://www.pa.msu.edu/abrams/SWD/Diary.html
The Skywatcher's Diary is also available via anonymous ftp at:
Morning Planets: Throughout May, Venus and Jupiter are prominent in E to ESE an hour before sunrise. Venus is brighter, to lower left of Jupiter. They are 8 degrees apart on May 1, 15 degrees apart on May 9. Their separation widens by 1 degree per day, to 20 degrees on May 14, 25 degrees on May 19, 30 degrees on May 24, 35 degrees on May 29, 40 degrees on June 3. Mercury rises in bright twilight 16 or 17 degrees lower left of Venus May 1-15. Despite Mercury's attaining greatest angular distance from the Sun for this year on May 4, it is hard to see from mid-northern latitudes; viewers in N states will need binoculars to see Mercury during this horizon-hugging appearance. Saturn emerges, passing only 1 degree from brighter Mercury on May 12 and 13, but watchers in N states must wait until several days later before Saturn becomes visible with unaided eye. Look for Saturn to lower left of Venus, by 10 degrees on May 19, decreasing to within 5 degrees on May 24. The waning crescent Moon sweeps by four planets, in order, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, and Mercury, May 20-24. As depicted on Sky Calendar, Moon leapfrogs Jupiter on May 20-21, approaches Venus on May 22, and is 2 or 3 degrees below Saturn May 23. A glimpse of the old Moon on May 24 in bright twilight just 3 or 4 degrees lower right of Mercury is reserved for southern viewers. Venus and Saturn appear within 5 degrees apart on ten consecutive mornings, May 24-June 2. Binoculars give rewarding views of Venus and Saturn in same field May 24-June 2, about one hour before sunup. The Venus-Saturn pair appears closest May 28 & 29.
This Friday and Saturday, MSU Observatory will be open for public viewing from 9:00 until 11:00 p.m. if skies are clear. Telescopes and binoculars provide stikingly detailed views of the lunar landscape, especially near the Moon's terminator (day-night boundary). Tonight the crater Theophilus is in excellent view.
Milky Way Legacy continues 8:00 p.m. tonight at Abrams Planetarium. Tour our amazing home galaxy with noted author Ken Croswell and emerge with a clearer view of our home in space. Find out some of the ways the Milky Way is very special, and how, unlike most galaxies, it is equipped to create the variety of ingredients needed for life. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 4 p.m., through August 2.
About 1-1/2 hours after sunset, using binoculars, locate the Beehive cluster within 5 degrees to the Moon's upper right. The Moon is approaching First Quarter phase (90 degrees or one-quarter circle east of the Sun) and is nearly half full.
An hour after sunset, Regulus, marking the heart of Leo the Lion, is high in SSW, about 9 degrees to Moon's upper left. Look again at the same time on Monday. These evenings the reddish first-magnitude star Aldebaran, eye of Taurus, is low, about 15 degrees N of due west, but it's getting lower each night and will soon disappear for the season.
An hour before sunrise on Monday, the two brightest objects are low, between E and ESE: Venus, with Jupiter about 10 degrees to its upper right. About 15 minutes later, use binoculars to watch for Mercury rising just north of east and nearly 17 degrees lower left of Venus. On Monday, Mercury appears farthest from the Sun, 27 degrees, but from northern U.S. it rises in bright twilight and is difficult to see. In poor apparitions such as this one, Mercury is noticeably higher and easier to see from southern states.
An hour before sunup on Sunday, find Venus low in east with Jupiter 16 degrees to its upper right. As the sky brightens, use binoculars to try for Mercury 16 degrees to Venus' lower left. Even harder to see is Saturn, 3 degrees to Mercury's left and a little lower.
On Tuesday about 45 minutes before sunrise, two bright planets are in clear view between E and ESE: Brilliant Venus with Jupiter 18 degrees to its upper right. Using binoculars, look for Mercury and fainter Saturn near horizon 17 degrees to Venus' lower left. On both Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, Mercury and Saturn are 1 degree apart; on Tuesday Saturn is to upper left of Mercury, and on Wednesday it's almost directly above Mercury.
On Wednesday an hour before sunup, Venus is very low, a few degrees north of due east. Jupiter is in ESE 33 degrees to Venus' upper right. Saturn is 1.7 degrees to Venus' lower left. Mornings for the rest of May will be interesting for planet viewing. Look daily.
The Venus-Saturn pair, low in east an hour before sunup, appears closest this Thursday and Friday mornings. From the East Coast, Venus-Saturn are 0.7 degree apart on May 28, and 0.5 degree apart on May 29. From the West Coast, they're 0.6 degree apart both mornings. From Hawaii, they're within 0.5 degree on May 28, and 0.7 degree apart on May 29. Binoculars give a very rewarding view of the close pair. Jupiter is 34 or 35 degrees to the pair's upper right.
Don't miss Friday morning's close pairing of Venus and Saturn, low in east an hour before sunrise. [See May 27.]
Milky Way Legacy continues 8:00 p.m. tonight at Abrams Planetarium. Tour our amazing home galaxy with noted author Ken Croswell and emerge with a clearer view of our home in space. Find out some of the ways the Milky Way is very special, and how, unlike most galaxies, it is equipped to create the variety of ingredients needed for life. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 4 p.m., through August 2.
Now spreading farther apart each day, Venus and Saturn are still only 1.5 degrees apart an hour before sunup on Saturday morning, and just over 2.5 degrees apart on Sunday. You may recall that Venus passed close to Jupiter in the morning sky on April 23. On the next occasion that Venus will pass Jupiter and Saturn, the pairings will be seen in the evening sky, on February 23 and March 19 in 1999.
An hour after sunset, notice the first magnitude star Regulus, heart of Leo, closely above or upper right of the fat crescent Moon. Look hourly tonight until they sink low in the western sky, and follow the Moon's motion past the background star. From lower Michigan, the Moon's northern cusp (point of the crescent) will miss the star by less than 1-1/2 degrees.
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Please send any comments, suggestions, or questions to
Thomas G. Ferguson: fergus52@pilot.msu.edu |