Clear Skies - the ISS and the Moon and Planets

 

The International Space Station will be making a few nice morning passes over the next several days, but I’ve only included those after 7 a.m.

On Monday, Oct 24, the ISS will rise in the WSW at 7:11 a.m. and pass almost directly overhead.  It will then drop to the ENE horizon at 7:18.

On Wednesday, Oct 26, ISS will appear low in the west at 7:12 a.m. as it emerges from Earth’s shadow.  It will then climb two thirds of the way up the sky in the north at 7:15 and will drop towards the ENE horizon about 7:20.

Thursday, Oct 28, will the ISS appear in the WNW at 7:13, climb high in the north by 7:16 and then descend to the eastern horizon at 7:21.

Finally, on Saturday, Oct 30, ISS will appear in the WNW at 7:13 a.m., climb two thirds of the way up the sky in the north, and then set in the east at 7:22.

The Moon

There is a New Moon, meaning the Moon passes near the Sun, on Tuesday, Oct 25.  Over the next few days, look for a thin crescent Moon low to the horizon near where the Sun sets.  By the weekend, you should be able to see the crescent and the face of the Moon lighted with Earthshine, which can make a very pretty photo.

The planets

Saturn is still visible in the south, about 20 degrees above the horizon around 9 p.m.  Although not really bright, it is the brightest object in that part of the sky.

On November 1, the Moon will be just below and left of Saturn

Jupiter is shining brightly in the southeast in the evening, reaching its highest point in the south about 11 p.m.  As a reminder, with a pair of binoculars, you may be able to make out the four bright moons of Jupiter.

On November 4, the Moon will be just to the lower left of Jupiter.

Mars is rising in the ENE around 9 p.m.  It is easily identified by being almost as bright as the star Aldebaran, which is to its upper right.  Both may have a reddish cast, but Mars is more distinctly so.  Mars will remain visible most of the night as it travels across the sky towards the west.  Of course, it doesn’t travel that way; it appears to as we rotate under it.

On November 10, the Moon will be to the upper right of Mars.

There will be an eclipse of the Moon in a couple weeks, followed by a potentially nice meteor shower a few days later, both of which I’ll talk about in my next Clear Skies.

Clear skies.

David