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June 2010 Observing Guide
- Neill
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14 years 6 months ago - 14 years 5 months ago #85006
by Neill
June 2010 Observing Guide was created by Neill
Hello all,
June's obs guide is below.
OBSERVING GUIDE
(Please note all times are ST unless otherwise stated and are based on an observing location of Belfast and covers the month of June)
The Sun
At the start of the month, the Sun rises at 04:55 and sets at 21:50. By the end of the month, it rises at 04:50 and sets at 22:00.
The Planets
Mercury is at superior conjunction on the 28th and is poorly placed for observation this month.
Venus is now a prominent evening object. At the start of the month, it sets at 00:35 and by month’s end, it sets at 00:05. It brightens during the month from mag -3.9 to mag -4.1. On the evenings of the 19th and 20th, it passes through M44 – The Beehive Cluster.
Mars is past its best and fades during the month from mag +1.1 to mag +1.3. During the whole month, it rises during daylight hours and by month’s end, sets at 00:35. It can be found in Leo in June and on the evening of the 6th, passes less than a degree to the North of Regulus (Alpha Leonis, mag +1.4).
Jupiter rises at 02:50 at the start of the month and at 01:00 by month’s end. It is in Pisces and brightens during the month from mag -2.3 to mag -2.5. It is at conjunction with Uranus on the morning of the 7th with the gap between the two only half a degree. Both planets will be in the same field of view of a low-power eyepiece and you can use Jupiter to find the much dimmer Uranus.
Saturn is well placed for observation as an evening object in Virgo. During the month, it rises during daylight hours and by month’s end, sets at 01:10. It fades from mag +1.0 to mag +1.1 during the month.
Uranus rises at 02:45 at the start of the month and at 00:55 by month’s end. It is in Pisces and brightens during the month from mag +5.9 to mag +5.8. It is at conjunction with Jupiter on the 7th (the details are above).
Neptune rises at 02:00 at the start of the month and at midnight by month’s end. It is in Aquarius and maintains its brightness at mag +7.9 during the month. It lies two degrees to the North-West of Iota Aquarii (mag +4.3) during the first half of the month.
The Moon
The last quarter moon is on the 4th with the new moon on the 12th. The first quarter moon is on the 19th with the full moon on the 26th.
On the morning of the 3rd, a 68% illuminated waning gibbous moon lies seven degrees to the North-West of Neptune at around 02:00. On the following morning, the moon lies to the North-East of the planet.
On the morning of the 6th, a 39% illuminated waning crescent moon lies eight degrees to the North of Uranus and Jupiter at around 03:00.
On the morning of the 11th, a 2% illuminated waning crescent moon lies four degrees to the South-East of M45 –The Pleiades at around 04:00.
On the evening of the 14th, a 8% illuminated waxing crescent moon lies eight degrees to the South-West of Venus at around 23:00.
On the evening of the 15th, a 16% illuminated waxing crescent moon lies six degrees to the South-East of M44 –The Beehive Cluster at around 23:00.
On the evening of the 16th, a 25% illuminated waxing crescent moon lies eight degrees to the South-West of Regulus (Alpha Leonis, mag +1.4) at around 23:00.
On the evening of the 17th, a 36% illuminated waxing crescent moon lies eight degrees to the South-East of Mars at around 23:00.
On the evening of the 20th, a 70% illuminated waxing gibbous moon lies six degrees to the South of Spica (Alpha Virginis, mag +1.0) at around midnight.
On the morning of the 24th, a 94% illuminated waxing gibbous moon lies seven degrees to the West of Antares (Alpha Scorpii, mag +0.9) at around 01:00. On the following morning, the moon lies to the East of the star.
Meteors
The ZHR or Zenithal Hourly Rate is the number of meteors an observer would see in one hour under a clear, dark sky with a limiting apparent magnitude of 6.5 and if the radiant of the shower were in the zenith. The rate that can effectively be seen is nearly always lower and decreases as the radiant is closer to the horizon. The Zenith is the overhead point in the sky for an observer. The radiant is the point in the sky, from which (to a planetary observer) meteors appear to originate, i.e. the Perseids, for example, are meteors which appear to come from a point within the constellation of Perseus. A fireball is defined by the International Astronomical Union as a meteor brighter than any of the planets, i.e. magnitude -4 or brighter. The International Meteor Organisation alternatively defines it as a meteor which would have a magnitude of -3 or brighter at the zenith.
This is a month of lesser showers. The first of these is the Tau Herculids which peak on the 9th. The Ophiuchids have two peaks on the 10th and the 20th and the June Lyrids peak on the 15th near to M57. The final shower of the month is the June Bootids which peak on the 27th with the radiant lying close to M102.
The ZHR’s for the first three showers are single figure and the June Bootids have variable rates, although there has been no enhanced activity in recent years. Lunar conditions for the Tau Herculids and the first Ophiuchid peak are good with a waning crescent moon rising in the pre-dawn hours. The June Lyrids also have favourable conditions with a waxing crescent moon setting around midnight. Conditions are not so good for the second Ophiuchid peak with a 70% illuminated waxing gibbous moon sitting in Virgo and not setting until around 01:20 on the morning of 21st. A two day past full moon up all night on the evening of the 27th in Sagittarius spoils the view for the June Bootids.
Asteroids
1 Ceres is at opposition on the 19th with a mag of +7.1. It is visible in the morning sky, starting the month in Sagittarius before ending up in Ophiuchus by month’s end. Between the 1st and the 3rd, it passes across M8 – The Lagoon Nebula and lies less than three degrees to the North of 3 Sagittarii (mag +4.6) at opposition.
15 Eunomia is at opposition on the 27th with a mag of +9.0. It can be found in the same area of sky in Sagittarius. It lies to the North of Delta Sagittarii (mag +2.7) at opposition. Detailed finder charts for both asteroids are available at the RASNZ website whose address is below.
Comets
Comet 81P/Wild 2 can be observed in Virgo during June. It should be visible once darkness falls throughout the month. It is currently around mag +10, but is predicted to slowly fade. It lies near to Iota Virginis (mag +4.1) throughout the month, to the West of the star at a distance of around three degrees.
Comet C/2009 K5 (McNaught) is predicted to be around mag +10 in June and is now past its peak and expected to fade. It should be visible once darkness falls throughout the month and passes through Camelopardalis during the month towards Ursa Major.
Comet C/2009 R1 (McNaught) is predicted to be around mag +5 by the end of June and will not be visible after June. It starts the month in Andromedae, lying near to Mirach (Beta Andromedae, mag +2.1) and visible from around 01:00. Around the 6th, it passes near to Almach (Gamma Andromedae, mag +2.3). It moves into Perseus around mid-month, visible from around midnight and passing near to M34 around the 11th. It is predicted to break mag +6 by mid-month and moves into Auriga around the 20th, passing near to Capella (Alpha Aurigae, mag +0.1) around the 21st and to Menkalinan (Beta Aurigae, mag +1.9) around the 25th. By month’s end it will be lost in the western twilight.
Deep Sky
On the deep sky front this month, galaxies M81 and M82 can be observed in Ursa Major. In Leo, we have several galaxies on view including The Leo Triplet - M65, M66 and NGC 3628. M95, M96 and M105 can also be observed in Leo. The place to really find galaxies is in Virgo. The Virgo Super Cluster can be found here with numerous galaxies on view. Also in Virgo, M104 - the Sombrero Galaxy can be found. In Coma Berenices, there is M64 - the Black-Eye Galaxy. Also check out the constellation Canes Venatici with the globular cluster - M3 and several galaxies including M51 - the Whirlpool Galaxy and M63 - the Sunflower Galaxy. In Hercules, two globular clusters – M92 and the excellent M13 can be observed and in Lyra – M57 – The Ring Nebula can be observed. Also check out Sagittarius, low in the South which contains many messier objects including open clusters M18 and M25, to name but a few.
General Notes
Always keep an eye out for Aurorae. The Summer Solstice is on the 21st of the month. This is the day with the greatest number of sunlight hours and after this the daytime gets gradually shorter and the nighttime gets gradually longer. It also marks the start of summer. The night sky does not get fully dark this month. Between May and the middle of August, Astronomical twilight is present at night. This is when the sun is between twelve and eighteen degrees below the horizon. This time of year is also very good for observing the numerous satellites and other objects in orbit above us.
Watch out for NLCs - Noctilucent Clouds during June. They are mostly visible between the Northern latitudes of 50 to 65 degrees, however sightings have been made as far South as Iran – 38 degrees. Look to the North-West for a white/silvery glow with the best times between 22:30 and Midnight and between 02:00 and 03:30. They can sometimes be faint, sometimes bright. Other interesting naked eye phenomena to look out for include the Zodiacal Light and the Gegenschein. Both are caused by sunlight reflecting off dust particles which are present in the solar system.
The Zodiacal Light can be seen in the West after evening twilight has disappeared or in the East before the morning twilight. The best time of year to see the phenomenon is late-Feb to early-April in the evening sky and September/October in the morning sky - it's then that the ecliptic, along which the cone of the zodiacal light lies, is steepest in our skies. The Gegenschein can be seen in the area of the sky opposite the sun. To view either, you must get yourself to a very dark site to cut out the light pollution. When trying to observe either of these phenomena, it is best to do so when the moon is below the horizon.
Clear Skies
Neill McKeown
Information Sources Used and Links
www.skyviewcafe.com - Used for the Sun and Planets section. Also partly used for the Moon Section
Sky at Night Magazine Observing Guide and CD
www.aerith.net and cometchasing.skyhound.com – Used for the Comet Section for information and finder charts
www.ast.cam.ac.uk/%7Ejds/ - BAA and SPA Comet page
kometen.fg-vds.de/fgk_hpe.htm - German Comet page
www.rasnz.org.nz – Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand website – good for asteroids
BAA Handbook
Stardust Magazine
Sky Guide 2010 – South Dublin Astronomical Society
Philip’s Stargazing 2010
Patrick Moore’s 2010 Yearbook of Astronomy
www.heavens-above.com – For the latest ISS passes, Iridium Flares and Shuttle launches
www.irishastronomy.org – Irish Federation of Astronomy Societies Website
www.stronge.org.uk – Excellent weather site including Space Weather
irishastro.org.uk – Irish Astronomical Association website
www.eaas.co.uk – Northern Ireland Amateur Astronomy Society
June's obs guide is below.
OBSERVING GUIDE
(Please note all times are ST unless otherwise stated and are based on an observing location of Belfast and covers the month of June)
The Sun
At the start of the month, the Sun rises at 04:55 and sets at 21:50. By the end of the month, it rises at 04:50 and sets at 22:00.
The Planets
Mercury is at superior conjunction on the 28th and is poorly placed for observation this month.
Venus is now a prominent evening object. At the start of the month, it sets at 00:35 and by month’s end, it sets at 00:05. It brightens during the month from mag -3.9 to mag -4.1. On the evenings of the 19th and 20th, it passes through M44 – The Beehive Cluster.
Mars is past its best and fades during the month from mag +1.1 to mag +1.3. During the whole month, it rises during daylight hours and by month’s end, sets at 00:35. It can be found in Leo in June and on the evening of the 6th, passes less than a degree to the North of Regulus (Alpha Leonis, mag +1.4).
Jupiter rises at 02:50 at the start of the month and at 01:00 by month’s end. It is in Pisces and brightens during the month from mag -2.3 to mag -2.5. It is at conjunction with Uranus on the morning of the 7th with the gap between the two only half a degree. Both planets will be in the same field of view of a low-power eyepiece and you can use Jupiter to find the much dimmer Uranus.
Saturn is well placed for observation as an evening object in Virgo. During the month, it rises during daylight hours and by month’s end, sets at 01:10. It fades from mag +1.0 to mag +1.1 during the month.
Uranus rises at 02:45 at the start of the month and at 00:55 by month’s end. It is in Pisces and brightens during the month from mag +5.9 to mag +5.8. It is at conjunction with Jupiter on the 7th (the details are above).
Neptune rises at 02:00 at the start of the month and at midnight by month’s end. It is in Aquarius and maintains its brightness at mag +7.9 during the month. It lies two degrees to the North-West of Iota Aquarii (mag +4.3) during the first half of the month.
The Moon
The last quarter moon is on the 4th with the new moon on the 12th. The first quarter moon is on the 19th with the full moon on the 26th.
On the morning of the 3rd, a 68% illuminated waning gibbous moon lies seven degrees to the North-West of Neptune at around 02:00. On the following morning, the moon lies to the North-East of the planet.
On the morning of the 6th, a 39% illuminated waning crescent moon lies eight degrees to the North of Uranus and Jupiter at around 03:00.
On the morning of the 11th, a 2% illuminated waning crescent moon lies four degrees to the South-East of M45 –The Pleiades at around 04:00.
On the evening of the 14th, a 8% illuminated waxing crescent moon lies eight degrees to the South-West of Venus at around 23:00.
On the evening of the 15th, a 16% illuminated waxing crescent moon lies six degrees to the South-East of M44 –The Beehive Cluster at around 23:00.
On the evening of the 16th, a 25% illuminated waxing crescent moon lies eight degrees to the South-West of Regulus (Alpha Leonis, mag +1.4) at around 23:00.
On the evening of the 17th, a 36% illuminated waxing crescent moon lies eight degrees to the South-East of Mars at around 23:00.
On the evening of the 20th, a 70% illuminated waxing gibbous moon lies six degrees to the South of Spica (Alpha Virginis, mag +1.0) at around midnight.
On the morning of the 24th, a 94% illuminated waxing gibbous moon lies seven degrees to the West of Antares (Alpha Scorpii, mag +0.9) at around 01:00. On the following morning, the moon lies to the East of the star.
Meteors
The ZHR or Zenithal Hourly Rate is the number of meteors an observer would see in one hour under a clear, dark sky with a limiting apparent magnitude of 6.5 and if the radiant of the shower were in the zenith. The rate that can effectively be seen is nearly always lower and decreases as the radiant is closer to the horizon. The Zenith is the overhead point in the sky for an observer. The radiant is the point in the sky, from which (to a planetary observer) meteors appear to originate, i.e. the Perseids, for example, are meteors which appear to come from a point within the constellation of Perseus. A fireball is defined by the International Astronomical Union as a meteor brighter than any of the planets, i.e. magnitude -4 or brighter. The International Meteor Organisation alternatively defines it as a meteor which would have a magnitude of -3 or brighter at the zenith.
This is a month of lesser showers. The first of these is the Tau Herculids which peak on the 9th. The Ophiuchids have two peaks on the 10th and the 20th and the June Lyrids peak on the 15th near to M57. The final shower of the month is the June Bootids which peak on the 27th with the radiant lying close to M102.
The ZHR’s for the first three showers are single figure and the June Bootids have variable rates, although there has been no enhanced activity in recent years. Lunar conditions for the Tau Herculids and the first Ophiuchid peak are good with a waning crescent moon rising in the pre-dawn hours. The June Lyrids also have favourable conditions with a waxing crescent moon setting around midnight. Conditions are not so good for the second Ophiuchid peak with a 70% illuminated waxing gibbous moon sitting in Virgo and not setting until around 01:20 on the morning of 21st. A two day past full moon up all night on the evening of the 27th in Sagittarius spoils the view for the June Bootids.
Asteroids
1 Ceres is at opposition on the 19th with a mag of +7.1. It is visible in the morning sky, starting the month in Sagittarius before ending up in Ophiuchus by month’s end. Between the 1st and the 3rd, it passes across M8 – The Lagoon Nebula and lies less than three degrees to the North of 3 Sagittarii (mag +4.6) at opposition.
15 Eunomia is at opposition on the 27th with a mag of +9.0. It can be found in the same area of sky in Sagittarius. It lies to the North of Delta Sagittarii (mag +2.7) at opposition. Detailed finder charts for both asteroids are available at the RASNZ website whose address is below.
Comets
Comet 81P/Wild 2 can be observed in Virgo during June. It should be visible once darkness falls throughout the month. It is currently around mag +10, but is predicted to slowly fade. It lies near to Iota Virginis (mag +4.1) throughout the month, to the West of the star at a distance of around three degrees.
Comet C/2009 K5 (McNaught) is predicted to be around mag +10 in June and is now past its peak and expected to fade. It should be visible once darkness falls throughout the month and passes through Camelopardalis during the month towards Ursa Major.
Comet C/2009 R1 (McNaught) is predicted to be around mag +5 by the end of June and will not be visible after June. It starts the month in Andromedae, lying near to Mirach (Beta Andromedae, mag +2.1) and visible from around 01:00. Around the 6th, it passes near to Almach (Gamma Andromedae, mag +2.3). It moves into Perseus around mid-month, visible from around midnight and passing near to M34 around the 11th. It is predicted to break mag +6 by mid-month and moves into Auriga around the 20th, passing near to Capella (Alpha Aurigae, mag +0.1) around the 21st and to Menkalinan (Beta Aurigae, mag +1.9) around the 25th. By month’s end it will be lost in the western twilight.
Deep Sky
On the deep sky front this month, galaxies M81 and M82 can be observed in Ursa Major. In Leo, we have several galaxies on view including The Leo Triplet - M65, M66 and NGC 3628. M95, M96 and M105 can also be observed in Leo. The place to really find galaxies is in Virgo. The Virgo Super Cluster can be found here with numerous galaxies on view. Also in Virgo, M104 - the Sombrero Galaxy can be found. In Coma Berenices, there is M64 - the Black-Eye Galaxy. Also check out the constellation Canes Venatici with the globular cluster - M3 and several galaxies including M51 - the Whirlpool Galaxy and M63 - the Sunflower Galaxy. In Hercules, two globular clusters – M92 and the excellent M13 can be observed and in Lyra – M57 – The Ring Nebula can be observed. Also check out Sagittarius, low in the South which contains many messier objects including open clusters M18 and M25, to name but a few.
General Notes
Always keep an eye out for Aurorae. The Summer Solstice is on the 21st of the month. This is the day with the greatest number of sunlight hours and after this the daytime gets gradually shorter and the nighttime gets gradually longer. It also marks the start of summer. The night sky does not get fully dark this month. Between May and the middle of August, Astronomical twilight is present at night. This is when the sun is between twelve and eighteen degrees below the horizon. This time of year is also very good for observing the numerous satellites and other objects in orbit above us.
Watch out for NLCs - Noctilucent Clouds during June. They are mostly visible between the Northern latitudes of 50 to 65 degrees, however sightings have been made as far South as Iran – 38 degrees. Look to the North-West for a white/silvery glow with the best times between 22:30 and Midnight and between 02:00 and 03:30. They can sometimes be faint, sometimes bright. Other interesting naked eye phenomena to look out for include the Zodiacal Light and the Gegenschein. Both are caused by sunlight reflecting off dust particles which are present in the solar system.
The Zodiacal Light can be seen in the West after evening twilight has disappeared or in the East before the morning twilight. The best time of year to see the phenomenon is late-Feb to early-April in the evening sky and September/October in the morning sky - it's then that the ecliptic, along which the cone of the zodiacal light lies, is steepest in our skies. The Gegenschein can be seen in the area of the sky opposite the sun. To view either, you must get yourself to a very dark site to cut out the light pollution. When trying to observe either of these phenomena, it is best to do so when the moon is below the horizon.
Clear Skies
Neill McKeown
Information Sources Used and Links
www.skyviewcafe.com - Used for the Sun and Planets section. Also partly used for the Moon Section
Sky at Night Magazine Observing Guide and CD
www.aerith.net and cometchasing.skyhound.com – Used for the Comet Section for information and finder charts
www.ast.cam.ac.uk/%7Ejds/ - BAA and SPA Comet page
kometen.fg-vds.de/fgk_hpe.htm - German Comet page
www.rasnz.org.nz – Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand website – good for asteroids
BAA Handbook
Stardust Magazine
Sky Guide 2010 – South Dublin Astronomical Society
Philip’s Stargazing 2010
Patrick Moore’s 2010 Yearbook of Astronomy
www.heavens-above.com – For the latest ISS passes, Iridium Flares and Shuttle launches
www.irishastronomy.org – Irish Federation of Astronomy Societies Website
www.stronge.org.uk – Excellent weather site including Space Weather
irishastro.org.uk – Irish Astronomical Association website
www.eaas.co.uk – Northern Ireland Amateur Astronomy Society
Last edit: 14 years 5 months ago by Seanie_Morris.
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14 years 6 months ago - 14 years 6 months ago #85016
by michael_murphy
Replied by michael_murphy on topic Re:June 10 Observing Guide
Finally got round to reading this.
Thanks Neill.
Michael.
Thanks Neill.
Michael.
Last edit: 14 years 6 months ago by michael_murphy.
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