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July 2010 Observing Guide
- Neill
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14 years 5 months ago - 14 years 5 months ago #85302
by Neill
July 2010 Observing Guide was created by Neill
Hello all,
July's 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 July)
The Sun
At the start of the month, the Sun rises at 04:50 and sets at 22:00. By the end of the month, it rises at 05:30 and sets at 21:25.
The Planets
Mercury is an evening object this month but is poorly placed for observation. It is at its best towards the end of the month and may be spotted passing less than a degree to the South of Regulus (Alpha Leonis, mag +1.4) low in the West on the evening of the 27th. MAKE SURE THAT THE SUN HAS SET BEFORE TRYING TO OBSERVE THIS.
Venus continues to travel away from the sun but stays very low in the evening sky. This is due to the ecliptic lying at a low angle to the horizon. At the start of the month, it sets at midnight and by month’s end, it sets at 22:40. It brightens during the month from mag -4.1 to mag -4.3. It passes less than two degrees to the North of Regulus (Alpha Leonis, mag +1.4) on the evening of the 10th. By month’s end it forms a triangle with Mars and Saturn low in the Western sky with Venus to the West of the other two with Saturn to the North of Mars.
Mars is past its best and fades during the month from mag +1.3 to mag +1.5. It is slowly sinking towards the evening twilight and sets at 22:55 by month’s end. It is in Virgo and passes two degrees to the South of Saturn at month’s end and forms a nice planetary alignment (see above).
Jupiter rises at 00:55 at the start of the month and at 22:55 by month’s end. It is in Pisces and brightens during the month from mag -2.5 to mag -2.7. The gap between Jupiter and Uranus is two degrees at the start of the month and widens to three degrees by month’s end.
Saturn is slowly sinking towards the evening twilight and sets at 23:05 by month’s end. It maintains its brightness at mag +1.1 during the month and is in Virgo. It is part of the planetary alignment described above.
Uranus rises at 00:50 at the start of the month and at 22:45 by month’s end. It is in Pisces and maintains it brightness during the month at mag +5.8. The gap between Uranus and Jupiter remains within three degrees during the month.
Neptune rises at 23:55 at the start of the month and at 21:55 by month’s end. It is in Aquarius and brightens during the month from mag +7.9 to mag +7.8. It lies within two degrees to the North of Iota Aquarii (mag +4.3) during the month.
The Moon
The last quarter moon is on the 4th with the new moon on the 11th. The first quarter moon is on the 18th with the full moon on the 26th.
On the morning of the 1st, the waning gibbous moon lies to the North-East of Neptune at around 02:00.
On the morning of the 3rd, the waning gibbous moon lies to the North-West of Uranus and Jupiter at around 02:00 and on the next morning at a similar time; it lies to their North-East.
On the morning of the 8th, the waning crescent moon lies to the West of M45 –The Pleiades at around 02:00.
On the morning of the 9th, the waning crescent moon lies to the North-East of Aldebaran (Alpha Tauri, mag +0.9) at around 04:00.
On the evening of the 14th, the waxing crescent moon lies to the South of Venus and the South-East of Regulus (Alpha Leonis, mag +1.4) at around 22:00.
On the evening of the 15th, the waxing crescent moon lies to the South of Mars, then on the following evening, to the South of Saturn. Both at around 22:00.
On the evening of the 17th, the waxing crescent moon lies to the South-West of Spica (Alpha Virginis, mag +1.0); on the following evening the first quarter moon lies to the South-East of the star. Both at around 22:00.
On the evening of the 21st, the waxing gibbous moon lies to the North-East of Antares (Alpha Scorpii, mag +0.9) at around midnight.
On the morning of the 28th, the waning gibbous moon lies to the North-West of Neptune at around 02:00.
On the morning of the 31st, the waning gibbous moon lies to the North of Uranus and Jupiter at around 02:00.
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.
In July, the first shower is the Capricornids which has three separate peaks on the 8th, 15th and 26th. The shower has a ZHR of 5 and is noted for bright yellow/blue meteors. Its radiant rise at 01:00 on the mornings of the 9th and the 16th and at midnight on the evening of the 26th. The first two peaks aren’t affected by the moon but the third is. A just past full moon sits in Capricornus on the evening of the 26th.
The second shower of July is the Alpha Cygnids which peaks on the 21st. The shower has a ZHR of 5 and there may be some lunar interference with a bright waxing gibbous moon setting in Scorpius at 01:30 on the morning of the 22nd. The radiant is visible all night.
The next shower is the Southern Delta Aquarids which peaks on the 29th. The ZHR is 20. The shower is known for faint and fast meteors (41 km/s). There is lunar interference for the shower with a bright waning gibbous moon in Aquarius all night. The radiant rises at midnight.
The next shower is the Alpha Capricornids which peak on July 29th with a ZHR of 5. It is noted for long, slow fireballs. There is lunar interference for the shower with a bright waning gibbous moon in Aquarius all night. The radiant rises at midnight.
Comets
Comet 10P/Tempel 2 peaks around mag +10 in July and is heading South. It can be located in Cetus and around the 16th, it lies to the East of Iota Ceti (mag +3.6) and by around the 26th, it lies to the East of Phi Ceti (mag +4.
. It is a morning comet and is at its best in the second half of the month when it is visible from around 03:00 to the South of Jupiter and Uranus.
Comet C/2009 K5 (McNaught) is currently around mag +8 and is predicted to fade slowly. It should be visible throughout the month once what darkness there is at this time of year falls and passes from Camelopardalis into Ursa Major/Lynx passing to the North of Omicron Ursa Majoris (mag +3.4).
Deep Sky
On the deep sky front this month, galaxies M81 and M82 can be observed in Ursa Major. 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. In Vulpecula – M27 – The Dumbbell Nebula can be found. In Andromeda, M31 – The Andromeda galaxy can be observed along with its satellite galaxies M32 and M110. In Perseus, there is the open cluster M34 and the excellent Double Cluster. Finally in Triangulum, there is the galaxy M33.
General Notes
Always keep an eye out for Aurorae. 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 July. 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
www.irishastro.org.uk – Irish Astronomical Association website
www.eaas.co.uk – Northern Ireland Amateur Astronomy Society
July's 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 July)
The Sun
At the start of the month, the Sun rises at 04:50 and sets at 22:00. By the end of the month, it rises at 05:30 and sets at 21:25.
The Planets
Mercury is an evening object this month but is poorly placed for observation. It is at its best towards the end of the month and may be spotted passing less than a degree to the South of Regulus (Alpha Leonis, mag +1.4) low in the West on the evening of the 27th. MAKE SURE THAT THE SUN HAS SET BEFORE TRYING TO OBSERVE THIS.
Venus continues to travel away from the sun but stays very low in the evening sky. This is due to the ecliptic lying at a low angle to the horizon. At the start of the month, it sets at midnight and by month’s end, it sets at 22:40. It brightens during the month from mag -4.1 to mag -4.3. It passes less than two degrees to the North of Regulus (Alpha Leonis, mag +1.4) on the evening of the 10th. By month’s end it forms a triangle with Mars and Saturn low in the Western sky with Venus to the West of the other two with Saturn to the North of Mars.
Mars is past its best and fades during the month from mag +1.3 to mag +1.5. It is slowly sinking towards the evening twilight and sets at 22:55 by month’s end. It is in Virgo and passes two degrees to the South of Saturn at month’s end and forms a nice planetary alignment (see above).
Jupiter rises at 00:55 at the start of the month and at 22:55 by month’s end. It is in Pisces and brightens during the month from mag -2.5 to mag -2.7. The gap between Jupiter and Uranus is two degrees at the start of the month and widens to three degrees by month’s end.
Saturn is slowly sinking towards the evening twilight and sets at 23:05 by month’s end. It maintains its brightness at mag +1.1 during the month and is in Virgo. It is part of the planetary alignment described above.
Uranus rises at 00:50 at the start of the month and at 22:45 by month’s end. It is in Pisces and maintains it brightness during the month at mag +5.8. The gap between Uranus and Jupiter remains within three degrees during the month.
Neptune rises at 23:55 at the start of the month and at 21:55 by month’s end. It is in Aquarius and brightens during the month from mag +7.9 to mag +7.8. It lies within two degrees to the North of Iota Aquarii (mag +4.3) during the month.
The Moon
The last quarter moon is on the 4th with the new moon on the 11th. The first quarter moon is on the 18th with the full moon on the 26th.
On the morning of the 1st, the waning gibbous moon lies to the North-East of Neptune at around 02:00.
On the morning of the 3rd, the waning gibbous moon lies to the North-West of Uranus and Jupiter at around 02:00 and on the next morning at a similar time; it lies to their North-East.
On the morning of the 8th, the waning crescent moon lies to the West of M45 –The Pleiades at around 02:00.
On the morning of the 9th, the waning crescent moon lies to the North-East of Aldebaran (Alpha Tauri, mag +0.9) at around 04:00.
On the evening of the 14th, the waxing crescent moon lies to the South of Venus and the South-East of Regulus (Alpha Leonis, mag +1.4) at around 22:00.
On the evening of the 15th, the waxing crescent moon lies to the South of Mars, then on the following evening, to the South of Saturn. Both at around 22:00.
On the evening of the 17th, the waxing crescent moon lies to the South-West of Spica (Alpha Virginis, mag +1.0); on the following evening the first quarter moon lies to the South-East of the star. Both at around 22:00.
On the evening of the 21st, the waxing gibbous moon lies to the North-East of Antares (Alpha Scorpii, mag +0.9) at around midnight.
On the morning of the 28th, the waning gibbous moon lies to the North-West of Neptune at around 02:00.
On the morning of the 31st, the waning gibbous moon lies to the North of Uranus and Jupiter at around 02:00.
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.
In July, the first shower is the Capricornids which has three separate peaks on the 8th, 15th and 26th. The shower has a ZHR of 5 and is noted for bright yellow/blue meteors. Its radiant rise at 01:00 on the mornings of the 9th and the 16th and at midnight on the evening of the 26th. The first two peaks aren’t affected by the moon but the third is. A just past full moon sits in Capricornus on the evening of the 26th.
The second shower of July is the Alpha Cygnids which peaks on the 21st. The shower has a ZHR of 5 and there may be some lunar interference with a bright waxing gibbous moon setting in Scorpius at 01:30 on the morning of the 22nd. The radiant is visible all night.
The next shower is the Southern Delta Aquarids which peaks on the 29th. The ZHR is 20. The shower is known for faint and fast meteors (41 km/s). There is lunar interference for the shower with a bright waning gibbous moon in Aquarius all night. The radiant rises at midnight.
The next shower is the Alpha Capricornids which peak on July 29th with a ZHR of 5. It is noted for long, slow fireballs. There is lunar interference for the shower with a bright waning gibbous moon in Aquarius all night. The radiant rises at midnight.
Comets
Comet 10P/Tempel 2 peaks around mag +10 in July and is heading South. It can be located in Cetus and around the 16th, it lies to the East of Iota Ceti (mag +3.6) and by around the 26th, it lies to the East of Phi Ceti (mag +4.
. It is a morning comet and is at its best in the second half of the month when it is visible from around 03:00 to the South of Jupiter and Uranus.Comet C/2009 K5 (McNaught) is currently around mag +8 and is predicted to fade slowly. It should be visible throughout the month once what darkness there is at this time of year falls and passes from Camelopardalis into Ursa Major/Lynx passing to the North of Omicron Ursa Majoris (mag +3.4).
Deep Sky
On the deep sky front this month, galaxies M81 and M82 can be observed in Ursa Major. 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. In Vulpecula – M27 – The Dumbbell Nebula can be found. In Andromeda, M31 – The Andromeda galaxy can be observed along with its satellite galaxies M32 and M110. In Perseus, there is the open cluster M34 and the excellent Double Cluster. Finally in Triangulum, there is the galaxy M33.
General Notes
Always keep an eye out for Aurorae. 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 July. 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
www.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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