03 September 2010

Planets for the Month

Mercury:

Mercury will reach inferior conjunction on September 3rd. It will be lost in the Sun's glare in the first week of September. During second week, Mercury will be too close to eastern horizon at around 8 degrees at 6am. After 15th the planet Mercury will be little easy to spot if there is a clear horizon. Mercury will reach greatest elongation on 19th September, the angular separation from the Sun will be 18degrees. Mercury will be in the constellation of Leo all month.


Date

Rise

1st Sep

06:35:00 AM

8th Sep

05:35:00 AM

15th Sep

05:02:00 AM

22nd Sep

04:59:00 AM

29th Sep

05:15:00 AM


Venus:

Venus will continue to dominate the evening western sky all this month. On 11th September, Venus and crescent Moon will be close to each other at a separation of just 1 degree.


Date

Set

1st Sep

08:53:00 PM

8th Sep

08:43:00 PM

15th Sep

08:31:00 PM

22nd Sep

08:16:00 PM

29th Sep

07:57:00 PM

Venus and Mars

Mars:

The red planet will be in the constellation of Virgo all month. Mars can be spotted in the western sky evening sky 6 degrees north of Venus.


Date

Set

1st Sep

08:50:00 PM

8th Sep

08:38:00 PM

15th Sep

08:26:00 PM

22nd Sep

08:15:00 PM

29th Sep

08:04:00 PM


Jupiter:

Jupiter is well placed for observations as it rises early in the evening. The giant planet will the brightest “star” in the region at -2.5 magnitude.

On 19th September, Jupiter and Uranus will be close each other at an angular separation of 48 minutes of arc. An 8 inch f/8 telescope with 32mm eyepiece will show the giant planet and Uranus in single field.

Jupiter will reach opposition on September 21st , this means, the planet Jupiter, Earth and the Sun will be the straight line. As a result, Jupiter will rise as the Sun sets, giving observers chance to study the planet all night.


Date

Rise

1st Sep

07:41:39 PM

8th Sep

07:11:24 PM

15th Sep

06:40:56 PM

22nd Sep

06:10:22 PM

29th Sep

05:39:48 PM


Field in binocular

Saturn:

Saturn, now low in the western horizon is getting difficult to spot. In the constellation of Virgo, the planet Saturn will be lost in the Sun's glare towards the end of the month.


Date

Set

1st Sep

07:58:32 PM

8th Sep

07:33:42 PM

15th Sep

07:08:56 PM

22nd Sep

06:44:14 PM

29th Sep

06:19:33 PM


Uranus:

Uranus can be easily be seen through a 10X50 binoculars. Now its easier as Jupiter can be taken as reference. Pick up the binoculars and point it towards Jupiter and keep the Jupiter at the center of field. Just 1 degrees west to Jupiter you will find 5.7th magnitude Uranus.

Uranus will also reaches opposition on 21st of September, same day as Jupiter.


Date

Rise

1st Sep

07:34:44 PM

8th Sep

07:06:20 PM

22nd Sep

06:09:28 PM

29th Sep

05:41:02 PM




Neptune:

Neptune will be in the constellation of Capricornus in the month of August. Planet Neptune can be found at 4 degrees NE of delta Capricorni. Neptune is at magnitude of 7.8. Neptune will be just 1 degree NE of mu Capricorni


Date

Rise

1st Sep

05:44:39 PM

8th Sep

05:16:30 PM

15th Sep

04:48:22 PM

22nd Sep

04:20:17 PM

29th Sep

03:52:15 PM


Pluto:

Pluto still is in the rich star field of constellation Sagittarius at 14th Magnitude.


Phases of Moon:


New moon: 08 Sep 2010

First quarter: 15 Sep 2010

Full moon: 23 Sep 2010

Last quarter: 01 Oct 2010


Sun:

Sun will be in the constellation of Leo till middle of September and move to Virgo.


Equinox:

On 23rd September at approximately 8:40am the Sun reaches RA of 12h and Dec of 0 degress, this is Autumnal Equinox. This point is also called as First point of Libra.


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