If you’re up between 7am and 8am in the morning and in no great rush to get anywhere, have a quick look low in the eastern sky for a nice view of bright Saturn and brighter Venus. Down and to the right is red giant Antares in Scorpius. Higher up in the south is a dimmer Mars, and higher yet in the south southwest, bright Jupiter. For those who like visual puzzles first thing in the morning, in spite of appearances, Venus is in orbit between us and the Sun. Saturn orbits 10 times further out, and light takes 600 years to get here from Antares. How powerful does it make you feel to cover the works with a couple of fingers?
Over the weekend, Venus will be moving across Saturn on its way to an early February conjunction with Mercury. A pair of binoculars will greatly enhance your experience, but they take practice. For a steadier view, hold the binoculars out near the ends of the lenses while resting your elbows on your chest. Breath slowly or hold your breath. As always when using optical aid, be very aware of exactly where the Sun is. On the 8th, it rises at 8:52 and 8:48 a week later as mornings start to get brighter sooner.
Early on New Year’s Day, I took my own advice (as I’m sure every one of you did), and popped out for a look at Comet Catalina with binoculars, which I said could be easily found right next to the bright red giant star Arcturus. I was very pleased that it was actually there, and actually very easy to see (I always get excited when stuff I write pans out). It currently lies in the middle of nowhere, but on the 15th through 17th, Catalina will be travelling northward along the handle of the Big Dipper, presenting a prime opportunity to see it in the night sky. Next week’s article will provide a little more information.
Be sure to take a minute to step outside in the morning and look around. Our brightest planets are starting to spread out and move into the night sky for the spring, but until they do, it’s a great view to start your day with.
Next week, besides Comet Catalina, the Moon will be putting on a little magic show where it will attempt to make the orange supergiant giant star Aldebaran disappear. As a belated Christmas gift, I’ve have arranged for you to have front row seats from your own back yard.
