Eyes on the Sky Update
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15
Monday, Oct. 9 – The current Evening “Star,” Jupiter, is rising in the east-northeast about 7:30 p.m. while Saturn is already located in the southeastern sky. By 9:30 p.m., Jupiter has moved to the eastern sky while Saturn is now high in the south.
Tuesday, Oct. 10 – Celestial trio of the planet Venus, the star Regulus, and the thinning, waning lunar crescent all appear close in the eastern predawn sky this morning. Venus is the current Morning “Star.”
Wednesday, Oct. 11 – Constellation of Orion the Hunter is perched high in the south by 5:30 a.m.
Thursday, Oct. 12 – Summer Triangle stars – Vega, Deneb, Altair – high in the south by 8 p.m. Deneb almost overhead.
Friday, Oct. 13 – Triskaidekaphobia Day. Venus appears below Regulus. Look to the eastern sky between 4 and 6 a.m. One day before the new moon.
Saturday, Oct. 14 – Partial Eclipse of the Sun. Locally, the partial solar eclipse begins at 12:10 p.m., reaches maximum at 1:20 p.m. and ends at 2:31 p.m. At maximum, about 20% of the sun will be covered (solar obscuration). You will need safe solar eclipse glasses to view the sun for the duration of this celestial event. (Editor’s note: contact Assistant Professor Richard Monda at r.monda@hvee.edu to purchase solar eclipse glasses for a nominal fee.)
Sunday, Oct. 15 – Saturn at its highest over the south point at 9:30 p.m. and against the stars of Aquarius. At that time, Jupiter will be in the east in Aries and will be very bright.
Editor’s Note: Richard Monda, assistant professor of Physics and Astronomy in the Biology, Chemistry and Physics Department, publishes updates to his HVCC Eyes on the Sky video series each week in the Campus Chronicle.