The Sky This Week 2003 September 26 – October 3
The Moon waxes in the early evening sky this week. By the 28th you should be able to spot her slender crescent low in the southwestern sky as evening twilight deepens. First Quarter occurs on October 2nd at 3:09 pm Eastern Daylight Time. Luna lies just northeast of the ruddy summer star Antares on the evening of the 30th. Two nights later she’s nestled among the stars of the “Milk Dipper” asterism in Sagittarius.
With the passing of the autumnal equinox, the nights are once again longer than the days. Tropical storms notwithstanding, this is usually the best time of the year for skywatching as the crisp nights of fall replace the hazy, thick nights of summer. In the early evening we can still enjoy the star patterns of summer, and early risers can get a nice sneak peek at the winter sky at an almost civilized hour. At around 8:00 pm, look directly overhead to see the stars of the Summer Triangle, Vega, Deneb, and Altair. By midnight, the triangle is replaced by the Great Square of Pegasus, perhaps the easiest of the rather dim autumnal constellations to find. By the first light of dawn, look for the Great Winter Circle on the meridian, dominated by the striding figure of Orion.
Mars continues to blaze away in the nearly empty late evening southern sky. He’s faded somewhat from the dazzle of last month’s close approach, but you’ll still have little trouble finding him as soon as it gets dark. He lies on the meridian at around 11:00 pm, and the hour before and after his transit are the best times to look for detail on his bright pink surface. Wait for moments of steady air, then savor them. It will be some 15 years before we see his disc as large as it is right now.
By the end of the week another planet cracks the evening barrier. Saturn comes up just before midnight, and by the wee hours he’s well up in the eastern sky, staring down from the stars of Gemini with a pleasant creamy glow. Saturn will be the telescopic treat for the winter sky, since his magnificent ring system is still tipped very favorably in our direction.
The pre-dawn sky welcomes Jupiter back from solar conjunction. The giant planet is now nestled just under the belly of Leo, the Lion, and shines brightly just above the eastern horizon well into morning twilight. Early in the week you still have a chance to spot the elusive planet Mercury, which joined Jupiter and the waning Moon for a post-Isabel treat last week. Mercury gradually brightens during the week, but he also moves closer to the Sun. Your best chance to spot him will be on the mornings of the 27th, 28th, and 29th.
