Brian Ventrudo

The Moon Occults Aldebaran on January 19-20

January 13, 2016 by Brian Ventrudo Filed Under: Celestial Events

The visibility of the lunar occultation of the bright star Aldebaran on Jan. 19-20, 2016. Credit: Lunar-Occultations.com

The waxing gibbous Moon will pass in front of the bright star Aldebaran, the brightest star in the constellation Taurus, during the evening of January 19-20, 2016. The event will be visible for all of Canada and the continental U.S. as well as northwestern Europe (see map above). During this occultation, Aldebaran will dramatically disappear behind the darkened edge of the Moon. Then it will suddenly reappear nearly an hour later from behind the lit edge. Exact timing is highly dependent on location, but the event begins between 2h and 3h Universal Time on Jan. 20. You can look up the more precise timing for your location at the Lunar-Occultations.com website. The event is easily visible without optical aid, but a pair of binoculars or a small telescope give you a better view [Read more…] about The Moon Occults Aldebaran on January 19-20

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Venus and Saturn Meet in the Morning Sky

January 7, 2016 by Brian Ventrudo Filed Under: Solar System

Venus and Saturn move within 1/2 of a degree of each other on the morning of January 9, 2016. — Venus and Saturn move within 1/2 of a degree of each other in the southeastern predawn sky on the morning of January 9, 2016.

Look to the southeastern sky before dawn on January 9 to see Venus and Saturn make a close approach to each other before sunrise. Venus is the brighter of the two, about 60x brighter than Saturn. The two planets make their closest approach at about 4h Universal Time when they are just 1/10 of a degree apart. This timing favors observers in Europe and Africa. As dawn arrives in the Americas and Australia and New Zealand, the planets will be slightly farther apart but still quite striking. Binoculars will give a good view of the two planets, and a telescope at low-to-medium power will give an excellent view of the face of Venus, which is about 77% illuminated, and the rings and brightest moons of Saturn. [Read more…] about Venus and Saturn Meet in the Morning Sky

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The Dark Universe

January 7, 2016 by Brian Ventrudo Filed Under: Stargazing

A street view of the Rose Center for Earth and Space Science. The planetarium theater is located within the "Hayden Sphere" at left. — A street view of the Rose Center for Earth and Space Science. The planetarium theater is located within the “Hayden Sphere” at left.

It’s been too long since I’ve been in a good planetarium, but this past weekend I saw the splendid “Dark Universe” show at the Hayden Planetarium (pictured) in New York. With dazzling graphics, a lapidary script by Timothy Ferris and narration by Neil deGrasse Tyson, the movie summed up in style the most important discoveries in cosmology over the past 100 years. If you’re visiting NYC, skip an afternoon of shopping and go to the Hayden. It’s worth the trip.

Clip From “Dark Universe” | Hayden Planetarium, American Museum of Natural History from BillMoyers.com on Vimeo.

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The 12 Best Stargazing Events of 2016

January 5, 2016 by Brian Ventrudo Filed Under: Celestial Events

Torre Dell'Orologio Venice — The clock turns to a new year. (St. Mark’s Clock, Piazza San Marco, Venice, by Brian Ventrudo)

When you know where to look and what to look for, any clear night is a good night for stargazing. Yet some nights– and even days– hold extraordinary events worth an extra glance or perhaps a trip around the world with your telescope and camera in tow. As you plan your stargazing (and other aspects of your life) for 2016, here are 12 celestial events to watch for in the new year [Read more…] about The 12 Best Stargazing Events of 2016

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Planet Roundup… and Comet Catalina Update

December 30, 2015 by Brian Ventrudo Filed Under: Solar System

Mercury in the southwestern sky about 45 minutes after local sunset on Dec. 31, 2015.

All five bright planets are visible in the sky during this last week of 2015 and into the new year. Here’s a roundup of where to find them and what to look for, along with your best chance to easily spot Comet C/2013 US10 (Catalina) on the first morning of 2016 [Read more…] about Planet Roundup… and Comet Catalina Update

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