October 2017 Sky Calendar
Dec 7, 2017 4:05:23 GMT
Post by Joe on Dec 7, 2017 4:05:23 GMT
CVAS Monthly Sky Calendar for October 2017
Jupiter – At the very beginning of the month it will be very low on the western horizon right at sunset. With it being with conjunction with the Sun on the 26th of this month, start around mid-month on wards, it will be too close to the Sun to view. At the start of the month its magnitude will around -1.70 and with a diameter of 30.9 arc-seconds.
Saturn- Best viewed in the south western skies as soon as it gets dark enough to view it. During to the month its magnitude will be around 0.56 and its diameter going from 16.1 to 15.5 arc-seconds. Saturn rings will be tilted 27° to us. The rings them self will be about 35 arc-seconds in size this month. To start the month at sunset it will be around 25 degrees high and up for close to 3 1/2 hours. At month’s end it will only be 21 degrees high and up for around 2 1/2 hours after sunset.
Neptune – After being in opposition last month it is very well place for viewing in the evening skies. To start the month it is up for about 10 hours after sunset, at month’s end it is up nearer to 9 hours after sunset. It is best viewed when it is higher up in the southern skies which is around 10PM to start the month, then closer to 9PM by month’s end. This is a good time also to try to see Neptune largest moon, Triton, which will be around magnitude 14.1, probably at least a 10” or larger telescope will be needed. Its magnitude will around 7.84 with a diameter of around 2.30 arc-seconds during the month.
Uranus – Uranus will be at opposition on the 19th this month, which means it will be at its closet point to the Earth for this year and the best time to view it. To start the month it is best viewed later in the night when it higher up in the south, around 1AM. Later in the month, Uranus will be in the southern skies closer to 11AM. To start the month it is up for over 11 ½ hours after sunset, at month’s end it is up for 12 1/2 hours after sunset. Its magnitude will around 5.69 with a diameter of around 3.70 arc-seconds during the month.
See is.gd/urnep/ for finder charts for Uranus and Neptune from Sky&Telescope.
Mars – Mars can be found low in the Eastern morning skies, but it will be difficult to see any details on it until around spring next year. With a size of 3.67 to 3.87 arc-seconds for the month it is pretty small. Mar’s magnitude will be around 1.82 for the month. To start the month it is up for close to 2 hour and 20 degrees high before sunrise, by month’s end this will increase to 29 degrees high and up to near 3 hours before sunrise.
Venus – Venus also can be found in the eastern morning sky before sunrise. At the beginning of the month, it is up for 2 hours and before sunrise, by month’s end it is up for just 1 1/2 hours before sunrise, with it being 23° to 16° high at sunrise for the month. During the month it is at a gibbous phase, going from a 91% phase with a size of 11.2 arc-seconds to a phase of 96% with a size of 10.4 arc-seconds. Its magnitude is close to magnitude -3.94 for the whole month.
Mercury – To start the month it is in the morning sky but with it in Superior Conjunction with the Sun on the 8th this month it is too close for to the Sun to see for the whole month.