We are proud to present you with another edition of Marshall's night sky events this week! Welcome, we hope you find something of interest! Let us know in the replies if you did, we would love to hear about it! We have also started a look back at events this week in history, hope you enjoy the new segment. And good luck to all our eclipse hunting friends, have fun and enjoy your day!
Let's get started by examining the highlights of the night sky this week, 8-14 APRIL 2024. As usual we will list the highlights and discuss a few. We hope you find this info useful and if you have anything you wish to discuss or add, please hit the "Reply" button below and let us know!
Please note that all images are from Stellarium, the link to the webpage is here: http://stellarium.org/ All other information is freely gathered from various websites, Apps, planetarium software and social media. We would encourage you to download and print your finder charts more specific to your location, the charts/graphics included are for basic guidance only. Many websites like Sky maps.com will allow you to download and print out a free planisphere for each month, link: https://www.skymaps.com/
EVENTS
8th) - New Moon, 18:21
8th) - Total solar eclipse. The Moon will pass in front of the Sun, creating a total eclipse of the Sun visible from Mexico, the eastern Contiguous United States and south-eastern Canada between 08:43 PDT (15:43
10th) - Moon and Jupiter at conjunction, the Moon and Jupiter will share the same right ascension, with the Moon passing 3°59' to the north of Jupiter.
11th) - Mercury at inferior solar conjunction at 22:58
11th) - Moon and Pleiades close approach, the new Moon hangs about 6° over the Pleiades during and after dusk.
12th) - Yuri's night, various events are planned worldwide to celebrate the cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. See here for more information https://yurisnight.net/
PLANETS
On Monday, observers in North America watching the total solar eclipse might be in for a very rare treat.
During the eclipse totality, several planets will pop into view.
To the lower right of the eclipsed Sun, Venus will be a mag. –3.9, and to its lower right, closer to the southwest horizon, Saturn and Mars will both be first magnitude, shining close together like a bright double star. To the upper left, Jupiter will be shining at mag. –2, and close to the eclipse will be Comet Pons–Brooks.
These might be a lot to take in during the eclipse but what a golden opportunity! Good luck ticking them off your list, we look forward to reading your reports!
COMETS
12P/Pons-Brooks
This 5th magnitude comet is only visible to the Northern Hemisphere in Aries. It is now within reach of binoculars and is still brightening. Peak magnitude will be 21st April. Soon it start to fade from our view. You might catch this comet during the solar eclipse though, good luck!
This comet was first discovered by Jean-Louis Pons on July 12 1812. It has an orbital period of 71.32 years, this is a must see!
We have seen some stunning photos of this comet! Please post yours here on the forums for us to marvel over.
- Pons ZO.png (100.02 KiB) Viewed 258 times
- Pons ZI.png (73.58 KiB) Viewed 258 times
C/2021 S3 (PANSTARRS)
This is now a 7.9 magnitude object in Vulpecula and fading fast, soon it will fade into the dawn skies. Astro photographers are wanted to photograph and submit the images for scientific use regarding the solar wind. If you can help then the following link has all the info, happy comet hunting! https://petapixel.com/2024/02/21/astrop ... oken-tail/
- PANN ZO.png (116.97 KiB) Viewed 258 times
- PANN ZI.png (112.1 KiB) Viewed 258 times
C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)
At 11.5 magnitude in Virgo and brightening. Will peak in October at a possible -18.
Discovered by the Purple Mountain Observatory on 9 January 2023 and independently found by ATLAS South Africa on 22 February 2023. The comet will pass
- TSCU ZO.png (87.37 KiB) Viewed 258 times
- TSCU ZI.png (64.35 KiB) Viewed 258 times
13P/OLBERS
This 10th magnitude can be found in the constellation Taurus, it is currently brightening and is expected to peak at mag 2.7 around July 1 2024. A nice one to add to your observing lists.
13P/Olbers orbits the sun every 69.4 years at an average distance of 16.9
- OLBERS ZO.png (121.15 KiB) Viewed 258 times
- OLBERS ZI.png (84.06 KiB) Viewed 258 times
STARS
SOL
Our dear old Sun has a very special day this week! On the 8th of April The Moon will pass in front of the Sun, creating a total eclipse of the Sun visible from Mexico, the eastern Contiguous United States and south-eastern Canada between 15:43
We hope you can get to the eclipse event, if you do, please return with plenty of pictures and reports for the forums, we look forward to them! Have fun!
PLEASE REMEMBER TO USE THE CORRECT EYE PROTECTION AT ALL TIMES WHEN LOOKING DIRECTLY AT THE SUN! NEVER POINT ANY OPTICAL DEVICE AT THE SUN WITHOUT USING THE CORRECT FILTERS. YOU CANNOT REPLACE YOUR EYESIGHT.
SIRIUS
Have you ever tried for Sirius B?
Sirius A and B are now at their widest apparent separation in their 50-year orbit, 11 arcseconds apart, and will remain so for the next couple years before they start closing up again.
T Coronae Borealis
A star system, located 3,000 light-years away from Earth, is predicted to become visible to the unaided eye soon. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime viewing opportunity as the nova outburst only occurs about every 80 years. T Coronae Borealis, or T CrB, last exploded in 1946 and astronomers believe it will do so again between February and September 2024. Plan ahead just in case!
Full article in link below.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/Watch_the_Skies/ ... ern-crown/
THIS WEEK IN HISTORY
8th) 60 years ago, in 1964, Gemini 1 is launched for an unmanned test flight.
15 years ago, in 2009, the Kepler space telescope sees first light.
9th) 65 years ago, in 1959, NASA introduces it's first 7 astronauts, the "Mercury Seven".
10th) 5 years ago, in 2019, The Event Horizon Telescope team releases the first-ever image of a black hole's shadow using radio observations of the heart of the galaxy M87.
11th) 54 years ago, in 1970, Apollo 13 is launched to land on the moon.
12th) 63 years ago, in 1961, On board Vostok 1, Yuri Gagarin becomes the first person in space and orbits the Earth once.
43 years ago, in 1981, The first orbital flight of NASA's Space Shuttle program is launched with shuttle Columbia (STS-1).
23 years ago, in 2001,Yuri's Night, a world space party, is inaugurated.
13th) 54 years ago, in 1970, Apollo 13 malfunction, "Houston, we have a problem…".
14th) 43 years ago, in 1981, After a successful mission, the shuttle Columbia (STS-1) returns to Earth.
SPACE LAUNCHES
9th) NROL-70, Delta IV Heavy | United Launch Alliance, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA, 06:53 PM GMT
9th) March Chinese Long March 6 . 23:10
Launch site: LC-9A, Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre, China
16th mission
9th) Vostochny Angara Test Flight, Angara A5/Blok DM-03 | Roscosmos, Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia, 01:59 AM GMT
10th) Starlink Group 6-48, Falcon 9 Block 5 | SpaceX, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA, 06:00 AM GMT
International Space Station
We highly recommend using "Spot the station" from NASA to find out when the International Space station will be passing over your location. This is a fun object to see flying high above, try using binoculars here, lot's of fun!
For the HAM radio enthusiasts among you, please keep a eye on the ARISS website for upcoming contacts or SSTV broadcasts for when the International Space Station is within range. There are several HAMS on board the
This video below is from the
