SkyEye

Welcome to SkyEye, your guide to this month's celestial events. All dates are based on Universal Time (UT).

Brief Calendar of Events

1 Sat New Moon
2 Sun Jupiter at opposition
4 Tue Mercury at greatest elongation east
7 Fri Moon at apogee
8 Sat Alpha Centaurids meteor shower
9 Sun First Quarter Moon
16 Sun Full Moon
17 Mon Uranus at conjunction
19 Wed Moon at perigee
23 Sun Last Quarter Moon

The Sun and Moon

There are no eclipses this month.

As seen from the Earth, the Sun is moving from the constellation Capricornus to the constellation Aquarius.

The Planets

The word planet is derived from the Greek word for "wanderer." Unlike the background stars, planets seem to move around the sky, keeping mostly to a narrow track called the ecliptic, the path of the Sun across the stars.
Mercury
The best viewpoint to see this elusive planet is in the southern hemisphere. Look for Mercury sinking in the sunrise sky as it moves from the constellation Sagittarius to Capricornus.
Venus
The "morning star" is very high in the eastern sky before sunrise for southern observers but is sinking toward the horizon for northerners. Look for it in the constellation Sagittarius.
Mars
The red planet passes north of its "rival," the first-magnitude star Antares in the constellation Scorpius, on the first day of the month, making this an excellent time to compare the ruddy tints of the two objects. You will have to get up very early in the morning to see this sight since Mars does not rise until well after midnight in the constellations Ophiuchus and Sagittarius.
Jupiter
Because it reaches opposition on 2 February, Jupiter is up all night in the constellation Cancer. Watch it approach M44, the Beehive Cluster.
Saturn
The ringed planet can be found between the horns of the bull Taurus. Look for it in the evening as it sets after midnight.
Uranus
Because Uranus reaches conjunction by mid-month, it cannot be seen in the constellation Aquarius.
Neptune
Like Uranus, Neptune is too near to the Sun to be seen.
Pluto
This smallest of the planets moves from the constellation Ophiuchus to Serpens (Cauda) and rises just before Saturn sets.

Minor Planets, Comets and Meteors

Minor Planets
A number of interesting minor planets populate the solar system.
Comets
There are no naked-eye comets visible this month.
Meteors
The waxing crescent Moon should cause no problems for southern hemisphere observers watching the Alpha Centaurids meteor shower.

The Celestial Sphere

Constellations are patterns of stars in the sky. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) recognises 88 different constellations. The brightest stars as seen from the Earth are easy to spot but do you know their proper names? With a set of binoculars you can look for fainter objects such as nebulae and galaxies or some of the closest stars to the Sun.

Descriptions of the sky for observers in both the northern and southern hemispheres are available for the following times this month. Subtract one hour from your local time if daylight savings time is in effect. (Note: These times are approximate.)

Northern Hemisphere : 45° N

Southern Hemisphere : 30° S

For More Information...

Credits

Much of this information can be found in this month's issue of your favourite amateur astronomy magazine available in your local bookshop. Another excellent source is the current edition of the Astronomical Calendar by Guy Ottewell and published by the Universal Workshop at Furman University.

The image of the Sun in the SkyEye banner is courtesy of the SOHO/EIT consortium. SOHO is a project of international cooperation between ESA and NASA. Used with permission.

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