May 18 – 31, 2015
Mt. Washington — A host of climactic planetary spectacles are ours to marvel over these fine late May evenings and into the night. Stunning planet Venus, the Evening Star, reaches the pinnacle of its climb in the west-northwest sky when seen shortly after sunset in our locale and is riveting until close to midnight. Saturn, brighter than it’s been in over a decade, arrives at opposition from the sun on the 22nd. Jupiter, visible until close to 1 a.m., is on course to rendezvous with Venus at the end of June. Now designated a dwarf planet, Pluto is being watched with excitement by professional and citizen astronomy enthusiasts as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) New Horizons explorer spacecraft approaches the little planetary body – no small feat at a monumental 3 billion miles from Earth.
Plan to look west shortly after sunset tomorrow and into twilight on Wednesday evening to savor the delicate crescent moon’s brief appearance below dazzling Venus. Sunset is between 8:10 – 8:20 during the upcoming two-week period. Moonset is 9:45 p.m. tomorrow, 10:39 p.m. Wednesday. On Thursday Luna appears to Venus’ left and the charm continues Friday, the 22nd, when the waxing (increasing in size) crescent, Jupiter and Venus form a threesome.
While facing west for a view of this threesome about an hour after sunset on the 22nd, be sure to turn around to look for bright, yellowish planet Saturn climbing above the east-southeast horizon. Saturn rises as the sun sets and sets close to sunrise around the time it is at “opposition.” Naked-eye observing brings cosmic mysteries to our eyes. That said, now’s an exceptionally good time to view the rings of Saturn through a telescope, an indelible sight once observed. Area astronomy clubs welcome the public to their observing sessions. Go to the 5 A’s at https://www.amherstastronomy.org/ProgramDetails.aspx?ProgramID=3 or https://www.astronomyclubs.com/state/Massachusetts
From tonight through the 26th, the Evening Star sets at 11:48 p.m., the latest of the planet’s current apparition. Next week, the shining Evening Star begins its slow descent and sets slightly earlier each evening, all the while gaining in brilliance. Its apparent magnitude (m) today, -4.19m, increases to -4.47m over the coming month and a half. (The smaller the number the brighter the object.) In our neighborhood, according to my sources, Venus will be brightest from July 8 – 13. The planet, well-named for the goddess of love and beauty, sets at 10:09 p.m. during that period. Both Venus and Jupiter are memorable sights through the eyepiece of a telescope.
To participate virtually in the progress of NASA’s historic New Horizons flyby mission to Pluto — which is scheduled to arrive at the icy world on July 14 — download Simulation Curriculum’s free interactive exploration app, Pluto Safari for iOS and Android. Go to www.plutosafari.com.
The New Horizons mission is the topic of the June 12 meeting of the Amherst Area Amateur Astronomy Association (5 A’s). The presenter is Kevin Collins, President.
