NOVEMBER 2024

Nov. 1 - New moon

Nov. 1 - Brightest planet Venus near globular cluster M19 in evening west

Nov. 3-5 -  Waxing crescent moon low in evening west near Mercury, then Venus

Nov. 9 - First-quarter moon rises at 1:55 a.m. (All times Atlantic)

Nov. 10 - Waxing gibbous moon near Saturn in evening south-east

Nov. 11/12 - Peak of Northern Taurid meteor shower 

Nov. 15 - Full moon rises at 5:28 p.m. 

Nov. 17/18 - Leonid meteor shower peaks but bright moon interferes

Nov. 20 - Mars right of waning gibbous moon (rises 9:12 p.m.)

Nov. 22 - Third-quarter moon rises at 9:27 a.m.

Nov. 27 - Bright star Spica near waning gibbous moon in dawn south-east

Dec. 1 - New Moon

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OCTOBER 2024

Oct. 1 - Look for zodiacal light in the pre-dawn east over the next two weeks. You’ll need clear skies away from light pollution to see the cone of light created by sunlight reflecting on tiny space particles.

Oct. 2 - New moon

Oct. 5 - Venus above waxing crescent moon in evening southwest

Oct. 6 - Venus right of waxing crescent moon in evening southwest

Oct. 7 - Bright star Antares near eastern limb of waxing crescent moon in evening southwest

Oct. 10 - First-quarter moon rises at 3:19 p.m. (All times Atlantic)

Oct. 14 - Saturn right of waxing gibbous moon in evening 

Oct. 17 - Full moon rises at 6:33 p.m. 

Oct. 20/21 - Orionid meteor shower peaks

Oct. 24 - Last-quarter moon rises at 11:18 p.m.

ARCHIVE ____________________

SEPTEMBER 2024

Sept. 2 - New moon begins at 10:55 p.m. (all times Atlantic)

Sept. 5 - Venus right of thin crescent moon in evening west

Sept. 8 - Mars right of Beehive star cluster (M35) 

Sept. 11 - First-quarter moon rises at 3:05 a.m. 

Sept. 16/17 - Moon passes by Saturn in evening east

Sept. 17 - Partial lunar eclipse maximum at 11:44 p.m. in Halifax. Most of the moon will be only slightly darker than usual. But a small slice of the moon’s top limb will be noticeably shadowed at maximum eclipse.

Sept. 17/18- Full moon  known as Wikumkewiku’s moon in the Mi’kmaw ecological cycle.

Sept. 21 - Waning gibbous moon (rises at 8:55 p.m.) near star cluster Pleiades (M45). Closest approach - almost ‘touching’ - in pre-dawn

Sept. 22 - Autumnal equinox begins at 9:43 a.m. 

Sept 23 - Jupiter left of last-quarter moon in pre-dawn south

Sept. 24 - Jupiter right of last-quarter moon in pre-dawn south

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July 2024

July 1 - Bright planet Venus visible all month low in evening west

July 2/3 - Slender crescent moon near star cluster Pleiades in pre-dawn northeast

July 3 - Jupiter below waning crescent moon in pre-dawn northeast

July 5 - New Moon

July 6 - Extremely thin crescent moon above Venus in evening west-northwest

July 7 - Mercury below very thin crescent moon in evening west. Bright Venus below to the right. 

July 13 - Bright star Spica very close to first-quarter moon in evening

July 15 - Mars and Uranus conjunction in pre-dawn east with star cluster Pleiades to the left. Binoculars ot telescope needed to see Uranus.

July 17 - Bright star Antares very near waxing gibbous moon in evening south

July 20 - Nearly full moon rises at 8:58 p.m. (note that moon officially turns full on the morning of July 21)

July 23 - Saturn rises at 11 p.m. to the left of waning gibbous moon 

July 28 - Last-quarter moon rises at 11:56 p.m.

July 30 - Star cluster Pleiades above crescent moon after midnight in northeast

July 31 - Jupiter right of thin crescent moon in pre-dawn northeast

(All times Atlantic Daylight)

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JUNE 2024

June 1 - Neptune very close to rising (2:30 a.m.) waning gibbous Moon in morning east

June 3 - Mars right of crescent Moon in dawn east

June 4 -  Close conjunction of Mercury, Jupiter in dawn northeast

June 5 - Star cluster Pleiades left of crescent Moon in dawn east

June 6 - New Moon

June 13 - Asteroid Juno (binoculars/telescope needed) right of waxing crescent Moon in evening southwest

June 14 - First-quarter Moon

June 20 - Summer solstice

June 21 - Full Moon

June 27 - Saturn just left of waning gibbous Moon in dawn southeast  

June 28 - Neptune (mounted large binoculars or telescope needed) very close to first-quarter Moon in dawn southeast

June 28 - Last-quarter Moon

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ARCHIVE

May 2024

All times Atlantic

May 1 - Third-quarter Moon rises at 8:27 a.m.

May 3-4 - Saturn near waning crescent Moon in dawn southeast

May 5 - Mars right of waning crescent Moon in dawn east

May 4/5 - Aquarid meteor shower peaks

May 6 - Mercury right of waning crescent Moon low in dawn east

May 8 - New Moon at 12:21 a.m.

May 12 - Bright star Pollux right of waxing crescent Moon in evening west

May 15 - First-quarter Moon rises at 8:48 a.m.

May 23/24 - Full Moon near bright star Antares in evening

May 31 - Close conjunction of Moon, Saturn in dawn southeast

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April 2024

April 2 - Third-quarter moon rises at 12:14 a.m. (all times Atlantic)

April 6 - Saturn, Mars above waning crescent moon low in dawn east

April 7 - Venus left of waning crescent moon in dawn east

April 8 - New moon at 3:20 p.m.

April 8 - Solar eclipse. In Nova Scotia, totality visible only in northern tip of Cape Breton. 

April 11 - Waxing crescent moon above star cluster Pleiades in evening west

April 11 - Saturn, Mars conjunction low in dawn east. Much dimmer Mars slightly higher

April 15 - First-quarter moon rises at 4:13 p.m.

April 20 - Jupiter very close to Uranus in evening west. Uranus only visible to naked eye in clear dark sky. Binoculars usually needed.

April 22 - Lyrid meteor shower peaks but bright moon will interfere

April 23 - Full moon rises at 8:43 p.m.

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ARCHIVE

February-March 2024

All times Atlantic zone

Feb. 2 - Third-quarter moon

Feb. 7 - Venus near thin waning crescent moon in dawn southeast

Feb. 8 - Dim Mars above very thin waning crescent moon in dawn southeast

Feb. 9 - New moon

Feb. 11 - Thin crescent moon above Saturn in evening low southwest

Feb. 14 - Jupiter to left of waxing crescent moon in evening southwest

Feb. 15 - Waxing crescent moon between star cluster Pleiades and Jupiter in evening southwest

Feb. 16 - First-quarter moon conjunction with Pleiades in evening south

Feb. 24 - Full moon

March 3 - Third-quarter moon rises at 1:13 p.m.

March 7 - Mars to left of waning crescent moon low in dawn southeast

March 10 - New moon rises at 7:34 a.m.

March 10 - Atlantic Daylight Saving time begins at 2 a.m. (clocks move ahead one hour)

March 13 - Jupiter in conjunction with waxing crescent moon in evening west

March 17 - First-quarter moon rises at 10:43 p.m.

March 20 - Vernal equinox at 12:06 a.m.

March 18 - Waning gibbous moon near bright star Pollux in evening and overnight

March 25 - Full moon rises at 7:47 p.m.

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January 2024

Jan. 3 - Last-quarter moon rises at 11:30 p.m. Atlantic time

Jan. 3/4 - Peak of Quadrantid meteor shower

Jan. 8 - Venus above waning crescent moon low in dawn southeast. Mercury close to horizon to the left

Jan. 9 - Mercury left of thin waning crescent moon in low in dawn southeast

Jan. 11 - New moon

Jan. 13 / 14 - Saturn and thin crescent moon in evening southwest

Jan. 17 - First-quarter moon rises at 11:52 p.m.

Jan. 18 - Jupiter conjunction with waxing gibbous moon

Jan. 25 - Full moon - Tom Cod Spawning moon rises at 4:58 p.m.. Also see Mi’kmaw Moons 

DECEMBER 2023

Dec. 5 - Third-quarter moon

Dec. 9 - Venus above waning crescent moon in dawn southeast, Mars just above horizon to the left

Dec. 12 - New moon

Dec. 14 - Geminid meteor shower

Dec. 17 - Saturn above waxing crescent moon in evening south

Dec. 19 - First-quarter moon

Dec. 21 - Winter solstice begins at 11:27 p.m. AST

Dec. 21/22 - Jupiter near waxing gibbous moon (closest on Dec. 22)

Dec. 26 - Full moon known as Cold Moon or Full Chief Moon (Mi’kmaw). Opposition with sun at 5:16 a.m.

November 2023

Nov. 5 - Third-quarter moon near Beehive Cluster

Nov 9 - Venus and crescent moon conjunciton in dawn east

Nov. 11/12 - Peak of Northern Taurids meteor shower

Nov. 13 - New moon

Nov. 14 - Very thin crescent moon left of Mercury low in evening southwest

Nov. 17/18 - Leonid meteor shower peak

Nov. 20 - First-quarter moon

Nov  19-20 -  Saturn near moon in evening southwest

Nov. 24 - Jupiter near moon in evening southeast

Nov. 26 - Near-full moon close to star cluster Pleiades

Nov. 27 - Full moon

July 2023

July 3 - Full moon

July 7 - Saturn near waning gibbous moon in dawn south

July 9 - First-quarter moon

July 11/12 - Waxing crescent moon passes Jupiter in dawn east

July 13 - Crescent moon below star cluster Pleiades in dawn east

July 17 - New moon

July 19 - Thin crescent moon between Venus and Mercury very low in west

July 20 - Venus below waxing crescent moon in evening west

July 25 - First-quarter moon

Aug. 1 - Full moon

June 2023

3/4 - Full moon

10 - Saturn near crescent moon in dawn southeast

10 - Third-quarter moon

14 - Jupiter mear crescent moon in dawn southeast

16 - Very thin crescent moon above Pleiades in dawn southeast

18 - New moon

18/19 - Mercury near crescent moon in dawn east

21 - Summer solstice 14:57 UTC

21/22 - Crescent moon, Venus and Mars conjunction in sunset west

26 - First-quarter moon

May 2023

May 5 - Full moon - rises 7:26 p.m. in east-southeast; sets 5:48 a.m. in southwest

May 5/6 - Eta Aquariid meteor shower. Peaks before dawn with best viewing in southern hemisphere

May 12 - Third-quarter moon

May 13 - Saturn east of waning crescent moon in dawn southeast

May 17 - Jupiter west of very thin crescent moon in dawn east

May 18 - Mercury east of thin crescent moon - very low in dawn east

May 19/20 - New moon

May 22/23 - Waxing crescent moon passes Venus in sunset west Mars to the north

May 27 - First-quarter moon

December 2021

Dec. 4 - New moon

Dec. 6 - Venus above waxing crescent moon in eveing southwest

Dec. 8-9 - Waxing crescent moon passes below Jupiter in south

Dec. 10 - First-quarter moon

Dec. 13/14 - Geminid meteor shower peaks. Watch for fireballs!

Dec. 16 - Star cluster Pleiades above waxing gibbous moon

Dec. 19 - “Micro” full moon

Dec. 21 - Winter solstice

Dec. 26 - Third-quarter moon

November 2021

• Nov. 4 - New moon

• Nov. 6 - Thin waxing crescent moon very low in evening southwest

• Nov. 7 - Daylight Saving Time ends (clocks fall back an hour)

• Nov. 7-8 - Waxing crescent moon moves past Venus low in evening south-southwest

• Nov. 10 - Saturn above and right of waxing crescent moon in evening south

• Nov. 11 - Jupiter above first-quarter moon throughout evening

• Nov. 17 / 18 - Leonid meteor shower but bright moon interferes

• Nov. 18 - Full moon west of small star cluster Pleiades throughout evening

• Nov. 18/19 - Partial lunar eclipse - maximum eclipse at 5 a.m.

• Nov. 27 - Last-quarter moon

  
  
  

October 2021

• Oct. 8 - New moon

• Oct. 9 - Crescent moon just above Venus in evening southwest

• Oct. 13 - First-quarter moon

• Oct. 13 to 15 - Waxing gibbous moon passes Jupiter and Saturn in evening southeast

• Oct. 20 - Full moon

• Oct. 21 - Orionid meteor shower

• Oct. 21 - Uranus very close to moon

• Oct. 28 - Last-quarter moon

September 2021

• Sept. 4 - Waxing crescent moon grazes the Beehive Cluster in dawn east

• Sept. 4 to 6 - Venus very close to star Spica low in evening west-northwest

• Sept. 6 - New moon 

• Sept. 8 - Thin crescent moon above Mercury low in evening west

• Sept. 10 - Waxing crescent moon left of Venus in evening southwest 

• Sept. 13 - First-quarter moon

• Sept. 16 - Saturn above waxing gibbous moon in evening southeast, Jupiter to left

• Sept. 17 - Jupiter left of waxing gibbous moon in evening southeast, Saturn above to right

• Sept. 20 - Full moon

• Sept. 22 - Autumnal equinox

• Sept. 28 - Last-quarter moon

AUGUST 2021

Aug. 12. - Venus to right of crescent moon in evening southwest

Aug 12 - Mercury very low in evening west. Moves lower in sky throughout month.

Aug. 15 - First-quarter moon

Aug. 18 - Extremely close conjunction of Mercury, (dim) Mars very low in evening west

Aug. 20 - Saturn below waxing gibbous moon in evening southeast; Jupiter to the left

Aug. 21 - Full moon rises at 8:17 p.m. Atlantic Time

Aug. 21 - Jupiter below full moon in evening southeast; Saturn to the right

Aug. 29 - Star cluster Pleiades above waning gibbious moon in dawn east

Aug. 30 - Third-quarter moon

ARCHIVE

DECEMBER 2020

Dec. 7 - Third-quarter moon (half-illuminated)

Dec. 12 - Venus below waning crescent moon in dawn southeast

Dec. 13/14 - Geminid meteor shower peaks

Dec. 14 - New moon

Dec. 16/17 - Waxing crescent moon moves past Jupiter-Saturn conjunction

Dec. 21 - Winter solstice 10:02 Universal Time (UTC)

Dec. 21 - RARE EVENT Extremely close conjunction of Saturn, Jupiter low in evening southwest

Dec. 21 - First-quarter moon (half illuminated) 

Dec. 23 - Mars above waxing gibbous moon in evening south

Dec. 29 - Full moon

OCTOBER 2020

Oct. 1 - Full moon - Mate Calling Moon or Wikumkewiku’s (we-goom-gay-we-goos) in Mi’kmaw culture

Oct. 2 - Mars and waning gibbous moon close conjunction in evening east

Oct. 6 - Waning gibbous moon near star cluster Hyades in evening northeast

Oct. 9 - Third-quarter moon

Oct. 13 - Mars reaches opposition with Earth (directly oppositie the sun in orbital line-up). Planets are brightest at or near opposition

Oct. 13/14 - Waning crescent moon passes by Venus in dawn southeast

Oct. 16 - New moon

Oct. 20/21 - Peak of Orionids meteor shower

Oct. 22 - Waxing crescent moon to left of bright Jupiter. Saturn above moon

Oct. 23 - First-quarter moon

Oct. 29 - Mars above waxing gibbous moon in evening southeast

Oct. 31 - Full moon - Wikewiku's, or Animal Fattening Moon, in Mi’kmaw culture

September 2020

Sept. 1 - Full moon in constellation Aquarius. Berry Ripening Moon in Mi’kmaw tradition.

Sept. 5 - Enjoy a close conjunction of the waning gibbous moon and Mars in the late evening east. Mars is getting brighter as as it heads toward its closest approach to Earth in many years in October.

Sept. 10 - Third-quarter moon

Sept. 14 - Venus, crescent moon conjunction in dawn east

Sept. 17 - New moon

Sept. 21-22 -  Crescent moon passes by bright red star Antares at sunset in southwest

Sept. 23 - First-quarter moon

Sept. 24 - Waxing gibbous moon to right of Jupiter at sunset in south

Sept. 25 - Waxing gibbous moon below Saturn at sunset in south

AUGUST 2020

Aug. 1 - Jupiter above waxing gibbous moon in evening. Saturn to the east

Aug. 3 - Full moon - Peskewiku's (Bird Shedding Feathers moon) 

Aug. 9 - Close conjunction of Mars*, waning gibbous moon midnight to dawn

Aug. 11 - Third-quarter moon

Aug. 12/13 - Perseid meteors peak

Aug. 15 - Venus above waning crescent moon before dawn east

Aug. 18 - New moon

Aug. 26 - First-quarter moon

Aug. 28 - Jupiter above waxing gibbous moon in evening. Saturn to the east

Aug. 29 - Saturn west of waxing gibbous moon in evening

*Mars will nearly double in brightness from Aug. 1 to Aug. 30 (RASC Observer’s Handbook)

July 2020

July 2 - Waxing gibbous moon to the east of bright star Antares in evening south. 

July 5 - Full Nipniku's Moon (Fully Leafed)

July 4 to 9 -  Venus moves though Hyades cluster in constellation Taurus before sunrise

July 6 - Waning gibbous moon in between Saturn (left) and Jupiter in late evening southeast

July 11/12 - Waning gibbous moon passes by Mars after midnight in east

July 13 - Third-quarter moon

July 12 - Venus just to left of star Antares in predawn east

July 17 - Waning crescent moon, Venus conjunction in predawn east

July 19 - Extremely thin waning crescent moon left of Mars very low in predawn east

July 20 - New moon

July 22 - Waxing crescent moon above Regulus in Leo in the west evening

July 28/29 - Peak of alpha Capricornids meteor shower; not an active shower but known for fireballs. 

July 31 - Lineup of Saturn, Jupiter and waxing gibbous moon in late evening south

Event: Free Public Viewing of Partial Solar Eclipse

When:  Monday, August 21, 2:30 - 5:00 pm

Where:Dalhousie University, Dunn Building, Lord Dalhousie Dr., 6310 Coburg Roadhttp://www.dal.ca/campus-maps/building-directory/studley-campus/sir-james-dunn-building.html

Details:Several telescopes with proper solar filters for safe, direct viewing will be set up.

The Sun's image will also be projected onto a screen. Instructors at hand.

In Halifax the partial eclipse begins at 2:42 pm ADT and ends at 4:59 pm;

Maximum eclipse (48 %) at 3:53 pm.

Monday's forecast has a mixture of sun and cloud; this should permit viewing.

An eclipse of the Sun is a rare event, in practice. 

No parking is available on campus until 4:30 pm.
Two-hour parking on residential streets, north off Coburg Rd., close to the Dunn Building.
Event is free. 

May 10 - Full moon known as Frog Croaking Moon (Mi’kmaq)

May 11 - Double-shadow transit of moons on Jupiter’s disc (10:59 p.m. to 11:06 p.m.) Telescope needed

May 14 - Saturn to right of waning gibbous moon after midnight

May 18 - Last-quarter moon

May 22 - Venus to left of waning crescent moon in dawn east

May 23/24 - Mercury to left of waning crescent moon in dawn east, above moon the next day\

May 25 - New moon

May 26- Mars above very thin waxing crescent moon low in evening west

May 29 - Beehive star cluster to upper right of waxing crescent moon in evening west

May 31 - First-quarter moon. Bright star Regulus to the right

March 4 - Bright star Aldebaran 0.4 degrees above moon low in late evening west

March 5 - First-quarter moon

March 10 - Bright star Regulus one degree above waning gibbous moon in evening east

March 12 - Full moon known as Worm Moon or Maple Sugar Moon (Mi'kmaq)

March 12 - Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m.

March 14 - Jupiter (rises at 8:27 p.m.) 2 degrees right of moon

March 20 - Vernal equinox at 7:29 a.m. ADT

March 20 - Last-quarter moon

March 20 - Saturn 3 degrees below moon in dawn south

March 26 - Neptune (binocs or scope needed) 1 degree above crescent moon very low in dawn east

March 27 - New moon

Feb. 4 - First-quarter moon

Feb. 11 - Full moon known as Snow Moon

Feb. 15 - Jupiter 3 degrees right of moon east after midnight

Feb. 18 - Last-quarter moon

Feb. 20 - Saturn 4 degrees below moon in dawn east

Feb. 26 - New moon

Feb. 28 - Venus above crescent moon in evening west, Mars to left and above Venus

Jan. 2  - Waxing crescent moon below, the next evening above, bright Venus in sunset west

Jan. 5 - First-quarter moon

Jan. 12 - Full moon, known as Wolf Moon or Old Moon (Native American); Mi’kmaq call the January moon cycle Tom Cod Spawning (Punamuiku's)

Jan. 19 - Jupiter 2 degrees right of last-quarter moon after midnight

Jan. 24/25 - Waning crescent moon left of Saturn in dawn east on Jan. 24, above Mercury on Jan. 25.

Jan. 27 - New moon

Jan. 31 - Venus left of waxing crescent moon in sunset west, Mars above moon

DECEMBER 2016

 Dec. 2 /3 - Venus to left, the next night below, waxing crescent moon in evening west

Dec.4 / 5 - Mars to left, the next night below, crescent moon in evening southwest

Dec. 7 - First-quarter moon

Dec. 13 - Full moon known as Cold Moon or Chief Moon (Kesikewiku's)

Dec. 13 / 14 - Peak of Geminid meteor shower. Full moon will wash out all but brightest meteors.
Dec. 20 - Last-quarter moon

Dec. 21 - Winter solstice 6:44 a.m. ADT

Dec. 23 - Jupiter 1.5 degrees below waning crescent moon in dawn southeast

Dec. 25 - Merry Christmas. Thin crescent moon above summer constellation of Scorpius in dawn southeast

Dec. 30 - New moon

NOVEMBER 2016

Nov. 1 / 2  - Venus to left of waxing crescent moon in evening southwest

Nov. 5 / 6 - Mars below waxing crescent moon in evening south

Nov. 6 - Daylight Savings Time ends (clocks fall back one hour)

Nov. 7 - First-quarter moon

Nov. 9 - Star Skat below moon

Nov. 14 - Full moon known as Beaver Moon, River Freezing Moon (Mi’kmaq)

Nov. 17/18 - Leonid meteor shower (waning gibbous moon interferes with viewing)

Nov. 21 - Last-quarter moon

Nov. 21 - Bright star Regulus near last-quarter moon after midnight

Nov. 25 - Jupiter right of waning crescent moon in dawn southeast

Nov. 29 - New moon

Oct. 3-4 - PHOTO OPP: Venus below waxing crescent moon in evening southwest

Oct. 5 - Saturn 5 degrees left of waxing crescent moon in evening southwest

Oct. 5 - Space the Final Frontier: Finding Exo-Planets presentation at Keshen-Goodmanlibrary at 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 - International Observe the Moon Night public events.

Oct. 9 - First-quarter moon

Oct. 11 - Mercury 0.5 degrees left of Jupiter very low in brightening dawn east

Oct. 13 - Constellations of the Zodiac at Dalhousie Planetarium at 7:15. Admission charge with pre-registration required.

Oct. 14 - Open house at Burke-Gaffney Observatory in Halifax. Free but pre-registration required.

Oct. 16 - Full moon known as Hunter’s Moon or Animal Fattening Moon (Mi’kmaw)

Oct. 20-21 - Peak of Orionids meteor shower

Oct. 22 - Last-quarter moon

Oct. 28 - Jupiter 1.5 degrees right of waning crescent moon moon in dawn east

Oct. 30 - New moon

Oct. 31 - Venus and Saturn to left of very thin crescent moon in sunset southwest

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Sept. 1 - New moon

Sept. 3 - Venus below thin crescent moon after sunset in west

Sept. 6 - The Night Sky According to Star Trek, Halifax Central Library

Sept. 8 - Saturn waxing crescent below moon in evening south

Sept. 9 - First-quarter moon

Sept. 11 - Nova Scotia Bird Society's beginner birder's walk, Lawrencetown, Halifax County 

Sept. 16 - Full moon known as Mating Call Moon (Wikumkewiku’s), Harvest Moon 

Sept. 22 - Autumnal equinox begins at 11:21 a.m.

Sept. 23 - Last-quarter moon

Sept. 24 - Nova Scotia Bird Society's early fall migrants, Taylor Head Provincial Park

Sept. 29 - Mercury 1 degree from very thin crescent moon in dawn east

Sept. 30 - New moon

Every Friday - Tours of Burke-Gaffney Observatory at Saint Mary's University

Aug. 2 - New moon

Aug. 5 - PHOTO OPP: Jupiter one degree east of waning crescent moon in evening west

Aug. 5 to Aug. 7 - Dark Sky Weekend at Kejimkujik National Park

Aug. 6 - Mid-summer bird walk, Taylor Head (Nova Scotia Bird Society)

Aug. 10 - First-quarter moon

Aug. 11 - Saturn right of waxing gibbous moon in evening south with Mars below

Aug. 11/12 - Perseid meteor shower predicted to be most active since 2008. Best observed after midnight when moon has set

Aug. 11 and Sept. 1 - Halifax Planetarium show Downtown Milky Way

Aug. 18 - Full moon known as Sturgeon Moon or Green Corn Moon

Aug. 19 - Neptune just east of waning gibbous moon all evening (binocular or telescope needed). Pairing closes to within one degree by dawn in southwest

Aug. 25 - Last-quarter moon

Sept. 1 - New moon

Every Friday - Open house at Burke-Gaffney Observatory at Saint Mary’s University

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July 4 - New moon

July 7 & 21 - Halifax Planetarium show Journey to the Centre of Our Galaxy, both shows 7:15 p.m. Registration required.

July 8 - Jupiter above waxing crescent moon in evening west

July 9 - Beginning Birders, Taylor Head (Nova Scotia Bird Society)

July 11- First-quarter moon

July 14 - Mars to right of waxing gibbous moon, Saturn to left, in evening south

July 15 - Mars below waxing gibbous moon in evening south

July 17 -  Slow and easy birdwatching Taylor Head (Nova Scotia Bird Society)

July 19 - Full moon known as Thunder Moon, also Buck and Hay Moon.

July 23 - Neptune occulted (covered) by moon. Start looking after 1 a.m. Optical aid needed. 

July 26 - Last-quarter moon

Every Friday - Burke-Gaffney Observatory open houses

June 3 - Mercury above waning crescent moon in dawn east

June 4 - New moon

June 6 - New birders walk in Windsor (Nova Scotia Bird Society). http://www.nsbirdsociety.ca/index.php/events/field-trips

June 9 and 23 - Halifax Planetarium presents The Summer Sky 2016 at 7:15. Registration required. More information at www.astronomynovascotia.ca

June 11 - Jupiter to right of waxing crescent moon in evening west

June 12 - First-quarter moon

June 17 - Mars right of waxing gibbous moon in evening southeast

June 18 - Saturn below waxing gibbous moon in evening southeast

June 19 - Abrahams Lake Bird Walk (Nova Scotia Bird Society). http://www.nsbirdsociety.ca/index.php/events/field-trips

June 20 - Full moon. Known as Strawberry Moon

June 20 - Summer solstice

June 27 - Last-quarter moon

May 6 - New moon (large tides associated with perigee)

May 7 - Waxing crescent moon above star cluster Hyades in evening west

May 9 - Transit of Mercury across sun (properly filtered telescope needed!)

May 14/15 - Jupiter near waxing gibbous moon in late evening southwest

May 17 - First-quarter moon

May 21 - Mars four degrees right of full moon in late evening southeast; Saturn below to the left

May 21 - Full moon, known as Full Flower Moon.

May 29 - Last-quarter moon

May 30 - Mars closest to Earth

April 6 - Venus within a degree of waning crescent moon very low in dawn east.

April 7 - New moon

April 8 - PHOTO OP: Mercury right of slender waxing crescent moon low in evening west

April 9 - Star cluster Pleiades above crescent moon in evening west. Mercury below to the right.

April 9 - RARE EVENT: Highest tides in 18.6 years related to perigean spring tide.

April 10 - Moon occults bright star Aldebaran. Star will be behind moon for most of evening but it emerges low in west at about 9 p.m.

April 14 - First-quarter moon

April 17 - Jupiter 3 degrees left of almost full moon in evening southeast

April 22 - Full moon known as Flower Moon

April 25 - Mars below waning gibbous moon in east after midnight. Saturn below and to the left.

April 26 - Saturn to right of waning gibbous moon after midnight in southeast. Mars right of Saturn.

April 30 - Last-quarter moon

March 1 - Waning gibbous moon east of Mars in dawn south

March 2 - Last-quarter moon above Saturn in dawn south

March 7 - Very thin crescent moon above Venus in dawn east

March 9 - New moon

March 13 - Daylight Savings Time begins at 2 a.m. (clock ahead one hour)

March 15 - First-quarter moon

March 20 - It’s spring! Vernal equinox 1:30 a.m. ADT

March 21 - Jupiter 3 degrees east of waxing gibbous moon in evening east

March 22 - Full moon, known as Worm Moon

March 29 - Waning gibbous moon above Mars and Saturn after midnight in east

March 31 - Last-quarter moon

FEBRUARY 2016

All five naked eye planets are visible at dawn this month

Feb. 1 - Waning crescent moon above Mars in dawn southwest

Feb. 2 - Waning crescent moon above Saturn to right in dawn south

Feb. 6 - Very thin crescent moon between Venus and Mercury in dawn southeast. Dwarf planet Pluto above Venus (telescope only).

Feb. 8 - New moon

Feb. 15 - First-quarter moon

Feb. 22 - Full moon, known as Snow Moon

Feb. 23 - Jupiter to left of waning gibbous moon in evening east

DECEMBER 2015

Dec. 6 - Dec. 7 - Venus 2 degrees* below waning crescent moon in dawn southeast. Gets closer to moon throughout day until occultation (covered) in early afternoon

Dec. 7 - Use binoculars to try and spot Comet Catalina about 4 degrees to the left of Venus in dawn southeast

Dec. 11- New moon

Dec. 13/14 - Geminids meteor shower peak. Lack of moon and reliable shower should make for good show.

Dec. 18 - First-quarter moon

Dec. 25 - Merry Christmas! It’s a full moon (Cold Moon or Long Nights Moon)

Dec. 31 - Jupiter 1.5 degrees below waning gibbous moon in late evening east

Jan. 2 - Last-quarter moon

November 2015

Nov. 2-3- Venus, much dimmer Mars within a degree of each other in dawn east. Jupiter above.

Nov. 3 - Last-quarter moon

Nov. 6 - Jupiter to left of waning crescent moon in dawn east. Venus, Mars below.

Nov. 7 - Venus to left of waning crescent moon in dawn east.  Mars above

Nov. 11 - New moon

Nov. 17-18 - Leonid meteor shower. Not expected to be very active, about 15 meteors an hour

Nov. 19 - First-quarter moon

Nov. 25 - Full moon known as Beaver Moon

October 2015

Oct. 4 - Last-quarter moon

Oct. 8-10 - Crescent moon moves past Venus and Jupiter in dawn east

Oct. 11 - Extremely thin crescent moon about a degree of Mercury very low in dawn east

Oct. 12 - New moon

Oct. 16 - Jupiter, much dimmer Mars within a degree in dawn southeast. Bright Venus above to the right.

Oct. 20 - First-quarter moon

Oct. 21/22 - Peak of Orionids meteor shower. Expect about 20 meteors per hour at peak but good meteor activity all month.

Oct. 26 - Venus, dimmer Jupiter about 1 degree apart in dawn southeast

Oct. 27 - Full moon, known as Hunter’s, Harvest or Blood moon.

September 2015

Sept. 5 - Last-quarter moon

Sept. 10/11- Waxing crescent moon moves past Venus (Sept. 10), Mars and Jupiter in dawn east

Sept. 13 - New moon

Sept. 17 - Waxing crescent moon above star with best name ever, Zubenelgenubi. In evening southwest

Sept. 18 - Saturn, the only naked eye visible in the evening, to left of waxing crescent moon in evening southwest

Sept. 21 - First-quarter moon

Sept. 23 - Autumnal equinox begins 5:21 a.m.

Sept. 24 - Mars less than a degree above bright star Regulus in dawn east

Sept. 27 - Full moon - Known as Corn, Harvest and Mating Call (Mi’kmaq) moon

Sept. 27 - LUNAR ECLIPSE. Shading on eastern limb begins to be visible before 10 p.m. Total eclipse, which lasts 72 minutes, begins at 11:11 p.m.

Sept. 28 - Uranus directly above waxing gibbous moon in evening east (binoculars or telescope needed)  

August 2015

Aug. 1-5 - Jupiter to right of star Regulus in dusk west

Aug. 5 - Uranus to left of waning gibbous moon (moonrise 11 p.m.). Binoculars or telescope usually needed to see Uranus. 

Aug. 6 - Last-quarter moon

Aug. 6 - Jupiter, fainter Mercury about 1 degree apart in evening west; star Regulus to left

Aug, 8 - Waning crescent moon near Hyades cluster in Taurus and Pleiades after 2 a.m. in east.

Aug. 12 - Mars to left of waning crescent moon in dawn east

Aug. 12/13 - Perseid meteor shower active now but peak of shower 12/13 with excellent moonless conditions.

Aug. 14 - New moon

Aug. 16 - Mercury right of waxing crescent moon very low in west after sunset

Aug. 19 - Star Spica below waxing crescent moon in evening west

Aug. 20 - Mars near Beehive star cluster very low in dawn east

Aug. 22 - First-quarter moon

Aug. 22 - Saturn below moon in evening south

Aug. 29 - Mars above brighter Venus in dawn east

Aug. 29 - Full moon, known as Ripening (Mi’kmaq), Sturgeon and Green Corn.

July 2015

July 1 - Full moon (first of two this month) Known as  Buck (Native American), Feather shedding or Peskewiku (Mi’kmaq)

July 2 - Mercury in good viewing position in dawn northeast

July 2 - Venus and Jupiter moving apart but still close in evening west

July 8 - Last-quarter moon; Uranus (visible in binoculars/ telescope) within a degree to the right

July 14 - Mercury left of crescent moon very low in sunrise east

July 15 - New moon

July 18 - PHOTO OP: Venus a half-degree above crescent moon with Jupiter to the right. Low in evening west

July 24 - First-quarter moon

July 25 - Saturn to left of waxing gibbous moon in evening south

July 30 - Full moon

June 2015 Skylights

June 1 - Saturn rises at 7:43 p.m. (ADT)  right of waxing gibbous moon

June 2 - Full Moon - Known as Strawberry Moon, Rose Moon (Europe) or Summer Moon (Nipnikus for Mi’kmaq)

June 9 - Last-quarter moon

June 14/15 - Mercury, very thin crescent moon in dawn east. Star cluster Pleiades above.

June 16 - New moon

June 20 - PHOTO ALERT: Venus, Jupiter and waxing crescent moon in sunset west

June 21 - Summer solstice 1:38 p.m. ADT

June 24 - First-quarter moon

June 27 - Star with best name ever, Zubenelgenubi, just below waxing gibbous moon. (ZOO-ben-el-ja-NOO-bee)

June 28 - Saturn within a degree of the waxing gibbous moon in evening south

June 28 to 30 - RARE EVENT, PHOTO ALERT: Venus, Jupiter move to within a half-degree apart on June 30

May 2015 Skylights

May 1 to 21 - Best appearance of Mercury all year. Well placed in evening twilight west

May 4- Full moon - Frog Croaking moon (Mi’kmaq); also known as Flower or Corn Planting moon

May 4/5 - Saturn near moon in late evening

May 6 - Northern Aquariiid meteor shower peak

May 11 - Last-quarter moon

May 18 - New moon

May 21 - Venus above waxing crescent moon in evening west

May 23 - Jupiter above waxing crescent moon in evening west

May 25 - First-quarter moon

May 29 - Star Spica below waxing gibbous moon all evening

April 2015 Skylights

April 4 - Full moon known as Pink, Fish, Sprouting Grass moon. For the Mi’kmaq, it’s Penatmuiku’s or Egg Laying Moon                

April 7 - Star with best name ever, Zubenelgenubi, (zoo-BEN-el-ja-NOO-bee) can be seen right of waning gibbous after midnight in east

April 8 - Saturn to left of waning gibbous moon in dawn southwest

April 11 - Venus to left of tiny star cluster Pleiades in evening west

April 12- Last-quarter moon

April 18 - New moon

April 19 - Mercury to right of very thin crescent moon low in sunset west

April 21 - A pleasing gathering in sunset west: Venus to right of three-day old crescent moon, star Aldebaran just below moon and Pleiades below to right

April 22/23 - Lyrid meteor shower peak. Not a strong shower but has sporadic outbursts and this year there's little moon interference.

April 25 - First-quarter moon

April 26 - Jupiter above waxing gibbous moon high in sunset south

Skylights for February 2015

Feb. 3 - Full moon, known as Snow Moon. Jupiter visible to its left in evening east. 

Feb. 12 - Saturn to left of last-quarter moon in dawn south

Feb. 17 - Mercury a few degrees to right of waning crescent moon in dawn east

Feb. 18 - New moon

Feb. 20 - Venus, thin crescent moon within two degrees of each other low in sunset west. Dim Mars just above Venus.

Feb. 21/22 - Venus and Mars close to within a degree of each other in sunset west.

Feb. 25 - First-quarter moon

Skylights for January 2015

Jan. 4 - Full moon, known as Wolf Moon or Snow Moon.

Jan. 7 - Jupiter to east of waning gibbous moon in evening east

Jan. 8 to Jan 12 - Venus and much dimmer Mercury within a degree of each other in evening southwest.

Jan. 13 - Bright star Spica just below last-quarter moon in dawn south-southwest

Jan. 14 - Mercury reaches greatest elongation of the month (farthest from sun). It will be visible  throughout the month low in the evening southwest.

Jan. 16 - Saturn within 2 degrees of waning crescent moon in dawn east

Jan. 19 - Comet Lovejoy west of Pleiades star cluster high in evening southwest. 

Jan. 20 - New moon

Jan. 21 - Mercury below thin crescent moon and bright Venus to the east in evening southwest.

Jan. 22 - Mars east of waxing crescent moon in evening southwest

Jan. 23/24 (SEE BELOW) - Rare occurrence of three moon shadows on Jupiter (triple shadow transit). Shadows of Io, Callisto and Europa visible on planetary disc through telescope at 2:34 AST

Jan. 27 - First-quarter moon
 

There’s lots to admire about the planet Jupiter. It’s the largest body in the solar system, besides the sun of course. About 1,321 Earths could fit within its sphere.

A celestial body this size creates a huge gravitational field in space. Its effects reach all the way to our planet, which can be a good thing. Asteroids and comets headed for the Earth can be deflected out of harm’s way.

On the other hand, this immense gravitational slingshot can fling objects toward us. It all depends from what part of the solar system the comet or asteroid originates. 

Besides the grandeur of the planet itself, Jupiter’s array of moons is unparalleled in our system. At last count, 67 bodies were known to orbit the planet.

The four largest  - Callisto, Io, Europa and Ganymede - are known as the Galilean moons, after the Italian astronomer Galileo, who first documented them using his rudimentary telescope.

Over 400 years later, they remain a favourite target of astronomical observers. In typical backyard telescopes and good quality binoculars, they appear as specks of light lined up on one or both sides of Jupiter. (As seen in this photo recently taken by Halifax astrophotographer Art Cole.)

When the angle of sunlight permits, moon shadows can be seen slowly crossing Jupiter’s disc. You’ll need a telescope that has a lens or mirror at least 90 millimetres in diameter to see these dim, ghostly silhouettes.

Usually only one shadow can be seen at a time but occasionally two are visible. Much more rare is a triple transit, which will occur on the night of Jan. 23/24. The shadows of Io, Callisto and Europa will be visible beginning at 2:34 a.m. AST.

Io’s shadow (far right) will leave the disc about 15 minutes later, according to Starry Night's representation of the event. (Note that the orientation of the shadows and moons in the image below would resemble the view in a reflector telescope. The positions would be different in other types of telescopes such as refractors). 

You can find Jupiter high in the south-east in mid-northern latitudes after midnight in January. 

If you’ve got a decent scope, bundle up and enjoy the remarkable sight of lunar shadows being cast on a giant planet 778 million kilometres away.

A much smaller member of the solar system is causing a stir in the astronomical community this month. Comet Lovejoy has become much brighter than expected -  it's visible in binoculars from urban areas and you might be able to see it with the naked eye under dark country skies. This greenish orb with a faint tail is passing south of  the constellation Orion and is climbing toward the constellation Perseus, which it will reach by month's end. 

This truly amazing photo mosaic of the comet was taken by astrophotographer Gerald Rhemann in Namibia. 

ARCHIVE

November-December 2014

Nov. 22 - New moon

Nov. 24 - thin crescent moon in summer constellation Sagittarius in evening west

Nov. 25 - Saturn and Mercury pair up very low in dawn east

Nov. 28 - Neptune (telescope needed) to east of waxing crescent moon in evening west

Dec. 1 - Uranus (telescope needed) east of waxing gibbous moon all evening

Dec. 5 - Star cluster Pleiades east of waxing gibbous moon all evening

Dec. 9 - Saturn about 3 degrees below thin crescent moon in dawn southeast

Dec. 11 - Jupiter rises about 4 degrees east of waxing gibbous moon in late evening east

Dec. 19 - Saturn below waning crescent moon in dawn southeast

Dec. 24 - Mars east of waxing crescent moon in evening west

Dec. 28 - Uranus 3 degrees east of first-quarter moon all evening

May 2014

May 3-4 - Jupiter above waxing crescent moon in evening west

May 13-14 - Saturn and waxing gibbous moon grow closer throughout night until closing to within a degree in dawn southwest

May 14 - Mars four degrees from waxng gibbous moon in evening

May 16 -28 (Sky and Telescope)  - Mercury’s highest appearance for year in evening west

May 22-24 - A new meteor shower may give a spectacular show - or not.

May 25 - Notable sight: Venus 1.5 degrees from waning crescent moon in dawn east

May 30 - Mercury five degrees from thin crescent moon in low in evening west

March 2014

March 6 - Star cluster Pleiades above waxing crescent moon in evening

March 7 - Bright star Aldebaran about a degree below waxing crescent moon in evening south

March 8 - First-quarter moon

March 9 - Jupiter 7 degrees east of waxing crescent moon in evening southeast

March 16 - Full moon, known as Worm Moon, as Sap, Crust and Crow moon (Farmer’s Almanac)

March 18 - Mars 3 degrees above and east of waning gibbous moon after 9 p.m. in east Vernal equn

March 20 -Vernal equinox! Spring arrives at 1:57 p.m. ADT

March 23 - Last-quarter moon. 

March 27 - Venus 3 degrees below waning crescent moon in dawn southeast

March 28 - Neptune (steady good binoculars or small telescope) four degrees below waning crescent moon in dawn east. Naked eye Mercury below and to the east.

March 29 - Mercury five degrees west of waning crescent moon in dawn east

March 30 - New moon

February 2014

Feb. 8 - Waxing gibbous moon east of orange-giant star Aldebaran in evening southeast

Feb. 10 - Jupiter east of moon in evening east

Feb. 15 - Full moon known as Snow Moon

Feb. 20 - Mars above waning crescent moon beginning in late evening east

Feb 16 to March 2- Look for zodiacal light about 80 minutes after sunset in west (from February Sky and Telescope). This large, very faint pyramid of light is created by sunlight bouncing off dust particles in the solar system

Feb. 21-22 - Waning gibbous moon near Saturn after midnight

Feb. 26 - Venus and waning crescent moon form a lovely pair in dawn southeast

Feb. 27 - Use binoculars to spot planet Mercury below very thin crescent moon in dawn east

January 2014

Jan. 1 - New moon 

Jan. 2 - Venus below waxing crescent moon in evening southwest

Jan. 7 - First-quarter moon

Jan. 14 - Jupiter to left of waxing gibbous moon in evening east

Jan. 16 - Full moon, known as Wolf Moon

Jan. 23 - Mars above waning gibbous moon after midnight east

Jan. 24 - Last-quarter moon

Jan. 25 - Saturn just 1.5  degrees to left of waning crescent moon in dawn south

Jan. 29 - Venus to right of waning crescent moon in dawn southeast

Jan. 30 - New moon

Jan 31 - Mercury to left of very thin waxing crescent moon

December 2013

Dec. 2 - New moon

Dec. 5 - Venus below waxing crescent moon in evening southwest

Dec. 9 - First-quarter moon

Dec. 13/14 - Geminids meteor shower. Peaks after midnight with interference from moon in west.

Dec. 17 - Full moon known as Cold Moon or Long Nights Moon. Moon is highest and stays up longest at this time of  year

Dec. 19 - Jupiter above to the right of waning gibbous moon in dawn west

Dec. 25 -  Mars (rises at 12:30 a.m.) below last quarter moon. Mars will get brighter throughout the winter and spring to equal brightest stars in spring

Dec. 28 - Saturn below and to left of waning crescent moon in dawn east. Bright star Zubenelgenubi (lovely double in telescope) lies between them.

Dec. 28 - Mars within a degree from Virgo star Porrima in dawn south

November 2013

Nov. 3 - New moon; partial solar eclipse at dawn.

Nov. 6 - Venus below waxing crescent moon in evening southwest

Nov. 10 - First-quarter moon

Nov. 11 - Mercury starts to climb into view in dawn east. Visible into late month

Nov. 15 - The big question mark - Comet ISON may become visible in dawn east

Nov. 17 - Full moon known as Frost Moon or Beaver Moon

Nov. 21 - Jupiter (rises at 9 p.m.) just east of gibbous moon in evening

Nov. 26 - Mercury, Saturn within a degree of each other very low in southeast at dawn

Nov. 27 - Mars 4 degrees above waning crescent moon in dawn southeast

Nov. 29 - Bright star Spica below waning crescent moon in dawn southeast

Dec. 1 - Saturn 1 degree above very thin crescent moon in very low in southeast at dawn

October 2013

Oct. 2 - Bright star Regulus above waning crescent moon in dawn east.

Oct. 6 - Mercury just to west of very thin crescent moon low in evening southwest. Saturn a few degrees above moon and much brighter Venus to the left. 

Oct. 7 - Waxing crescent moon between Venus to the west and much dimmer Saturn to the east. Very low in  evening southwest

Oct. 8 - Venus 4 degrees below waxing crescent moon in evening southwest

Oct. 11 - First-quarter moon

Oct. 16 - Venus 1.5 degrees above star Antares very low in southwest

Oct. 18 - Full moon known as Hunters Moon and Dying Grass Moon; penumbral lunar eclipse but not visually detectable, according to SkyNews

Oct. 25 - Jupiter 7 degrees above waning gibbous moon in dawn south

Oct. 26 - Last-quarter moon

Oct. 29 - Mars 6 degrees east of waning crescent moon in dawn southeast

September 2013

Sept. 5 - New moon

Sept. 8 - RARE EVENT. Venus within a degree east of waxing crescent moon after sunset low in southwest. Bright star Spica below to the west.

Sept. 9 - Saturn a few degrees west of waxing crescent moon after sunset in southwest. Bright Venus below and to the west.

Sept. 12 - First-quarter moon

Sept. 16-20 - Saturn and brighter Venus form close pair in early evening southwest

Sept. 19 - Full moon known as Harvest or Corn moon

Sept. 22 - Autumnal equinox 5:44 p.m.

Sept. 25 - Open star cluster Pleiades above waning gibbous moon late evening and after midnight

Sept. 27 - Last-quarter moon

Sept. 28 - Jupiter above waning crescent moon in dawn southeast

Sept. 30 - Mars just to east of waning crescent moon in dawn southeast

August 2013

Aug. 4 - Jupiter above waning crescent moon, Mercury below left, in dawn east

Aug. 6 - New moon

Aug. 9 - Venus above waxing crescent moon

Aug. 12 - Saturn above and left of waxing crescent moon

Aug. 12 - Perseids meteor shower peaks before dawn

Aug. 14 - First-quarter moon

Aug. 20 - Full moon, known as Sturgeon or Red moon

Aug. 27-28- Moon passes below star cluster Pleiades

Aug.28 - Last-quarter moon

Aug. 31 - Jupiter rises to left of waning crescent moon at about 2 a.m.

July 2013

July 6 - Mars 4 degrees above left of waxing crescent moon in dawn east (Jupiter below)

July 8 - New moon

July 10 - Venus 7 degrees above right of waxing crescent moon in evening west

July 15 - First-quarter moon 2 degrees west of star Spica

July 16 - Saturn 3 degrees above waxing gibbous moon in evening south

July 22 - Full moon, known as Buck or Thunder moon

July 21-23  - Jupiter and Mars about 1 degree apart in dawn east

July 29 - Last-quarter moon

The Perseid meteor shower is active from July 13 to Aug 26.  It will peak this year on Aug. 11/12 (best past midnight)

ARCHIVE

June 2013

The days are heating up as the axial tilt of the Earth takes us toward the summer solstice. Summer officially arrives at 2:04 a.m. on June 21 in Nova Scotia. And we can celebrate in the light of the biggest moon of the year a couple of days later. If you live near the coast, keep an eye out for some big tides as the gravitational pull of our lunar companion makes its presence known. 

Three of our other celestial neighbours are closing out their evening show in the west. Jupiter is quickly fading in the sun's glare but Venus and much dimmer Mercury are still doing their celestial dance.  

And Saturn has risen into prime viewing territory high in the south. Its rings have "opened" up to spectacular effect for telescopic observers so make sure to track down this celestial wonder. 

June 1-4 - Mercury (top), Venus and Jupiter lined up in west after sunset. Jupiter will be lost in sun’s glare after this week.  

June 4 - Venus within M35 cluster

June 8 - New moon

June 10 - Crescent moon east of Venus after sunset west. Mercury above Venus.

June 16 - First-quarter moon

June 18-20 - Faint Mercury 2 degrees east of bright Venus after sunset in west-northwest.

June 19 - Saturn above waxing gibbous moon in evening south.

June 21 - Summer solstice 2:04 a.m.

June 23 - Full moon, known as Strawberry Moon. Largest of 2013

June 30 - First-quarter moon

Mars and then Jupiter rise before sunrise at end of month

May 2013

Mark your calendars for a planetary party late this month. 

The two brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter respectively, will celebrate spring in style with the much fainter Mercury.  Beginning May 24 low in the west after sunset. the trio will begin to form a celestial triangle. The conjunction will culminate on May 26 when you'll see a neat isosceles group with each planet separated by only about two degrees.

This is all an optical illusion, of course. The planets are nowhere near each other in space but from our vantage point on Earth, it's a fascinating lesson in perspective.

Look on the other side of the evening sky for a sign that summer is definitely around the corner. The beautiful blue star Vega, a member of the Summer Triangle of Vega, Altair and Deneb, has risen in the northeast by early May. 

Skylights May 2013

May 9 - New moon

May 10/11 - Thin crescent moon pairs up with bright Venus. Binoculars will help on May 10, when an extremely thin crescent will be visible below Venus. 

May 12 - Jupiter 3 degrees west of waxing crescent moon in evening west

May 18 - First-quarter moon

\May 22 - Saturn 5 degrees east of waxing gibbous moon in evening east

May 25 - Full moon known as Flower Moon

May 24 to 27 - RARE EVENT. Mercury, Jupiter and Venus form tight group in evening west. Closest conjunction on May 26 when, clockwise from left, Jupiter, Mercury and Venus. forms neat isosceles triangle.

June 1- Lineup of planets, from top, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter in evening northwest

April 2013

The glittering winter constellations of Orion and Canis Major are sinking in the west as March gives way to April. The planet Jupiter also has brightened the bitter winter nights of 2013. It's still prominent high in the southwest in the evening in the early weeks of April.  But by month's end, this second-brightest planet (after Venus) will be visible for only a couple of hours after sunset in Nova Scotia. 

As the curtain closes on Jupiter, it's rising on Saturn. By early April, the ringed planet can be seen low in the east at about 10 p.m. and will rise about four minutes earlier on successive nights  By month's end, Saturn will rise at about 7:45 p.m.  If you own a telescope, big or small, this mysterious planet is a must-see. A lot of celestial objects disappoint novice observers - not so with Saturn, unless you're expecting to see the resplendent detail of a Hubble portrait. Bigger scopes can tease out the details of the main divisions of the rings but regardless, the eerie sight of this celestial sombrero floating in your eyepiece isn't to be missed. 

If you're interested in celestial sights much farther afield, and are blessed with optics that can take you there, April is a fertile month. Fields and fields of galaxies bloom in the Leo-Virgo region known as the Virgo Cluster. Check out my post Lost Among the Galaxies for my explorations of this fascinating collection of "star cities," to use astronomer Terence Dickinson's term. 

Highlights of the April 2013 night sky: 

April 3- Last-quarter moon

April 10 - New moon

April 13 - Crescent moon near star cluster Pleaides

April 14 - Jupiter 2 degrees east of crescent moon in evening west

April 18 - First-quarter moon

April 25 - Full moon, known as Pink Moon or Sprouting Grass moon

April 25 - Saturn three degrees east of full moon in evening east

April 26 - Saturn four degrees above just-past full moon after midnight southeast

May 2 - Last-quarter moon

MARCH 2013

A small and faint comet has added a little brightness to the western evening sky in recent weeks. Comet Pan-STARRS has been spot by many observers in Nova Scotia and across eastern North America. It was thought this comet, which was making its first appearance in a journey from the Oort Cloud, may have brightened into a spectacular object. But Pan-STARRS kept a low profile, even though many photographers captured some lovely portraits, including this one by Canadian astrophotogpher Alan Dyer.

My own contribution to the record is infinitely more modest. I wasn't able to spot the comet visually but one of the photos I snapped did capture the comet. Look hard in the top right corner.  

Other highlights of the March 2013 night sky: 

March 2 - Saturn left of waning gibbous moon after midnight in east

March 4 - Last-quarter moon

March 10 - Planet Mercury very low in east sunrise below thin waning crescent moon. Mercury edges higher in sky throughout month

March 11 - New moon

March 12-14- Comet Pan-STARRS may be naked-eye sight near crescent moon in evening west

March 17 - Jupiter two degrees above waxing crescent moon in evening southwest

March 19 - First-quarter moon

March 20 - Vernal equinox, 8:02 a.m.

March 30 - Jupiter five degrees above waning gibbous moon

March 26 - Full moon, known as Worm Moon or Spawning Moon (Mi’kmaq