Space Weather

[Jherrith]

BRIGHT MOON-SATURN CONJUNCTION: Tonight, Saturn is "at opposition"--bigger, brighter, and closer to Earth than at any other time in 2018. To find the ringed planet, look south at midnight. You'll see it shining like a golden star right beside the full "Strawberry Moon" in the constellation Sagittarius. This is also the best night of the year to see Saturn's rings.

THE BEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR TO SEE SATURN'S RINGS: Tonight, Saturn is "at opposition"--bigger, brighter and closer to Earth than at any other time in 2018. To find the ringed planet, look due south at midnight. You'll see it shining like a golden star right beside the full Strawberry Moon in the constellation Sagittarius. [sky map]

This is also the best night of the year to see Saturn's rings. Even a small telescope will show them. Christopher Go sends this picture taken last night from Cebu City in the Philippines:





"Saturn's rings are surging in brightness," he reports. "This is because of the Seeliger Effect."

Named after the German astronomer Hugo van Seeliger who first described it in the 19th century, the Seeliger Effect happens when sunlit objects hide their own shadows. At opposition, the icy particles in Saturn's rings do this, causing the whole ring system to brighten. A process called coherent backscattering may also contribute to the extra luminosity.

Remarkably, Saturn is not the brightest planet out tonight. Look to the left and right of the conjunction. Jupiter and Mars are there, too.

[sidherose]

Unfortunately, we have a lot of clouds tonight. Maybe it will clear up in a few hours toward midnight.

[thelufias]

Asteroid Day Is TOMORROW...

[Jherrith]

MOON-MARS CONJUNCTION: Tonight, around midnight, step outside and look southeast. The waning gibbous Moon is passing by Mars, forming a bright conjunction in the constellation Capricornus. Note the color of Mars. It is the pale orange hue of a great dust storm now encircling the "Red" Planet.

[sidherose]

We've got a fire burning directly west of Denver, and one to the south. The clouds last night were orange with the smoke and the moon coming up was pretty creepy coming up through them - barely visible and blood red.

I'm sure they'll be that way again tonight, but perhaps by midnight there will be a clearing.

[thelufias]

I saw the fires this morning on the weather channel.   Earths overall temp was 1.44 degrees about average for the month of May...Making it one of the warmest Mays on record. 

Nope....No global warming at all.   

[sidherose]

I swear, some people live on another world and commute here in black tubes of Oblivion, that don't see or understand this is happening. How can they not?

[thelufias]

Well, the next time floods occur and DON'T drain out of Texas or Florida because of the oceans rising....they'll get the hint....maybe....

[Aelin]

MOON-MARS CONJUNCTION: Tonight, around midnight, step outside and look southeast. The waning gibbous Moon is passing by Mars, forming a bright conjunction in the constellation Capricornus. Note the color of Mars. It is the pale orange hue of a great dust storm now encircling the "Red" Planet.

Ah that's why not as red as usual.

I didn't take care of the conjunction with Saturn, but hey, no equipment in town with lights to look it correctly

I hope fires will stop qiuckly in your state Ray.
Weirdly we haven't fires here, but after sunset, when Moon comes, she starts being red. Later, toward 11PM/Midnight, she is with her normal coloration.

[sidherose]

Well, the next time floods occur and DON'T drain out of Texas or Florida because of the oceans rising....they'll get the hint....maybe....

That'll take too long to evince before they actually get the picture, imo.