views from the croft

Below you will find Ian Brantingham's guide to what you can expect to see in the night sky this month. If you would like further information regarding what you can see in the night sky this month, either email Ian Brantingham or come along to Sigma's next meeting (further information on Events page). Here is a useful lunar calendar for your reference.

Visit the Handy Angles page to ease your navigation around the night sky!!

May 2008

The lengthening of the daytime is now slowing, but because the ecliptic is now at a shallow angle, true darkness does not arrive until well after 10pm. Also the Moon & the planets never stray far from the horizon.

In the north west we have Gemini, with the planet Mars. This is your last chance to catch it before it disappears behind the Sun. Next, Cancer is in the west with the famous Beehive cluster. Looking southwest we see Leo, and right next to Regulus(Leo's brightest star) is the planet Saturn. Leo is one of the few constellations that looks like its name. Virgo is almost due south, and in the southeast we have Libra and the top part of Scorpio.

Directly overhead is the Plough (Ursa Major). Follow the pointers past Draco’s tail to the tip of the little bears tail (Ursa Minor), which is Polaris (the pole star). Follow the handle down to Arcturus, the brightest star in Bootes (the herdsman) and then follow it on to Spica, the brightest star in Virgo. In between Leo, Virgo & Bootes is Coma Berenices, a constellation that is full of deep sky objects.

Next to Bootes is Corona Borealis, a gentle curve of stars that look like a coronet.

Heading east, we find Hercules, and between him and the northeast horizon, the whole of the Summer Triangle, consisting of Deneb in Cygnus and Vega in the Lyra and Altair in Aquila are now visible.

The W of Cassiopeia is in the north with part of Andromeda just visible below it. In the northwest is Perseus and then Auriga with its bright star Capella showing well.

There is one planet that you might catch, but it will be early evening and close to the north western horizon when you will see Mercury chasing the Sun. The best chance is on the 14th when it is 22dg from the sun.

The Moon is new on the 5th and full on the 20th.

There is 1 meteor showers this month. The eta Aquarids peak on the evening of the 5th and are distinguished by very long spectacular trails.

The aurora has been very inactive recently, and with the lack of a dark horizon, will be very difficult to spot, however, Noctilucent Clouds will start to grace the evening sky soon, so keep looking north.

The ISS will be a morning object from the 10th

Noctilucent Clouds will start to grace the evening sky soon,

For ISS times visit www.heavens-above.com

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