Sky Chart For The Month of March, 2013 [INDIA SPECIFIC]

ASTRONOMICAL BULLETIN FOR MARCH 2013

Upcoming Space Events in March 2013

March 11 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 19:51 UTC.

March 20 - March Equinox. The March equinox occurs at 11:02 UTC. The Sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world. This is also the first day of spring (vernal equinox) in the northern hemisphere and the first day of fall (autumnal equinox) in the southern hemisphere.

What's Up for March 2013

The first of this year's two potential bright comets is visible for those who can see low on the western horizon and find out which spacecraft is on a 10-year mission to catch up with another comet.

Skywatchers Can See Planets, Star Clusters This March | Video

This March, the Gemini and Cancer constellations will dominate the nights sky, while the planets Jupiter and Saturn will be visibile through telescopes.
Credit: HubbleSite

Upcoming Space Events in February 2012

February 10 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 07:20 UTC.

February 25 - Full Moon. The Moon will be directly opposite the Earth from the Sun and will be fully illuminated as seen from Earth. This phase occurs at 20:26 UTC.

Sky Chart For The Month of February, 2013 [INDIA SPECIFIC]

See Jupiter and Moon Close Together Monday

Stargazers looking up as darkness falls on Monday (Jan. 21) will notice an eye catching pairing-off between two of the brightest objects in the nighttime sky, weather permitting. 

Upcoming Space Events in Year 2013

January 3, 4 - Quadrantids Meteor Shower. The Quadrantids are an above average shower, with up to 40 meteors per hour at their peak. The shower usually peaks on January 3 & 4, but some meteors can be visible from January 1 - 5. The near last quarter moon will hide many of the fainter meteors with its glare. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Look for meteors radiating from the constellation Bootes.

January 11 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 19:44 UTC.

January 27 - Full Moon. The Moon will be directly opposite the Earth from the Sun and will be fully illuminated as seen from Earth. This phase occurs at 04:38 UTC.

Sky Chart For The Month of January, 2013 [INDIA SPECIFIC]

ASTRONOMICAL BULLETIN FOR JANUARY 2013

Moon, Planet and Star Meet in Night Sky This Weekend

On three consecutive mornings, starting Sunday (Dec. 9), the moon will perform a bit of "celestial hopscotch" and pass near three bright celestial bodies: a bright star and two planets.  Here we'll talk briefly about the first two encounters early on Sunday and Monday (Dec. 10) mornings.

Jupiter Shines at Its Best Tonight

On the evening of Sunday December 2, Jupiter will be in opposition to the sun, well placed for observation all night long, surrounded by the brilliant stars of winter. 
CREDIT: Starry Night Software . SPACE.com

Sky Chart For The Month of December, 2012 [INDIA SPECIFIC]

ASTRONOMICAL BULLETIN FOR DECEMBER 2012

Upcoming Space Events in December 2012

December 3: Jupiter at Opposition

The giant planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. This is the best time to view and photograph Jupiter and its moons.

December 13: New Moon

The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth.

December 13, 14: Geminids Meteor Shower

Considered by many to be the best meteor shower in the heavens, the Geminids are known for producing up to 60 multicolored meteors per hour at their peak. The peak of the shower usually occurs around December 13 & 14, although some meteors should be visible from December 6 - 19. The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation Gemini. This year the new moon will guarantee a dark sky for what should be an awesome show. Best viewing is usually to the east after midnight from a dark location.

December 21: December Solstice

The December solstice occurs at 11:12 UTC. The South Pole of the earth will be tilted toward the Sun, which will have reached its southernmost position in the sky and will be directly over the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.44 degrees south latitude. This is the first day of winter (winter solstice) in the northern hemisphere and the first day of summer (summer solstice) in the southern hemisphere.

December 28: Full Moon

The Moon will be directly opposite the Earth from the Sun and will be fully illuminated as seen from Earth.

Transit of Venus visible only from the planet Saturn

On December 21, the planet Venus will appear to cross the face of the Sun, as seen from the planet Saturn. 
CREDIT: Starry Night Software

On Dec. 21, there will be a transit of Venus visible only from the planet Saturn. Like the transit of Venus visible from Earth earlier this year, the planet Venus will appear to cross the face of he sun, but you would have to be near Saturn to see it. This is another three-object alignment: sun, Venus, and Saturn.

Leonid Meteor Shower of 2012 (Sky Maps)

This sky map for the Leonid meteor shower of 2012 shows the location of the radiant (center) before dawn on Saturday, Nov. 17 - the peak viewing time.

CREDIT: StarDate.org ; SPACE.com

Upcoming Space Events in November 2012

November 13: New Moon

The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth.

November 13: Total Solar Eclipse

The path of totality will only be visible in parts of extreme northern Australia and the southern Pacific Ocean. A partial eclipse will be visible in most parts of eastern Australia and New Zealand.

Sky Chart For The Month of November, 2012 [INDIA SPECIFIC]

ASTRONOMICAL BULLETIN FOR NOVEMBER 2012

The Moon

Last Quarter occurs on 07th at h. 06-06 I.S.T.	New Moon occurs on 14th at h. 03-38 I.S.T.
First Quarter occurs on 20th at h. 20-01 I.S.T.	Full Moon occurs on 28th at h. 20-16 I.S.T.

Mercury at Its Best Now for Southern Stargazers

The sky at sunset as seen from the Southern Hemisphere, in this case Melbourne Australia. Mercury is at its best this week, joining Mars, Antares, and Alpha and Beta Centauri.

CREDIT: Starry Night Software

The planet Mercury is one of the brightest objects in the sky, but the elusive rocky world is always a challenge to observe, though it is a prime target for planet-seeking observers in the Southern Hemisphere.

Because Mercury orbits close to our sun, it never strays far from the sun's bright glow. Even when it is farthest from the sun, as it is this week, Mercury's position in the sky often makes it difficult to see.

Calender for Autumn's Night Sky

Clear, dark autumn evenings are the perfect time to begin your first explorations of deep-sky objects.

But what exactly is a "deep-sky object"? Astronomers use this term to describe objects located beyond the familiar nearby stars: distant clusters of stars, nebulas (clouds of dust and gas), and galaxies.

Upcoming Space Events in October 2012

October 20: Astronomy Day Part 2

Astronomy Day is an annual event intended to provide a means of interaction between the general public and various astronomy enthusiasts, groups and professionals. The theme of Astronomy Day is "Bringing Astronomy to the People," and on this day astronomy and stargazing clubs and other organizations around the world will plan special events. You can find out about special local events by contacting your local astronomy club or planetarium.

October 15: New Moon

The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth.

October 21, 22: Orionids Meteor Shower

The Orionids is an average shower producing about 20 meteors per hour at their peak. This shower usually peaks on the 21st, but it is highly irregular. A good show could be experienced on any morning from October 20 - 24, and some meteors may be seen any time from October 17 - 25. The first quarter moon will set by midnight, leaving a dark sky for what should be a good show. Best viewing will be to the east after midnight. Be sure to find a dark location far from city lights.

October 29: Full Moon

The Moon will be directly opposite the Earth from the Sun and will be fully illuminated as seen from Earth.