Jupiter and the Moon

Images created in Starry Night Software, copyright IMAGINOVA

Sunday March 11th and Monday March 12th, early risers have the opportunity to see our closest neighbour, the Moon as it approaches and passes Jupiter in the early morning sky, just before sunrise.  The moon slowly moves to the left in our sky and its position is noticeably different each day.  In relation to this movement you will see the Moon transform from one phase to the next.  Currently, it's close to "last quarter" and in about a week will disappear as it is lost in sunlight.  Take a look at the sky map for Sunday and then Monday.

Sunday's map shows the moon just a little below and to the left of Antares, the red supergiant star in the constellation Scorpius -yes it's a scorpion.

Jupiter is visible about a hand span to the left and a little bit up from the Moon's position.

One day later, you can see that the Moon has changed its position, now in the lower left of our sky map.  The moon has moved closer to the sun's position in the sky.  In a couple more days it will be rising as a sliver in the daylight, all but impossible to find until after it moves past the sun.  Once past the sun you can start to see it as a sliver setting in the western sky as our lunar cycle starts anew.

Comments

[Gil Tennant]

For another planet/moon treat, go outside on the night of March 28th and watch Saturn nearly touch the bright moon. It should look particularly close in binoculars around midnight as it'll be within 1.2 degrees of the moon!

Gil