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Mars emerges in the morning sky mid-month

Saskatchewan Skies
James Edgar

The moon begins the month in gibbous phase, nearing full. Even though the planet is a tough one to image, viewers might like to try seeing Neptune only half a degree away from the full moon on Sept. 5. This near graze is an occultation in the extreme south of South America and Antarctica. On the 12th, Aldebaran is occulted by the moon in the Western Hemisphere from Hawaii to the Azores. The 13th marks the moon’s closest to Earth, perigee of 369,860 km. By the 17th and 18th, a rapid-fire group of occultations give observers a treat, Venus is half a degree above our satellite on the 17th, an occultation in Southeast Asia; a few hours later, Regulus is occulted in Africa and the Middle east; Mars is occulted on the 18th at 20:00 UT for Hawaiians and NW South Americans; finally, Mars is covered for easternmost Asia and Polynesia that evening. The first two are morning events, so rise early to get the best view. On the 22nd, Jupiter is 4 degrees below the moon; and Saturn is 3 degrees south on the 26th. The moon is at apogee that day at 404,348 km.

Mercury in the morning sky is the best apparition for the year, joining Regulus on the 10th, Mars on the 16th, and the moon on the 18th (see above).

Venus is bright in the early eastern morning sky, with a particularly close conjunction with the moon on the 17th, and just as close to Regulus on the 19th.

Mars spent a few weeks behind the sun, and emerges in the morning sky by mid-month. Mercury and Mars are within a half degree of each other on the 16th, and Mars is one of the players in the occultation series mentioned above for Sept. 18.

Jupiter is rapidly closing in on the sun in the early evening sky. Watch for a conjunction with Spica on the 5th. By the 20th, the gas giant will be too close to the sun for easy observation.

Saturn sets before midnight in the western sky. The slender moon passes by on the 26th.

Uranus rises in the east about mid-evening in the constellation Pisces, The Fish.

Neptune is visible all through the night in Aquarius. It is occulted by the moon on the 6th, but this is an exceedingly difficult observation, as the bright moon overpowers the distant, dim planet.

James Edgar has had an interest in the night sky all his life. He joined The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in 2000 and is now the Editor of the renowned Observer’s Handbook and Production Manager of the bi-monthly RASC Journal. The IAU named asteroid 1995 XC5 “(22421) Jamesedgar” in his honour.