LOOK UP! See FIVE Planets!

How very frustrating that it is so cloudy that we can't see this totally kool event--FIVE PLANETS IN THE SKY AT ONCE! Well, just in case, 45 minutes before sunrise is roughly 6:30am as sunrise is about 7:15am this week and next. Here in Delavan, Wisconsin it looks like there may be a break in the weather on Friday morning. Happy viewing!

Sky and Telescope Diagram

Here's the view 45 minutes before sunrise as plotted for February 1st, about when Mercury should be easiest to spot. Major constellations are also shown. For several days the waning Moon is marching eastward among the assembled planets.

More Information at Sky and Telescope's Week at a Glance

House In The Wood

a program of Northwestern Settlement

LOOK UP! Kool sky event.

SEE THIS SKY EVENT EVEN IN CHICAGO.

Venus, the thin crescent Moon, and a little Mars form a tight bunch in the west-southwest during and after dusk as shown below. On February 20, they fit in a circle just 2 degrees across at the times of dusk with the Moon below. On February 21, they fit in a circle just 4 degrees across with the moon above at the time of dusk just like the picture below.

See more at Sky and Telescope Week at a Glance

House In The Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement, Chicago, IL

Too Cloudy to View the Sky...So Sad

I am so very bummed out! It is too cloudy to see the sky--no lyrid meteor shower, no Saturn, no Mars. I was all set to stay up late to see the meteors. I even got my scope out to see Saturn's rings. Maybe tomorrow!

More information about House In The Wood at www.houseinthewood.org.

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Shooting Stars in April

Map of the Lyrid Meteor Shower

The week ahead will be GREAT for looking up in the sky in late night or early morning.

The annual Lyrid Meteor Shower, also known as shooting stars, will peak on April 21 but you can still see the "meteoroids" lighting up the sky days before and days after the peak day. Meteoroids are debris from the Comet Thatcher entering our earth's atmosphere and burning up. Best viewing is away from the lights of the city. See below for more viewing tips.

The planet Saturn will also be up in the sky and so will the planet Mars. If you have a telescope (even a cheap one), point it at Saturn and you will probably be able to see the rings.

My favorite website for sky information.
My favorite FREE Sky Maps so you know what you are looking at that month.

How can I best view a meteor shower?

If you live near a brightly lit city, drive away from the glow of city lights and toward the constellation from which the meteors will appear to radiate.

For example, drive northeast to view the Lyrids. Driving south may lead you to darker skies, but the glow will dominate the northeastern horizon, where Lyra rises. Perseid meteors (August 13) will appear to "rain" into the atmosphere from the constellation Perseus, which rises in the northeast around 11 p.m. in mid-August.

After you've escaped the city glow, find a dark, secluded spot where oncoming car headlights will not periodically ruin your sensitive night vision. Look for state or city parks or other safe, dark sites.
Once you have settled at your observing spot, lie back or position yourself so the horizon appears at the edge of your peripheral vision, with the stars and sky filling your field of view. Meteors will instantly grab your attention as they streak by.

More information on the Lyrid Meteor Shower here!

A video about the Lyrid Meteor Shower, Saturn and Mars from NASA.

More information about House In The Wood at www.houseinthewood.org.

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