Whitby & District Astronomical Society

Although Saturn will be visible until almost the end of the month, through a telescope the view will be rather compromised due to the very low altitude.  However before it does depart Saturn has one last hurrah, passing above elusive Mercury, which hugs the horizon for its apparition from the 20^th onwards.  You will definitely require a clear unobstructed SW horizon to spot them, view approximately 30 minutes after sunset.  The 27^th may be the best date.

At Magnitude +5.65 Uranus will be visible in a pair of binoculars, however to make out the very small grey/green disk a telescope will be required.  The planet can be found in the ESE toward the bottom of the ‘V’ asterism in Pisces, not far above the star Torcularis Septentrionalis.  However the best way to locate it will be by using Sheratan and Mesarthim in Aries (the crooked leg of the ram) and sighting down five times the distance between them, and then up one.  Hopefully you should spot ‘Herschel’s planet’.  The Moon passes through the bottom of the ‘V’ on the 2^nd and 3^rd – below Uranus.

All the action occurs in the early morning sky – with Venus, Mars and then Jupiter all visible.  Brilliant Venus is unmistakeable, but is dropping back toward the east horizon, meeting Jupiter emerging into the dawn sky as it does so.  On the 13^th the two worlds are involved in an extremely close conjunction, when they are separated by just a quarter of a degree!  Both will easily fit in the same low power eyepiece of any telescope, so it will be a fantastic sight, but the low altitude and brightening dawn will mean a clear ESE horizon and good timing is required.  View around 06:30h.  Venus departs the dawn sky before the end of November.

Morning

All the action occurs in the early morning sky – with Venus, Mars and then Jupiter all visible.  Brilliant Venus is unmistakeable, but is dropping back toward the east horizon, meeting Jupiter emerging into the dawn sky as it does so.  On the 13^th the two worlds are involved in an extremely close conjunction, when they are separated by just a quarter of a degree!  Both will easily fit in the same low power eyepiece of any telescope, so it will be a fantastic sight, but the low altitude and brightening dawn will mean a clear ESE horizon and good timing is required.  View around 06:30h.  Venus departs the dawn sky before the end of November.

Ruddy Mars lies upper right of Jupiter and Venus, below the ‘bowl’ of Virgo.  The red planet slowly glides downwards passing above Spica –chief star in Virgo, residing above on the 24^th.  The waning crescent lies off to the left on the 15^th, joining Venus/Jupiter on the 16^th and 17^th.