January 2010 Planetary Positions
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Venus
Venus was the Morning and Evening Star of ancient civilizations such as those of the Greeks, Romans, and
Sumerians. The planet outshines every other body in the sky, except the Sun andthe Moon, and sometimes it's
even bright enough to cast faint shadows. No wonder that its brillian gleaming in the twilight skies inspired the
Romans to name it Venus, for their goddess of love and beauty.
Venus was the Morning and Evening Star of ancient civilizations such as those of the Greeks, Romans, and
Sumerians. The planet outshines every other body in the sky, except the Sun andthe Moon, and sometimes it's
even bright enough to cast faint shadows. No wonder that its brillian gleaming in the twilight skies inspired the
Romans to name it Venus, for their goddess of love and beauty.
Jupiter
The largest planet in our solar system is a commanding presence in the night sky for much of the year. It looks like an intensely bright cream
colored star, shining brighter than anything else in the night sky except the Moon and Venus.
The King of Planets has dominated the sky for the past 8 months, but it’s sinking into the western sky at sunset. Though it’s by no means
primed for telescopic viewing, the planet makes lovely conjunctions with the crescent moon and Venus in mid month.
The largest planet in our solar system is a commanding presence in the night sky for much of the year. It looks like an intensely bright cream
colored star, shining brighter than anything else in the night sky except the Moon and Venus.
The King of Planets has dominated the sky for the past 8 months, but it’s sinking into the western sky at sunset. Though it’s by no means
primed for telescopic viewing, the planet makes lovely conjunctions with the crescent moon and Venus in mid month.
Saturn
Saturn rises earlier each night… about 8:30 p.m. local time by mid month. It’s finally high enough to see at a decent hour, certainly before
midnight if you have a clear view of eastern Libra. The rings are close to edge-on; the disk is a respectable 19″ across… larger than Mars.
Saturn is currently in "retrograde motion in Libra until April 8, 2010 when it will reenter Virgo into retrograde motion until May 30 when it turns
direct. Saturn will move back into the constellation of Libra on July 22 where it will remain until October 6, 2010.
Saturn rises earlier each night… about 8:30 p.m. local time by mid month. It’s finally high enough to see at a decent hour, certainly before
midnight if you have a clear view of eastern Libra. The rings are close to edge-on; the disk is a respectable 19″ across… larger than Mars.
Saturn is currently in "retrograde motion in Libra until April 8, 2010 when it will reenter Virgo into retrograde motion until May 30 when it turns
direct. Saturn will move back into the constellation of Libra on July 22 where it will remain until October 6, 2010.
Uranus
Uranus begins the year of 2010 in the constellation of Pisces. Although it's the third-largest planet in the solar system, it's so far from the Sun
that you need binoculars to see it. Uranus sinks low in the sky at sunset
Uranus begins the year of 2010 in the constellation of Pisces. Although it's the third-largest planet in the solar system, it's so far from the Sun
that you need binoculars to see it. Uranus sinks low in the sky at sunset
Neptune
The fourth-largest planet in the solar system is so far away that you need a telescope to find it .Neptune is lost in the sun’s glare.
Neptune is in Aquarius
The fourth-largest planet in the solar system is so far away that you need a telescope to find it .Neptune is lost in the sun’s glare.
Neptune is in Aquarius
Pluto
The solar system's smallest and most distant planet is never visible without the aid of a good-sized telescope. Our erstwhile planet resides
in Capricorn this year. It is a daytime object for the northern hemisphere until February when it rises several hours before dawn. Due to its
location it may be a difficult to see until late June when it is at opposition.
The solar system's smallest and most distant planet is never visible without the aid of a good-sized telescope. Our erstwhile planet resides
in Capricorn this year. It is a daytime object for the northern hemisphere until February when it rises several hours before dawn. Due to its
location it may be a difficult to see until late June when it is at opposition.
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Mercury
The solar system's smallest planet, which is named for the Roman messenger god,who flew from Olympus on
winged heels. Still visible about 7 degrees above the eastern horizon at sunrise. Binoculars give you a better view.
The planet moves back towards the sun and brightens over the month. Best view is from the southern hemisphere.
The solar system's smallest planet, which is named for the Roman messenger god,who flew from Olympus on
winged heels. Still visible about 7 degrees above the eastern horizon at sunrise. Binoculars give you a better view.
The planet moves back towards the sun and brightens over the month. Best view is from the southern hemisphere.
Mars
Though it will fade somewhat over the month, Mars is still a dominant presence in the eastern sky in the constellation
Leo. The faster-moving Earth is now passing by Mars, which causes the planet to appear to move westward in the
sky rather than the normal eastward direction. This “retrograde” motion comes to an end on March 11. For the best
chance at seeing surface features, observe the planet with a telescope when it’s high in the sky. Mars lies just 3
degrees north of M44 in Leo on Feb. 4
Though it will fade somewhat over the month, Mars is still a dominant presence in the eastern sky in the constellation
Leo. The faster-moving Earth is now passing by Mars, which causes the planet to appear to move westward in the
sky rather than the normal eastward direction. This “retrograde” motion comes to an end on March 11. For the best
chance at seeing surface features, observe the planet with a telescope when it’s high in the sky. Mars lies just 3
degrees north of M44 in Leo on Feb. 4
Venus, the dazzling morning or evening star, outshines all the other stars and planets in the night sky. moves a little higher above the
western horizon each night. It’s too close to the sun early this month to see with the unaided eye. But by mid-month, it begins to move
higher than the fast-sinking Jupiter. As the planets pass, they make a striking pair beside the thin crescent moon. Scan the skies just
after sunset on Feb. 14-16 for the best view. Binoculars will help.
western horizon each night. It’s too close to the sun early this month to see with the unaided eye. But by mid-month, it begins to move
higher than the fast-sinking Jupiter. As the planets pass, they make a striking pair beside the thin crescent moon. Scan the skies just
after sunset on Feb. 14-16 for the best view. Binoculars will help.
Copyright 1989 -2010 by Veronica G. Hartman and
Awareness through Astrology (All rights Reserved)
Website designed by Veronica G. Hartman
Astronomy Picture of The Day
Awareness through Astrology (All rights Reserved)
Website designed by Veronica G. Hartman
Astronomy Picture of The Day
Celestial Events
There are no major meteor showers this month, and no comets within reach of small scopes. But there are some events worth checking out…
The Zodiacal light is most evident from Feb. 1-15. Look for this eerie glow about an 90 minutes after sunset. It looks like a white pyramid of light extending along the
zodiac. Dark sky is required to see this.
On Feb. 24, the bright star Wasat in Gemini is occulted by a gibbous Moon.
And the bright asteroid Vesta puts on a show in Leo. Vesta shines at magnitude 6, so it’s not easily visible with the unaided eye. A pair of binoculars or a small
scope will show it clearly. Feb. 16-17 offer you the best chance to easily find this minor planet, as Vesta passes through the tiny space between the bright stars
Algieba (gamma Leonis) and 40 Leonis just below. You may see the asteroid move with respect to these stars over the course of a few hours. Well worth a look. A
map showing the path of the asteroid Vesta across the constellation Leo in early 2010 (from Sky and Telescope).
Vesta was the 4th asteroid discovered. Olbers first spotted it in 1807. It’s about 500 km across, which ties it with Pallas for second place behind the largest
asteroid, Ceres.
There are no major meteor showers this month, and no comets within reach of small scopes. But there are some events worth checking out…
The Zodiacal light is most evident from Feb. 1-15. Look for this eerie glow about an 90 minutes after sunset. It looks like a white pyramid of light extending along the
zodiac. Dark sky is required to see this.
On Feb. 24, the bright star Wasat in Gemini is occulted by a gibbous Moon.
And the bright asteroid Vesta puts on a show in Leo. Vesta shines at magnitude 6, so it’s not easily visible with the unaided eye. A pair of binoculars or a small
scope will show it clearly. Feb. 16-17 offer you the best chance to easily find this minor planet, as Vesta passes through the tiny space between the bright stars
Algieba (gamma Leonis) and 40 Leonis just below. You may see the asteroid move with respect to these stars over the course of a few hours. Well worth a look. A
map showing the path of the asteroid Vesta across the constellation Leo in early 2010 (from Sky and Telescope).
Vesta was the 4th asteroid discovered. Olbers first spotted it in 1807. It’s about 500 km across, which ties it with Pallas for second place behind the largest
asteroid, Ceres.