Objects in your sky: Planets
by Dominic Ford
|
The Moon is a 26-day-old waning crescent, and is approaching new moon. From South El Monte, it is visible in the dawn sky, rising at 02:15 (PDT) – 3 hours and 59 minutes before the Sun – and reaching an altitude of 40° above the eastern horizon before fading from view as dawn breaks at around 05:58.
|
|
Mercury is emerging into the morning sky as it approaches greatest elongation west. From South El Monte, it is visible in the dawn sky, rising at 04:45 (PDT) – 1 hour and 29 minutes before the Sun – and reaching an altitude of 11° above the eastern horizon before fading from view as dawn breaks at around 05:49.
|
|
Venus remains just about visible as a morning object, now well past greatest elongation west and returning closer to the Sun. From South El Monte, it is visible in the dawn sky, rising at 03:30 (PDT) – 2 hours and 44 minutes before the Sun – and reaching an altitude of 28° above the eastern horizon before fading from view as dawn breaks at around 05:58.
|
|
Mars will soon pass behind the Sun at solar conjunction. From South El Monte, it is not observable – it will reach its highest point in the sky during daytime and is no higher than 12° above the horizon at dusk.
|
|
Jupiter recently passed behind the Sun at solar conjunction. From South El Monte, however, it is visible in the dawn sky, rising at 02:56 (PDT) – 3 hours and 18 minutes before the Sun – and reaching an altitude of 35° above the eastern horizon before fading from view as dawn breaks at around 05:58.
|
|
Saturn is currently approaching opposition and is visible as a morning object. From South El Monte, it is visible in the morning sky, becoming accessible around 22:05, when it reaches an altitude of 11° above your eastern horizon. It will then reach its highest point in the sky at 03:05, 53° above your southern horizon. It will be lost to dawn twilight around 05:41, 38° above your south-western horizon.
|
|
Uranus is currently emerging from behind the Sun. From South El Monte, it is visible in the dawn sky, rising at 23:54 (PDT) and reaching an altitude of 63° above the south-eastern horizon before fading from view as dawn breaks at around 05:11.
|
|
Neptune is currently approaching opposition and is visible as a morning object. From South El Monte, it is visible in the morning sky, becoming accessible around 22:56, when it reaches an altitude of 21° above your eastern horizon. It will then reach its highest point in the sky at 03:07, 55° above your southern horizon. It will be lost to dawn twilight around 05:11, 44° above your south-western horizon.
|
Share