OCTOBER 7, 1996: Earthshine
- In the predawn morning sky about 5:30 a.m., watch the waning
crescent moon pass Mars on the 7th and approach Venus on the 8th. By the 9th and 10th,
a very thin crescent moon is below Venus. By looking at the moon with averted vision,
it may be possible to see the entire lunar disk silhouetted against a darker sky.
Light reflected from earth reflects again off the moon to create earthshine. The
bright crescent is still sunlight reflected directly to earth. By Friday, October
11th, only Venus and Mars remain.
OCTOBER 14, 1996: See Comet Hale-Bopp
- On Monday, October 14th, about 8 p.m., look for Comet
Hale-Bopp by first spotting Jupiter low in the southwest. Using your fist at armís
length, move about two fists to the right and one fist higher. Scan with binoculars
for a faint, fuzzy looking object with a small tail. Thatís Hale-Bopp. By Wednesday at 8 p.m.,
the moon produces an isosceles triangle with the comet and Jupiter. The comet is about
one fist above the moon and forms the short side of the triangle. Be patient, H-B is
not an easy target, but it is visible to the careful observer. By Friday, a
nearly first quarter moon can be found above Jupiter.
OCTOBER 21, 1996: Orionid Meteors Fly
- Check for Orionid meteors after 2 a.m. on the morning of
the 22nd. Look southeast to south for Orion, the Hunter; its three belt stars are
bright, equally distant, and in a straight line. Any shooting star radiating from
above and to the left of the belt region of Orion this week will probably be an
Orionid meteor. Expect rates on the 22nd of 10 or more meteors per hour in the
suburbs. Increasing moonlight continues to ravage the sky, but cannot dampen beautiful
Saturn which is passed by the moon between the 23rd and 24th. The full "Huntersí Moon"
occurs on the 26th.
OCTOBER 28, 1996: Mars Close to Regulus
- Look east about 5 a.m., across a moonlit landscape to see
brilliant Venus low to the horizon. Above Venus will be Mars. As the week begins, Mars
will be positioned very close to Regulus, the brightest star of Leo, the Lion. Is Mars
above or below Regulus? Both objects will be about the same brightness. Here are some
hints. Stars twinkle; planets donít. The color of Mars should be warmer than the hue
of Regulus. Use binoculars if possible and watch over several mornings. Mars will be
doing the moving. Answer, in next weekís StarWatch.