A Week Of Cosmic Doings

Something I never thought to post, since its occurrence is so rare ... the "Aurigid" meteors, first born in about 82 B.C. from comet Keiss.  The comet orbits about every 2,000 years.  Aurigids are so brief, dim and rare and close to impossible to predict - at least up till now. 

Our Perseids were a wondrous sight, for those who got to watch them zoom straight down into your lens.  But Aurigids are not dependable, so I didn't bother to post about them.  Unpredictably, they made a showing in the Northwest on Saturday.  A brief shower.  Their name comes from the constellation Auriga, not far from Capella.  Enough about what I missed.  Here's a brief encapsulation of what to expect this week above our heads:

Tuesday 9/4:  Just as our Luna did, one of Jupiter's moons, tiny battered "Io", has made it's own eclipse and will reappear from out of the planet's shadow (penumbra stage) around 10 P.M. EDT.  Binocs a must.

Wednesday, 9/5:  This is a treat for anyone mezmerized by very bright stars, like our sun.  "Chi Cygni" is one of the brightest, about to reach its maximum light.  Look for it anytime after dusk in the shaft area of the Northern Cross. 

Thursday, 9/6:  I've been trained mostly on Cassopeia during August, now becoming much higher in the northeast anytime after 9 p.m. EDT.  She'll be shaped like a "W" on its side.  Looking down and to the left, you'll see Capella, very brightly edging the horizon around 10 P.M. EDT, a double treat for scopers.

Friday, 9/7:  If you're up at dawn, watch for the waning crescent Moon to the upper left of bright Venus.  Binocs needed for this, but to the naked eye, Regulus will be so close to Saturn as to appear to be one great light. 

Saturday, 9/8 and Sunday, 9/9:  As the star-chart shows, gazing east at dawn is your best best.  Our "morning star" is now Venus and she'll be bright and beautiful. 

Happy gaze!

==================================

Basics courtesy of Sky & Telescope, R&L, Skywatcher, star charts.