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Astronomical events October 2009
During all of the month except the last day, the sun is passing through the constellation of Virgo. This constellation is the second largest in the entire sky – the largest being Hydra (the swamp snake). On October 31at at 06h00, it moves into Libra.
The Moon
The moon is at apogee, or furthest from the earth, on the 25th at 23h00, and at perigee, nearest to the earth at around noon on the 13th.
Just after 06h00 on the 4th, occurs the Hunter's Moon, named after Herne the Hunter, who leads the Yell Hounds across the early winter sky, and whose yelping can be heard in the skeins of wild geese migrating at this time. Alternative ideas have been put forward for the name given to this Full Moon; one idea is that as the moon is now higher in the sky when full, so giving more light for poachers, ho hunt and stalk their prey at night. Another is that when the moon is high in the south at midnight, the constellation of Orion the Hunter is completely clear of the SE horizon for the first time since last winter. Look for the Hunter's Moon this year in Pisces. Astronomers however, consider this moon to be the Harvest Moon, as it is the nearest full moon to last month's Autumnal Equinox. Last Quarter moon is on the 11th just before 09h00 in Gemini, and is the second highest Last Quarter moon of the year. New Moon is on the 18th just after 05h30; the moon passing 5 south of the sun in Virgo, near to Spica at the time. First Quarter occurs during the first hour of the 26th, in western Capricornus.
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You may observe the morning cone of the zodiacal light during the second half of the month. Look for its ethereal glow in the eastern sky several hours before sunrise – your last chance this year! Earthshine may be seen illuminating the night hemisphere of the waning crescent moon between the 13th and the 17th.
The Planets
During the first three weeks of this month we have a chance to see the best apparition of Mercury as a morning star this year. Not only that, but Mercury passes less than half a degree to the south of Saturn during the morning of the 8th, and both planets will be readily visible to the naked eye and through binoculars. You should look for the pair in the eastern sky after 05h – Mercury is the brighter of the two objects. Venus assists in locating the pair as they lie a little over 5 to the lower left of the brilliant 'Morning Star'. Mercury is at greatest elongation west of the sun (18) on the 6th.
Venus throughout October rises about two hours before the sun. It is moving eastwards in Virgo and passes half a degree south of Saturn during the morning of the 13th. The pair should form a pretty sight in binoculars, but Venus is about 90 times brighter than Saturn. Look for the pair in the eastern sky as twilight increases at 05h. In binoculars Saturn lies to the left of Venus and parallel with the horizon. You should also be able to see Mercury (which is brighter than Saturn), 6 to the lower left of the pair. Around 05h30 on the 16th, there is a beautiful grouping of objects in the eastern sky; the three planets Mercury, Venus and Saturn together with the thin waning crescent moon, enhanced by earthshine in the twilight sky.
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Weather for Scarborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
