Early birds can catch our satellite tv for pc simply 3° from two big planets in Pisces.
On July 16, Neptune (seen with binoculars or a small scope) lies between Saturn and the gibbous Moon. Credit score: Astronomy: Roen Kelly
- The Moon, Saturn, and Neptune seem shut collectively within the pre-dawn sky.
- Binoculars or a telescope are wanted to see Neptune.
- Saturn’s moon Titan is approaching the planet.
- No interview was included on this article.
The now-waning Moon is passing by Pisces within the early-morning sky. Our satellite tv for pc slides 3° north of Neptune at 6 A.M. EDT, then passes 4° north of Saturn at 7 A.M. EDT.
It’s a stunning view for early risers, who can catch the scene within the few hours earlier than daybreak. Two hours earlier than dawn, the trio is a few 40° excessive within the southeast. The Moon lies simply to the higher left of magnitude 0.9 Saturn, with Neptune between the 2. Essentially the most distant planet within the photo voltaic system is just too faint to see with the bare eye, however binoculars or any telescope will decide up its magnitude 7.7 glow, simply 1° north of Saturn. Each are seen in the identical discipline of view because the planets seem to “line up” on the sky from Earth, even supposing they’re almost 1.9 billion miles (3.1 billion kilometers) aside.
The Moon’s gentle might make viewing Neptune more difficult, however shift our satellite tv for pc out of your discipline of view and look carefully amid the celebs for a “flatter” star that appears disklike, with a grayish-blue hue. That’s the planet, which spans about 2” on the sky.
Over at Saturn, a telescope will present that the brilliant moon Titan has closed in a bit since earlier within the week. It now stands simply over 2’ east of the planet and can proceed nearing the ringed world — its shadow will transit early Friday morning.
Dawn: 5:45 A.M.
Sundown: 8:27 P.M.
Moonrise: 11:43 P.M.
Moonset:11:59 A.M.
Moon Part: Waning gibbous (65%)
*Instances for dawn, sundown, moonrise, and moonset are given in native time from 40° N 90° W. The Moon’s illumination is given at 12 P.M. native time from the identical location.
For a glance forward at extra upcoming sky occasions, take a look at our full Sky This Week column.
