Saturn and Neptune are joined by the crescent Moon within the early-morning sky as our satellite tv for pc strikes alongside the ecliptic.
The Moon hangs near the outer planets Saturn and Neptune within the sky early this morning earlier than dawn. Neptune would require binoculars or a telescope to identify. Credit score: Alison Klesman (by way of TheSkyX)
The Moon hangs close to Saturn and Neptune within the early-morning sky, and it’s finest to catch them earlier reasonably than later. Attempt wanting east 90 minutes earlier than dawn, the place you’ll simply spot the crescent Moon in southwestern Pisces, under the Circlet asterism.
Simply to the decrease left of the Moon is 1st-magnitude Saturn, which stands out effectively in a area with few vivid stars. By way of a telescope, Saturn’s disk stretches 17”, whereas its rings — with their southern face now simply seen, tilted lower than 3° — span 37”. Titan, the ringed planet’s largest and brightest moon, lies about 1.3’ due west of Saturn this morning and also needs to be seen in your eyepiece.
Now, scan 2° northeast of Saturn — on to the left on the sky — to seek out distant Neptune. The ice large shines at eighth magnitude and spans simply 2”, so it’ll seem like a “flat,” dim star that will have a grayish or bluish solid.
Far to the trio’s decrease left and nonetheless near the horizon an hour and a half earlier than dawn is blazing Venus, shining at magnitude –4.5. We’ll take a look at this planet tomorrow morning, when the Moon has drawn nearer for one more beautiful pairing.
The Moon will go 3° north of Saturn at 2 P.M. EDT, then passes 2° north of Neptune at 5 P.M. EDT.
Dawn: 5:39 A.M.
Sundown: 8:15 P.M.
Moonrise: 2:48 A.M.
Moonset: 3:09 P.M.
Moon Section: Waning crescent (26%)
*Occasions 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.
