Saturday SkyWatch

Image of the Jewel Box Cluster.

Saturday 7th December 2024

⛈️‼️🚫Emergency Update🚫‼️⛈️
 
While rain and storms were expected this evening and should still rain out and give some nice viewing the Observatory will have to close due to the severity of the storm that hit The Rock.
The Rock village is currently closed to all except the necessary locals so our volunteers and visitors won’t be able to get through to the Observatory tonight.
 
The Observatory is fine, but no one can get out there at the moment due to the village being closed.
 
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Hello Stargazers, this is your Saturday SkyWatch.
 
We have a 33% Waxing Crescent that will be in the Western sky during viewing times which will make viewing objects around Aquarius a little bit difficult as well as washing Saturn out a bit as there will only be 15° between the Moon and Saturn in tonight’s sky. So if you’re looking for Saturn, find the moon first and then look about 15° towards the North for a slightly orange looking dot.
 
Planets staring in the night sky tonight are Venus (setting at 11:26pm), Saturn (setting at 1:35am and transiting at 7:04pm), and Jupiter which will rise right around sunset and be visible at about 9:30pm – 10:00pm as it gets far enough above the horizon to view. Jupiter is also in opposition tonight meaning it’s at its brightest!
 
Sunset tonight is at 8:17pm, nautical sunset at 9:23pm and Astronomical sunset at 10:03pm. A reminder that during summer when the sun sets later, the Observatory will stay open later (around 11pm) so that everyone can get some viewing in.
 
Orion is rising in the east along with Sirius so you can get a look at the Dog Star and the Orion Nebula, as well as the Horsehead Nebula and the Flame Nebula both of which are near Alnitak in Orion’s Belt.
 
The Pleiades Cluster (Seven Sisters) is also in an optimal viewing position at the moment along with the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds. This means that this time of year is great for looking at the Tarantula Nebula and Layton’s favourite cluster 47-Tucanae.
 
Now, you may be worried about the weather, but all signs point to rain late in the afternoon to bring forth a clear sky and a clean atmosphere – optimal viewing weather!
 
Another small reminder to follow us on our new Instagram account and YouTube Channel as we look forward to building out Social Media footprint in 2025.
 
 
and don’t forget that we have the Geminids events on Friday 13th and Sat 14th December so don’t forget to sign up for those and come enjoy some meteors.
 
 
As always, we look forward to seeing you at the Observatory and don’t forget to look up wherever you are!
 
– The TRRO team