Saturday SkyWatch

Image of the Jewel Box Cluster.

Saturday 15th February 2025

๐ŸŒŒ Saturday SkyWatch ๐ŸŒŒ

๐ŸŒ… Sunset & Observatory Hours

  • Sunset: 8:06 PM

  • Nautical Sunset: 9:04 PM

  • Astronomical Sunset: 9:38 PM
    Reminder that currently the Observatory will stay open later (until ~11 PM) so everyone can get some viewing time in during the summer months!

โ˜๏ธ Weather & Viewing Conditions

The forecast predicts partial cloud with winds from the south during viewing times around 20 โ€“ 25 km/hr. This will make for some atmospheric disturbance while viewing, but the skies should be clearing around 8pm giving overall fair skies.

๐ŸŒ™ Moon Phase

Tonightโ€™s Moon is a Waning Gibbous (94%) and will rise at 9:26 PM. That means the sky will be bright tonightโ€” not so great for looking at nebulas and galaxies but great for moon viewing and clusters.

๐ŸŒŸ Feature Object: Heart Shaped Cluster

In honour of valentines day yesterday, tonightโ€™s object to ask about is the heart shaped cluster, (Messier 50). This cluster is about 2,900 light years away from earth and contains 508 confirmed stars!

๐Ÿ”ญ In the Sky Tonight

Note that just because these objects are in the sky at the moment, you may not always see them. Visibility is dependent on weather, moon brightness, atmospheric conditions, and equipment parameters. Check the the weather and viewing conditions above, and if in doubt ask a friendly volunteer if youโ€™re able to see an object in the night sky!

  • Around Sunset: Venus in the western sky, Jupiter in the Northern Sky, Mars in the North-Eastern sky.

  • Prominent Constellations: Taurus, Carina, Crux, Canis Major, Canis Minor, Gemini, Cancer, and Orion

  • Bright Stars: Aldebaran, Capella, Rigel, Betelgeuse, Procyon, Sirius, Alpha Centauri, Canopus, Achernar , Fomalhaut, Alnair, PeacockAldebaran, Capella, Rigel, Betelgeuse, Procyon, Sirius, Alpha Centauri, Canopus, Achernar , Fomalhaut, Alnair, Peacock

  • Nebula: Crab Nebula (M1), Orion Nebula (M42), Flame Nebula (NGC 2024), Horsehead Nebula (IC 434), Tarantula Nebula (NGC 2070), Carina Nebula (C 92), Thorโ€™s Helmet (NGC 2359)

  • Galaxies: Southern Pinwheel Galaxy (M 83), Great Barred Spiral Galaxy (NG 1365), Caldwell 48

  • Star Clusters: 47 Tucanae (NGC 104), Heart-Shaped Cluster (M 50), Jewel Box Cluster (NGC 4755), Southern Pleiades (C 102), Beehive Cluster (M 44), Little Jewel Box Cluster (NGC 3293), Pleiades (M 45), Omega Centauri (C 80), Pinwheel Cluster (M 36), Satrfish Cluster (M 38).

  • Planets: Saturn, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, Mars

๐Ÿช Upcoming Astronomical Events for this week

๐Ÿ“… Venus will be at its greatest brightness on the 16th February

๐Ÿ“… The Moon and Spica will be in conjunction on the 17th February

๐Ÿ“… The Moon and Antares will be at occultation (and therefore also in conjunction) on the 21st February