8 Planets and Nothing to See?

So there are now eight planets in the Solar System. At least according to the International Astronomical Union, which last month voted to demote the tiny sphere from the big list. However we suspect that people will continue to debate the definition of the word “planet” for years to come.

In the meantime, if you’re wondering what all the fuss is about, visit us for our new original show Nine Planets And Counting, offered daily in the Sudekum Planetarium. (We’re still trying to decide whether to change the name of the show!)

Unfortunately, you’ll have to work hard to see any planets in the sky this month. Despite the emails being forwarded around last month, Mars was not nearly “as big as the Full Moon” - in fact, it’s barely visible at all, being on the far side of the Sun from Earth right now.

Jupiter appears as a really bright ‘star’ low in the west-southwest after sunset. Venus rises in the east-southeast just before sunrise, and even then, does not get very high above the trees before dawn. The best planet this month is Saturn which clears the eastern horizon about three hours before sunrise, so you have get up really early - or stay out really late - to see it. Saturn shines brightly just west of the hook that marks the head of the constellation Leo the lion.

With so few planets in the sky, pictures will have to do. Recently a local amateur astronomer decided to run a solar system marathon, photographing all of the planets in one long night. The results of his efforts can be seen on his website, which you can reach by visiting www.spotastro.com/Solar_System_Marathon.html. For images taken on nights of better seeing when the atmosphere was clearer, visit www.spotastro.com/Solar_System.html

Moonwatch

With no planets conveniently placed for observation, this is a good time to take a few minutes and enjoy the Moon. After the Sun, the Moon is the second brightest object visible in the sky, day or night. It has been the inspiration for countless works of art, literature, and music. Today, alien landscapes from the rovers on Mars and stunning images from the farthest reaches of the universe provided by the Hubble Space Telescope may cause us to forget the stark beauty of the Moon - but our nearest neighbor is always worth another look.

Starting on the 1st of the month, the Moon will be high overhead at sunset, shining at First Quarter. Looking with your eyes is one thing, but even a pair of binoculars begins to reveal the largest craters and mountain chains that pockmark the surface. You should pay special attention to the ‘terminator’, the line where bright sunlight and dark shadow meet. There you will see the most detail because the Sun angle is low and the shadows are long. Every night, the terminator highlights a different part of the Moon, unveiling a new landscape.

When the Moon is full, on the 7th, it will rise just as the Sun sets. There is no terminator, so the Moon appears flat. However, Full Moon is the best time to look for patterns in the Moon’s face: the man in the Moon, the woman, a rabbit, and many others.

After Full Moon, the Moon will rise later and later each night, but the terminator continues to present dramatic contrasts of light and shadow. On the evening of the 24th, you will want to scan along the western horizon just at sundown to catch a slim crescent Moon hanging in the haze. Binoculars make the hunt easier, but you still need a low, clear horizon to find it. Over the next several days, the crescent will grow fatter and higher in the evening sky until it reaches First Quarter on the 30th. You have now observed all the phases during one ‘moonth’.

Have you ever taken a walk on a moonlit night, only to notice that the Moon seems to be following you? And that's not the only strange thing the Moon does. Find out more about the Moon's mysteries in Sudekum Planetarium's presentation of Moonwitch. Visit our schedule for show times.

Planets to Count

Several star parties are scheduled through the end of the year.

• September 20-24, 2006, Tennessee Star Party at the TAG Youth Camp in Lynchburg, TN.
• Saturday, September 30, 2006, 8:00 to 10:00 PM at the Visitors Center at Longhunter State Park (Jupiter and a pretty crescent Moon)
• Friday, November 17, 2006, 8:00 to 10:00 PM at the Visitors Center at Longhunter State Park (watch for Leonid meteors under a dark, moonless sky)
• Friday, December 15, 2006. 8:00 to 10:00 PM at the Special Events Field at Edwin Warner Park(observe Saturn and Geminid meteor shower)