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CentaurZ

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  1. A Penumbral Lunar Eclipse will occur during the night of 2024 MAR 24-25. All of it for observers in the Americas, and a portion for those in Europe. This will be a deep penumbral, implying that at mid-eclipse a slight darkening should be visible in a portion of the limb. Below is my preview graphic for the upcoming eclipse as seen against an imaginary blue wall to make the shadow fully apparent. The predicted event timings are in CDT (UT-5), but will occur at essentially the same real time for all observers experiencing nighttime if adjusted for time zones. The depicted orientation and Moon altitudes are for an observer in Chicagoland. Photos and descriptions of the eclipse would be welcome additions to this thread.
  2. Elusive Mercury has commenced its apparition in the western sky after sunset following its superior conjunction behind the Sun on 2024 FEB 28. This is the most favorable Mercury apparition of 2024 for observers north of the tropics. Photos and descriptions of Mercury during this apparition would be welcome additions to this thread.
  3. It’s nearly time for my monthly New Moon spotting challenge. I use the term New Moon in its classical sense of one’s first sighting of the Moon after its monthly solar conjunction (Dark Moon). Sharp-eyed observers might attempt to spot the less than one-day-old Moon after sunset on Sunday, March 10th. Others should have better luck the following evening. March is the best month for spotting an especially young Moon. This may present an opportunity to set an impressive personal record. Photos and descriptions of the young crescent Moon would be welcome additions to this thread.
  4. Asteroid 3 Juno will appear within Leo in ecliptical opposition to the Sun on 2024 MAR 03 at magnitude +8.5. Photos and descriptions of this asteroid would be welcome additions to this thread.
  5. A Waning Half Moon will occult (cover) magnitude +0.9 Antares in Scorpius during the post-midnight hours of 2024 MAR 03 for observers in eastern North America and northern South America. The immersion will occur on the lunar bright limb, with emersion from the dark limb. Lucky observers on one of the graze paths can witness the star passing through lunar hills and valleys. Those between the paths will see a full occultation. For observers at Chicago’s Adler Planetarium, the emersion will occur at 01:21:30 CST while the Moon has begun rising over Lake Michigan. The immersion at 01:45:46 CST will occur with Antares 3.8˚ above the horizon. Photos and descriptions of the occultations would be welcome additions to this thread. If you would like specific occultation or graze predictions for your location, please reply to this post with your longitude, latitude, elevation and time zone.
  6. The Lunar X may be seen by telescopic observers in the Americas and Western Europe during the night of 2024 FEB 16-17 for an approximately four-hour period centered on 19:19 CST (01:19 UT). The X should appear as the Sun rises on the clustered rims of the craters Blanchinus, La Caille and Purbach, while a waxing Half Moon graces the sky. This is something to check-off from your astronomical “to-do” list. Photos and descriptions of the Lunar X would be welcome additions to this thread.
  7. It’s nearly time for my monthly New Moon spotting challenge. I use the term New Moon in its classical sense of one’s first sighting of the Moon after its monthly solar conjunction (Dark Moon). Sharp-eyed observers might attempt to spot the one-day-old Moon after sunset on Saturday, February 10th. Others should have better luck the following evening. Photos and descriptions of the young crescent Moon would be welcome additions to this thread.
  8. It’s nearly time for my monthly New Moon spotting challenge. I use the term New Moon in its classical sense of one’s first sighting of the Moon after its monthly solar conjunction (Dark Moon). Sharp-eyed observers might attempt to spot the over one-day-old Moon after sunset on Friday, January 12th. Others should have better luck the following evening. Photos and descriptions of the young crescent Moon would be welcome additions to this thread.
  9. A waning crescent Moon will occult (cover) magnitude +2.9 Sigma Scorpii and +0.9 Antares during the predawn hours of 2024 JAN 08. The former will be for observers in the eastern USA and the latter for observers in the southwestern USA. The immersions will occur on the lunar bright limb, with emersions from the dark limb. Lucky observers on one of the graze paths can witness the star passing through lunar hills and valleys. Those between the paths will see a full occultation. Photos and descriptions of the occultations would be welcome additions to this thread. If you would like specific occultation or graze predictions for your location, please reply to this post with your longitude, latitude, elevation and time zone.
  10. Here's my timetable for tonight that includes the shadow transits.
  11. The shadows of the Galilean satellites #2 Europa and #3 Ganymede will be simultaneously transiting Jupiter during the night of 2024 JAN 06-07. Evening in North America. Photos and descriptions of the transits would be welcome additions to this thread.
  12. Elusive Mercury has commenced its apparition in the predawn eastern sky following its inferior conjunction between Earth and Sun on 2023 DEC 22. This is a favorable apparition for most observation latitudes. Photos and descriptions of Mercury during this apparition would be welcome additions to this thread.
  13. Periodic Comet 62P (Tsuchinshan) is currently at magnitude +13.9. It has an orbital period of 6.18 years and will reach perihelion of 1.2649 AU on 2023 DEC 25. Based on JPL parameters, it is expected to peak at magnitude +13.6 on 2024 JAN 03. The comet will pass 0.5935 AU from Earth on 2024 JAN 30. It was discovered in 1965 by a team of Chinese astronomers. Photos and descriptions of the comet would be welcome additions to this thread.
  14. Asteroids 4 Vesta and 9 Metis will appear within Gemini in ecliptical opposition to the Sun on 2023 DEC 21 & 22 respectively at magnitudes +6.4 and +8.4. Photos and descriptions of these asteroids would be welcome additions to this thread.
  15. Periodic Comet 12P (Pons-Brooks) is currently at magnitude +13.2 based on JPL parameters. It has an orbital period of 71 years and will reach perihelion of 0.781 AU on 2024 APR 21. It is expected to peak at magnitude +4.4 on the day of perihelion. The comet will pass 1.546 AU from Earth on 2024 JUN 02. It was discovered in 1812 by Jean-Louis Pons and rediscovered in 1883 by William Brooks. Below are my 3 related charts:
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