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Sun rises at 6:27am
Sun sets at 6:19pm
Moon phase: fourth quarter, waning to new
Moon rises at 4:20am
Moon sets at 2:45pm
Early evening
In honour of the visiting sailors of the Heineken Regatta, we look south after sunset to see the constellations of Vela and Carina. Vela represents the sail of a ship while Carina marks the keel of that same vessel. Carina can be identified by the very bright star Canopus which dominates the lower southern sky much of the night, Vela extends off to the left or East. Canopus can be thought of as the bow wave’s brilliant sparkle as the ship heads upward into the sky. Near the top of Vela is a pulsating star; if the night is clear, you may see it vary in intensity like a heartbeat.
About 20 degrees above Canopus shines the brightest star of all, Sirius. Both of these stars are well known beacons to sailors and dwellers of the tropics and the southern hemisphere, and have been for centuries, each culture giving them different names and meanings throughout history.
Turn left to the East, to see Jupiter rising. The moon is essentially absent this weekend so it’s a great time to get out the telescope or binoculars and enjoy a sight of Jupiter with her larger moons. Saturday night, Callisto is well above the giant planet, while Europa and Ganymede are just above. Io is visible below Jupiter.
Looking due West after sunset, one will find the planet Uranus poised approximately 12-15 degrees above the horizon. Estimate this distance by holding your index and little fingers out from a fist at arm’s length. Uranus sets by 8:00pm.
To the North, the familiar constellations of the Little Dipper and the Big Dipper can be glimpsed just at the horizon, and the queen on her throne, Cassiopeia is off to the left, setting by 9:15pm.
Directly above, clear skies will be a blessing, as the winter circle of seven bright stars will delight those who look up. The circle is large with Auriga’s young goat, the star Capella on the north, Gemini’s twin stars, Castor and Pollux on the eastern edge and the small and large “dog stars” Procyon and Sirius to the south. Rigel (Orion’s foot or perhaps knee) and Aldebaron (Taurus’ horn) are on the western edge of the circle. Betelgeuse (Orion’s shoulder) is near the middle of the circle.
Late night
Mars rises by midnight, just south of due East, and Saturn follows about 30 minutes later. Saturn is another worth breaking out the viewing scopes for this weekend. Her rings are angled for optimum visibility for the star gazer and the larger moons of Tethys, Enceladus and Dionne are dancing among the rings. Titan and Iapetus are also visible, well below the gas giant.
Just as Canopus sets in the southwest, the Southern Cross will be rising in the southeast. Famed in songs and poems, adorned on many flags of southern nations, this small constellation is another important marker for ocean sailors seeking navigational guides. Don’t be fooled by the “False Cross” in Vela. Two bright “pointer stars” rise after the southern cross and help distinguish the true cross.
Early morning
The thin slice of crescent moon rises in the east at 4:20am on Saturday with Venus following about 50 minutes later. Sunday, the two are side by side, just two degrees apart, allowing a rare opportunity to see the old moon at the last moments of its lunar cycle – normally so thin as to be invisible, but just look to the left of the “morning star” and you might be able to make out the dying moon, destined to be reborn in about three or four days.
If you are out later on in the week, each star rises about four minutes earlier each day than written here, and the moon rises 50 minutes later.
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