2017 Week 37: (September 10-16)

Here we are in Week 37 of 2017.  The 4th last prime number week of the year!  If the smoke stays away we should have some amazing skies.  The Sun sets at 8pm and we can see some of the bright stars minutes later!  Saturn is still accessible in the South sky so grab a look before it retreats below the evening horizon.

Date	Event
September 10	Mercury 0.6°S of Regulus
September 12	Mercury greatest elongation West
September 12	Aldebaran 0.4°S of Moon
September 13	Last Quarter
September 13	Mercury 0.06°N of Mars

Mercury does some tricks in the sky for the keen observer.  It will reach greatest elongation West of the Sun on September 12.  It will be 18° away from the Sun and should be easily observable in the early morning.

Before the Sun rises take a look at the eastern horizon.  You should be able to see the bright Venus easily with the naked eye.  Below Venus the bright star in Regulus in Leo should also be visible.  About a degree away from Regulus will be our innermost planet -- Mercury.  Just a few degrees lower will be the dim Mars.  Good luck seeing it as it is closer to the Sun and about 5 times dimmer than Mercury.  Next week we will talk about a mega-conjunction on the 18th that includes: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Regulus and the Moon.

Mercury, 8" Reflector (untracked)

Mercury has always fascinated me from a visual observation point of view.  There are only certain times of the year where you can see Mercury with the naked eye.  The last time I had the opportunity to see it was at the end of March in the evening.  This was the same day that Venus was at inferior conjunction with the Sun.  Amazingly we were able to view Venus through a telescope that day.

http://simonjastronomy.blogspot.com/2017/03/observatory-weekend-summary-march-2017.html

The Moon will be at last quarter and should be visible in the early morning if the smoke stays away.

Astronomy season starts up again as an Open House at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory takes place on September 15 for the Beakerhead program in Calgary.  We are planning on being there with a telescope to show the wonders of the late Summer sky!  The following week has the RASC General Meeting with a lecture on Dynamic Astronomy.  Keep posted for more details!