2017 Week 48: (November 26-December 2)

We have reached the last week of November 2017 and the weather is above average.  A chinook has arrived and is giving room to some clear sky.  This is perfect weather to check out the open house at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory this weekend!  There are a few sights in the sky to consider this week shown in the chart below.

Date	Event
November 26	First Quarter
November 26	Neptune 1.2°N of Moon
November 28	Mercury 3°S of Saturn

The Moon will reach its first quarter phase this Monday and be visible in the sky until you are likely in bed.  This is a good time to use binoculars or a telescope.  The weather is supposed to be warm and there are always incredible sights on the terminator at first quarter.

The same evening Neptune will be very close to the Moon.  I've never really tried to find Neptune during one of these close encounters as the Moon will likely contribute far too much light pollution to allow an easy observation.  Two nights later Mercury and Saturn will be having a party in the same binocular field of view.  If the western horizon is clear on Tuesday I will be at the river valley ridge just after sunset.  Join me at the West end of 130th avenue SE for the conjunction attempt.  I honestly do not know what to expect.  I have rarely scanned the twilight horizon for celestial objects.  Maybe I'll see them, maybe I won't.

The map below shows what to expect around 4:50pm in the southwest horizon.  Saturn will be at magnitude 0.5 while Mercury will be a few times bright at -0.1.  I would recommend not looking through the binoculars until after the Sun goes down.  If you accidentally catch the Sun through the binoculars you will likely go blind.

Mercury/Saturn Conjunction - November 28, 2017

It is nearly that time of year again.  The Full Moon will be within 24 hours of its perigee(closest to Earth).  What does this mean?  It means the media will be going crazy over a great 'Supermoon' again.  Honestly, it's not as cool as it sounds.  The Moon will be imperceptibly larger than other Full Moons throughout the year.  I only really get excited when the New Moon is close to perigee and covering the Sun.  See: Eclipse 2017.  If you are on a oceanfront beach (I wish) you may notice the tides a bit larger than normal.

For more information about the RAO Open House, please see the link below.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1951041424912940/

Get outside this week!  The weather will be warm and hopefully the evenings will be cloud free!  This could be a great chance to see the Winter constellations surrounded by relative warmth.  There aren't many days throughout the cold months like this!  Embrace the opportunity!