2018 Week 27: (July 1-July 7)

We now begin the second half of 2018 with many bright planets in the sky.  These are sometimes referred to as the planets of antiquity because they were well know throughout the dawn of civilization.  The chart below highlights this upcoming week in the sky.

Date	Event
July 4	Mercury 0.7°S of Beehive Cluster (M44)
July 6	Last Quarter
July 6	Earth at aphelion

The weather is looking to be unstable until later in the week and we may not have a chance to see any stars or planets until then.  However, after that all telescopes should be focused on Mars.  I have been talking about our red planet for a few weeks now for good reason.  Mars will be under 58 million kilometers away from Earth.  This is very close.  In 2003 Mars was about 56 million kilometers away from Earth at the closest opposition in 60,000 years.  The opposition two years ago Mars was more than 75 million kilometers away.  It will not be this close again until 2035 so do not miss it!

Mars can be found in the southeast sky this week rising shortly before midnight; you can't miss it!

At opposition, Mars will be be greater than 24.3 arcseconds in diameter which is more than enough to see amazing surface features through a telescope.  It will be magnitude -2.8 and brighter than Jupiter.  There is currently a planet-wide dust storm that is muting some of the major features but we hope it settles down in time for opposition.

Mars Sizes 2018

There are several events being held around Calgary to celebrate this close opposition of Mars.

The Rothney Astrophysical Observatory is hosting an observing night on July 31 from 10pm-1am that will be held if there is fair weather.  A link to this event is provided below.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2130418370547375/

All-Star Telescope just south of Didsbury will also be hosting an observing night on the 28th of July at 8pm.  You can find a link to this event below.

https://www.all-startelescope.com/information/observer-nights

I would suggest getting out to one of these events or contacting me during July and August to see where I will be observing from; Mars will be the top of my list for all nights throughout the Summer.  You are always welcome to join!

If you are at one of these events check out Sky and Telescope's Mars Profiler application that shows you what side of Mars is currently facing Earth.  The link is provided below.

http://wwwcdn.skyandtelescope.com/wp-content/plugins/observing-tools/mars_profiler/mars.html

Of course Mars is not the only bright planet residing in our Summer sky!  Jupiter and Saturn are prominently placed in the southern sky throughout most of the season.  Venus is sitting in the West and certainly observable in the early evenings.

In other news, there are no significant launches scheduled for this week.  Check back next week when the Russians send some cargo to the International Space Station.

Launches:

Date	Event
-	-

Stay tuned for more events and seek opportunities to be out under the stars! (and planets!)