2018 Week 35: (August 26-September 1)

This upcoming week reaches into September.  Fall is on its way.  With it, hopefully clear skies and the beginning of the beautiful Winter constellations.  This week in the sky is not too exciting but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying the fresh air and a healthy assortment of stars above.  The chart below showcases what is going on this week.

Date	Event
August 26	Full Moon
August 28	Mars Stationary

The Moon will be Full to start the week on Sunday.  As the Moon moves onto its waning gibbous phase be sure to enjoy the early evening sky without the light pollution.

Full Moon

Mars will be stationary on Tuesday as it ends its retrograde motion.  For those who are tracking the orbital motion of the red planet you will notice it start to move eastward compared to the background stars.  It is still quite large and bright and the perfect target for binoculars or a telescope!

You can still catch Jupiter as it sets in the southeastern sky shortly after sunset.  The great ringed planet Saturn stands prominently in the southern sky at this time.  Check it out before it gets swallowed by the evening twilight!

There are some great Fall constellations rising in the east.  Aquarius, Pisces and Aries make their return to the evening sky.  Along with them you can catch the ice giants Uranus and Neptune if you have some great telescope skills!

Andromeda can be seen in the northeastern sky between the 'W' of Cassiopeia and the Square of Pegasus.  Under dark skies you may be able to see the Andromeda Galaxy which lies 2.5 million light years away.  This is a great object for binoculars or a telescope.

If you stay up late enough (past midnight) you will see the Pleiades Star Cluster rising in the east heralding the start of the cool seasons.  I always remember looking up at this cluster while seeing my breath float away in the cold air.