2018 Week 38: (September 16-September 22)

This week marks the first day of Fall which is not surprising as it has been on and off snowing for a week.  There are several great things to see in the sky this week highlighted in the chart below.

Date	Event
September 16	First Quarter
September 17	Saturn 2°S of Moon
September 20	Mars 5°S of Moon
September 20	Mercury in Superior Conjunction
September 21	Venus Greatest Illuminated
September 22	Equinox

The Sun will cruise over the equator to spend more time with our Southern Hemisphere friends until the beginning of Spring in March.  Nights will seem longer than days.  On warm evenings this will provide ample opportunity for great observing! We will have more than 8 hours of official 'Night' status amongst several hours of twilight.  Compare this to two months ago when we were still in unending daylight and twilight.

Day/Night Chart - September 22, 2018 (Image Credit: www.timeanddate.com)

The Moon continues to make its way through the planets on the southern horizon.  Upon reaching its first quarter phase it will snuggle in next to the great ringed planet Saturn on Monday evening.  Following this close encounter it will be near Mars on Thursday night.

That same evening Mercury will be at superior conjunction and will tuck in behind our Sun to emerge in the evening sky once again at the beginning of October.

Venus will be at its greatest illumination at -4.8 magnitude.  However the angles for Northern Hemisphere observers make it a tough observation.  You will need a clear cut view of the southwestern horizon and look for a bright object soon after the Sun goes down.  A keen observer may be able to find it before the Sun sets.  If you are using optical aid be sure to not accidentally point your optics at the Sun.

There are a few astronomy related activities happening around town this week.  Come check out a General Meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Calgary Centre.  There will be a free lecture entitled "At the Roots of Modern Astronomy: Messier, the Herschels and Fraunhofer", by Dr. Nic David.  I have been to lectures of his before and they are absolutely amazing.  Join us at the Kerby Centre downtown (free parking!) Thursday evening!

Also head out to the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory Friday evening for an Open House!  There will be telescopes setup and many hands on activities for the whole family.  Entrance is $30 per vehicle so pack everyone in tight!

Date	Event
September 20	RASC General Meeting (19:30 - Kerby Centre)
September 21	RAO Open House (19:30-22:30)

Stay tuned for more events around town and in your community!