September Astronomy

 

Venus will mathematically reach its greatest illuminated extent on Friday, September 18.  Nevertheless, it is still near its absolute brightest in our sky tonight. It will be piercingly bright. The moon is also at apogee, its farthest point from Earth.

Consequently, we’re also still seeing a fairly large fraction of its day side. It’s that combination – relative nearness and relatively big crescent – that makes Venus the most brilliant object in our sky. 

Because Venus is so bright, you can even attempt to observe it during daytime. Stand in the shadow of a building to completely block the sun, and carefully scan the clear blue sky roughly 38 degrees to the east (or to the left) of the hidden sun's position to spot the planet's brilliant white pinpoint of light.

I dare you. 

No matter where you are on Earth, watch for Venus as the blazing object in the west after sunset.

July Night Sky

Here's a night sky opportunity that doesn't require staying up late or dragging yourself out of bed in the wee morning hours.

Look to the west after the sun sets and you will spot a crescent moon along with the planet Venus.  If you have a pair of binoculars, use them.

If you have a decent camera, mount it on a tripod because the combination of the very bright Evening Star - Venus -  along with the glowing earthshine on the dark side of the moon can make a cool bit of night photography.  Use a focal length of between 50mm and 100mm to capture both objects in the same frame.  If you can frame them with a silhouette of a tree or dark building, better yet. 

If you're using an iPhone or similar handheld device, both a stabilization and timed exposure setting is preferred.

Regardless of your equipment choice a filter app such as Snapseed is useful for adjusting exposures, aperture and additional settings.

Good Luck!  And fingers-crossed for clear skies and fewer skeets. 

Edit to add:  When I place this post in the "can" for publication this morning there was no way to predict that the Canadian and Minnesota wildfires would conspire to cast a pall across the daytime and night skies.

Sigh....