In the Sky This Week – September 11, 2018
Orion is high in the southeastern predawn sky as fall stars rise earlier each morning. The Moon joins Venus and Jupiter in the southwestern sky after dusk for several days early this week. The Moon will join Mars and Saturn in the Southern sky after dusk, appearing very near Saturn on September 17th. The Moon The Moon is a waxing crescent, visible in the southwestern sky after dusk. The Moon will be at first-quarter on September 17th, and should be a good observing target all week. Observing Target: The Zodiacal Light Zodiacal light (also called the “false dawn” when seen before sunrise) is a faint, diffuse, and roughly triangular white glow that is visible in the night sky and appears to extend from the Sun’s direction and along the zodiac, straddling the ecliptic. Sunlight scattered by interplanetary dust causes this phenomenon. Zodiacal light is best seen during twilight after sunset in spring and before sunrise in autumn, when the zodiac is … Continue reading →