Unlike the previous year, it will be possible to see “real eclipses” from the territory of Russia (lunar on August 7 and solar on August 21 - Far East). But, unfortunately, both of these eclipses will be only partial...
The next series of lunar occultations of Aldebaran will continue, and from the fall - Regulus. But with the occultations of the main planets, this year is not very good.
The July morning sky can be quite beautiful when Venus passes through the northern part of the Hyades (Taurus) star cluster. And the Manger cluster (M44) in Cancer will not be ignored. Mercury will visit it on July 10, and bright Venus will pass nearby on September 1
The morning sky of September generally promises to be the most attractive of the year. So, on September 16-18, you will be able to see Mercury, Mars, Venus, Regulus and the Moon at once! But first things first: Eclipses: (+ authoritative online resource)
Solar eclipses: The first solar eclipse on February 26 will be annular, with a maximum phase of 0.992 and a duration of up to 04m 44s. As you can understand from the picture, this eclipse is not ours at all (South America, Antarctica and Africa). see Figure 1.
The second solar eclipse on August 21 will be total, with a maximum phase of 1.031 and a duration of up to 02m 40s. The central band of this eclipse will pass through the regions of Canada and North America - so you can expect a lot of pictures and online broadcasts - see Figure 2. It is worth noting that the partial phases of this eclipse can be observed in our Far East.
Lunar eclipses:
Like all three eclipses of the previous year, first Lunar Eclipse on the night of February 10-11 will be only penumbral and will last from 22:33 to 02:55 UT. During this eclipse, the Moon will pass south of the Earth's shadow - see Fig. 3. The only consolation is that during an eclipse the Moon is above the horizon for most of Russia...
Second lunar eclipse in 2017(in the evening of August 7) will already be in shadow, but not full... This time the Moon will pass through the northern part of the Earth's shadow, plunging approximately 25% into it with its southern part (from approximately 17:21 to 19:20 UT). As can be understood from the moments in time, this eclipse is even more convenient for observations from the territory of Russia than the February one - see Fig. 4.
In these diagrams, everything is “the other way around” - the dark gray areas are where the Sun shines. And white and light gray are the visibility zones of the eclipse. Coverage: (+ authoritative network resource)
Partially occultations of stars and planets by the Moon, the coming year does not promise anything extravagant. Among the occultations of the main planets of the solar system by the Moon, only the occultation of Mercury can be seen from the territory of Russia (July 25 - Kamchatka).
Another series will continue in 2017 Neptune's coverings, but all 13 such phenomena are inaccessible to us.
So you'll have to be content coverings of the main light of the constellation Taurus - the star Aldebaran, which are just getting into full swing. Depending on the location, coverage will be available to us on January 9 (South Siberia and Far East); April 1 (D.Vostok); April 28 (European part of the Russian Federation); October 9 (east of the Caspian Sea); November 6 (on the contrary - to the north and west of the Caspian Sea); December 3 (from the Urals to the Far East). And finally, on New Year's Eve, December 31 for the western regions of the Russian Federation. For more details, see my monthly calendars...
It is worth noting that Aldebaran is surrounded by noticeable stars of the Hyades cluster - so on the indicated dates you can also see the occultations of these stars...
Among other notable stars, Regulus appears in the path of the Moon all year, but we will only have access to coverage on November 11 (D.Vostok) and December 8 - the entire territory of Russia! More details again in my monthly calendars.
For more experienced observers, the page may be useful, on which I have once again collected the most interesting occultation of distant stars by asteroids(estimated shadows from which will pass across the territory of our country)
And if you came here already in 2017, try to look at the coverage page of the USNO Astronomical Almanac - many online services open only from the beginning of the year... Major planets: Ephemerides of the main planets of the solar system are available from a special page.
For our northern latitudes, conditions for observing the largest and most beautiful planets ( Jupiter And Saturn) are only getting worse in 2017 (both of them continue their movement down the ecliptic). Jupiter moves through the constellations Virgo and Libra (I can’t even believe that this constellation once “balanced day and night”). And it’s also good that the next opposition of Jupiter will occur only 5.5 degrees south of the celestial equator - not far from the star “Theta Virgo”. A Saturn- practically reaches its maximum distance south of the celestial equator, continuing to move through the constellations Ophiuchus and Sagittarius and falling into opposition during the shortest summer nights. True, the rings of Saturn are observed in all their glory.
Mars it will be possible to “see it in the northern sky” on spring evenings... But Venus, unlike last year, is good both at the beginning of the year in the evenings and in the morning sky of May-September. Minor planets (+ authoritative online resource)
You can find ephemerides of the brightest minor planets (asteroids) in my monthly calendars.
In previous years, I constantly referred to my special page, on which you can clearly see the light curves (and not only) of the first hundred asteroids from 2005 to the beginning of 2017. Unfortunately, there is neither the strength nor the means to continue this work - so the only way out is to turn to the help of the network... Search using the keywords "minor planets at unusually favorable elongations 2017" - at least in recent years such list articles have been published in Minor Planet Bulletin ... There you can also get a lot of other useful information, including "approaches of minor planets to deep sky objects." It’s worth checking out the server of the Association of Moon and Planetary Observers (ALPO)...
The only alternative may be my special selection of “non-setting asteroids” for 2017. In the sense that amateurs with CCDs (especially in cooperation) can “in just a couple of nights” obtain scientifically significant results (light curve = period of rotation of the asteroid around its own axis). Comets: (+ authoritative online resource)
But with comets brighter than magnitude 10, in the coming year (2017), it looks like everything will be quite interesting!
Let's start with a long-known comet 45Р/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova, which will pass its next perihelion exactly on the coming New Year's Eve. And there is every reason to expect that its brightness in January-February will be able to reach 6-7 stellar magnitude! Largely due to its close approach to the Earth up to 0.08 AU. in the first ten days of February. It’s true that the angular velocity of the comet’s movement across the sky at this time will reach ~10 degrees in just 24 hours! So the meeting promises to be bright, but short...
Another whole series of comets at the beginning of the year are still increasing their brilliance. This:
The shortest period 2P/Encke(perihelion March 10).
C/2015 V2 (Johnson), which from March to June will pass through the constellations Hercules, Bootes and Virgo, promising to exceed magnitude 7 at maximum brightness (late May / early June).
C/2015 ER61 (PanSTARRS) with perihelion on May 9 and relative approach to the Earth on the 20th of April, due to which on these dates it can reach a magnitude of 9-10m (Capricorn - Aquarius).
41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresak, the visibility conditions of which in this appearance will be close to ideal. The comet will pass perihelion on April 13, at a distance of about 1.05 AU. from the sun. And almost at the same time it will approach the Earth to 0.15 AU. So its expected brightness could easily reach magnitude 6 (there are even predictions of up to 5m)! And all this despite the fact that the comet will be visible all night, passing through the constellations Ursa Major and Draco. So, for April-May, this is a clear favorite (and a temporary competitor for C/2015 V2 Johnson).
And here second half of the year So far it is expected to be calm - only three objects: C/2016 R2 (PanSTARRS), 24P/Schaumasse And (3200)/Phaethon will be able to approach 10m in November-December...
Accurately predicting the brightness of comets in advance is a very unfavorable task. So we'll wait and see!
Just in case, here is a complete list of comets for which the passage of perihelion is expected in 2017 (more than 60 pieces)...
And yet - the latest observations of comets (brilliance and other physical characteristics) can be found. Novas and supernovae:(+ authoritative network resources on “Novae” and “Supernova” stars)
Outbursts of new stars in our Galaxy occur several times a year and have recently been discovered quite often by amateur astronomers. Mostly photographically, and often with very modest means (even ordinary digital cameras). There simply cannot be accurate forecasts here. But, in order to keep abreast of events, I advise you to subscribe to one of the mailing lists from AAVSO (you can just check
Mercury (m= - 0.3) appears in the evening sky in the second half of the month after sunset in the west. It is visible very low above the horizon in the constellation Aquarius, and from February 22 - in Pisces. The best visibility of Mercury occurs at the end of the month, since on February 27 it will be at its greatest eastern elongation - at its maximum angular distance from the Sun - 18 degrees.
Venus (m= - 4.2) The brightest star shines in the morning in the southeast low above the horizon. By the end of the month, its visibility deteriorates somewhat. If in early February it rises almost three hours earlier than the Sun, then at the end of the month it rises by one and a half hours.
Mars (m= - 1.0) A bright yellow star shines in the evening high above the horizon in the southwest. Visible in the constellation Pisces, after February 12 - in the constellation Aries. It comes around two o'clock in the morning.
Jupiter (m= - 2.0) as a very bright star is visible in the morning low above the southern horizon in the constellation Ophiuchus above and to the right of Venus. By the end of the month, its visibility improves, every day it rises earlier: at the beginning of the month at six in the morning, at the end - at half past four.
Saturn (m= + 0.6) rises before dawn: at the beginning of the month an hour earlier than the Sun, at the end - two hours. Before dawn, it is visible low above the horizon in the southeast in the constellation Sagittarius: until February 18, below and to the left of bright Venus, after the 18th - above and to the right, located on the ecliptic between Jupiter and Venus. February 18 at 18:54– conjunction of Venus and Saturn. Venus will pass 1.1˚ north of Saturn.
Moon passes near Saturn on February 2, near Jupiter on February 27. Moon phases:
new moon - February 5 at 2:03;
first quarter - February 13 at 3:26;
full moon - February 19 at 20:53;
last quarter - February 26 at 16:27
Astronomical calendar for 2019
All events are indicated in Ufa time
Astronomical events:
· Spring equinox – March 21 at 02:57 (day equals night)
· Summer solstice – June 21 at 20:53 (longest day of the year)
· Autumn equinox – September 23 at 12:49 (day equals night)
· Winter solstice – December 22 at 09:18 (the shortest day of the year)
· Earth at perihelion (at minimum distance from the Sun – 147,099,591 km) – January 3 at 07:21
· Earth at aphelion (at its greatest distance from the Sun – 152,104,015 km) – July 5 at 04:28
Significant dates:
10th of March – International Planetarium Day
12th of April – International Day of Human Space Flight
April 22
–
International Earth Day
May 3 – International Sun Day
May 11– International Astronomy Day
30 June– International Asteroid Day
4 - 10 October – World Space Week
October 31
–
Dark Matter Day
Eclipses of the Sun and Moon:
6th January- a partial solar eclipse, invisible to us. The eclipse will begin at 04:34 Ufa time, the middle of the eclipse will be at 06:41, and the eclipse will end at 08:48. It will be observed in eastern Asia and the Pacific Ocean.
January 21- a total lunar eclipse, visible here, but residents of Bashkortostan will not see it completely, since the Moon will set below the horizon before the start of the total eclipse (in Ufa at 09:30). The eclipse will begin at 08:34 Ufa time - the Moon will begin to enter the earth's shadow (the beginning of a partial shadow eclipse). At 09:41 the Moon completely enters the earth's shadow (the beginning of a total eclipse), at 10:12 the middle of the eclipse will begin, at 10:43 the Moon begins to emerge from the earth's shadow (the end of a total eclipse), at 11:50 the Moon completely leaves the earth's shadow (end of eclipse).
July 2/3- a total solar eclipse, invisible to us. The eclipse will begin on July 2 at 21:55 Ufa time, the middle of the eclipse will be on July 3 at 00:23, and the eclipse will end at 02:50.
July 16/17- partial lunar eclipse visible to us. The penumbral eclipse will begin on July 16 at 23:43. At 01:01 Ufa time, the Moon will begin to enter the earth's shadow (the beginning of a partial shadow eclipse). At 02:30 the maximum of the eclipse will occur - 0.65 of the Moon's disk will enter the earth's shadow (in Ufa). At 03:59 the Moon will emerge from the Earth's shadow (end of the eclipse).
December 26- a partial solar eclipse, visible here, it will begin at 09:39 Ufa time, the middle of the eclipse will occur at 09:43 - the Moon will cover 0.13 of the solar disk in Ufa. At 09:58 the eclipse will end.
Bright meteor showers:
|
Meteor name flow |
Time of action | Maximum date |
Activity (meteors/hour) |
The astronomical calendar for November 2017 is no less eventful than the October one. On the eve of winter, many new constellations and objects for observation appear.
The astronomical calendar for November 2017 is no less eventful than the October one. On the eve of winter, many new constellations and objects for observation appear. For example, it will already be possible to see it in all its glory, and there is something to observe.
In addition, November will be rich in all kinds of rocket launches, and some of them can be watched live.
There are a lot of dates in November associated with various important events or people. Thus, on November 5, the Moscow Planetarium celebrates its 88th anniversary.
Many famous people were born in November - Edmund Halley, William Herschel, Carl Sagan, Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov, Edwin Hubble, Anders Celsius.
On November 3, 1957, 60 years ago, the Sputnik 2 spacecraft appeared in earth orbit with the first warm-blooded creature on board - it was the dog Laika. From this date the era of crewed space flights began.
In November, the world's first stations to Venus and Mars were launched, successfully reaching their goals - these were the Soviet spacecraft Mars-1, launched on November 1, 1962, and Venera-3, launched on November 16, 1965. Venera 3 is the first spacecraft in history to touch the surface of another planet.
On November 10, 1970, the famous Lunokhod-1 began its work. It is also World Science Day and World Youth Day.
On November 24, 1971, the Soviet automatic station “Mars-2” touched the surface of Mars for the first time in history.
On November 12, 2014, the Philae module made its first soft landing on a comet - it was a sensational expedition to comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
Main events
The time indicated is Moscow, which differs from the universal time by 3 hours (UT+3).
November 6– lunar occultation of the Hyades and Aldebaran clusters in . It will be possible to observe in the European part of Russia at 06.10.
November 8– birthday of Edmund Halley, born in 1656. 361 years from this date. Halley predicted the time of the reappearance of the comet, which later received his name. This was the first proof of Newton's theory of gravity.
11th of November- on this day, only in 1572, Tycho Brahe discovered a supernova explosion in the constellation Cassiopeia. 445 years have passed.
Starry sky in November
In November the starry sky is very beautiful. The bad weather that prevented observations in September and October is no longer present. Frosty nights and a transparent atmosphere allow you to admire almost all winter constellations during the night.
The constellation Leo appears in the east, with its bright star Regulus. Ursa Major begins its journey higher and higher. And in the northwest, the constellations Lyra and Cygnus lean toward the horizon.
In the southern part, Perseus is almost at the zenith, a little lower, but also high - . In the southwest are Pegasus and Andromeda, also high above the horizon, and near it is Whale. In the southeast - Gemini and Canis Minor, below you can already see the constellation and bright Sirius. And, of course, it rises quite high, in which there are a lot of interesting objects, ranging from the red giant Betelgeuse to numerous beautiful nebulae.
Moon in November
The moon in November can be observed at the following times:
- November 1 – 8 – at night.
- November 9 – 11 – after midnight.
- November 12 – 17 – in the morning.
- November 21 – 28 – in the evening.
- November 29 – 30 – at night.
Planets
Different planets will be visible at different times in November 2017.
- Saturn in the constellation Ophiuchus.
- Neptune in the constellation Aquarius.
- Uranus in the constellation Pisces.
- Venus is in the constellation Virgo until November 13, then moves into Libra.
- Mars in the constellation Virgo.
- Jupiter - from November 12 it will be visible in the morning, before sunrise.
Meteor showers
From November 9 to November 22, you can watch the Leonids meteor shower. Its radiant is located in the constellation Leo, and it was generated by the remnants of comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. A special feature is fast white meteors. The intensity of this flow changes every year. There will be a maximum on November 17 with an estimated intensity of 20 meteors per hour.
Of course, these are not all the events of the astronomical calendar for November 2017, but only the main ones that can be observed on the territory of Russia with the naked eye. Some events are omitted - for example, the lunar occultation of Neptune will occur on November 27, but this event can only be observed in Antarctica, so it is not mentioned here.
We wish you clear skies and successful observations.Visibility of planets with the naked eye
Mars- in the evenings, moving through the constellations of Pisces. The brightness of the planet is 1 star.
Jupiter- in the constellation Virgo, not far from the star Spica (1 star). The planet's brightness is 2 mag, the angular diameter of the disk is 41.
Saturn- low above the southeastern side of the horizon against the background of the morning dawn in the constellation Ophiuchus (until the 24th) and Sagittarius. The planet's brightness is 0.6 mag, the angular diameter of the planet's disk is 16".
Astronomical phenomena
| date | time | phenomenon |
| 1 | 4:05 | The Moon (φ = 0.17+) is 3.1° south of Mars (both luminaries are below the horizon) |
| 2 | Possible maximum of the February Leonids meteor shower(ZHR up to 5) | |
| 22:24 | Moon coverage (0.35+) of the star 106 Pisces (4.4) | |
| 23:20 | Discovery by the Moon (0.35+) of the star 106 Pisces (4.4) | |
| 3 | Maximum of the Mira T Hare (8,3) | |
| 4 | Myrid Maximum R Hercules(8,8) | |
| morning | Comet 45R near the spacecraft. Collinder 401 | |
| 7:19 | Moon in first quarter phase | |
| evening | Asteroid Pallas (10.2) 3° north of Neptune | |
| 21:49 | Moon coverage (f=0.57+) of the star 5 Taurus (4.1) | |
| 22:47 | Discovery by the Moon (f=0.57+) of the star 5 Taurus (4.1) | |
| 5 | morning | Comet 45P near the star Delta Aquila (3,4) |
| 17:47 | ||
| 20:23 | ||
| 21:24 | ||
| 21:36 | ||
| 21:37 | ||
| 22:41 | ||
| 22:45 | ||
| 23:01 | ||
| 23:22 | ||
| 6 | 1:34 | Moon (φ=0.69+) 0.4° south of Aldebaran |
| 2:37 | ||
| 3:08 | ||
| 19:31 | Moon coverage (f=0.77+) of the star 111 Taurus (5.0) | |
| 20:26 | Discovery by the Moon (f=0.78+) of the star 111 Taurus (5.0) | |
| 7 | morning | Comet 45P near the spacecraft. NGC 6709 |
| 8 | 5:52 | Lunar occultation (f=0.9+) of star BSC2499(6.4) |
| 8 and 9 | Asteroid Proserpina(11.2) near the galaxy NGC3338(10.8) | |
| 10 | 1:45 | Lunar occultation (f = 0.99+) of the star BSC 3394 (6.3) |
| 2:29 | Discovery by the Moon (f=0.99+) of the star BSC 3394(6.3) | |
| 11 | Asteroid Eunomia(9.2) 0.3° north of Alpha Sextans | |
| Comet 45P near Earth (0.08 AU) | ||
| 1:31 | Beginning of the penumbral lunar eclipse | |
| 3:33 | Full moon | |
| 3:43 | Maximum phase of penumbral lunar eclipse (f=0.98) | |
| 5:54 | End of penumbral lunar eclipse | |
| 12 | 6:14 | Covering by the Moon (f=0.99-) 49 Leo (5.7) |
| 6:36 | Opening by the Moon (f=0.99-) 49 Leo (5.7) | |
| 14 | Maximum of the universes X Auriga (8.6) and R Gemini (7.1) | |
| 15 | Galileo's Day | |
| Asteroid Alexandra (12.4) 0.5° south of M44 | ||
| 4:20 | Moon covering (f=0.83-) star 46 Virgo (6.0) | |
| 5:30 | Discovery by the Moon (f = 0.83-) of the star 46 Virgo (6.0) | |
| morning | Comet 45P 4.8° north of Arcturus | |
| 17:34 | The Moon (f=0.78-) is 2.1° north of Jupiter (both luminaries are below the horizon) | |
| 19:14 | Covering by asteroid (893) Leopoldina star TYC 0111-00021-1(9.3) | |
| 16 | Comet 45P near M3 | |
| 18 | Asteroid Opposition(14) Irena | |
| around 3:00 | The approach of comet 41P and asteroid Alkmena (10.8) to 0.8° | |
| 22:36 | Moon in last quarter phase | |
| 19 | evening | Comet 45P near the galaxy NGC 4631(9.3) |
| 20 | Asteroid Opposition (15) Eunomia | |
| Maximum of the worlds W Andromeda (7.4) and R Aquila (6.1) | ||
| 21 | Comet 41P near the galaxy NGC 2903 | |
| Maximum Mira Z Pegasus(8.4) | ||
| 1:23 | Moon (f=0.3-) 2.9° north of Saturn | |
| 23 | Maximum mirid omicron Ceti (3,4) and U Aurigae (8,5) | |
| 5:55 | Lunar occultation (f = 0.13-) of the star BSC 7439 (6.1, trans.) | |
| 6:54 | Discovery by the Moon (f = 0.13-) of the star BSC 7439 (6.1, trans.) | |
| 24 | Maximum of the U Persei Miras(8,1) | |
| 26 | Maximum of the Miras R Virgo(6,9) | |
| 17:58 | New moon | |
| 27 | Conjunction of asteroids (275) Sapientia (11.6) and (182) Elsa (12.0). Distance 0.3° | |
| evening | Mars near Uranus (0.3°) | |
| 28 | 23:39 | The Moon (φ = 0.06+) is 10.9° south of Venus (both luminaries are below the horizon) and 8° east of Comet Encke |
Time is given in hours and minutes (separated by colon). "f" means the magnitude of the lunar phase. The numbers in brackets after the name of the star indicate its magnitude. ZHR - zenith hour number. Only those Miras that are accessible to visual observation are indicated.
This eclipse will be clearly visible in the European part of Russia. In Moscow, the eclipse will begin at 1:34 minutes, the maximum phase equal to 0.98 will reach at 3:43, and the end of the eclipse will occur at 5:53.
Uranus
Visible until about midnight in the constellation Pisces, near the star zeta of this constellation. The planet's brightness is 5.8 stars. Below is a map from AK, edited by Alexander Kuznetsov.
Asteroid (4) Vesta
Superbly visible all night, moving through the constellation Gemini. The brightness of the minor planet is about magnitude 7.
Asteroids (8) Metis and (14) Irene
Visible in the constellation Leo, with a brightness of about 9 stars. Asteroid Irene is moving above Metis, and in the period from 3 to 12 its visible path will pass through the constellation Leo Minor.
Asteroid (15) Eunomia
Visible all night in the constellation Sextant. The brightness of the minor planet is about 9 stars.
Asteroids (16) Psyche and (29) Amphitirite
Both asteroids are visible in the southeastern part of the constellation Leo. The brilliance of Psyche is about 10 stars, Amphitrite is almost a magnitude brighter. On February 12, the Moon will occult the asteroid Psyche, but the bright moonlight and faint shine of the asteroid make this phenomenon difficult to observe and it is of theoretical interest.
Asteroid (39) Letecia
Visible all night in the southwestern part of the constellation Leo, near its border with the constellation Sectarian. The brightness of the small planet is about 10 stars.
Comet 2P/Encke
Visible in the evenings, low over the southwestern horizon in the constellation Pisces. The estimated brightness of the comet will increase from 10 to 7 mag within a month.
Comet 41P/Tuttle - Giacobini - Kresaka
In the second half of the month, the estimated brightness of the comet should become brighter than 10.5 stars. At this time, the comet will move across the western part of the constellation Leo
Comet 45P/Honda - Mrkos - Paydushakova
Visible in the morning sky, moving through the constellations Eagle (1-7), Ophiuchus (7), Hercules (8-12), Corona Borealis (12-14), Bootes (14-15), Canes Venatici (15-20), Coma Veronica (20-21), the southern part of Ursa Major (22-25) and Leo (from 25 to the end of the month) The estimated brightness of the comet in the first half of the month will be at the level of 6-7 stars, after which it will begin to decrease sharply , decreasing to 10-11 stars by the end of the month.
Comet C/2015 V5 Johnson
Visible almost all night, being a non-setting object at the latitude of Moscow and moving through the constellations Bootes (until the 9th) and Hercules. The best time to observe this comet is the second half of the night and morning. Estimated brightness is about 10 mag.
On the night of February 5-6, the visible path of our natural satellite will pass through the open star cluster Hyades from the constellation Taurus. Below is a table of coverage of stars up to 6.5 stars.
| 5 | 17:47 | Discovery by the Moon (f=0.66+) of the star 54 Tauri (3.7) |
| 20:16 | Moon coverage (f=0.67+) of the star 70 Taurus (6.5) | |
| 20:23 | Moon coverage (f=0.67+) of the star 71 Taurus (4.5) | |
| 21:04 | Discovery by the Moon (f=0.68+) of the star 70 Taurus (6.5) | |
| 21:24 | Discovery by the Moon (f=0.68+) of the star 71 Taurus (4.5) | |
| 21:36 | Moon coverage (f=0.68+) of the star 78 Taurus (3.4) | |
| 21:37 | Moon coverage (f=0.68+) of the star 77 Taurus (3.8) | |
| 22:41 | Discovery by the Moon (f=0.68+) of the star 77 Taurus (3.8) | |
| 22:45 | Discovery by the Moon (f=0.68+) of the star 78 Taurus (3.4) | |
| 22:51 | Moon coverage (f=0.69+) of the star 81 Taurus (5.5) | |
| 23:01 | Lunar occultation (f = 0.69+) of the star BCS 1427 (4.8, trans.) | |
| 23:14 | Moon coverage (f=0.69+) of the star 85 Taurus (6.0) | |
| 23:21 | Discovery by the Moon (f=0.69+) of the star 81 Taurus (5.5) | |
| 23:22 | Discovery by the Moon (f = 0.69+) of the star BCS 1427 (4.8, trans.) | |
| 6 | 0:12 | Discovery by the Moon (f=0.69+) of the star 85 Taurus (6.0) |
| 2:01 | Moon coverage (f = 0.7+) of the star 89 Taurus (5.8) | |
| 2:37 | Moon coverage (f=0.7+) of the star 92 Taurus (4.7) | |
| 2:52 | Discovery by the Moon (f=0.7+) of the star 89 Taurus (5.8) | |
| 3:08 | Discovery by the Moon (f=0.71+) of the star 92 Tauri (4.7) |
Occultation by asteroid (893) Leopoldina star TYC 0111-00021-1
On the evening of February 15 in the Moscow region there will be an occultation of a star of 9.3 mag. from the constellation Orion by the asteroid Leopoldina. The central strip of coverage will run along the line: Tula-Kolomna-Rostov. You should expect the star to cover between 19:05 and 19:22. The star's brightness drops to 14.7 mag, lasting 6.5 seconds. The moon at the moment of occultation will be below the horizon and will not interfere with observations. Asteroid (893) Leopoldina was discovered on May 31, 1918 by German astronomer Max Wolf and named after one of the oldest scientific societies in Germany. The diameter of the small planet is about 39 km. And this coating may make it possible to more accurately determine the size of the asteroid.
Occultation by asteroid (957) Camellia star TYC 0625-00010-1 (9.5)
On the evening of January 29 in the Moscow region there will be an occultation of a star of 9.5 mag. from the constellation Aries by asteroid (957) Camellia. The central strip of coverage will run along the line: Ruza-Moscow-Shatura. The occultation should be expected in the interval from 20:37 to 20:44. The star’s brightness drops to 15.3 mag, lasting 2.9 seconds. The moon at the moment of occultation will be below the horizon and will not interfere with observations. Asteroid (957) Camellia was discovered on September 7, 1921 by German astronomer Karl Reimuth and named after a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs of the tea genus. The diameter of the asteroid is estimated according to some data at 64 km, according to others at 73.6 - so observations of such a rare phenomenon will be able to more accurately determine this value and have scientific significance.
Astronomical calendar 2018: equinox, solstice, important dates, lunar and solar eclipses, meteor showers, comets, asteroids, planets.
Dear astronomy lovers! Astronomical calendar for 2018- a monthly periodical for lovers of the starry sky. It provides detailed information about the planets, comets, asteroids, variable stars and astronomical phenomena of each month. This calendar makes space as accessible as possible. Browse dates and events so you don't miss out on anything exciting this year.
Astronomical events in 2018
- The vernal equinox– March 20 at 21:14 (day is equal to night)
- Summer solstice – June 21 at 15:06 (longest day of the year)
- Autumn equinox - September 23 at 06:53 (day is equal to night)
- Winter solstice – December 22 at 03:22 (the shortest day of the year)
- Earth at the perihelion point (minimum distance to the Sun - 147,097,328 km) - January 3 at 10:07
- Earth at the aphelion point (maximum distance from the Sun – 152,092,472 km) – July 6 at 23:44
Important dates of the 2018 astronomical calendar
- March 18 – International Planetarium Day
- April 12 – International Day of Human Space Flight
- April 21 – International Astronomy Day
- April 22 – International Earth Day
- May 3 – International Sun Day
- October 4 -10 – World Space Week
Moon eclipse- an event when the Moon plunges into the region of the shadow cast by the Earth. Objects in space move, so the movement of the shadow across the lunar surface creates the phases of the moon during an eclipse. Thus, it is possible to observe a total or partial lunar eclipse. Sometimes a penumbral lunar eclipse occurs (partial blocking of sunlight by the Earth).
Solar eclipse- a phenomenon in astronomy when the Moon overlaps the Sun for an earthly observer. This event occurs only in the New Moon phase, when the side of the Moon facing us is not illuminated. There are also phases of the eclipse: total or partial. In the first option, it will be possible to observe the features of the solar corona (resembles a ring).
Let us recall that solar and lunar eclipses are considered the most accessible astronomical events for observation. The main thing is not to forget the rules of how to observe eclipses.
January 31- We are experiencing a total lunar eclipse. At 16:50 (Ufa time) the earth's satellite will begin to enter the planet's shadow (start for a partial eclipse). At 17:52 the satellite will completely enter the shadow (total eclipse), and at 18:30 it will be time for the middle of the eclipse. At 19:18 the Moon will begin to emerge from the shadow (completion of the total eclipse), and at 20:11 the luminary will completely leave the shadow (completion of the eclipse).
February 15-16- we will not be able to observe a partial solar eclipse. The start falls on February 15 at 23:54 (Ufa time), the middle is on February 16 at 01:50. The eclipse will end at 03:46. The event can be observed from Antarctica and southern South America. The maximum eclipse phase (0.6) will be available for the Indian Ocean near the Antarctic coast.
July 13- a partial solar eclipse inaccessible to us. The start is at 06:47 (Ufa time), the middle is 08:00, and the end is 09:12.
July 27/28- the total lunar eclipse we are observing. The Moon will begin to enter the planet's shadow on July 27 at 23:24 (beginning of a partial eclipse). On July 28 at 00:29 the luminary will be completely in the shadow (beginning of a total eclipse), at 01:21 - the middle of the eclipse, at 02:12 it will begin to emerge from the shadow (completion of a total eclipse), and at 03:18 the satellite will finally leave the shadow ( end of the eclipse).
11th August– the partial solar eclipse we are observing. The start is at 14:27 (Ufa time), the middle is at 15:00, and the end is at 15:33. The Moon will cover 0.1226 parts of the Sun's disk in Ufa.
Meteor shower(starfall and star shower) - a group of meteors burning in the sky as meteoroids fall through the Earth's atmosphere. The table below will show you when to expect the arrival of the Orionids, Perseids, Leonids, Draconids, etc. meteor showers. The main thing to remember is how to observe meteor showers without missing the peak of activity.
| Meteor name flow |
Time of action | Maximum date | Activity (meteors/hour) |
| Quadrantids | January 1–January 5 | January 3 | 100 |
| Lyrids | April 19 – April 25 | April 22 | 10 |
| η (eta)-Aquarids | April 24–May 20 | 5 May | 35 |
| δ (delta)-Aquarids | July 15–August 19 | July 28th | 20 |
| Perseids | July 23–August 20 | 12th of August | 80 |
| Draconids | October 6 – October 10 | October 8 | variable |
| Orionids | October 2–November 7 | October 21 | 25 |
| Leonids | November 15 – November 22 | November 17 | 100 |
| Geminids | December 6–December 19 | December 13th | 100 |
Asteroids in 2018
Asteroid- a small space object in the Solar System, revolving in orbit around the Sun. Significantly smaller in size and mass than ordinary planets. Although many may have satellites.
We present to your attention a table of visibility of bright asteroids for a year. With its help, you will be able to study in detail the objects that can be considered in a particular month. The information is aimed at amateur astronomers using small instruments (all asteroids are brighter than magnitude 10). Study the calendar carefully so you don't miss the dates when a particular asteroid will approach Earth.
Explanation of meanings (information and abbreviations) of all values in the table can be clarified in the legend below:
All displayed numerical information and visibility conditions are provided for 56 degrees north latitude.
Comets in 2018
Comet is a small cosmic body rotating in an extremely elongated orbit around the Sun in the Solar System. When approaching a star, it forms a coma and a tail (created by gas and dust). The most famous representative is Halley's comet. Below are maps of space, where you can see the routes of some comets in the sky.
Let's take a look at the comet events for this year. The table shows all cometary objects that will exceed magnitude 14 at their peak brightness. Therefore, they can be observed by amateur astronomers.
Objects are indicated in order of passage of the perihelion mark. Sign meanings: Tperig.– point of passage of perihelion (in Moscow), q– perihelion distance in astronomical units, P– rotation period in years for a type of comet with a short period, Mmax– the highest brightness in this appearance and the current indicator.
All comets brighter than magnitude 14 that will be observed in 2018:
| Designation | Tperig. | q | P | M max | Observations |
| 185P/Petru | January 27, 2018 | 0.934 | 5.46 | 11.5 | Observed |
| C/2015 O1 (PANSTARRS) | February 19, 2018 | 3.730 | 12.5 | Observed | |
| C/2017 T1 (Heinze) | February 21, 2018 | 0.581 | 9.3 | Observed | |
| 169P/NEAT | April 29, 2018 | 0.604 | 4.20 | 12.5 | Observed |
| 37P/Forbes | May 4, 2018 | 1.610 | 6.43 | 13.5 | Observed |
| C/2016 R2 (PANSTARRS) | May 9, 2018 | 2.602 | >18.9 thousand | 11.3 | Observed |
| 66P/Du Toit | May 19, 2018 | 1.289 | 14.88 | 12 | Observed |
| 364P/PANSTARRS | June 24, 2018 | 0.798 | 4.88 | 10.7 | Observed |
| C/2016 N6 (PANSTARRS) | July 18, 2018 | 2.669 | >76 thousand | 12 | Observed |
| C/2017 T3 (ATLAS) | July 19, 2018 | 0.825 | 10 | Observed | |
| C/2016 M1 (PANSTARRS) | August 10, 2018 | 2.211 | >89 thousand | 8.8 | Observed |
| 48P/Johnson | August 12, 2018 | 2.005 | 6.55 | 11.5 | Observed |
| C/2017 S3 (PANSTARRS) | August 16, 2018 | 0.208 | 4.1 | Observed | |
| 21P/Giacobini-Zinner | September 10, 2018 | 1.015 | 6.56 | 7.1 | Observed |
| 64P/Swift-Gerels | November 4, 2018 | 1.394 | 9.41 | 10 | Observed |
| 38P/Stefana Oterma | November 11, 2018 | 1.588 | 37.88 | 9.1 | Observed |
| 46P/Virtanen | December 13, 2018 | 1.055 | 5.43 | 3.8 | Observed |
Details on the visibility of comets from the list:
- 185P/Petru– belongs to the periodic type and was observed in the fourth arrival. First noticed in 2001. In 2018, it appeared at its maximum brilliance in the first days of February. At that time, its magnitude reached 11.5. It could be observed in the evening hours at low altitude in the west. Moving through Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Keith, again Pisces and Keith.
- C/2015 O1 (PANSTARRS)- a comet spotted at the end of July 2015 by the PANSTARRS sky survey program. The end of March marked the maximum brightness (12.5). It could be followed all night high above the horizon. In the morning she approached almost the zenith. Moved along Hercules, Bootes and Ursa Major.
- C/2017 T1 (Heinze)– the comet’s maximum brightness occurred in January 2018 at magnitude 9.3. From December 2017 to March 2018, it was possible to monitor it from mid-latitudes. It moved along Cancer, Lynx, Giraffe, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, Lizard, Pegasus and Aquarius. Visibility opened all night at the very beginning of the year, but already in February it could be observed in the morning and evening. In the last days of February - in the morning.
Route C/2017 T1 (Heinze) during the period of visibility in small instruments:
169P/NEAT- belongs to the periodic type and visited us for the seventh time (twice before the moment of discovery). The maximum brightness in 2018 (12.5) will fall at the end of April. However, it will disappear from view because it will come too close to the Sun and will be blocked by its glow.
37P/Forbes- arrives to us for the 12th time and should return to the perihelion point in 2018. It is important to note that arrivals in 1935, 1955 and 1967 were not tracked. Now its maximum brightness should reach 13.5. At the peak, it will be difficult to see the object in mid-latitudes. You should search low above the horizon line. Choose morning time and study the eastern sky. It will move through Aquarius and Pisces.
C/2016 R2 (PANSTARRS)– presented maximum brightness (11.3) in the first days of January 2018. She could be followed all night, except for the mark before dawn. It appeared high above the horizon line. Moved along Orion, Taurus and Perseus. Comet route C/2016 R2 (PANSTARRS):
66P/Du Toit- flies to us for the fourth time (they missed it in 1959 and 1988). Analysis shows that the maximum value (12) will fall in the second half of May. At that time, the comet will not be able to be tracked in the mid-latitudes of the northern hemisphere. Moves on Crane, Southern Fish and Sculptor.
364P/PANSTARRS– was first spotted in 2013 and is coming to us for the second time. At maximum brightness, it will be possible to follow it in our latitudes. Analysis shows that magnitude 10.7 will occur in mid-July. At that time, it will move along Hydra, Unicorn, Poop, Canis Major, Dove and Cutter.
U C/2016 N6 (PANSTARRS) In 2018, there will be two points of maximum brightness - April and November-December. In April days the magnitude will reach 11.5, and the object can be observed all night. Look above the horizon in the subpolar skies. Moves along Ursa Major and Giraffe. The second peak will be a little weaker and it will be much more difficult to notice. It is better to focus on the second part of the night and look not too high above the horizon (southern side of the sky). Moves around Hydra, Poop and Canis Major.
C/2017 T3 (ATLAS)– the maximum is expected at magnitude 10 (second half of July). However, in our latitudes, amateur astronomers will not be able to admire it. Moves on Taurus, Orion, Unicorn, Canis Major, Poop, Compass, Pump and Hydra.
C/2016 M1 (PANSTARRS)– the expected magnitude peak should reach 8.8 in the last days of June or the first of July. Small instruments in our latitudes will be able to track the object at magnitude up to 9.0 (from late March to early June). Look in the morning hours not too high above the horizon (southeast). It will move along Eagle and Sagittarius. Route C/2016 M1 (PANSTARRS):
48P/Johnson– flies to us for the 11th time. The peak magnitude (11.5) should occur in August, but during this period its visibility for mid-latitudes will not be the best. You can watch almost all night, but not in the evening. You should look low in the southern celestial part. Moves through Aquarius and Southern Pisces.
Maximum shine C/2017 S3 (PANSTARRS) will fall in mid-August (4). Amateur astronomers will be able to observe it in the middle latitudes of the northern hemisphere from July until the first days of August. It will be visible all night in the northern sky, not too high above the horizon. At that time, the value will alternate between 12-6.0. The peak will not be open to our visibility. Her route takes her through Giraffe, Auriga and Gemini.
21P/Giacobini-Zinner– discovered in 1900 and observed for the 16th time. Arrivals in 1907, 1920 and 1953. missed. Analysis shows that its value may approach 7.1 in the first days of September. From northern latitudes it can be observed from June to November. Look high above the horizon all night (from October - in the morning). Route 21P/Giacobini-Zinner:
It will move along Cygnus, Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Giraffe, Perseus, Auriga, Gemini, Orion, Unicorn, Canis Major and Poop.
64P/Swift-Gerels– a periodic type, which in 2018 can reach magnitude 10 (end of October – first days of November). He comes to us for the seventh time, but arrived from 1899-1963. missed. Peak brightness can be monitored throughout the night high above the horizon. By midnight it will rise to the near-zenith area of the sky. Moving along Andromeda and the Triangle.
38P/Stefana Oterma- opened in 1867 and is coming to us for the fourth time. The arrival in 1904 was missed. Analysis shows that the maximum value in the last days of November can reach 9.1. In September-December (2018) and January (2019), amateur astronomers will be able to track it in the second half of the night, and then throughout the night. Look high above the horizon. Passes through Orion, Gemini, Cancer and Lynx.
46P/Virtanen- a periodic type approaching us for the 12th time (missed in 1980). In mid-December the peak may exceed magnitude 4. Amateur astronomers from mid-latitudes in the northern hemisphere will be able to monitor from September (2018) to March (2019). Until November it is visible in the morning, then in the evening, and from December onwards all night. It appears above the horizon line and will rise every day. Route 46P/Virtanen:
It will pass through Cetus, Furnace, again Cetus, Eridanus, Cetus, Taurus, Perseus, Auriga, Lynx, Ursa Major and Leo Minor.
Planets in 2018
In 2018, remarkable visibility of the planets of the solar system opens. Find out when and how to observe Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Study the dates of their approach to the Earth and the features of their passage in orbit around the Sun.
Elongation Mercury reached 4 mornings (in January, April, August and December) and 3 evenings (in March, July and November). Its distance from the Sun will not exceed 27 degrees.
Behind Venus it is better to observe in the second half of the year (August 17 - evening elongation of 46 degrees, and October 27 - inferior merger with the Sun). There is a beautiful view of Mars, because July 27 falls at a great opposition (in Capricorn) with a maximum observed diameter of more than 24 arcseconds. Jupiter(in Libra and Scorpio) demonstrates itself to its maximum in the first part of the year with the opposition on May 9. Saturn(in Sagittarius) – the first half of the year at opposition on June 27. Uranus(in Pisces and Aries) and Neptune(in Aquarius) act as autumn planets, because their opposition with the Sun falls on October 24 and September 7.
If we consider 14 planetary conjunctions in 2018, then the closest (less than 5 arc minutes) will be 2 cases: Venus and Uranus (March 29), as well as Mars and Neptune (December 7). Less than 1 degree: Mars and Jupiter (January 7), Mercury and Saturn (January 13), Venus and Neptune (February 21), Mercury and Neptune (February 25), Mercury and Jupiter (November 27) and Mercury and Jupiter (December 21) ).
Falls in 2018 5 lunar occultations major planets in the system: for Mercury twice (February 15 and September 8), once each for Venus (February 16), Mars (November 16) and Saturn (December 9). No occultation is expected for Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune. The next sequence for Jupiter starts on November 28, 2019. Uranus ended in 2015 and will begin only on February 7, 2022. Neptune will launch no earlier than September 1, 2023.
Moon occultations brightest stars occur on Aldebaran (Alpha Tauri). The series began on January 29, 2015 and will last until September 3, 2018. In 2018, Aldebaran had another 9 covers. Regulus (Alpha Leo) occurs 5 times (twice in March). Ends April 24 and starts again July 26, 2025.
The brightest an asteroid this year it will be Vesta. The magnitude at the point of opposition (June 20) will reach 5.3m (in Sagittarius). That is, the object can be observed without instruments. In the last days of January, Ceres (in Cancer) will reach a magnitude of 6.9m. On November 17, Juno will enter into opposition with the Sun at 7.4m (Eridanus).
Amateur astronomers will be able to look at comets: P/Giacobini-Zinner (21P), P/Stefan-Oterma (38P), P/Wirtanen (46P) and PANSTARRS (C/2016 M1), whose expected magnitude should exceed 10m. It is possible that Comet P/Wirtanen (46P) can be observed without instruments at night in the December sky.
Among meteor showers The best visibility can be expected from the Lyrids, Perseids, Draconids, Leonids and Geminids.
Planet configurations:
- January 2 - station of Uranus (5.7m);
- April 18 - merger with the Sun;
- August 7 - position of the planet (5.7m);
- October 24 - opposition of Uranus (5.6m).
The best conditions for visibility of the planet occur on autumn days.
- IN February days the object is visible in the west in the first half of the night, and then in the evenings in Pisces at magnitude 5.8.
- IN March Uranus' magnitude remains at 5.8. You can observe the planet in the evening just after sunset in Pisces.
- IN April-May Uranus hides in the sun's rays and is not visible. In the last days of May, the planet begins to appear in the morning sky low above the horizon (east). Moves through Aries near Pisces territory.
- IN June appears in the morning hours before dawn, low above the horizon (east). Moves through Aries with magnitude 5.8.
- IN July period the planet is visible in the second half of the night in the eastern celestial part. Will be in Aries with a change in magnitude between 5.8-5.7.
- IN August will continue to move through Aries and will appear almost all night, except for the evening hours in the east. Magnitude – 5.7.
- IN September The planetary brightness gradually increases - from 5.7 to 5.6. Uranus is located in Aries and is visible to observers throughout the night. Appears after sunset.
- October– a favorable period for observation. The planet can be monitored throughout the night. Look high above the horizon in Aries. The magnitude will reach 5.6.
- IN November Uranus also appears throughout the night, except for a short period of time at dawn. It moves through Aries near Pisces at magnitude 5.6.
IN January Uranus can be followed in the first half of the night, in the western celestial part in the territory of Pisces. The value changes from 5.7-5.8.
IN December the planet is open for observation all night, except in the morning hours. Look high above the horizon in the southern and then western sky. Uranus is moving from Aries to Pisces, where it will remain until the beginning of the February days of 2019. The value will change from 5.6-5.7.
