In the sky tonight
By
Dave Samuhel, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Oct 14, 2019 10:11 PM EDT
The moon will still be nearly full tonight, more than 95% illuminated. It will rise just after sunset, due east on the horizon. The moon will appear nearly full for the next couple of days.
Photo of the Full Hunter's Moon courtesy of AccuWeather Astronomy Facebook friend Deirdre Horan
Meanwhile, on the western horizon. You can still see Jupiter. Jupiter was higher in the night sky over the last few months. However, it is still a striking sight. It is brighter than any other star. Only Venus and the moon are brighter in the night sky. Jupiter sets on the southwest horizon around 9 p.m. this evening.
Saturn is not far from Jupiter in the sky. It is above and to the left. It is dimmer than Jupiter, but still brighter than most stars. If you only see one object to the left of Jupiter, it is likely Saturn. For folks well outside of town, Saturn is very close to the Milky Way. It can be used to spot the Milky Way.
The Big Dipper can be spotted on the northern horizon most of the night, but it is rather low on the horizon this time of year.
It is dimmer, but look directly above the Big Dipper for the little Dipper. It will appear to be "pouring" into the Big Dipper. The tip of the handle of the Little Dipper is the North Star, Polaris.
Another easy to spot constellation is Cassiopeia. It can be found high in the sky all night. It works it's way from above the northeast part of the sky during the evening to the Northwest part of the sky predawn.
Probably the most famous winter constellation is Orion. It still rises pretty late this time of year. It will pop above the eastern horizon after 11 p.m. It will rise earlier and earlier every night going forward. You can't miss the three bright stars that make up the belt. Once you find those, the rest come into view. The left shoulder of Orion is a star called Betelgeuse (pronounced Beetle Juice). It is unbelievably massive. If it were where our sun is, it would extend all the way nearly to Jupiter's orbit!
Enjoy your time outdoors. Just look up; you never know what you will see!
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Weather Blogs / Astronomy
In the sky tonight
By Dave Samuhel, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Oct 14, 2019 10:11 PM EDT
The moon will still be nearly full tonight, more than 95% illuminated. It will rise just after sunset, due east on the horizon. The moon will appear nearly full for the next couple of days.
Photo of the Full Hunter's Moon courtesy of AccuWeather Astronomy Facebook friend Deirdre Horan
Meanwhile, on the western horizon. You can still see Jupiter. Jupiter was higher in the night sky over the last few months. However, it is still a striking sight. It is brighter than any other star. Only Venus and the moon are brighter in the night sky. Jupiter sets on the southwest horizon around 9 p.m. this evening.
Saturn is not far from Jupiter in the sky. It is above and to the left. It is dimmer than Jupiter, but still brighter than most stars. If you only see one object to the left of Jupiter, it is likely Saturn. For folks well outside of town, Saturn is very close to the Milky Way. It can be used to spot the Milky Way.
The Big Dipper can be spotted on the northern horizon most of the night, but it is rather low on the horizon this time of year.
It is dimmer, but look directly above the Big Dipper for the little Dipper. It will appear to be "pouring" into the Big Dipper. The tip of the handle of the Little Dipper is the North Star, Polaris.
Another easy to spot constellation is Cassiopeia. It can be found high in the sky all night. It works it's way from above the northeast part of the sky during the evening to the Northwest part of the sky predawn.
Probably the most famous winter constellation is Orion. It still rises pretty late this time of year. It will pop above the eastern horizon after 11 p.m. It will rise earlier and earlier every night going forward. You can't miss the three bright stars that make up the belt. Once you find those, the rest come into view. The left shoulder of Orion is a star called Betelgeuse (pronounced Beetle Juice). It is unbelievably massive. If it were where our sun is, it would extend all the way nearly to Jupiter's orbit!
Enjoy your time outdoors. Just look up; you never know what you will see!
Report a Typo