The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, June 5, 2005
Sunday, June 5 Sunrise: 5:35 a.m.
Sunset: 8:27 p.m.
As darkness falls Bootes, the shepherd, appears nearly straight
overhead. Orange Arcturus, its brightest star, is just to the south
of the zenith.
The first hot air balloon flight occurred on this day in 1783.
John C. Adams was born on this day in 1819.
Monday, June 6 New Moon
(No visible Moon).
Tuesday, June 7 As darkness falls Venus appears close to the west-northwestern
horizon. The crescent Moon is to its right. Saturn is above and
to the left.
Wednesday, June 8 Twenty minutes after sunset bright Venus, the Moon,
and yellow Saturn form nearly a straight line across
the west-northwest. Mercury may be visible below and
to the right of Venus.
Cassini was born on this day in 1625.
Thursday, June 9 About one hour after sunset the Moon appears between Saturn
and Pollux, one of the "twins" of Gemini. Venus is below and
to the right.
The Kuiper Airborne Observatory discovered Pluto's atmosphere
on this day in 1988.
Friday, June 10 About 30 minutes after sunset the crescent Moon, Saturn, Venus,
and Mercury form nearly a straight line across the west-northwest.
Saturday, June 11 Sunrise: 5:34 a.m.
Sunset: 8:30 p.m.
About 30 minutes after sunset the crescent Moon, Saturn,
Venus, and Mercury form nearly a straight line
across the west-northwest.
The Moon is at apogee, its closest approach to Earth.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, June 12, 2005
Sunday, June 12 Sunrise: 5:34 a.m.
Sunset: 8:30 p.m.
As darkness falls Saturn, Venus, and Mercury form
nearly a straight line across the west-northwest. Meanwhile,
in the west, the Moon appears directly above Regulus,
the brightest star in Leo. Bright Jupiter is well to the left,
among the stars of Virgo.
Carolyn Shoemaker discovered her 14th comet and became
the greatest living comet hunter on this day in 1988.
Monday, June 13 In the west as darkness falls, the Moon appears above
and to the left of Regulus, the brightest star in Leo.
Bright Jupiter is well to the left, among the stars of Virgo.
Pioneer 10 became the first manmade object to leave
the Solar System on this day in 1983.
Tuesday, June 14 First Quarter ("half") Moon
It appears to the right of bright Jupiter, while Regulus,
the brightest star in Leo, is to the right of the Moon.
Today's is the earliest sunrise of the year.
Venus is at perihelion, its closest approach to the Sun
Pluto is at opposition, directly opposite the Sun and
in the sky all night.
Wednesday, June 15 As darkness falls the Moon appears slightly below bright Jupiter,
among the stars of Virgo in the southwest. Meanwhile,
in the west-northwest, Saturn, Venus, and Mercury form
a nearly straight line close to the horizon.
Benjamin Franklin flew a kite in a thunderstorm on this day
in 1752.
Thursday, June 16 As darkness falls the Moon appears between Spica,
the brightest star in Virgo to the left, and bright Jupiter on the right.
The first woman in space, Valentina Tereshkova, was launched
on this day in 1963.
Friday, June 17 In the darkness before dawn the two stars forming the eastern side
of the "Great Square" of Pegasus form nearly a straight line
with Mars.
As darkness falls, the "twins" of Gemini, Saturn, Venus,
and Mercury form a close grouping in the west-northwest.
Saturday, June 18 Sunrise: 5:34 a.m.
Sunset: 8:33 p.m.
As darkness falls, the "twins" of Gemini, Saturn, Venus,
and Mercury form a close grouping in the west-northwest.
Canterbury monks reported that the Moon was hit by a meteor
on this day in 1178.
William Lassell was born on this day in 1799.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, June 19, 2005
Sunday, June 19 Sunrise: 5:34 a.m.
Sunset: 8:33 p.m.
As darkness falls, the "twins" of Gemini, Saturn, Venus,
and Mercury form a close grouping in the west-northwest.
The waxing Moon appears just above red Antares, the brightest star
in Scorpius.
Viking 1 was placed in orbit around Mars on this day in 1976.
Monday, June 20 As darkness falls the nearly full Moon appears just
below Antares, the brightest star in the Scorpion.
Tuesday, June 21 Full Moon
As darkness falls it appears low in the southeast. Meanwhile,
Castor, Pollux, Mercury, Venus and Saturn form a close grouping
in the west-northwest. Bright Saturn, brighter Venus, and
dimmer Mercury form nearly a straight line.
Summer arrives today at 2:46 a.m.
Wednesday, June 22 About an hour after sunset Castor, Pollux, Mercury, Venus and
Saturn form a close grouping in the west-northwest.
Bright Saturn, brighter Venus, and dimmer Mercury form
nearly a straight line.
Charon, Pluto's satellite, was discovered on this day in 1978.
Greenwich Observatory was founded on this day in 1675.
Thursday, June 23 About an hour after sunset Castor, Pollux, Mercury, Venus and
Saturn form a close grouping in the west-northwest. Bright
Saturn, brighter Venus, and dimmer Mercury form nearly
a straight line.
The Moon is at perigee, its closest approach to Earth.
Friday, June 24 About an hour after sunset Mercury, Venus and Saturn form
a close grouping in the west-northwest. Castor and Pollux are
to the right.
Saturday, June 25 Sunrise: 5:36 a.m.
Sunset: 8:34 p.m.
About an hour after sunset Mercury, Venus and Saturn form
a close grouping in the west-northwest. Castor and Pollux are
to the right.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, June 26, 2005
Sunday, June 26 Sunrise: 5:36 a.m.
Sunset: 8:34 p.m.
About an hour after sunset Mercury, Venus and Saturn form a close grouping in the west-northwest. Castor and Pollux are to the right.
Charles Messier was born on this day in 1730.
Monday, June 27 About an hour after sunset Mercury, Venus and Saturn form a close grouping in the west-northwest. Castor and Pollux are to the right.
Tuesday, June 28 Last Quarter ("half") Moon
In the darkness before sunrise it appears above and to the right of Mars.
Wednesday, June 29 In the darkness before dawn the Moon appears to the left of Mars.
As darkness falls Mercury and Venus appear quite close together very low in the west-northwest. Saturn is below and still closer to the horizon. Castor and Pollux are to the right.
George Ellery Hale was born on this day in 1868.
Thursday, June 30 In the darkness before dawn the Moon appears among the stars of Aries. Mars is above and to the right.
As darkness falls Venus and Mercury appear quite close together very low in the west-northwest.
The Tunguska fireball touched down on this day in 1908.
Friday, July 1
About 9:15 this evening a telescope will show the shadows of two of the satellites of Jupiter on the face of the planet.
Wernher von Braun retired from NASA on this day in 1972.
Saturday, July 2 Sunrise: 5:39 a.m.
Sunset: 8:34 p.m.
The first zeppelin flight occurred on this day in 1926.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, July 3, 2005
Sunday, July 3 Sunrise: 5:39 a.m.
Sunset: 8:34 p.m.
Monday, July 4
Tuesday, July 5
Earth is at it aphelion, its greatest distance from the Sun.
Wednesday, July 6 New Moon
(No visible Moon)
Thursday, July 7
Robert Goddard received a patent for a two-stage rocket on this day in 1914.
Friday, July 8
The Moon is at apogee, its greatest distance from Earth.
Jansky began the science of radio astronomy on this day in 1933.
Saturday, July 9 Sunrise: 5:43 a.m.
Sunset: 8:32 p.m.
Mercury is at its greatest eastern elongation and may be visible low in the west immediately after sunset.
Voyager 2 made its closest approach to Jupiter on the day in 1979.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, July 10, 2005
Sunday, July 10 Sunrise: 5:43 a.m.
Sunset: 8:32 p.m.
Telstar 1 was launched on this day in 1962.
Monday, July 11
Skylab re-entered Earth's atmosphere on this day in 1979.
Tuesday, July 12
Wednesday, July 13
Thursday, July 14 First Quarter ("Half") Moon
Surveyor 4 landed on the Moon on this day in 1967.
Friday, July 15
Apollo/Soyuz was launched on this day in 1975.
Saturday, July 16 Sunrise: 5:48 a.m.
Sunset: 8:29 p.m.
Apollo 11 was launched on this day in1969.
The first atomic bomb was detonated on this day in 1945.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, July17, 2005
Sunday, July 17 Sunrise: 5:48 a.m.
Sunset: 8:28 p.m.
Mars is at perihelion, its closest approach to the Sun.
Mercury is at aphelion, its greatest distance from the Sun.
Monday, July 18
Today is John Glenn's birthday.
Gemini 10 was launched on this day in in 1966.
Roltini 1 became India's first satellite on this day in 1980.
Tuesday, July 19
Edward Pickering was born on this day in 1846.
Wednesday, July 20
Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the Moon on this day in 1969.
Viking 1 landed on Mars on this day in 1974.
Thursday, July 21 Full Moon
(And the largest of 2005, since it is at perigee, its closest approach
to Earth.)
Watch for large tides, too.
Friday, July 22
Saturday, July 23 Sunrise: 5:53 a.m.
Sunset: 8:24 p.m.
Saturn is in conjunction with the Sun, invisible to us behind the it.
Landsat 1 was launched on this day in 1972.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, July 24, 2005
Sunday, July 24 Sunrise: 5:54 a.m.
Sunset: 8:23 p.m.
Monday, July 25
Tuesday, July 26
Apollo 15 was launched on this day in 1971.
Wednesday, July 27
Over the next few nights look very late and east for "shooting stars" of the Aquarid meteor shower.
Thursday, July 28 Last Quarter ("half") Moon
Friday, July 29
NASA was created on this day in 1958.
Saturday, July 30 Sunrise: 5:59 a.m.
Sunset: 8:18 p.m.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, July 31, 2005
Sunday, July 31 Sunrise: 6:00 a.m.
Sunset: 8:17 p.m.
Monday, August 1
Maria Mitchell was born on this day in 1818.
Tuesday, August 2
The Wright brothers delivered to the U.S. Army its first airplane.
Wednesday, August 3
The first variable star was discovered on this day in 1596.3
Thursday, August 4 The Moon is at apogee, its greatest distance form Earth.
Friday, August 5 New Moon
(No visible Moon)
Today is Neil Armstrong's birthday.
Saturday, August 6 Sunrise: 6:06 a.m.
Sunset: 8:10 p.m.
Mercury is at inferior conjunction, in line with the Sun, and invisible to us.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, August 7, 2005
Sunday, August 7 Sunrise: 6:07 a.m.
Sunset: 8:09 p.m.
Monday, August 8 Neptune is at opposition, directly opposite the Sun and in the sky all night.
Tuesday, August 9
Wednesday, August 10 Over the next few nights look late and east for "shooting stars" of the Perseid meteor shower. Peak late on the night of August 12.
Thursday, August 11
Asaph Hall discovered Deimos, a satellite of Mars, on this day in 1877.
Friday, August 12
Echo 1 was launched on this day in 1960.
Saturday, August 13 Sunrise: 6:12 a.m.
Sunset: 8:01 p.m.
First Quarter ("half") Moon
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, August 14, 2005
Sunday, August 14 Sunrise: 6:13 a.m.
Sunset: 8:00 p.m.
Monday, August 15
Tuesday, August 16
Wednesday, August 17
Phobos, a satellite of Mars, was discovered on this day in 1877.
Thursday, August 18
The element helium was discovered on the Sun on this day in 1868.
Merriwether Lewis was born on this day in 1774.
Friday, August 19 The Moon is at perigee, its closest approach to Earth. Expect large tides.
Orville Wright was born on this day in 1871.
John Flamsteed was born on this day in 1646.
Saturday, August 20 Sunrise: 6:19 a.m.
Sunset: 7:52 p.m.
Viking 1 was launched on this day in 1975.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, August 21, 2005
Sunday, August 21 Sunrise: 6:20 a.m.
Sunset: 7:50 p.m.
Monday, August 22
Today is Ray Bradbury's birthday.
Tuesday, August 23
Mercury is at its greatest western elongation. Look for it low in the east just before dawn.
Wednesday, August 24
Thursday, August 25
Friday, August 26 Last Quarter ("half") Moon
Antoine Lavoisier was born on this day in 1743.
Saturday, August 27 Sunrise: 6:25 a.m.
Sunset: 7:42 p.m.
President Reagan announced the Teacher in Space program on this day in 1984.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, August 28, 2005
Sunday, August 28 Sunrise: 6:26 a.m.
Sunset: 7:40 p.m.
George Whipple was born on this day in 1876.
William Herschel discovered Enceledus, a satellite of Saturn, on this day in 1789.
Monday, August 29
Tuesday, August 30
Wednesday, August 31
Mercury is at perihelion, its closest approach to the Sun.
Thursday, September 1
Uranus is at opposition, opposite the Sun and in the sky all night.
The Moon is at apogee, its closest approach to Earth.
Pioneer 11 became the first spacecraft to fly past Saturn on this day in 1979.
Friday, September 2
Saturday, September 3 Sunrise: 6:32 a.m.
Sunset: 7:31 p.m.
Viking 2 landed on Mars on this day in 1976.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, September 4, 2005
Sunday, September 4 Sunrise: 6:33 a.m.
Sunset: 7:29 p.m.
New Moon
(No visible Moon)
(No visible Moon)
Monday, September 5
Tuesday, September 6
Wednesday, September 7
Thursday, September 8
Friday, September 9
Saturday, September 10 Sunrise: 6:38 a.m.
Sunset: 7:20 p.m.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, September 11, 2005
Sunday, September 11 Sunrise: 6:39 a.m.
Sunset: 7:18 p.m.
First Quarter ("half") Moon
It is in the south at sunset and visible all evening.
Monday, September 12
Charles Messier began his Catalog with the Crab Nebula on this day in 1758.
Tuesday, September 13
Wednesday, September 14
Thursday, September 15
Friday, September 16 The Moon is a perigee, tis closest approach to Earth.
Saturday, September 17 Sunrise: 6:45 a.m.
Sunset: 7:08 p.m.
William Herschel discovered Mimas, a satellite of Saturn, on this day in 1789.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, September 18, 2005
Sunday, September 18 Sunrise: 6:46 a.m.
Sunset: 7:07 p.m.
Full Moon
(Harvest Moon)
Mercury is in superior conjunction, invisible to us behind the Sun.
Leon Focault was born on this day in 1819.
Edwin McMillan was born on this day in 1907.
Monday, September 19
William Boyd discovered Hyperion, a satellite of Saturn, on this day in 1848.
Tuesday, September 20
Werner Von Braun arrived in the U.S. as part of Operation Paperclip on this day in 1945.
Wednesday, September 21
H.G. Wells was born on this day in 1866.
Thursday, September 22
Friday, September 23 Falls arrives today at 4:23 a.m.
Neptune was discovered on this day in 1846.
John Encke was born on this day in 1791.
Saturday, September 24 Sunrise: 6:52 a.m.
Sunset: 6:57 p.m.
Today is John Young's birthday.
The first return of a lunar sample occurred on this day in 1970.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, September 25, 2005
Sunday, September 25 Sunrise: 6:52 a.m.
Sunset: 6:55 p.m.
Last Quarter ("half") Moon
It is in the south at dawn and visible all morning.
Monday, September 26
Tuesday, September 27
Wednesday, September 28
Thursday, September 29
Enrico Fermi was born on this day in 1907.
The Moon is apogee, its greatest distance from Earth.
Friday, September 30
Saturday, October 1 Sunrise: 6:58 a.m.
Sunset: 6:45 p.m.
NASA was born on this day in 1958.
The 40" refractor at Yerkes Observatory was dedicated on this day in 1897.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, October 2, 2005
Sunday, October 2 Sunrise: 6:59 a.m.
Sunset: 6:44 p.m.
Over the next two weeks the zodiacal light, the reflection of sunlight left over from the formation of the Solar System, is visible in the east just before dawn.
Monday, October 3 New Moon
(No visible Moon, but an annular solar eclipse is visible across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and India.)
A rocket reached space for the first time on this day in 1942, a V2 launched from Peenemunde.
Tuesday, October 4
Venus is at aphelion, its greatest distance from the Sun.
Sputnik 1 entered the Space Age on this day in 1957.
Wednesday, October 5
Robert Goddard was born on this day in 1882.
Thursday, October 6
Over the next several nights look late and east for "shooting stars" of the Draconid meteor shower.
Ernest Walton was born on this day in 1846.
Friday, October 7
Niels Bohr was born on this day in 1885.
Saturday, October 8 Sunrise: 7:05 a.m.
Sunset: 6:34 p.m.
Ejnar Hertzsprung was born on this day in 1873.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, October 9, 2005
Sunday, October 9 Sunrise: 7:06 a.m.
Sunset: 6:31 p.m.
Monday, October 10 Lassell discovered Triton, a satellite of Neptune, on this day in 1846.
Tuesday, October 11 First Quarter ("half") Moon
Theodore Roosevelt became the first president to fly
on this day in 1910.
Pioneer 1 was launched on this day in 1958.
Wednesday, October 12
Thursday, October 13
Charles Messier observed M51 on this day in 1773.
Friday, October 14
Mercury is at aphelion, its greatest distance from the Sun.
The Moon is at perigee, its closest approach to Earth.
Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier on this day in 1947.
Saturday, October 15 Sunrise: 7:12 a.m.
Sunset: 6:24 p.m.
Asaph Hall was born on this day in 1829.
The Cassini-Huygens mission was launched on this day in 1997.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, October 16, 2005
Sunday, October 16 Sunrise: 7:13 a.m.
Sunset: 6:22 p.m.
Monday, October 17 Full Moon (Hunter's Moon)
And a partial lunar eclipse visible.
Tuesday, October 18
.
Wednesday, October 19
Over the next few nights look for "shooting stars"
of the Orionid meteor shower. The show peaks very late
and east Thursday night.
Mariner 5 flew past Venus on this day in 1967.
Thursday, October 20
James Chadwick was born on this day in 1874.
Friday, October 21
Albert Nobel was born on this day in 1833.
Saturday, October 22 Sunrise: 7:20 a.m.
Sunset: 6:14 p.m.
Jupiter is in conjunction with the Sun, invisible to us behind i.
Karl Jansky was born on this day in 1905.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, October 9, 2005
Sunday, October 23 Sunrise: 7:06 a.m.
Sunset: 6:31 p.m.
Sunday, October 24
William Lassell discovered Umbriel and Ariel, satellites of Uranus, on this day in 1851.
Tuesday, October 25 Last Quarter ("half") Moon
Henry Norris Russell was born on this day in 1877.
Venera 10 landed on Venus on this day in 1975.
Wednesday, October 26 The Moon is at apogee its greatest distance from Earth..
Thursday, October 27
Friday, October 28
Saturday, October 29 Sunrise: 7:27 a.m.
Sunset: 6:05 p.m.
Daylight Savings Time ends tonight.
Mars is at its closest approach to Earth.
Enos the chimp orbited Earth twice on this day in 1961.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, October 9, 2005
Sunday, October 30 Sunrise: 6:28 a.m.
Sunset: 5:03 p.m.
Orson Welles broadcast War of the Worlds on this day in 1938.
Monday, October 31 In the darkness before dawn the zodiacal light,
the reflection from particles left over from the formation
of the Solar System, may be visible in the east.
Today is Mike Collins' birthday.
Tuesday, November 1
Nuclear fusion occurred on Earth for the first time in 1952.
The National Weather Service was founded on this day in 1870.
Mars 1 was launched on this day in1962.
Wednesday, November 2 New Moon
(No visible Moon)
Harlow Shapley was born on this day in 1885.
Harlow Shapley was born on this day in1885.
Thursday, November 3
Over the next few nights look very late and east for shooting stars of the Taurid meteor shower. The shower peaks Friday night.
Mercury is at its greatest eastern elongation, visible quite low in the west immediately after sunset.
Venus is at its greatest eastern elongation, also visible low in the west after sunset.
Sputnik 2 was launched with a dog on board on this day in 1957.
Sputnik 3 was launched with a dog aboard on this day in 1957.
Friday, November 4
Saturday, November 5 Sunrise: 6:35 a.m.
Sunset: 4:56 p.m.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, November 6, 2005
Sunday, November 6 Sunrise: 6:36 a.m.
Sunset: 4:55 p.m.
Monday, November 7 Mars is at opposition, directly opposite the Sun and in the sky all night.
Marie Curie was born on this day in 1867.
Tuesday, November 8
Edmond Halley was born on this day in 1656.
Anna Fisher became the first mom in space on this day in 1984..
Wednesday, November 9 First Quarter ("half") Moon
Tonight look very late and east for "shooting stars"
of the Taurid meteor shower. The shower peaks Friday night.
Carl Sagan was born on this day in 1934.
Thursday, November 10 The Moon is at perigee, its closet approach to Earth.
Friday, November 11
Explorer 2 set the balloon altitude record of 72,000 feet
on this day in 1935. It made the first photograph showing
the curvature of Earth.
Gemini 12 was launched on this day in 1966.
Saturday, November 12 Sunrise: 6:43 a.m.
Sunset: 4:50 p.m.
Voyager 1 made its closest approach to Saturn on this day
in 1980.
Voyager 1 flew past Saturn on this day in 1980.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, November 6, 2005
Sunday, November 13 Sunrise: 6:44 a.m.
Sunset: 4:49 p.m.
Mariner 1 became the first man-made object to orbit
another planet on this day in 1971.
James Maxwell was born on this day in 1831.
Monday, November 14
Tuesday, November 15 Over the next few nights look very late and east for the "shooting stars" of the Leonid meteor shower. The shower peaks Wednesday night.
William Herschel was born on this day in 1738.
Wednesday, November 16 Full Moon
Skylab was abandoned on this day in 1973.
Thursday, November 17
The Leonids meteor shower peaks late and east tonight.
Friday, November 18
Today is Alan Shepard's birthday.
Saturday, November 19 Sunrise: 6:51 a.m.
Sunset: 4:44 p.m.
Apollo 12 landed on the Moon on this day in 1969.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, November 20, 2005
Sunday, November 20 Sunrise: 6:52 a.m.
Sunset: 4:44 p.m.
Edwin Hubble was born on this day in 1889.
Monday, November 21
The first human balloon flight occurred on this day in 1783.
Tuesday, November 22
Wednesday, November 23
The Tiros II weather satellite was launched on this day in 1960.
Thursday, November 24 Last Quarter ("half") Moon
Mercury is at inferior conjunction, invisible to us between Earth and the Sun. It is also at perihelion, its closest approach to the Sun.
Apollo 12 splashed down on this day in 1969.
Friday, November 25
The Viking spacecraft helped test Einstein's theory of relativity on this day in 1976.
Saturday, November 26 Sunrise: 6:59 a.m.
Sunset: 4:40 p.m.
France became the third nation to enter the Space Age on this day in 1965.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, November 27, 2005
Sunday, November 27 Sunrise: 7:00 a.m.
Sunset: 4:40 p.m.
Anders Celcius was born on this day in 1701.
Monday, November 28
Huygens first discovered markings on Mars on this day in 1659.
Tuesday, November 29
Christian Doppler was born on this day in 1803.
Enos the chimp became the first American to orbit Earth on this day in 1961.
Wednesday, November 30
Thursday, December 1 New Moon
(No visible Moon)
The first helium balloon flight occurred on this day in 1921.
Huygens determined the rotation of Mars on this day in 1659.
Friday, December 2
Humankind split the atom for the first time on this day in 1942.
Saturday, December 3 Sunrise: 7:06 a.m.
Sunset: 4:38 p.m.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, December 4, 2005
Sunday, December 4 Sunrise: 7:07 a.m.
Sunset: 4:38 p.m.
Gemini 7 began the longest Gemini flight, 320 hours, on this day in 1974.
Monday, December 5 The Moon is at perigee, its closest approach to Earth.
Pioneer 11 flew by Jupiter on this day in 1974.
Werner Heisenberg was born on this day in 1901.
Tuesday, December 6
The U.S. made its first attempt at space flight on this day in 1957. It went a few feet into the air.
Wednesday, December 7
Today's is the earliest sunset of the year.
Gerard Kuiper was born on this day in 1905.
The Galileo probe entered Jupiter's atmosphere on this day in 1995.
Thursday, December 8 First Quarter ("half") Moon
Venus is at its greatest brilliancy, quite bright in the east after sunset.
Friday, December 9
Saturday, December 10 Sunrise: 7:12 a.m.
Sunset: 4:38 p.m.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, December 11, 2005
Sunday, December 11 Sunrise: 7:13 a.m.
Sunset: 4:38 p.m.
Humans left the Moon for the last time (Apollo 17) on this day in 1972.
Annie Jump Cannon was born on this day in 1863.
Monday, December 12 Mercury is at its greatest western elongation, low in the east in the darkness before dawn.
Over the next few evenings look very late and east for "shooting stars" of the Geminid meteor shower. The shower peaks Tuesday night.
The first radio signal crossed the Atlantic on this day in 1901.
Tuesday, December 13
Shooting stars of the Geminid meteor shower peaks tonight.
A. A. Michelson measured a star's size for the first time in 1920.
Wednesday, December 14
Tycho Brahe was born on this day in 1546.
Thursday, December 15
Friday, December 16 Full Moon
Pluto is in conjunction with the Sun, directly behind the Sun and invisible to us.
Arthur C. Clark was born on this day in 1917.
Edward Barnard was born on this day in 1857.
E. E. Barnard was born on this day in 1857.
Saturday, December 17 Sunrise: 7:17 a.m.
Sunset: 4:40 p.m.
The Wright brothers made their first flight on this day in 1903.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, December 18, 2005
Sunday, December 18 Sunrise: 7:18 a.m.
Sunset: 4:40 p.m.
J. J. Thompson was burn on this day in 1856.
Monday, December 19
Albert Michelson was born on this day in 1852.
Tuesday, December 20
Wednesday, December 21
Winter arrives at 10:35 p.m.
The Moon is at apogee, its greatest distance from Earth.
The first flight to the Moon occurred on this day in 1968.
Thursday, December 22
Friday, December 23 Last Quarter ("half") Moon
It is in the south at dawn and visible all morning.
The transistor was invented on this day in 1947.
Saturday, December 24 Sunrise: 7:21 a.m.
Sunset: 4:43 p.m.
The first radio program was first broadcast on this day in 1906.
James Joule was born on this day in 1818.
The City Astronomer's Notebook
For the week beginning Sunday, December 11, 2005
Sunday, December 25 Sunrise: 7:21 a.m.
Sunset: 4:44 p.m.
Isaac Newton was born on this day in 1642.
Monday, December 26 Charles Babbage was born on this day in 1792.
Tuesday, December 27 Johannes Kepler was born on this day in 1571.
Wednesday, December 28
Thursday, December 29
Friday, December 30
Saturday, December 31 Sunrise: 7:23 a.m.
Sunset: 4:48 p.m.
New Moon
(No visible Moon)