Astronomy Toadfish Nerds Unite!

[Opsa]

Apparently, Jupiter is supposed to be close to Earth tonight. You may be able to catch a good look at it with the naked eye, and see some of its moons with just binoculars.

Some info is here.

[Opsa]

 

It's pretty cool! I hope Zono's taken out the ol' telescope. Through the binoculars I could see four of Jupiter's moons all lined up diagonally on either side of it. Very pretty.

It is easy to see where to point yourself. Just follow the rising moon. Behind it you'll see a bright orb. That's it.

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

Cloudy+rain...

[Swatopluk]

Cloudy+rain...

The former here too and the latter approaching

[Opsa]

We gots a few more chances to see meteor showers coming up- (info lifted from website)

November 5, 2010 South Taurids
The South (and North) Taurids are perhaps best suited to die-hard meteor aficionados. The meteoroid stream that feeds the Taurids is very spread out and dissipated. That means the South Taurids are extremely long lasting (September 17 – November 27), but usually don't offer a whole lot more than about 7 meteors per hour, even on the expected peak date of November 5. Fortunately, the new moon falls on November 6, providing dark skies for this year's South Taurid meteors. Try the night of November 4-5. The greatest number of meteors generally fall around midnight to one in the morning, when the constellation Taurus the Bull rides high in the sky.

November 12, 2010 North Taurids
Like the South Taurids, this shower is long lasting (October 12 – December 2) but modest, and the peak number is forecast at about 7 meteors per hour. Because the South and North Taurids overlap, there's some chance of catching a few extra meteors in the mix. Typically, you see the maximum numbers at around midnight to 1 a.m., when Taurus the Bull flies nearly overhead. This year, the waxing crescent moon will set by mid-evening, making 2010 a favorable year for watching these rather slow-moving but sometimes bright North Taurid meteors. Expect to see the greatest numbers at late night and after midnight on the night November 11-12. A few days before and after may offer good viewing as well.

November 17, 2010 Leonids
Historically, the Leonids have produced some of the greatest meteor storms in history, with rates as high as many thousands of meteors per hour. These storms sometimes recur in cycles of 33 to 34 years. Most years, the Lion whimpers rather than roars, producing a maximum of perhaps 10-15 meteors per hour. Although the waxing gibbous moon shines till after midnight, the Leonids will likely be at their best after the moon sets for the night. Like the October Orionids, the Leonids ordinarily pick up steam after midnight and put out the greatest meteor numbers just before dawn. So here's our suggestion for 2010. Try watching between midnight and dawn on November 17 and November 18. The most Leonids will probably fly in the wee hours before dawn, or after moonset.

December 13-14, 2010 Geminids
This year is favorable for the Geminids, the year's grand finale. As a general rule, it's either the Geminids or the August Perseids that give us the most prolific meteor display of the year. Unlike many meteor showers, you can start watching for the Geminids around 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. – in years when the moon is out of the sky. Unfortunately, the waxing gibbous moon obtrudes on the evening hours this year, and doesn't set till around midnight. However, this shower tends to gain strength after midnight and to climax at roughly 2:00 in the morning. So look for the Geminids to be at their best after moonset. With maximums commonly reaching 50 or more meteors per hour, this is a glorious time of year to sprawl out on your reclining lawn chair and to take in the show. Just be sure to bring along warm clothing, blankets or sleeping bags, and a thermos with a warm beverage. With the waxing gibbous moon setting around mignight, the stage is set for a dark sky and a grand Geminid display. The best viewing of these often bright, medium-speed meteors should be from late night December 13 till dawn December 14.

[Opsa]

Just got this off yahoo!News:

"Skywatchers, grab your blankets. December's night sky spectacular will feature the best meteor shower of 2010 as well as the only total lunar eclipse of the year -- sights that should outshine any New Year's Eve fireworks display in terms of sheer wonder.

The massive Geminid meteor shower returns every year, so you'll have more chances if the cold proves too daunting on the night of Dec. 13. But anyone in North America who skips the total lunar eclipse on the night of Dec. 20 will be missing what promises to be the best lunar eclipse show until April 2014.

This year's Geminid meteor shower is expected to be the best display of so-called "shooting stars" of the year and will peak during the overnight hours of Dec. 13 and Dec. 14.

Like most meteor showers, the Geminids will be at their best after midnight (early on the morning of Dec. 14), when the Earth is heading directly into the meteoroid stream. But some will be visible earlier in the night, on the evening of Dec. 13, because the meteors' radiant (where they appear to originate) is nearly circumpolar, so they will stay in view above the horizon all night."

...so keep watching the skies!

[Swatopluk]

I doubt I'll see the sun again this year let alone any stars

[Opsa]

Point your head straight up and blow at the sky. You'll either make a hole in the clouds or hyperventilate. Either way you may see stars! 

[Swatopluk]

tiny shooting stars indeed

[Aggie]

D'oh!  Was coming home from work in the early AM this morning - forgot to look up.

Might be able to see a few tonight, if they are visible earlier in the evening.  I'll be away from light pollution.

[Opsa]

Drat! The skies were sunny earlier, but have clouded up. Hope they clear again tonight. I really wanted to look for these Geminids.

[Opsa]

Hey- I got up at 2:55 a.m. and got a good peek at the full lunar eclipse- plus a bonus! While I was looking at the darkened moon, a meteor shot by right beneath it! Yeay! I finally spotted a Geminid (presumably).

The Opsalette and I went outside for a couple of minutes to view the moon. It had only the slightest peachy tone at that point, but it was neat to see it full and dimmed with all the stars clearly visible around it.

I got up again about an hour later, but it still looked about the same. It was still in full eclipse. At 5 am I tried to see it, but it was behind a cloud. I could tell by the bright silver on the cloud's edge that it was shining, again.

[Aggie]

I watched it (periodically - it were cold!) as it started, up until it was totally eclipsed, although not uniformly in the penumbra.

The clouds rolled in very shortly after, but it was worth watching.

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

I actually took pictures but it will have to wait until I get back home to put them. We went with my son at 1:30 and at 3:00, I took some full moon pictures and then some during the eclipse with different ISOs, apertures and exposures(will see if I got at least one decent one).

[Bluenose]

The moon was supposedly coming out of full eclipse just as it poked its head over the horizon in Melbourne.  Unfortunately it was overcast, so I couldn't tell one way or another.