Centaur
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/12/04
Posts: 1123
Loc: Chicago
|
|
Who will be the first to spot the May New Moon with naked eyes after sunset? A combination of circumstances might make it possible for North Americans to spot the Moon aged a little more than half a day. Nevertheless, it will be a challenge and quite worthy of praise for anyone who is successful. Most folks will have better luck the next day when the Moon appears to pass near Mercury.
The Dark Moon will be in geocentric longitudinal conjunction with the Sun on 2008 MAY 05 at 12:18 UT. We’re in the months of the year surrounding the vernal equinox during which New Moon spotting is ideal for northern hemisphere observers. The current point in the Moon’s 18.6-year nodal cycle is also helpful. And being near perigee helps the Moon to separate from the Sun more quickly. For those at mid-northern latitudes the crescent on the 5th will appear in an unusual U-shape like the smiling Cheshire Cat.
I’ve created graphics previewing the western sky as viewed from Chicagoland 25 minutes after sunset for both MAY 05 and 06, although they should well serve most North Americans. They can be seen by clicking: http://www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html
Photos or descriptions of the May New Moon would be welcome additions to this thread. Please include the date, time, time zone and location. Good Luck!
Below is a photo I took on 2007 MAY 17 of the Moon aged 30:42 hours while appearing to pass near Mercury.
--------------------
For astronomical graphics, including
monthly wallpaper calendar, visit:
www.CurtRenz.com/astronomical.html
Curt Renz - "Centaur"
|
Darren B
super member
Reged: 05/02/05
Posts: 181
Loc: Poole, Dorset UK
|
|
I tried the 11th hour old moon earlier this month. the sky was reasonbly with some light cloud though I could see or find it. I'll be on the look out again.
--------------------
Darren
WO ZS80FD 10th AV with Vixen Porta Mount
Skywatcher Equinox 66ED
William Optics 7x50
|
Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1109
Loc: Toijala, Finland
|
|
Good hunting, Darren and all!
Clear skies!
P.S Curt - that is a marvellous pic you got there 
--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all
Timo Keski-Petäjä
CtheMoon
Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)
TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series
Edited by Mare Nectaris (04/26/08 12:18 PM)
|
Centaur
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/12/04
Posts: 1123
Loc: Chicago
|
|
Quote:
P.S Curt - that is a marvellous pic you got there
Thanks, Timo. I hope you capture a good one for us this month.
--------------------
For astronomical graphics, including
monthly wallpaper calendar, visit:
www.CurtRenz.com/astronomical.html
Curt Renz - "Centaur"
|
MondatlasMart
member
Reged: 01/24/08
Posts: 25
|
|
Hello,
The -35h old moon could be seen this morning from munich, germany, through layers of hazy clouds.
The Weather forecast for the big day tomorrow (0h crescent close to local noon) looks ok.
Regards, Martin
|
Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1109
Loc: Toijala, Finland
|
|
Hi Martin - very impressive catch - and a wonderful introduction of yours into this forum It is fantastic how the good old Moon almost melts into the clouds - yet being able to present itself dignified on the skies as usual! This pic has almost certain beautiful, transparent sadness in it!
So welcome among us Lunatics  - and let us see if you manage to get more interesting pics!!
Be well and clear skies 
--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all
Timo Keski-Petäjä
CtheMoon
Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)
TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series
Edited by Mare Nectaris (05/04/08 12:55 PM)
|
MondatlasMart
member
Reged: 01/24/08
Posts: 25
|
|
Hello,
Our attempt to image the crescent around conjunction was quite successfull. We captured it just 5 minutes from conjunction. Some hours earlier we still saw a 90° arc, at less than 5° elongation. Earliest "young" moon was caught 45 minutes after conjunction.
Some details and images can be found here:
Daytime lunar crescent imaging at 5. May 2008
Carpe diem!
Best regards,
Martin
|
Centaur
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/12/04
Posts: 1123
Loc: Chicago
|
|
Quote:
Hello,
Our attempt to image the crescent around conjunction was quite successfull. We captured it just 5 minutes from conjunction. Some hours earlier we still saw a 90° arc, at less than 5° elongation. Earliest "young" moon was caught 45 minutes after conjunction.
Some details and images can be found here:
Daytime lunar crescent imaging at 5. May 2008
Carpe diem!
Best regards,
Martin
Congratulations, Martin! Thanks for your report. However, I'd be very surprised if your observations were by naked eye after sunset. Did you make such an attempt?
--------------------
For astronomical graphics, including
monthly wallpaper calendar, visit:
www.CurtRenz.com/astronomical.html
Curt Renz - "Centaur"
|
kx9i
super member
Reged: 03/04/08
Posts: 112
Loc: Phoenix, AZ USA
|
|
Cloudy in Phoenix - ugh!
|
MondatlasMart
member
Reged: 01/24/08
Posts: 25
|
|
Hello Curt,
We tried with a lot of equipment in the morning twilight before conjuntion, but did not succeed due to the weather and an elongation below 6.5°. We did not even try during evening twilight, with similar weather and elongation at only 5.x°.
The main focus of the event was on imaging.
Best regards,
Martin
|
Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1109
Loc: Toijala, Finland
|
|
Fantastic effort - and I really loved those of the special guests that fly with simple muscular power ...
Be well - and thanks for sharing this excellent and well documented report with us!
--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all
Timo Keski-Petäjä
CtheMoon
Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)
TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series
|
MondatlasMart
member
Reged: 01/24/08
Posts: 25
|
|
Hello Timo,
I have extended the report with some more details.
Daytime Crescent on 5. May 2008
Now it also shows the <deleted> cloud, which covered sun and crescent at exact conjunction.
Regards, Martin
|
Centaur
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/12/04
Posts: 1123
Loc: Chicago
|
|
Here’s my photo of the Old Moon in the New Moon’s Arms taken from Arlington Heights, Illinois on 2008 MAY 06 at 20:49 CDT. Mercury is seen beneath a Moon that is aged 37:31 hrs.
--------------------
For astronomical graphics, including
monthly wallpaper calendar, visit:
www.CurtRenz.com/astronomical.html
Curt Renz - "Centaur"
|
Tommy5
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/28/04
Posts: 1391
Loc: Chicagoland
|
|
Nice photo curt, i saw the same view from the southern suburbs of chicagoland, our weather has finally broke and i am getting some quality observing time at last.Congrads again on your photo, are you going to send it to the local T.V. stations?
|
Centaur
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/12/04
Posts: 1123
Loc: Chicago
|
|
Quote:
Nice photo curt, i saw the same view from the southern suburbs of chicagoland, our weather has finally broke and i am getting some quality observing time at last.Congrads again on your photo, are you going to send it to the local T.V. stations?
Thanks, Tommy. Yes, about twenty minutes ago I sent copies to weathermen Tom Skilling at channel 9 and Mike Caplan at channel 7.
--------------------
For astronomical graphics, including
monthly wallpaper calendar, visit:
www.CurtRenz.com/astronomical.html
Curt Renz - "Centaur"
|
ducatirob
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/15/05
Posts: 537
Loc: Centerville, Ohio
|
|
Great photo Curt. Very nice!
Rob
--------------------
C6-R /Atlas EQ
Meade AR-5
Meade 90mm refractor
10x50 binoculars
15x70 binoculars
|
MondatlasMart
member
Reged: 01/24/08
Posts: 25
|
|
Hello,
We, too could see the thin crescent in the evening sky on 6. may, next to mercury, over the city of munich.
The pair of celestial bodies was a wonderfull sight.
Best regards,
Martin
|
Darren B
super member
Reged: 05/02/05
Posts: 181
Loc: Poole, Dorset UK
|
|
Manage to capture the 2% moon with Mercury on Tuesday 6th May. Equipment used:- Skywatcher EQ66ED, Celestron 30mm Ultima(old Japanese version)and a Sony Erikson camera phone. Apologies for the picture quality, but I was being attacked by a bunch of mozzies.
--------------------
Darren
WO ZS80FD 10th AV with Vixen Porta Mount
Skywatcher Equinox 66ED
William Optics 7x50
|
Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1109
Loc: Toijala, Finland
|
|
Hi Darren - considering the mosquitos and the equipment you used - a camera phone - this is really an outstanding result!
Thanks for sharing this with us!
Be well!
--------------------
Share - and you shall have it all
Timo Keski-Petäjä
CtheMoon
Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)
TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
[Re: 
