2005/09/05

Dear All,

 

  The New Moon was seen on Monday 5th September 2005 from Israel. From Maale Adumim, I saw the Moon with the naked eye at 18:58 and Rina Hoffman and Emuna Zauda saw it at 19:03 (T 26°C, P 961 mbar, RH 40%). I first saw Jupiter with the naked eye at 19:08, Venus was clearly visible earlier. The Moon was seen Sunday night (4th September 2005) with a telescope and binoculars only from 18:39 (UTC-7) till it set at 19:15 by Jim Stamm from Tucson, Arizona, USA (T 33°C, P 916 mbar, RH 31%).

 

  Last Friday, 2nd September 2005, I observed the waning crescent Moon from Maale Adumim until it faded at 06:08. Mercury (below and to the right of the Moon in the picture) faded earlier at 05:54.

 

  The planets Mercury, Venus and Jupiter are sometimes bright enough to appear before the crescent Moon as the sky darkens after sunset. Therefore they can be used as reference points for finding the Moon. This month Mercury was visible near the Moon when the waning crescent was last visible (see picture) while Venus and Jupiter were visible upon the New Moon's first appearance. In order to know if a planet will appear before the Moon and therefore be useful for locating the Moon, we have to collect observations of the times when the planets appear and disappear to the naked eye. We already have over a hundred such observations but more are needed in order to improve predictions. Unlike the Moon, these observations can be made every day. If you want to participate then please contact me.

 

Mercury and the waning crescent Moon as seen from Maale Adumim, Israel at 05:40 (UTC+3) 2005/09/05

 

 

From left to right, Venus, Jupiter and the Moon setting over the Mount of Olives as seen from Maale Adumim 19:25 (UTC+3) 2005/09/05

 

  On Sunday 3rd October 2005, there will be a partial eclipse of the Sun. In Jerusalem is will be 53% eclipsed at 12:02 and will last from 10:35 till 13:30. These times vary by a few minutes across Israel. The eclipse will be annular along its path through Africa.

 

  Next month's New Moon should be visible on Wednesday 5th October 2005 from Israel and most of the rest of the World. There is a chance of seeing the Moon from Israel the previous evening with binoculars or from the USA, Australia and South Africa with the naked eye. Because this will be on the festival of Rosh Hashanah, no report will be issued until at least Wednesday night.

 

  Please download the new observation guide for next year (starting with Rosh Hashanah in October) from our website www.geocities.com/royh_il.

 

Yours,

Roy.

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