Under the Night Sky, 8/05-14/05

By Melanie McQuigg (Y12)

Although I agree that the only thing that should be up before 6:00AM is a crazy person or very confused cat, these celestial sights are well worth the temporary craziness and loss of sleep. This week will gift us a magnificent sequence of cosmic events. While the rest of the world sleeps, the pre-dawn sky will become a large stage for the “Ringed Giant”, dramatic lunar landscapes, and the ethereal glow of Earthshine.  

Here is why you should consider sacrificing your sleep… (I promise, it’s worth it) 

Saturn’s Morning Return – 8th of May

If you are up early, you will be treated to a stunning sight, as the ringed planet, Saturn, climbs higher into the pre-dawn sky. While Saturn has been visible in the early morning for a while, this morning will mark a point where the “Ringed Giant” will become much easier to spot. This is due to its significant gain in altitude before the sun completely washes it out from the Eastern horizon. Saturn will shine with a steady, yellowish-gold light that will help to distinguish it from the twinkling Aquarius constellation. This will be visible to the naked eye, but if you have binoculars or a small telescope, you will be able to see the planet’s iconic ring even though its tilt will narrow. This will create a unique and “thin” profile that astronomers will only see every few years. Furthermore, this morning appearance is part of Saturn’s slow transition that will lead to its opposition later this year, meaning it will be closest to the Earth. You should not miss this sight, as seeing it suspended in the quiet, still air of dawn will offer a moment of profound serenity and is a great opportunity to once again appreciate the sheer scale of the gas giant, which will sit nearly a billion miles away from Earth. Even though it is so far, it remains bright enough to command the attention of anyone looking toward the East-Southeast about an hour before sunrise. 

Last Quarter Moon in Aquarius – 9th of May

The Moon will once again reach its “Last Quarter” phase, appearing as a perfect half-illuminated disk up in the sky during the early hours. This phase is often overlooked compared to the more popular Full Moon phase, for example. But for many experienced astronomers, it is the best time for high-contrast observation. As the sun is hitting the lunar surface from a sharp side angle, the shadows inside the craters and along the mountain ranges are at their longest and most dramatic. This creates a beautiful effect along the terminator line, the dividing boundary between light and dark, making the moon’s topography look incredibly rugged and deep. In this cycle, the Last Quarter Moon will be positioned near the planet Saturn, creating a beautiful wide-angle pairing in the pre-dawn sky. This phase also introduces the return of truly dark evening skies for the coming week, as the moon will not rise until well after midnight, providing a “dark sky window” that is ideal for those hoping to observe faint nebulae, distant star clusters, or the subtle glow of the Milky Way arching overhead. This is a great opportunity to pull out your telescope to be able to see the deep-sky wonders.

The Moon and the Goddess of Harvest – 14th of May

As the week draws to a close, the waning crescent moon makes its way through the constellation of Pisces, advancing toward a beautiful and slender appearance in the morning. During this time, the moon will be less than 15% illuminated, appearing as a thin silver sliver hanging very low in the eastern sky just before the break of dawn. This is an exceptional time to look for “Earthshine” once again, that ghostly glow on the dark portion of the lunar disk caused by light reflecting off our own planet. As the Moon will appear so thin, the Earthshine effect will be particularly vivid, allowing you to see the outlines of the lunar “seas” even on the unlit side. Additionally, the crescent in the morning will be especially thin and low on the horizon, creating a fleeting and photogenic scene as it prepares to vanish into the sun’s glare for the upcoming “New Moon”. This sequence of morning sightings provides a wonderful, quiet finale, encouraging a moment of reflection as the sky transitions toward the new lunar cycle and the approaching heat of summer.