Astronomy web links
used with my classes.
Click here.
Click here to read or
download scanned copies of
Peon, one of the original Scifi FanZines.
Volume 19 -- Issue 08
August 2013
Welcome to this issue of Qué tal. Here you will find useful observing information
about the visible planets, our Moon and other
moons, the Sun, as well as various 'things' celestial.
Among
these web pages you will find monthly star maps for either the northern
or southern hemisphere that are suitable for printout. Animated
images are utilized to illustrate celestial motions such as orbital
motions of the planets, and other solar orbiting objects, or apparent
and real motions along the ecliptic and the local horizon. Regular
features include plotting the monthly positions of the visible planets
using heliocentric coordinates; following moon phases; conjunctions; the sun's
apparent motion and the Earth's real motion along the ecliptic.
For additional useful Earth and Space news, information, and graphics follow my WordPress Blog at bobs-spaces, or as Tweets,
or as an RSS feed.
Click here to watch some of my video work posted on You Tube.
At A Glance:The evening planets this month are Venus and Saturn. Venus will be difficult to view after sunset
above the western horizon for those in the northern hemisphere due to the low angle of the ecliptic. Saturn is visible over the southwestern horizon at sunset and sets by
around midnight local time. In the pre-dawn skies watch for Mercury, Mars, and Jupiter to be well placed for viewing. Mercury is moving eastward and closer to the Sun
each morning as it heads toward superior conjunction at month's end.
The Perseid Meteor Shower this month peaks on the 12th, and viewing this annual meteor shower will not be interfered by the reflected light
from our Moon brightening the sky.
Lee's Summit, MO 
