390 seats sometimes just aren't enough. The theater frequently plays to sold-out crowds.
SKYLINE FOR SEPTEMBER 2010
Compiled by Linda Krouse and Sarah Littler of the Noble Planetarium.
This month brings a reoccurring event into our skies. As the sun sets, look to the west. Venus and Mars have a strong mythological past together. This dynamic duo has played an important role in almost every ancient “sky-watching” culture.
Venus mostly represented a “great mother” or “great queen”, and Mars represented a “great warrior” or “great king”. So when these two met up in the same area of the sky, most people believed that important things (both great and terrible) were about to happen.
Venus and Mars show up in the western sky just as the sun sets. Sitting to the right of the radiant Venus during September, is the dim red planet Mars. Though its presence in mythology is a radiant one, Mars doesn’t appear very bright this month.
Mercury appears in the east just before sunrise in the constellation of Leo the Lion. This speedy-messenger planet stays up longer, later in the month.
Jupiter is at its closest approach since 1963. This means Jupiter will be a mere 459 million miles away compared to its average 483 million mile distance from the Sun. Jupiter rises in the east around 11 PM. By the end of the month, however, you will see Jupiter rising in the east as the Sun sets in the west.
If you swing to the southeast of Jupiter with a pair of binoculars, you’ll see asteroid Hebe 6. Hebe 6 was named after the daughter of Hera in Greek mythology. Your best chance to see the asteroid is on September 19th.
In the west Saturn sits to the lower right of Venus and Mars. This ringed wonder disappears from view by September 5th. Don’t worry! Saturn will return in the eastern sky just before sunrise, around October 15th.
Moons
Last Quarter September 1
New Moon September 8
First Quarter September 15
Full Moon September 23
Star Parties
Join us for our first star party of the season on SATURDAY, September 18. Located on the steps of the Museum, the party begins at dark and goes until 11 PM. Members of the Fort Worth Astronomical Society and staff members from the Noble Planetarium will be manning telescopes and answering questions.
All are welcome, … you don’t need to bring anything but yourself, and …… it’s FREE.
If you would like a fun way to navigate the night sky just go to: http://www.lhs.berkeley.edu/starclock/skywheel.html
Uncle Al provides free and easy to use star wheels that you can download and print at home.
For more information about the night sky, contact the Noble Planetarium at 817-255-9409 or planet@fwmsh.org
Compiled by Linda Krouse and Sarah Littler of the Noble Planetarium.
