06/17/2020 – Ephemeris – Let’s look for the naked-eye planets for this week

This is Bob Moler with Ephemeris for Wednesday, June 17th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 34 minutes, setting at 9:31, and it will rise tomorrow at 5:56. The Moon, half way from last quarter to new, will rise at 4:18 tomorrow morning.

Let’s look for the naked-eye planets for this week. Jupiter now rises before midnight at 11:12 pm in the east-southeast. Saturn will rise 17 minutes later at 11:29 right behind Jupiter. Mars, is stretching its lead left of Saturn and will rise at 1:53 am in the east. Its now down to 83.4 million miles (134.3 million km) away, as the Earth slowly overtakes it at the rate of about 4.3 million miles (7.0 million km) a week. Jupiter and Saturn will be hanging out between Sagittarius and Capricornus this year while Mars is slowing its rapid eastward motion now two constellations over in Pisces. Finally, Venus will rise at 4:51 am in the east-northeast low in the twilight as our new Morning Star.

The event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.

Addendum

Jupiter and Saturn finder animation for midnight June 18, 2020. For other locations, approximately 2 1/2 hours after sunset. Also showing the stars of the Teapot of Sagittarius to the upper right of the SE compass point and most, except the bottom stars of Scorpius in the south. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium and GIMP.

Panorama of the morning planets at 5:15 am or about 45 minutes before sunrise tomorrow June 18, 2020. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium.

The Moon as it might be seen in binoculars tomorrow morning before sunrise June 18, 2020. Created using Stellarium.

The planets as seen in a telescope (north up) with the same magnification. Jupiter and Saturn tomorrow morning of June 18, 2020. Apparent diameters: Jupiter, 46.34″; Saturn, 18.14″, rings, 42.36″ and Mars, 41.38″. Mars also shows an enlargement showing surface detail. The ” symbol means seconds of arc (1/3600th of a degree.) Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts).

Planets and the Moon at sunset and sunrise of a single night starting with sunset on the right on June 17, 2020. The night ends on the left with sunrise on the 18th. The closeness of Jupiter and Saturn in the morning sky unfortunately overlays planets and labels. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using my LookingUp program.