07/19/2022 – Ephemeris – How to find the constellations of the man with the snake

This is Ephemeris for Tuesday, July 19th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 7 minutes, setting at 9:22, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:16. The Moon, 1 day before last quarter, will rise at 12:52 tomorrow morning.

The red star Antares shines in the south at 11 pm, in the constellation of Scorpius. In the area of sky above lies a large constellation of faint stars called Ophiuchus, the serpent bearer. The constellation shape is like a large tilted bell, which reminds me of the head, shoulders and arms of a fellow that’s holding the snake, like a weight lifter pulling up a heavy barbell. The serpent he’s holding is Serpens, the only two-part constellation in the heavens. The head rises to Ophiuchus’ right, and the tail extends up to the left. In Greek legend Ophiuchus represents a great physician, educated by the god Apollo, and the centaur Chiron, who is also found in the stars as Sagittarius, now rising in the south-southeast below and left of him.

The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (EDT, UT – 4 hours). They may be different for your location.

Addendum

Ophiuchus finder animation for mid-July at 11 pm. Created using Stellarium and GIMP.

06/24/2019 – Ephemeris – Ophiuchus the serpent bearer

Ephemeris for Monday, June 24th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 34 minutes, setting at 9:32, and it will rise tomorrow at 5:58. The Moon, 1 day before last quarter, will rise at 2 tomorrow morning.

The planet Jupiter shines brightly in the south-southeast at 11 p.m. In the area of sky above it lies a large constellation of faint stars called Ophiuchus, the serpent bearer. Ophiuchus represents the legendary physician Aesculapius. The constellation shape is like a large bell, which reminds me of the head, shoulders and arms of a fellow that’s holding the snake like a weight lifter struggling to pull up a heavy barbell. Serpens, the constellation of the serpent is in the sky in two sections. The front end lies to the right as Serpens Caput, and wends its way up towards Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown. Serpens Cauda, the tail rises to the left of Ophiuchus. It’s a rewarding sight, and not that hard to spot.

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

Addendum

Ophiuchus finder animation for 11 p.m. June 24, 2019. Also showing the constellation boundaries. Click on the image to enlarge. Created using Stellarium and GIMP.

 

07/18/2017 – Ephemeris – The constellation of Ophiuchus the serpent bearer

Ephemeris for Tuesday, July 18th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 7 minutes, setting at 9:22, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:15. The Moon, 2 days past last quarter, will rise at 2:47 tomorrow morning.

Saturn and the red star Antares shine in the south at 11 p.m. In the area of sky above them lies a large constellation of faint stars called Ophiuchus, the serpent bearer. Ophiuchus represent the legendary physician Aesculapius. The constellation shape is like a large bell, which reminds me of the head, shoulders and arms of a fellow that’s holding the snake like a weight lifter struggling to pull up a heavy barbell. Serpens, the constellation of the serpent is in the sky in two sections. The front end lies to the right as Serpens Caput, and wends its way up the right side of Ophiuchus. Serpens Cauda, the tail rises to the left of Ophiuchus. It’s a rewarding sight, and not that hard to spot.

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

Addendum

Animated Ophiuchus finder chart. Unfortunately the program doesn’t isolate Ophiuchus and Serpens, but also displays Scorpius and Lupus the wolf peeking over the horizon. Created using Stellarium.  Click on the image to enlarge.

07/07/2016 – Ephemeris – The snake handler in the sky

Ephemeris for Thursday, July 7th.  Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 24 minutes, setting at 9:30, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:06.  The Moon, 3 days past new, will set at 11:31 this evening.

Saturn and the red star Antares shine in the south at 11 p.m.  In the area of sky above it lies a large constellation of faint stars called Ophiuchus, the serpent bearer.  Ophiuchus represent the legendary physician Aesculapius.  The constellation shape is like a large bell, which reminds me of the head, shoulders and arms of a fellow that’s holding the snake-like a weight lifter struggling to pull up a heavy barbell.  Serpens, the constellation of the serpent is in the sky in two sections.  The front end lies to the right as Serpens Caput, and wends its way up towards Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown.  Serpens Cauda, the tail rises to the left of Ophiuchus.  It’s a rewarding sight, and not that hard to spot.

Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.

Addendum

The figure of Ophiuchus with Saturn and Mars nearby at 11 p.m. July 7, 2016. Created using Stellarium.

08/17/2015 – Ephemeris – The celestial snake handler

Ephemeris for Monday, August 17th.  The Sun rises at 6:47.  It’ll be up for 13 hours and 58 minutes, setting at 8:45.   The Moon, 3 days past new, will set at 10:04 this evening.

The planet Saturn and the red star Antares shine in the south-southwest at 10:30 p.m. In the and around constellation of Scorpius.  In the area of sky above it lies a large constellation of faint stars called Ophiuchus, the serpent bearer.  The constellation shape is like a large bell, which reminds me of the head, shoulders and arms of a fellow that’s holding the snake-like a weight lifter pulling up a heavy bar bell.  The serpent he’s holding is Serpens, the only two part constellation in the heavens.  The head rises to Ophiuchus’ right and the tail extends up to the left.  In legend Ophiuchus was a great physician, educated by the god Apollo, and the centaur Chiron, also found in the stars as Sagittarius, below and left of him.

Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.

Addendum

Ophiuchus, Serpens and Sagittarius with Saturn and Antares on August 17, at 10 p.m. Created using Stellarium.

06/30/2014 – Ephemeris – The celestial snake handler

Ephemeris for Monday, June 30th.  Today the sun will be up for 15 hours and 30 minutes, setting at 9:31.   The moon, 3 days past new, will set at 11:14 this evening.  Tomorrow the sun will rise at 6:01.  |   The red star Antares shines in the south at 11 p.m. In the constellation of Scorpius.  In the area of sky above and a little to the left lies a large constellation of faint stars called Ophiuchus, the serpent bearer.  The constellation shape is like a large bell, which reminds me of the head, shoulders and arms of a fellow that’s holding the snake-like a weight lifter pulling up a heavy bar bell.  The serpent he’s holding is Serpens, the only two-part constellation in the heavens.  The head rises to Ophiuchus’ right and the tail extends up to the left.  In legend Ophiuchus was a great physician, educated by the god Apollo, and the centaur Chiron, also found in the stars as Sagittarius, now rising below and left of him.

Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan.  They may be different for your location.

Addendum

Ophiuchus and Serpens at 11 p.m.. Created using Stellarium.

07/11/2013 – Ephemeris – Ophiuchus the serpent bearer

Ephemeris for Thursday, July 11th.  Today the sun will be up for 15 hours and 19 minutes, setting at 9:27.   The moon, 3 days past new, will set at 10:56 this evening.  Tomorrow the sun will rise at 6:09.

The crescent moon will appear to the right of the planet Venus before 10:45 p.m. Tonight.  The red star Antares shines in the south at 11 p.m.  In the area of sky above it lies a large constellation of faint stars called Ophiuchus, the serpent bearer.  Ophiuchus represent the legendary physician Aesculapius.  The constellation shape is like a large bell, which reminds me of the head, shoulders and arms of a fellow that’s holding the snake like a weight lifter struggling to pull up a heavy barbell.  Serpens, the constellation of the serpent is in the sky in two sections.  The front end lies to the right as Serpens Caput, and wends its way up the right side of Ophiuchus.  Serpens Cauda, the tail rises to the left of Ophiuchus.  It’s a rewarding sight, and not that hard to spot.

Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan.  They may be different for your location.

Addendum

Ophiuchus and Serpens at 11 p.m.. Created using Stellarium.