1. Tom Kielbasinski 06-22-2005
What’s up Column
Hints
The astronomy column for the week of July 1st through July 15th
shows what’s up in the
sky. You can track these planets in the sky with the use of your fist. One finger equals
two degrees above the horizon. One full fist equals ten degrees above the horizon. This
astronomy or stargazing technique is to measure how high in the sky a certain planet is
from the horizon. The mountains could block the actual horizon a few degrees. The best
areas to stargaze are on top of high elevations. (Mount Davis, Mount Savage, and Mount
Washington) There will be three planets within less than 5 degrees and overlapping each
other in the West-Northwest after 9:20p.m. (Mercury, Venus, and Saturn)
Inner Planets
The planet of Mercury will be seen from 9:35 p.m. until 10:15 p.m. in the West-
Northwest around 5-10 degrees and setting in the West-Northwest. Mercury will move
lower and south to the horizon with each day further into this two week period. Mercury
will be seen through the week partially seen with the most powerful small telescope for
the two week period. Venus will be seen in the West-Northwest at 5-10 degrees above the
horizon from 9:25p.m. until 10:30p.m. Venus will appear higher in the horizon later with
each day in the two week period. Venus is the brightest planet in the sky. Venus has a
couple of mistaken appearances; you can even see its light appear as a shadow or
mistaken as a flying saucer. Mars “the red planet” will be seen in the East-Southeast at 1
degree above the horizon from 2:25 a.m. and 35 degrees in the East-Southeast until dawn.
The two moons of mars are difficult to see, but the average stargazer can see them
through a small-powered telescope.
Outer Planets
Jupiter, the largest and gas giant will be seen in the Southwest at 15 degrees at 9:45 p.m.
through 1:20 a.m. in the West-Southwest at 1 degree in the two week period. Jupiter
appears as a yellow star and the second brightest planet of the planets in the sky. Jupiter’s
three biggest moons can be seen by a beginner stargazer through an average small size
telescope. These three moons are Io, Europa, and Ganymede. Jupiter also has a thin ring
that can be seen through high-powered binoculars. Saturn appears as a small dim orange
star because of its distance. Saturn will be seen at 9:30p.m. in the West-Northwest at 5
degrees and until 10:15 p.m. in the West-Northwest at 1 degrees for the 14 day period.
Saturn will only been seen for the first half of the two week astronomy period because the
brilliant ringed planet will be too close to the sun. Saturn will move closer toward the
horizon further into the two week period with each passing day. Saturn’s visible rings can
be seen at a 60 degree tilted angle on its axis. These rings and moons of Saturn are visible

2. after 9:45 p.m. Saturn biggest moon Titan can be seen after 10:00p.m. Uranus has an
appearance of a blue and green dim star. Uranus will appear in the sky visible by the
naked eye or an above average telescope in the East-Southeast from 1 degree at
12:30a.m.until dawn at 25 degrees in the South-Southeast for the two week period.
Uranus is tilted to a 90 degree angle on its axis because of a major impact thousands of
years ago. Uranus sometimes can be seen with the naked eye or small powered telescope.
Neptune has a blue dim star appearance. Neptune will appear in the East-Southeast at 1
degree around 11:25p.m.until 5:45 a.m. in the South-Southwest at 15 degrees for the two
week period. Pluto is the furthest and coldest climate with a very dim blue appearance in
the South-Southeast at 12 degrees at 10:15 p.m. around 5a.m. in the West-Southwest at 1
degrees. This planet will only be seen with larger telescopes.