Leiker, P. Steven

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University of Northern Iowa

Iowa Science Teachers Journal Volume 28 Number 2 Article 8 1991 Astronomy Bulletin - The 1990-91 Winter Sky P. Steven Leiker Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/istj  Part of the Science and Mathematics Education Commons Recommended Citation Leiker, P. Steven (1991) "Astronomy Bulletin - The 1990-91 Winter Sky," Iowa Science Teachers Journal: Vol. 28 : No. 2 , Article 8. Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/istj/vol28/iss2/8 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by UNI ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Iowa Science Teachers Journal by an authorized editor of UNI ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact scholarworks@uni.edu. ASTRONOMY BULLETIN THE 1990-91 WINTER SKY December 1990 through January 1991 Figure 1 December 10, 1991 6:30 PM ..... ~ . I_ -~.-Aquila · 1 .. Figure 1: On Tuesday, December 10, at 6:30 p.m., the Moon and Saturn will be visible in the evening sky. The Moon, located in the constellation Capricornus, is a thin crescent illuminated about 20 percent. It will be full on December 21. Saturn is also in the constellation Capricornus, approximately 7" below the Moon. Iowa Science Teachers Journal /Autumn 1991 29 . ··"' · Canis Mino/[· Cancer · \---~-Figure 2 December 13, 1991 10:00 PM . :··/•. /.'\ -. Canis Major \·/· . \ . .. . . -.  . . Figure 2: On Friday, December 13, the Geminid meteor shower (so named because it appears to originate from the constellation Gemini) will be at its peak. The actual point from which these meteors appear to originate is marked on the diagram as "meteor radiant." Normally, this shower produces about 50 meteors per hour and lasts for three days, so it may be possible to see a significant number ofGeminids a day before or after the peak. Although it is best to observe meteors under a dark and clear sky after midnight, one may be able to see them earlier, since the Moon is in the first quarter phase and sets at 11:45 p.m. 30 Iowa S cience Teachers J ournal I A utumn 1991 ·• I -:-~ i"~D:-. . \'.""'\ . . / . . V. .. .. • meteor radiant Figure 3 January 3, 1992 2:00AM Figure 3: Another meteor shower, the Quadrantids, which usually produces up to 40 meteors per hour, will be at its peak on January 3. The meteors of this shower appear to radiate from a point between the constellations Draco and Bootes. As mentioned before, one can most easily observe meteors after midnight under a dark and clear sky. The Moon is new and therefore will not be a factor. Iowa Science Teachers J ournal I Autumn 1991 31 ... ~t · Aquila >·· Venu s + Mercury ·•. ... . . ■ Mars Figure 4 January 10, 1992 7:30 AM Scorpius Figure 4: Early in the morning on Friday, January 10, Venus, Mercury and Mars will be visible to the southeast at dawn. Venus is located about 21 · above the horizon, with Mercury 19° to the lower left of Venus. Mars is located about 1° below Mercury. Because both Mercury and Mars are within 10· of the horizon and the sky is no longer dark, an unobstructed horizon is essential and a pair of binoculars may also be necessary for viewing. 32 Iowa S cience Teachers J ournal I Autumn 1991 Venus + ·• Figure 5 January 29, 1992 7:00 AM Figure 5: Thirty minutes before sunrise on Wednesday, January 29, the Moon, Venus and Mars will be visible. Located in the constellation Scorpius, the Moon is an illuminated crescent (23 percent). Venus should be visible to the unaided eye approximately 13° above the horizon. Using a pair of binoculars may enable one to see Mars, located 6° above the horizon and 10· to the lower left of Venus. P. Steven Leiker Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics 60 Garden Street Cambridge, MA 02138 Iowa Science Teachers Journal /Autumn 1991 33 

Astronomy Bulletin - The 1990-91 Winter Sky

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Astronomy Bulletin - The 1990-91 Winter Sky

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