Eclipse Special

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This star chart will show you what is around the Moon at the time of totality. Neptune and Uranus are near by and would make for interesting targets while the Moon is dimmed.

Eclipse information from: NASA Eclipse Homepage, Eclipses Online (HM Nautical Almanac Office, UK in coordination with the U.S. Naval Observatory)

What to see

The entire 'winter' hexagon will rise just before dawn with Sirius just before and to the S of Venus just as the 'summer' triangle sets.

Red Mars pairs up with red Aldeberon in Taurus. Mars it brighter and to the NE of the red eye of the bull.

When the moon is eclipsed it will be directly between Neptune and Uranus

Next total eclipse for those in N.America will be Feb 21, 2008 for future date check the bottom of the NASA Eclipse Website!

Planets

• Mercury- deep in the glow of sunset. Better viewing in September and October -0.9 mag (1st) to -1.4 mag (21st)
• Venus- is emerging from the glow of the sun, just beginning its tour as the Morning Star for the next half-year. Look for it above the eastern horizon 60 to 40 minutes before sunrise. It's getting a little higher every day.
• Mars- In Taurus and the red planet will be near the dimmer, giant red Aldeberon.
• Jupiter- In Ophiucus north of the bright red Antares. -2.5 mag (1st) to -2.4 mag (21st)
• Saturn- lost in the glare of the sun
• Uranus-In Aquarius magnitude 5.7, is passing within 1/4° of the yellow-orange star Phi Aquarii, magnitude 4.2.
• Neptune-Will camp out in Capricorn all year long 7.9 mag (1st) to 7.8 mag (21st)
• 4 Vesta -Categorized as a minor planet (Vesta family Main Belt) not far from Jupiter this month and at a magnitude of 5.4 - 6.0 will be a good naked eye object for August.

Astronomical Highlights for 2007

Earth's major motions for 2007

Perihelion		Jan 3 20h(UT)
First Cross Quarter Day		Feb 2-6
Equinox		Mar 21 00:07(UT)
Second Cross Quarter Day		May 4-7
Solstice		June 21 18:06(UT)
Aphelion		July 4 00h (UT)
Third Cross Quarter Day		Aug 5-8
Equinox		Sept 23 19:51(UT)
Fourth Cross Quarter Day		Nov 5-8
Solstice		Dec 22 06:08(UT)

Planet Positions for 2007

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Venus

Sgr

Aqr

Psc

Ari

Tau

Gem

Leo

Sex

Cnc

Leo

Leo

Vir

Mars

Oph

Sgr

Cap

Cap

Aqr

Psc

Ari

Tau

Tau

Gem

Gem

Gem

Jupiter

Oph

Oph

Oph

Oph

Oph

Oph

Oph

Oph

Oph

Oph

Oph

Oph

Saturn

Leo

Leo

Leo

Leo

Leo

Leo

Leo

Leo

Leo

Leo

Leo

Leo

Uranus

Aqu

Aqu

Aqu

Aqu

Aqu

Aqu

Aqu

Aqu

Aqu

Aqu

Aqu

Aqu

Neptune

Cap

Cap

Cap

Cap

Cap

Cap

Cap

Cap

Cap

Cap

Cap

Cap

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