The Night Sky September 2023
After all those long days and short nights, it’s that time again to take advantage of our dark night sky here in Embsay. But first - a true story to whet your appetite!
On September 5th 1977, a space probe was launched as a once- in- a- lifetime chance to catch a special alignment of the planets and hitch a ride using their gravity to Jupiter, Saturn and its satellites. In 1979 it skimmed past Jupiter, then a year later, Saturn. Having completed its main mission, it headed off to outer space, briefly turning its camera back towards Earth to take this iconic picture (The pale blue dot) in 1990. At this point it was 3.7 billion miles from us. For me, this was as astounding as the discoveries it made….
…Here, in a single pixel, is everything you and I have ever known and all people who have lived and will live, against the vastness of space.
Photo: NASA 1990
Onward it journeyed, having accomplished its main aim and in 2012 it left the influence of our solar system into interstellar space. By coincidence, it was also the day (August 25th) that Neil Armstrong died. Incredibly, the Voyager 1 probe has 70 kilobytes of memory and most current smartphones have 200,000 time more memory. Its technology is that of the 70s but the yet it still continues onwards but when its energy is expired we will inevitably lose contact. It will travel through space indefinitely unless its path is blocked or it is intercepted. Currently, it is 14.7 billion miles away and is still receiving commands from mission control. On board is a treasure-trove of information relating to humankind imprinted on a golden disc.
What images and sounds would you have sent on this journey that will no doubt outlive our existence? https://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/golden-record/
Find out more about the missions (there were 2 missions in quick succession) :
The Voyager Mission was primarily created to visit the two main planets we can see this month.
Here are two sky charts for the 15th - hopefully a clear, moonless evening. The yellow curve is the path that the planets take as this month you should spot the biggest two; Jupiter and Saturn.
Looking North 15th September at 10pm
If you can find a dark place you may be able to spot the Milky Way arching across the sky from North East to South West. Look carefully and you will see Jupiter low in the East…… more about that shortly.
Looking South 15th September at 10pm
Saturn is low in the South with the Great Square of Pegasus half-way up in the sky due East.
Earth and Jupiter will soon be the closest to each other than at any other time of the year. Situated just above the Eastern horizon, they move slowly and higher throughout the night. Since the Voyager Mission we have discovered more and more about Jupiter. It is huge! Its mass is more than two and a half times that of all the other planets put together! It does have rings but they are too faint to see. Over time, an increasing number of moons have been discovered - currently standing at 92 moons! The largest 4 and the great red spot can be seen with a modest telescope or binoculars.
Photo Trevor O'Donoghue
Photo: Milan Davidovic. Embsay
Hubble Telescope Images.
Of course the James Web telescope does it even better!
September 15th New Moon
September 22nd Mercury Greatest Elongation West
September 23rd Autumn Equinox. Night and day of equal length.
September 29th Full Moon
Clear Skies
Milan Davidovic
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