Europa’s shadow is simply showing at Jupiter’s jap limb at 6 A.M. CDT. Credit: Stellarium/James Hastings-Trew/NASA Cassini
- A detailed conjunction of the waning crescent Moon (roughly 26% illuminated) and Jupiter occurred round 7 A.M. EDT, observable within the jap sky earlier than dawn, with the Moon positioned between Jupiter and the star Pollux.
- All 4 Galilean moons of Jupiter have been seen with telescopic commentary, exhibiting their relative positions east and west of the planet.
- A shadow transit of Europa throughout Jupiter’s cloud tops was probably observable from the western two-thirds of the U.S., beginning round 6 A.M. CDT, although visibility trusted location and growing daybreak gentle.
- Sunrise and sundown instances, together with moonrise and moonset, and the Moon’s part, are offered for a particular location (40° N 90° W).
The Moon passes 5° north of Jupiter at 7 A.M. EDT. Early risers can benefit from the pairing earlier than dawn, standing some 50° excessive within the east an hour earlier than the Sun crests the horizon. Now in its waning crescent part, the Moon is lower than 30 % lit and never fairly so obtrusive, permitting you to make out the celebs of the encircling constellations. The Moon is a few 4° west of Pollux this morning, standing between this star and Jupiter.
All 4 of Jupiter’s Galilean moons are seen, greatest seen with a telescope (any dimension will do). To the planet’s east, Europa is nearer with Io farther out; to the west, Callisto is closest and Ganymede is farthest from the planet. Observers within the western two-thirds of the U.S. may be capable to catch a shadow transit as Europa closes in, casting its shadow on Jupiter’s cloud tops starting round 6 A.M. CDT. The sky is brightening for these within the Central time zone presently, so observers farther west can have a greater view. Follow the shadow so long as you’ll be able to, however take care to place away any optics at the least a number of minutes earlier than dawn out of your location, which can differ from the time given under.
The shadow continues to be nearing the planet’s western limb when Europa’s transit lastly begins round 6:20 A.M. PDT, very near dawn on the West Coast.
Sunrise: 6:42 A.M.
Sunset: 7:07 P.M.
Moonrise: 12:53 A.M.
Moonset: 4:42 P.M.
Moon Phase: Waning crescent (26%)
*Times for dawn, sundown, moonrise, and moonset are given in native time from 40° N 90° W. The Moon’s illumination is given at 12 P.M. native time from the identical location.
For a glance forward at extra upcoming sky occasions, take a look at our full Sky This Week column.