What’s in the Sky in September

September

 

The best time to observe the dust orbiting Earth, which is known as the Zodiacal Light, is around the Southward Equinox which falls this year on 23rd September  AEST.
So a couple of days either side you can look for it.
You do need a dark sky to see the zodiacal light so head to the darkest sky you can reach and look just after sunset. Turn off unnecessary lighting to help keep the night dark.
  • 1st Saturn is just past Opposition ( closest psotion to Earth, which was on 27th August and is a stunning evening object at Magnitude o.4, distance 1309.9 milliom km, 72.82 light minutes away.
  • 13th  Moon at Apogee, furthest point from Earth this month, 01:43hrs AEST,  distance from Earth 402,292.4 km.
  • 23rd Southward Equinox 16:50hrs AEST.
  • 28th Moon at Perigee, Closest point to Earth this month, 11:01hrs AEST, distance from Earth 359,914.3km.

 

 

  • Universal Nomenclature of the      Equinoxes and Solstices Each celestial object has coordinates similar to a street directory to locate its’ position in the heavens.Celestial Sphere – An imaginary sphere surrounding the Earth on which the celestial bodies appear to lie.Celestial Longitude (CLong) – coordinateon the Celestial Sphere that corresponds tothe longitude on Earth and is measured

    from 00.00h. Measured in hours, minutes, seconds or sometimes given as degrees,

    minutes seconds corresponding to degrees

    in a circle, ie 360 degrees.

     

    Celestial Latitude (CLat)– corresponds to latitude on Earth’s surface and is measured

    in degrees, minutes, seconds. Up to 90

    degrees North (Nth) or South (Sth) of the Celestial Equator.

    + for the Northern Hemisphere,

    – for the Southern Hemisphere.

     

    Celestial Equator – directly above the

    Equator on the Earth’s surface.

     

    Northward Equinox – Day & Time the

    Sun crosses the Celestial Equator travelling into the northern Hemisphere. 00.00h CLong

     

    North Solstice   – Date and Time Sun reaches its’ furthest northern position ~ 23.5 degrees Nth. of the Celestial Equator. The Tropic of

    Cancer on the Earth’s surface, northern limit

    of Sun overhead.

                       

    Southward Equinox – Day and Time

    Sun crosses the Celestial Equator travelling into the Southern Hemisphere.

     

    South Solstice – Date and Time the Sun

    reaches its furthest s outhern position ~ 23.5 degrees Sth. of the Celestial Equator.

    The Tropic of Capricorn on the Earth’s

    Surface, southern limit of Sun overhead.

     

    The preceeding 4 terms indicate:

    1.Direction of the Earth’s Poles

    relative to the Sun.

    2.Extent of the Nth/Sth movement

    of the Sun overhead

    3.Direction of seasonal change of the

    position of the Sun due to the angle of the

    Earth’s axis of rotation,  ~ 23.5  degrees.

    Ecliptic – Path of the Sun against the background of the stars.

     SCP – South Celestial Pole

    NCP -North Celestial Pole

    Both directly above the Earth’s Poles.

     

    The Point of Northward Precession –

     The point the Sun crosses  the Celestial Equator travelling  into the Northern Hemisphere. The point is actually moving 1/7 sec/day. It is linked  to Celestial Longitude as the point slowly  slips along the Celestial Equator.

     

    Epoch   For a printed map the stars positions are fixed and so the Epoch date needs to be stated, ie Current Epoch is 2000.  Printed star maps are good for about 50 years, then the next epoch data is required for astronomers, ie next epoch will be 2050.

     

    Tropical Year – Time for the Sun to travel from one Northward Equinox to next,

    365.2422 days.

     

    Siderial Year – Time taken for the Earth to complete one orbit relative to the fixed stars, 365.2564 days.

     

    The difference between the Tropical and Siderial years is due to the effects of

    precession, a gradual westward drift in the ecliptic. The gravitational pull of the Sun and Moon on the Earth’s equatorial bulge cause

    the Earth’s axis to trace out  a circle on the sky every 25,800yrs.

     

    Judith Bailey – Ballarat Municipal Observatory & Museum

    E:  info@ballaratobservatory.org.au 0429 199 312

     

    First printed 18.3.2010 Updated 20/7/2022

  • 27th  Jupiter is at opposition and closest for 59 years. Viewing available at the Observatory Book Online
  • 2nd Oct Daylight Savings begins. AEDT Time.

What’s in the Sky in June

June

At this time of the year, as Winter embraces the Southern Hemisphere, the middle of our Milky Way galaxy in the constellation of Sagittarius, is rising in the East.

  • 7th  Lunar Perigee, closest approach of the Moon for the month 09:06hr AEST, Dist. 364,862.9km.
  • 18th Mercury is visible all month, an early  morning object rising at 06:26hrs AEST.
  • 18th Saturn is rising late at night, 22.41hrs AEST, in the constellation of Aquarius and is East of Formalhaut, a double star Mag +1.23 and +24.60 giving an overall magnitude as one star of +1.16 in the constellation Piscis Austrinus, the Southern fish.
  • 18th Jupiter is rising in the early hours of the morning at 03:38hrs AEST  at a distance of 831.0 million km, 46.20 light minutes.
  • 19th The Moon is lowest in the sky on this day, at 28 degrees North of the Equator.
  • 22nd The North Solstice, the time when the Sun is at it’s furthest point North, occurs at 00:58hrs AEST. This is the shortest day of the year. Come and learn about the solstices, equinoxes and seasons on this day from 2pm.
  • 23rd Lunar Apogee, when the Moon is furthest from the Earth 04.31hrs AEST,  405,386.2km.
  • 29th This day is the latest sunrise of the year.

Fauna and Firmament Special Tours

Tours

Discover Nocturnal Wildlife and the Amazing Universe

The Ballarat Observatory and Golden Nugget Discovery Tours have come together to give you an unforgettable bush and night time experience.

We care for our Environment and Planet Earth.

As the sun sets, the Australian bush at Woowookarung Regional Park comes alive, a chance to encounter, depending on their being present on the  night, some local wildlife such as Kangaroos, Koalas, Possums, Gliders, Owls, Frogs, Bats, and other night wild life and then to look through telescopes at the Observatory to discover the wonders of the night sky and why the night is so important for all life.

If cloudy, an alternative program is provided including Astrotour movies about Astronomy and a virtual tour of the night sky.

The first part of the Tour begins 1 hour before sunset, and then participants arrive at the Ballarat Observatory 1.5 hours after sunset for viewing through the telescopes.

If cloudy, a virtual tour of the  night sky  will be presented along with 3D movies.

Bookings can be made up to 5 days prior to the Tour. Places are limited.

Costs for Groups up to 6 people

$75 Adults

$65 Concession Seniors Card, Pensioner, Student Over 15 yrs.

$55 Children up to 15yrs

$200 Family (2A 2-3Children)

Booking for this event is dependent on availability of both parties, call on 0429 199 312 to arrange a day and time.

BOOKING CONDITIONS

 Failure to meet the guide on the day of departure without prior notification will incur a 100% cancellation fee.  If the tour operator cancels the tour, the tour operator will refund all monies payed by the customer.  With prior notification, Rescheduling and Refunds are available for changed circumstances.

Ballarat Observatory and Golden Nugget Discovery Tours shall be exempt from all liability, delay, loss, damage, sickness or injury however caused occurring of or to the passenger at any time while participating in any Tour or related activity and passengers will travel with the understanding that these conditions are accepted prior to departure. Travel insurance is recommended. The management retains the right to alter fares, itineraries, days of operation, and cancel tours for any unforeseen circumstance.

Bookings are tailored for each date, ring to ask for other dates not listed on the below link. Co-ordination of both parties is required before booking can go ahead.

What’s in the Sky in January

January

  • Quadrantid meteor shower (QUA) Active from December 26th to January 16th. The Quadrantids have the potential to be the strongest shower of the year but usually fall short due to the short length of maximum activity (6 hours) and the poor weather experienced during early January. The average hourly rates one can expect under dark skies is 25. These meteors usually lack persistent trains but often produce bright fireballs. Due to the high northerly declination (celestial latitude) these meteors are not well seen from the southern hemisphere.
  • Shower details – Radiant: 15:20 +49.7° – ZHR: 120 – Velocity: 25 miles/sec (medium – 40.2km/sec) – Parent Object: 2003 EH (Asteroid)Next Peak – The Quadrantids peak on the Jan 3-4, 2023 night. On this night, the moon will be 92% full. Credit: IMO.
  • At this time of the year the Great Orion Nebula is rising in the East.  Just East of Orion is the brightest star in the sky, Sirius, Alpha Canis major.
  • 7th Latest sunset of the Year 21:49:26hrs AEDT at the Observatory.
  • 8th Lunar Apogee 20:19hr AEDT, Dist. 406,459km
  • 12th Mercury rises 05:43hrs AEDT, dist. 103/1 million km, mag. 2.4.
  • 12th Saturn Setting at 22:33hrs AEDT, dist. 1,593.6 million km, mag. 0.8.
  • 12th Jupiter 4 degrees Nth of the Moon, distance 775.1 million km, mag. -2.3.
  • 22nd Lunar Perigee, closest approach for the month 07:53hr AEDT, Dist. 3556,570km.

Sunrise, Sunset, Astronomical Twilight Times 2023

Sunrise, Sunset & Astronomical Twilight Times


Criteria

Location Latitude Longitude Date
Ballarat Municipal Observatory And Museum 37° 40.82′ S 143° 51.63′ E 2023 AEST

Results

Times Of Sunrise And Sunset
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set
1
05:06
19:49
05:38
19:38
06:09
19:05
06:38
18:19
07:05
17:39
07:30
17:14
2
05:07
19:49
05:39
19:37
06:10
19:04
06:39
18:18
07:06
17:37
07:31
17:14
3
05:08
19:50
05:40
19:36
06:11
19:03
06:40
18:16
07:07
17:36
07:32
17:14
4
05:09
19:50
05:42
19:35
06:12
19:01
06:41
18:15
07:08
17:35
07:32
17:13
5
05:10
19:50
05:43
19:34
06:13
19:00
06:42
18:13
07:08
17:34
07:33
17:13
6
05:11
19:50
05:44
19:33
06:14
18:58
06:42
18:12
07:09
17:33
07:33
17:13
7
05:11
19:50
05:45
19:32
06:15
18:57
06:43
18:10
07:10
17:32
07:34
17:13
8
05:12
19:50
05:46
19:31
06:16
18:55
06:44
18:09
07:11
17:31
07:34
17:13
9
05:13
19:49
05:47
19:30
06:17
18:54
06:45
18:07
07:12
17:30
07:35
17:12
10
05:14
19:49
05:48
19:29
06:18
18:52
06:46
18:06
07:13
17:29
07:36
17:12
11
05:15
19:49
05:49
19:28
06:19
18:51
06:47
18:05
07:14
17:28
07:36
17:12
12
05:16
19:49
05:51
19:27
06:19
18:49
06:48
18:03
07:15
17:27
07:36
17:12
13
05:17
19:49
05:52
19:26
06:20
18:48
06:49
18:02
07:15
17:26
07:37
17:12
14
05:18
19:48
05:53
19:25
06:21
18:46
06:50
18:00
07:16
17:26
07:37
17:12
15
05:19
19:48
05:54
19:23
06:22
18:45
06:51
17:59
07:17
17:25
07:38
17:12
16
05:20
19:48
05:55
19:22
06:23
18:43
06:51
17:58
07:18
17:24
07:38
17:12
17
05:21
19:47
05:56
19:21
06:24
18:42
06:52
17:56
07:19
17:23
07:38
17:12
18
05:22
19:47
05:57
19:20
06:25
18:40
06:53
17:55
07:20
17:22
07:39
17:12
19
05:24
19:47
05:58
19:19
06:26
18:39
06:54
17:54
07:21
17:22
07:39
17:13
20
05:25
19:46
05:59
19:17
06:27
18:37
06:55
17:52
07:21
17:21
07:39
17:13
21
05:26
19:46
06:00
19:16
06:28
18:36
06:56
17:51
07:22
17:20
07:40
17:13
22
05:27
19:45
06:01
19:15
06:29
18:34
06:57
17:50
07:23
17:19
07:40
17:13
23
05:28
19:44
06:02
19:13
06:30
18:33
06:58
17:48
07:24
17:19
07:40
17:13
24
05:29
19:44
06:03
19:12
06:31
18:31
06:59
17:47
07:24
17:18
07:40
17:14
25
05:30
19:43
06:05
19:11
06:32
18:30
07:00
17:46
07:25
17:18
07:40
17:14
26
05:31
19:42
06:06
19:09
06:33
18:28
07:00
17:45
07:26
17:17
07:40
17:14
27
05:32
19:42
06:07
19:08
06:33
18:27
07:01
17:43
07:27
17:17
07:40
17:15
28
05:34
19:41
06:08
19:07
06:34
18:25
07:02
17:42
07:27
17:16
07:41
17:15
29
05:35
19:40
06:35
18:24
07:03
17:41
07:28
17:16
07:41
17:15
30
05:36
19:40
06:36
18:22
07:04
17:40
07:29
17:15
07:41
17:16
31
05:37
19:39
06:37
18:21
07:30
17:15
Times Of Sunrise And Sunset
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set
1
07:40
17:16
07:25
17:37
06:47
18:03
06:01
18:28
05:18
18:58
04:57
19:30
2
07:40
17:17
07:24
17:38
06:45
18:04
05:59
18:29
05:17
18:59
04:57
19:31
3
07:40
17:17
07:23
17:39
06:44
18:04
05:58
18:30
05:16
19:00
04:56
19:32
4
07:40
17:18
07:22
17:39
06:42
18:05
05:56
18:31
05:15
19:01
04:56
19:33
5
07:40
17:18
07:21
17:40
06:41
18:06
05:55
18:32
05:14
19:02
04:56
19:34
6
07:40
17:19
07:20
17:41
06:39
18:07
05:53
18:33
05:13
19:03
04:56
19:34
7
07:40
17:19
07:19
17:42
06:38
18:08
05:52
18:33
05:12
19:04
04:56
19:35
8
07:39
17:20
07:18
17:43
06:36
18:09
05:50
18:34
05:11
19:06
04:56
19:36
9
07:39
17:20
07:17
17:44
06:35
18:09
05:49
18:35
05:10
19:07
04:56
19:37
10
07:39
17:21
07:16
17:44
06:33
18:10
05:47
18:36
05:09
19:08
04:56
19:38
11
07:38
17:22
07:14
17:45
06:32
18:11
05:46
18:37
05:08
19:09
04:56
19:39
12
07:38
17:22
07:13
17:46
06:30
18:12
05:44
18:38
05:07
19:10
04:56
19:39
13
07:38
17:23
07:12
17:47
06:29
18:13
05:43
18:39
05:07
19:11
04:57
19:40
14
07:37
17:23
07:11
17:48
06:27
18:14
05:42
18:40
05:06
19:12
04:57
19:41
15
07:37
17:24
07:10
17:49
06:26
18:14
05:40
18:41
05:05
19:13
04:57
19:42
16
07:36
17:25
07:08
17:49
06:24
18:15
05:39
18:42
05:04
19:14
04:57
19:42
17
07:36
17:25
07:07
17:50
06:23
18:16
05:37
18:43
05:04
19:15
04:58
19:43
18
07:35
17:26
07:06
17:51
06:21
18:17
05:36
18:44
05:03
19:16
04:58
19:44
19
07:35
17:27
07:05
17:52
06:19
18:18
05:35
18:45
05:02
19:17
04:58
19:44
20
07:34
17:28
07:03
17:53
06:18
18:19
05:33
18:46
05:02
19:19
04:59
19:45
21
07:34
17:28
07:02
17:54
06:16
18:19
05:32
18:47
05:01
19:20
04:59
19:45
22
07:33
17:29
07:01
17:55
06:15
18:20
05:31
18:48
05:00
19:21
05:00
19:46
23
07:32
17:30
06:59
17:55
06:13
18:21
05:29
18:49
05:00
19:22
05:00
19:46
24
07:31
17:31
06:58
17:56
06:12
18:22
05:28
18:50
04:59
19:23
05:01
19:47
25
07:31
17:31
06:57
17:57
06:10
18:23
05:27
18:51
04:59
19:24
05:01
19:47
26
07:30
17:32
06:55
17:58
06:09
18:24
05:25
18:52
04:59
19:25
05:02
19:48
27
07:29
17:33
06:54
17:59
06:07
18:25
05:24
18:53
04:58
19:26
05:03
19:48
28
07:28
17:34
06:52
18:00
06:05
18:25
05:23
18:54
04:58
19:27
05:03
19:48
29
07:28
17:35
06:51
18:00
06:04
18:26
05:22
18:55
04:57
19:28
05:04
19:49
30
07:27
17:35
06:50
18:01
06:02
18:27
05:21
18:56
04:57
19:29
05:05
19:49
31
07:26
17:36
06:48
18:02
05:20
18:57
05:05
19:49
Times Of Astronomical Twilight
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set
1
03:13
21:43
03:56
21:19
04:37
20:37
05:11
19:46
05:36
19:07
05:57
18:47
2
03:14
21:43
03:58
21:18
04:39
20:35
05:12
19:45
05:37
19:06
05:58
18:47
3
03:15
21:43
04:00
21:17
04:40
20:33
05:13
19:43
05:38
19:05
05:58
18:47
4
03:16
21:43
04:01
21:15
04:41
20:32
05:14
19:42
05:38
19:04
05:59
18:47
5
03:17
21:42
04:03
21:14
04:42
20:30
05:15
19:40
05:39
19:03
05:59
18:47
6
03:18
21:42
04:04
21:13
04:44
20:28
05:16
19:39
05:40
19:03
06:00
18:46
7
03:19
21:42
04:06
21:11
04:45
20:27
05:16
19:37
05:41
19:02
06:00
18:46
8
03:21
21:41
04:07
21:10
04:46
20:25
05:17
19:36
05:41
19:01
06:01
18:46
9
03:22
21:41
04:09
21:08
04:47
20:23
05:18
19:34
05:42
19:00
06:01
18:46
10
03:23
21:40
04:11
21:07
04:48
20:22
05:19
19:33
05:43
18:59
06:02
18:46
11
03:25
21:40
04:12
21:05
04:49
20:20
05:20
19:32
05:44
18:58
06:02
18:46
12
03:26
21:39
04:14
21:04
04:51
20:18
05:21
19:30
05:44
18:58
06:03
18:46
13
03:27
21:39
04:15
21:02
04:52
20:17
05:22
19:29
05:45
18:57
06:03
18:46
14
03:29
21:38
04:17
21:01
04:53
20:15
05:22
19:28
05:46
18:56
06:03
18:46
15
03:30
21:37
04:18
20:59
04:54
20:13
05:23
19:26
05:46
18:55
06:04
18:46
16
03:32
21:36
04:19
20:58
04:55
20:12
05:24
19:25
05:47
18:55
06:04
18:46
17
03:33
21:36
04:21
20:56
04:56
20:10
05:25
19:24
05:48
18:54
06:04
18:46
18
03:35
21:35
04:22
20:55
04:57
20:08
05:26
19:22
05:49
18:53
06:05
18:47
19
03:36
21:34
04:24
20:53
04:58
20:07
05:27
19:21
05:49
18:53
06:05
18:47
20
03:38
21:33
04:25
20:51
04:59
20:05
05:27
19:20
05:50
18:52
06:05
18:47
21
03:39
21:32
04:27
20:50
05:00
20:04
05:28
19:19
05:51
18:52
06:05
18:47
22
03:41
21:31
04:28
20:48
05:01
20:02
05:29
19:17
05:51
18:51
06:06
18:47
23
03:42
21:30
04:29
20:47
05:02
20:00
05:30
19:16
05:52
18:51
06:06
18:48
24
03:44
21:29
04:31
20:45
05:03
19:59
05:31
19:15
05:52
18:50
06:06
18:48
25
03:45
21:28
04:32
20:43
05:04
19:57
05:31
19:14
05:53
18:50
06:06
18:48
26
03:47
21:27
04:33
20:42
05:05
19:56
05:32
19:13
05:54
18:49
06:06
18:48
27
03:49
21:26
04:35
20:40
05:06
19:54
05:33
19:12
05:54
18:49
06:06
18:49
28
03:50
21:24
04:36
20:38
05:07
19:52
05:34
19:11
05:55
18:49
06:06
18:49
29
03:52
21:23
05:08
19:51
05:35
19:09
05:56
18:48
06:07
18:49
30
03:53
21:22
05:09
19:49
05:35
19:08
05:56
18:48
06:07
18:50
31
03:55
21:21
05:10
19:48
05:57
18:48
Times Of Astronomical Twilight
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set
1
06:07
18:50
05:55
19:07
05:20
19:30
04:32
19:57
03:41
20:36
03:06
21:20
2
06:07
18:50
05:54
19:08
05:18
19:31
04:30
19:58
03:39
20:37
03:06
21:22
3
06:07
18:51
05:53
19:09
05:17
19:32
04:29
19:59
03:38
20:39
03:05
21:23
4
06:06
18:51
05:52
19:09
05:15
19:32
04:27
20:00
03:36
20:40
03:05
21:24
5
06:06
18:52
05:51
19:10
05:14
19:33
04:25
20:01
03:35
20:41
03:04
21:25
6
06:06
18:52
05:50
19:11
05:12
19:34
04:24
20:02
03:33
20:43
03:04
21:27
7
06:06
18:53
05:49
19:11
05:11
19:35
04:22
20:03
03:32
20:44
03:04
21:28
8
06:06
18:53
05:48
19:12
05:09
19:36
04:20
20:04
03:31
20:46
03:03
21:29
9
06:06
18:54
05:47
19:13
05:08
19:36
04:19
20:06
03:29
20:47
03:03
21:30
10
06:06
18:54
05:46
19:14
05:06
19:37
04:17
20:07
03:28
20:49
03:03
21:31
11
06:05
18:55
05:45
19:14
05:05
19:38
04:15
20:08
03:27
20:51
03:03
21:32
12
06:05
18:55
05:44
19:15
05:03
19:39
04:13
20:09
03:25
20:52
03:03
21:33
13
06:05
18:56
05:43
19:16
05:02
19:40
04:12
20:10
03:24
20:54
03:03
21:34
14
06:05
18:56
05:42
19:16
05:00
19:41
04:10
20:11
03:23
20:55
03:03
21:35
15
06:04
18:57
05:41
19:17
04:59
19:42
04:08
20:13
03:21
20:57
03:03
21:36
16
06:04
18:57
05:40
19:18
04:57
19:42
04:07
20:14
03:20
20:58
03:03
21:37
17
06:03
18:58
05:39
19:19
04:55
19:43
04:05
20:15
03:19
21:00
03:03
21:38
18
06:03
18:58
05:38
19:19
04:54
19:44
04:03
20:16
03:18
21:01
03:03
21:38
19
06:03
18:59
05:37
19:20
04:52
19:45
04:02
20:18
03:17
21:03
03:04
21:39
20
06:02
19:00
05:35
19:21
04:50
19:46
04:00
20:19
03:16
21:04
03:04
21:40
21
06:02
19:00
05:34
19:22
04:49
19:47
03:58
20:20
03:15
21:06
03:04
21:40
22
06:01
19:01
05:33
19:22
04:47
19:48
03:57
20:22
03:14
21:07
03:05
21:41
23
06:01
19:02
05:32
19:23
04:46
19:49
03:55
20:23
03:13
21:09
03:05
21:41
24
06:00
19:02
05:30
19:24
04:44
19:50
03:53
20:24
03:12
21:10
03:06
21:42
25
05:59
19:03
05:29
19:25
04:42
19:51
03:52
20:26
03:11
21:12
03:07
21:42
26
05:59
19:03
05:28
19:25
04:41
19:52
03:50
20:27
03:10
21:13
03:07
21:42
27
05:58
19:04
05:27
19:26
04:39
19:53
03:49
20:28
03:09
21:15
03:08
21:43
28
05:57
19:05
05:25
19:27
04:37
19:54
03:47
20:30
03:09
21:16
03:09
21:43
29
05:57
19:05
05:24
19:28
04:35
19:55
03:45
20:31
03:08
21:17
03:10
21:43
30
05:56
19:06
05:22
19:28
04:34
19:56
03:44
20:33
03:07
21:19
03:10
21:43
31
05:55
19:07
05:21
19:29
03:42
20:34
03:11
21:43