• Mark Lovewell

In Vineyard Skies: Busy Moon

The moon has had a busy week. On Monday, the moon passed in front of the sun for a memorable eclipse. Friday, the crescent moon appears close to Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system.

You will find the two celestial objects in the constellation Virgo. Take another look and you’ll see the bright star Spica, the principal star in Virgo. The three form a triangle.

In three nights, on Sunday night, the moon reaches first quarter phase and it is in Scorpius, the southern most zodiacal constellation. The bright red star nearby is Antares, the principal star in the constellation.

On Tuesday night, the moon appears almost due south. It is close to the ringed planet Saturn. Saturn is the brightest celestial object nearby. Saturn is in between two zodiacal constellations, Sagittarius and Scorpius. The planet is really in the constellation Ophiuchus, a constellation few have heard of and is often referred too as the 13th zodiacal constellation.

In ancient astronomy, Ophiuchus depicts a man holding a serpent.

 

Sunrise and Sunset
Day Sunrise Sunset
Fri., August 25 5:59 7:26
Sat., August 26 6:00 7:25
Sun., August 27 6:01 7:23
Mon., August 28 6:02 7:22
Tues., August 29 6:03 7:20
Wed., August 30 6:05 7:18
Thurs., Sept. 1 6:06 7:17
Fri., Jan. -- 6:07 7:15
Temperatures and Precipitation
Day Max (Fº) Min (Fº) Inches
August 18 78 62 0.00
August 19 75 69 2.68
August 20 82 67 0.00
August 21 83 60 0.00
August 22 84 67 0.00
August 23 78 71 T
August 24 81 57 0.00

 

Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 75º F

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