Space Weather News for May 7, 2008

Space Weather News for May 7, 2008
http://spaceweather.com

NOCTILUCENT CLOUDS: On May 5th, experienced sky watchers in Northern Ireland were surprised by a sudden apparition of electric-blue noctilucent clouds (NLCs). This marks an unusually early beginning to the 2008 NLC season and may herald a spectacular summer of high-latitude "night shining" clouds. NLCs first appeared in the 19th century mainly around Earth's poles. Since then, for reasons unknown, they have increased in number and range, with sightings in recent years as far south as Utah and Colorado. Visit http://spaceweather.com to see the first photos of 2008 and to learn what to look for in case NLCs visit your part of the world in the nights ahead.

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The sky this month


Mars joins M44

Ruddy Mars shines at 1st magnitude, equaling the nearby giant star Pollux. The Red Planet then lies approximately 150 million miles from Earth, so it measures a mere 5.8" across. You'll need a 10-inch or larger telescope to see any appreciable detail.

The best most of us can do is to watch its trek against the background stars. Luckily, Mars has a few good companions this month: A waxing Moon stands 6° to its west May 9, just 4 days after the planet crossed into Cancer. The following night, the Moon stands a similar distance east of the planet.

The best is yet to come. On May 21, Mars lies on the western edge of the Beehive star cluster (M44). The following 2 nights, Mars passes through the cluster. Grab your binoculars May 22 and 23 for a great view. This conjunction also offers the opportunity to take some fine close-up photographs. Mars shines nearly 2 magnitudes brighter than the combined output of the Beehive's few hundred stars.