Fig. 1 The young Moon imaged May 11 2005 at 21h 38m UT. 100mm OG x45; 1/125 sec ISO 200. John Vetterlein.

Fig. 2 The Sun imaged May 11 at 08m 06m UT. 100mm OG x45; 1/1000 sec ISO 100, Baader filter. John Vetterlein.

Fig 3 Large sunspot group approaching the western limb imaged May 11 at 08m 07m UT. 100mm OG x135; 1/1000 sec ISO 100, Baader filter. John Vetterlein

Dia 1 The low northern sky looking NNW at midnight (01h BST) on 12/13 May 2005.

The Moon in high declination

This evening, May 12 2005, the Moon may be seen as a substantial crescent approaching the NW horizon close to midnight (1 am BST on Friday 13 May).

It sets at around 2h UT and rises about four hours later.

This short sojourn below the northern horizon is a result of the Moon's high northern declination of +28.3° in the early hours of May 12.

The Sun will reach its most northerly declination of 23.4° at the summer solstice on June 21.

The Moon can therefore be seen to have moved some distance from the ecliptic which, in the presence instance, is close its maximum value.

The north-western twilight at one hour past midnight (BST) will show the Moon close to Saturn with Castor and Pollux above.

Insomniacs may be interested to observe this unique event as illustrated in Dia. 1.

Solar Activity

The Sun continues to show an interesting array of sunspots. (Fig 2 & 3)

JV
12/5/05