Jupiter and the Full Moon

The full moon and the bright planet Jupiter rise in the east after sunset tomorrow, Saturday. The two are in the zodiacal constellation Capricornus, a constellation we associate with change and autumn.

We call this the Sailor’s Moon as it is often the guiding light at night for mariners. Years ago, when a certain fish was more abundant in our waters, the moon was called the Sturgeon Moon.
Jupiter is about as bright and close as it gets this year. Yesterday, the planet was in opposition. Astronomers estimate that Jupiter is 372 million miles away, or four times the distance from us as the Sun, at 93 million miles.

Enjoy the night sky and look a little higher in the sky and more southerly for the ringed-planet Saturn. Saturn is no where near as bright as Jupiter. The planet is 827 million miles away. Saturn was closest to the Earth, in opposition on August 1 and 2.

Sunrise and Sunset
Day Sunrise Sunset
Fri., August 20 5:54 7:34
Sat., August 21 5:55 7:33
Sun., August 22 5:56 7:31
Mon., August 23 5:57 7:29
Tues., August 24 5:58 7:28
Wed., August 25 5:59 7:26
Thurs., August 26 6:00 7:25
Fri., August 27 6:01 7:23
Temperatures and Precipitations
Day Max (Fº) Min (Fº) Inches
August 13 86 71 T
August 14 88 73 T
August 15 90 72 0.00
August 16 80 59 0.00
August 17 80 60 0.00
August 18 80 65 0.00
August 19 82 70 0.00

 

Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 77º F

Comments

Comment policy »

YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS

Subscribe or become a Friend of the Vineyard Gazette and receive our free newsletters and free and discounted tickets to Gazette events along with our award-winning news and photography.