Well, according to the meteorological calendar we are now in the season of Winter. However, in 3 weeks’ time, astronomically and mathematically we will actually be in Winter, unlike some who need perfect silos to work from, astronomers can, and have to, go with the facts; the reason for the seasons is the Earth’s tilted axis…..hey, even the pagans get it right and celebrate the Solstice! more on that later this month.
Should the rain clear, the clear crisp mornings are great for observing as a result of the rain clearing out the dust particles in the atmosphere.
If you are east of the Perth Scarp or have a clear east to NE horizon, grab that brew and head out by 6.30am to soak up some planetary sky watching, but you will only have 10 to 15 minutes before the Sun starts washing out the spectacle.
Start 5 deg. above the horizon tomorrow scanning with binoculars for Mercury, it should be a nice white pinpoint contrasting with the red of the impeding sunrise; by Wednesday it will be all but gone.
However, fear not for losing one planetary orb, because come back on Friday and you may be able to find an early Jupiter view which will improve as the month progresses.
If you have come home from partying or for us oldies, woken up again! from 1am, the planet Saturn will rise due east and by 6.30am it will be 60 deg. above the NNE to NE.
From 4am, the planet Mars will rise slightly east of ENE and by 6.30am will sit 35 deg. above the NE.
All this with the waning Moon starting Sunday through to Wednesday presenting a great photographic opportunity or just something to stare at as you try to amuse yourself while sleep alludes you…..and no sheep are available to count.
For the quiz night, did you know that the constellation Crux, better known by Aussies as the Southern Cross, is the smallest of the recognised 88 constellations?
Dr Craig Bowers MP8138
All night sky screenshots are courtesy of Stellarium planetarium
Zotti, G., Hoffmann, S. M., Wolf, A., Chéreau, F., & Chéreau, G. (2021). The Simulated Sky: Stellarium for Cultural Astronomy Research. Journal of Skyscape Archaeology, 6(2), 221–258. https://doi.org/10.1558/jsa.17822
Astronomy West 
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