This does it all really
http://home.mira.net/~reynella/skywatch/ssky.htm
May Skies
Last Modified Fri, 12 May 2006 06:06:10 GMT
updated Comet Schwassmann-Wachman spotters maps updated.
Useful info for visitors from New Zealand, South Africa and South America.
1-4 May; Mars near Epsilon Geminorum. May 2; Mars near Moon. May 4, Moon near Saturn. May 5; opposition of Jupiter. May 6, Moon near Regulus. May 12, Moon near Jupiter. Early morning May 15; Occultation of Antares visible Australia, NZ, Indonesia and Singapore. May 16; Mars near delta Geminorium. May 24; Venus near the Moon. updated May 1 on, Comet Schwassmann-Wachman visible in binoculars, fragment B breaks up; possibly unaided eye by 6th- 13th.
Looking up at the stars is still a rewarding pursuit, despite the increasing light pollution in our major cities. The southern sky is full of interesting objects, many of which go unseen in the northern hemisphere. All you need for a good nights viewing is yourself, a good idea of where south and east are, and your hands. Optional extras are a small pair of binoculars, a torch with red cellophane taped over the business end and a note book. A great many tips for backyard astronomy may be found here, although many of them are more relevant to the northern hemisphere. A general article on amateur astronomy from New Scientist is here (May require subscription otherwise see the TASS site.).
This page is designed to give people a simple guide to the naked eye sky. In the descriptions of planet and star positions, distances in the sky are given as "fingers width" and "hand span". This is the width of your hand (with all the fingers together as in making a "stop" sign, not bunched as a fist) or finger when extended a full arms length from you.
