Stand by for some super conjunctions

We are in for some super conjunctions involving the moon and two bright planets in our early evening skies this week.

In addition to the usual pyrotechnic fireworks we are accustomed to on July 4th, we will also be treated to some activity in the sky to supplement our viewing pleasure.

The almost first-quarter moon in the southwest sky will be below and slightly right of the reddish planet Mars. Both are near and slightly below the constellation Virgo, the Maiden.

You might want to bring a telescope when you go observe the fireworks show and then treat your friends to a different kind of sky show by looking at the moon and the planet.

However, the show will be better on the evening of July 5, when the moon, Mars, and the star Spica make a super-close conjunction. All three will be in the same field of binocular view with Spica to the left of the moon and Mars to the right.

As they say on the infomercial, "But wait, that's not all." Using your binoculars, scan up from the moon about eight degrees -- the average binocular field of view is about five degrees -- straight up from the moon/Mars pair for two tiny dots of light.

Those dots are two small asteroids, Ceres (the first asteroid discovered) and Vesta. They both are about seventh magnitude so don't confuse them with several nearby background stars. If you have an eight-inch or larger telescope, you should be able to see the round disc of both bodies.

"And yes, there is even more," as the commercial says, but this may be a little tougher.

Look down and right of the moon about eight degrees for a fuzzy looking spot. You will need to use binoculars because the ninth magnitude Sombrero galaxy is not visible to just the eyes alone, it may even be difficult in binoculars with the light of the first-quarter moon shining just above it.

However, in an eight-inch telescope you will have no problem. The Sombrero galaxy--the favorite of my grandchildren--is interesting because right across the middle of the bright surface of the galaxy's face is a dark dust lane that makes it look like the hat is named after.

Now, fast forward two nights to the evening of July 7, at about 9:30 pm for another moon/planet conjunction. This time with the ringed planet Saturn. It will be even closer to the moon than Mars was two days ago.

Since the moon has grown in size -- and brightness -- it may be difficult to find the bright dot of the planet to the upper right of the moon at about the 1:00 position, but keep looking or bring out the trusty binoculars.

The planet's famous rings will be visible using even a small telescope.

The pair are located between two stars with really funny names that are fun to say. Zubeneschamali, the Northern Claw, and Zubenelgenubi, the Southern Claw. The stars did belong to Scorpius but were lopped off and made into the constellation Libra, the Scales to round out the zodiac.

SKYWATCH: Full moon, Saturday, July 12. If you are an early riser check the eastern sky about a half-hour before sunrise for the planets Venus and Mercury. They will be closest on the morning of July 10. Now is also a super time to find the first Messier object, M-1, the Crab Nebula. Venus and the nebula will be in the same binocular field of view from July 12-17, and will be closest the mornings of July 13-14

NEXT WEEK: The coming Super Moon and more astronomical blathering.