Looking for an almanac? EarthSky recommends ...
Many people want to know the rising and setting times for the sun, moon and planets in their sky. While it is not possible for us to answer every single inquiry individually, we can direct you to to some wonderful almanacs that provide this information:
Custom Sunrise Sunset Calendar
This site provides a printable monthly calendar that gives you the sunrise/sunset and moonrise/moonset times, and the phases of the moon. Optional features include times for civil, nautical and astronomical twilight, and the definitions for these different shades of twilight.
Calculate rise and set times for the sun, moon and planets (including the dwarf planet Pluto!) for any location in the U.S. and Canada.
Gives rise/transit/set times for the sun, moon, planets and the brighter stars anyplace worldwide. Also provides sunrise/sunset azimuths, and transit altitudes.
Timeanddate.com sunrise/sunset calculator
Obtain the sunrise/sunset times for cities all around the world.
what is the best way to find Libra in the night sky? ie look for moon at what time? would like to know if I will be able to see the whole set? Thank you for your help.
Patrick,
In late January and early February, the constellation Libra is due south and highest up in the sky at about 6:30 a.m. However, Libra’s stars return to the same spot in the sky about 4 minutes earlier daily, or 2 hours earlier with each passing month.
I find Libra by looking for this constellation roughly midway between two brilliant stars: Spica of the constellation Virgo, and Antares of the constellation Scorpius. Libra is found to the east (or left) of Spica and to the west (or right) of Antares.
On the morning of February 14, 2009, look for Spica nearby the moon. On the morning of February 17, you’ll see the moon nearby Antares. On the morning of February 15, look to the upper left of the moon for Libra’s two brightest stars – Zubenelgenubi and Zubeneschamali. These two stars will be pretty on line with the moon.
I include the upcoming January 13 EarthSky Tonight program Moon and Spica from late night till dawn
Bruce
Is there a way for me look online what the night sky looks like over my exact home?
I want to see Vega but I don’t know when or even if it’s possible during February or March.
~thanks
Kim & Katie,
Kim, a simulation of your sky can be created at Your Sky Planetarium.
Katie, you can see Vega in February and March! This star rises above your northeast horizon around 1 a.m. in mid-February and midnight in early March. Vega is quite high in the east at morning dawn. The rising time for Vega in your sky is found at the US Naval Observatory.
Bruce