June 23, 2021: Red Planet Mars appears to be in the Beehive this evening. For clarity, it’s in the Beehive star cluster. While low in the sky and in an unfavorable observing location, take a look with a binocular before the planet and the cluster set.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
This evening as the sky darkens, brilliant Venus sparkles in the west-northwest. Mars has dimmed considerably and is best found with a binocular, although it is in easy range of the unassisted eye. The Red Planet is 11.4° to the upper left of Venus.
If you extend your arm and make a fist, the distance from your pinky knuckle to your thumb knuckle is about 10°. To locate Mars, extend your arm and place Venus near one knuckle. Tilt your fist at an angle to the upper left. Mars is in the region of the other knuckle.
The binocular is handy in noticing that Mars is in front of a smattering of stars. This is known as the Beehive star cluster or the Praesepe – the manger.
When the cluster is higher in the sky and the moon is not so bright, it can be seen without an optical assist. It is a good gauge of the clarity of the sky. In early writings, it was noted as “little cloud” or “little mist.”
The star bundle is among the dim stars of Cancer, about halfway from Pollux to Regulus. It’s a large gap between the two stars, but the cluster is easily located. Quite simply find the two brighter stars and look halfway between them.
This evening the constellation and cluster are quite low in the western sky. The passage of Mars nearby is worth noting and merit the look through a binocular.
The Beehive and the famous Pleiades are known as galactic or open star clusters. They are found in the plane of the galaxy, unlike the globular star clusters that have been recently highlighted on these pages. The open clusters are chemically different from the globulars and their ages are considerably different. The open clusters have space between the stars, while the stars in the globular clusters seem crowded, like they are shoulder to shoulder in a waiting line.
Note two stars in the same binocular field with Mars and the Beehive. They are Asellus Borealis, “the northern little ass” (γ Cnc on the chart) and Asellus Borealis (δ Cnc), “the southern little ass.” If there’s a manger, then there must be animals.
Mars moves through the region again and appears in front of the cluster on June 2, 2023.
Articles and Summaries
- Venus as an Evening Star
- Venus Evening Star (Summary)
- Mars during 2021 (Summary)
- Planets during June 2021
2021, October 5: Skinny Moon, Evening Planet Pack
October 5, 2021: Before sunrise, a very thin moon is visible in the eastern sky. The evening planet pack – Evening Star Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn – are visible at the same time after sundown.
2021, October 29: Equal Daylight, Equal Darkness
October 29, 2021: Today is the date for equal daylight and equal darkness for about 42° north latitude. This is not to be confused with the autumnal equinox.
2021, October 4: Thin Morning Moon
October 4, 2021: Before sunrise, the razor-thin lunar crescent is low in the eastern sky.
2021, October 3: Lunar Slice, Evening Planet Pack
October 3, 2021: Before sunrise, the thin crescent moon is in the eastern sky, to the lower left of Regulus. After sunset, the planet pack – Evening Star Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn – shine brightly.
2021, October 2: Moon, Lion’s Head
October 2, 2021: The crescent moon appears near the head of Leo in the eastern sky this morning before sunrise.
Categories: Astronomy, Sky Watching
See the detailed maps for other Mars & Beehives M44 meetings here:
http://www.mkrgeo-blog.com/the-most-unique-astronomical-events-you-shouldnt-miss-in-the-2021-2030-decade/
Best regards,