Observation Post

I've gone out the past couple nights to stargaze on my driveway, and it's been absolutely beautiful. The waxing moon is a little bright to view the surrounding stars well, but it's been clear, which is great. As I just talked about in my APOD post, Mars recently reached opposition and is nearing its closest approach, which makes it bright and beautifully visible in the sky. Jupiter is not too far from it visibly, it is still in Gemini and very bright. Leo is now fully risen by the time I get out to look, and as it is my Zodiacal constellation I feel a little partial to it. Just kidding, but it's a really neat constellation.

Okay so fun fact. The other night I was stargazing with Emma and while we were looking at Orion, I realized she thought it was a different shape than it was. She thought Saiph was a star to the right of Rigel, so she had been picturing it wrong this whole time. She didn't even believe me at first when I pointed this out to her. Mr. Percival, if you're reading this, you should make fun of her for this- because frankly, I am appalled.

I'm also attaching a picture I took a couple of mornings ago, as I was leaving for school. I love seeing the sky in the mornings, because we leave just as the Sun is rising and Venus is visible against all of the colors. It's really beautiful.

Please excuse the incredible iPhone quality, but look near the top right. Venus!