Asteroid 16 Psyche is a fascinating sight in the sky tonight. It’s easy to spot as it moves just north of Aldebaran, a bright star in Taurus the Bull. Aldebaran shines with a magnitude of 0.9, making it stand out as the Bull’s eye. By 7 PM, it will be 50° high in the east, rising after the Pleiades star cluster and above Orion, the Hunter.
To find Psyche, grab some binoculars or a low-power telescope. Focus on Aldebaran and then scan just 1.4° north. If you’re lucky, you might see both the star and the asteroid in the same view. Right now, Psyche is moving west against the stars. Later this month, it will pause and then shift direction, moving east again. It will return to this spot in early February, so keep an eye out!
Interestingly, Psyche is unique because it’s thought to be made of metal, unlike most asteroids that are rocky or icy. Scientists believe studying it could offer insights into how our solar system formed. Recent research from NASA’s Psyche mission aims to explore this asteroid up close. The spacecraft is set to launch soon, and the findings could tell us a lot about planetary building blocks.
In terms of visibility, it’s a good time to stargaze, especially with the moon in its waning crescent phase. Here’s a quick look at today’s sky times:
- Sunrise: 7:21 AM
- Sunset: 4:55 PM
- Moonrise: 1:06 AM
- Moonset: 11:36 AM
These times are based on local conditions, so check your local resources for specifics. Enjoy the view of Psyche and Aldebaran tonight!
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Observing,Sky Tonight
