ALMANAC 2012

revised 04/20/2012

Black Hills Astronomical Society

Jan-May - Venus visible in the evening, April best view

Jun-Dec -  Venus visible in the morning, mid August best view

Early March - Mars visible all night

Mid April - Saturn visible all night, Jupiter sets with the sun and will soon be a morning object

Late November - Jupiter visible all night

03/19 23:14 MDT - Spring Equinox

05/20 18:20 MDT - An annular solar eclipse starts - it will be visible from SW USA, a partial (75%) eclipse here. Mid-eclipse will be approximately at 19:29 MDT, and the eclipse will be over by about 20:19 as the sun will be setting (assuming no hills or other obstructions in your way).

06/04 early AM     - Partial (37%) Lunar Eclipse - locally, the sun will be rising at the time of mid eclipse. SEE THE WARNING BELOW ABOUT VIEWING THE SUN!

06/05 16:22 MDT - Venus transits the sun (this is a very rare event, next time is December, 2117)

From Rapid City, the ingress will be underway at about 16:22, the mid-point will be at about 19:27.  The transit will end long after sunset for South Dakota observers.  For us, the transit path will NOT come close to bisecting the sun's disk.  We hope to host an observing party for the public to view this event.  Check later for details.  SEE THE WARNING BELOW ABOUT VIEWING THE SUN!

06/20 17:09 MDT - Summer Solstice

09/22 08:49 MDT - Fall Equinox

11/13            MST - Total solar eclipse visible in parts of Australia and South Pacific

11/28 07:35 MST - Penumbral Lunar Eclipse midpoint - part of the moon should be colored red or orange.

12/21 04:12 MST  - Winter Solstice

WARNING  --  WARNING  --  WARNING

Extreme caution must be used by anyone trying to view the sun.  You must block most of the visible light, and virtually all of the UV and infra-red coming from the sun.  Viewing the sun is inherently dangerous.  Dark photographic negatives are NOT sufficient!  A filter slipping off your telescope or binoculars can blind your eye permanently before you can react. Prolonged viewing of the sun requires great care and knowledge.  Viewing the sun safely requires previous study and setting up equipment well in advance. Last minute preparation is likely to lead to disaster!  Please be sure you know what you are doing, and that you have the proper equipment with secure attachments if you wish to view or record solar phenomena.

Please report corrections and suggestions to   g e o r g e 0 7 @ r a p . m i d c o . n e t   (using no spaces in the address).