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    Adrian Dening's Stars Over Somerset

    Wednesday, 31 December 2025 19:21

    Monday 5th to Sunday 11th January 2026

     

    The coming week is a period of numerous "transits" where a planet's moon either passes in front of the planet or its shadow is cast on the planet's surface.....or both.  We are talking about the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, so you will need a telescope to be able to witness them.

     

    On Tuesday 6th, Io begins to transit Jupiter, very close to its shadow from 2am.  Jupiter will be located towards the south west.

    At the same time the following morning, from 2am on Wednesday 7th, it is Ganymede's turn to do the same trick.  Of course as it's only one day later, Jupiter will be located in near-enough the same bit of the night sky.

    If 2am is too unsociable for that kind of activity, you could find Jupiter towards the east south east at 8.30pm on the evening of Wednesday 7th instead to catch Io repeating its stunt from the night before.

    Aim your telescope towards the west south west at 8.30pm on Friday 9th and it should be possible to observe Titan transiting the surface of Saturn.  At the same time, several of Saturn's other moons should be visible near its famous rings of dust.

    Finally, if you fancy a real challenge, aim towards Jupiter, close to the horizon in the west north west just as it's getting light around 7am on Saturday 10th to catch Callisto transiting in front of its shadow.

    As this edition of Stars Over Somerset is being broadcast right at the start of the New Year, I would like to wish everyone clear skies for 2026.

     

    www.starsoversomerset.com

    Screenshots courtesy of Stellarium

    Copyright Adrian Dening and Radio Ninesprings 2025

     

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