A view of Jupiter

The Astronomical Society of Malta will be holding an observation session of the first quarter moon and the planet Jupiter, among other celestial objects, at Ghajnsielem today from 8.30 p.m. onwards.

The society said craters and mountain ranges are best observed at this time since sunlight reaching the moon at 90 degrees to our line of sight provides excellent contrast as compared to a full moon when the sun and the moon are exactly opposite and a flat image of the moon is seen. Little detail can be observed in this case because no shadows are cast.

The planet Jupiter is the second brightest object in night sky besides the planet Venus shining at sunset in the west.

At the moment, Jupiter is the constellation of Scorpius looking south. Through a telescope, the Galilean moons orbiting this planet look like tiny jewels at times being eclipsed by the planet itself.

A small comet, Comet Linear, is at present crossing the northern skies and, although faint, can also be glimpsed tonight next to a globular cluster of stars known as M3. Globular clusters are groupings of thousands of stars, which orbit galaxies, ours included.

The society will be setting up telescopes for public use at the football ground next to Our Lady of Loreto Sanctuary Ghajnsielem.

All are welcomed to come.

Information about the Astronomical Society of Malta and the activities organised can be found at the www.maltastro.org.