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 * * * SKY & TELESCOPE's SKYWATCHER'S BULLETIN - June 21, 2005 * * *

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Welcome to S&T's Skywatcher's Bulletin. More about the items below appears
on our Web site, SkyandTelescope.com, at the URLs provided. (If a link
doesn't work, just type the URL manually into your Web browser.) Clear
skies!
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PLANET TRIO IN TWILIGHT

Bright Venus shines low in the west-northwest after sundown, flanked by
dimmer Saturn and Mercury closing in on it daily. We'll soon be getting
the best planet "trio" until at least 2030. As of tomorrow, June 22nd, the
three planets will fit within a circle 5 degrees wide. On the 25th and
26th they'll be within 2 degrees of each other. For continuing pictures
and information see This Week's Sky at a Glance, updated every Friday:

http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/ataglance/article_110_1.asp

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COMET TEMPEL 1 SOON TO BE FREE OF MOONLIGHT

It's just 12 days until NASA's Deep Impact probe will slam into the icy
surface of Comet Tempel 1. The comet is quite faint (10th magnitude) in
the evening sky, appearing large but with a low surface brightness. That
means you'll need a good dark sky to detect it with a telescope. There's a
bright Moon in the evening right now, but on Friday June 24th, a window of
Moon-free darkness will start opening right after the end of twilight (for
observers at midnorthern latitudes). Details and finder charts:

http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/highlights/article_1522_1.asp

Read all about the Deep Impact mission in the cover story of the June SKY
& TELESCOPE.

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HAPPY SOLSTICE

Today, June 21st, the Sun is farthest north in the sky for the year and
begins its six-month return southward. This turning point defines the
start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, winter in the Southern
Hemisphere.

Purely by coincidence, the Moon is full tonight. So, because the full Moon
is opposite the Sun in the sky, this is the southernmost full Moon of the
year. It will ride especially low across the sky all night (for those of
us at midnorthern latitudes).

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September 25 - October 4, 2005

Join us in Spain and witness the 4-minute long annular eclipse of the Sun
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This program will be limited to 26 travelers, so make your reservation
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Copyright 2005 Sky Publishing Corp. S&T's Skywatcher's Bulletin is a free
service from the editors of SKY & TELESCOPE magazine. This bulletin may
not be redistributed or republished in any form without written permission
from Sky Publishing; send e-mail to permissions{at}SkyandTelescope.com or
call +1 617-864-7360 ext. 145.

Much more to see and do with the unaided eye, binoculars, or a telescope
is on our Web site at:

http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/

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