De 
 Astro-Calendar  User Profile · Space Weather · Ocean Tides · Meteo · Weather Balloons · Islam. Prayer Times
CalSky.com > Selected Menu > Celestial Calendar > Astro-Calendar     → CalSky-Shop
CalSky on new server; appeal for funds − On Sunday, June 29 CalSky was successfully migrated to a new, faster server. If you come across problems that may be related to the server upgrade, please let me know. The server is still not yet fully funded. If you have not already done so, please support CalSky financially and help to keep one of your favorites website running in the future. − Thank you very much, especially to those stargazers who have already shown their support!   More...
Close message
Newport Beach, Ca, United States 
Easting: -117.9001
Northing: 33.6153
Timezone:PST/
PDT
The meteogram will be shown here in a few seconds
 Weather · Sat-Image
Local Sponsors: Your name?
Select start of calculation:
Date:
Time:::  

Select duration:


The Calendar-Sky

The astronomical calendar contains thousands of events per day for every point on earth. We know that you do care only for a very few of these events and hence we let you personalize your own astro-calendar. You may primarily do so by switching to your appropriate user level, and by selecting some of the three dozens categories.

In paranthesis are forced limits for the maximum calculation interval. The celestial calendar is to be found further below on this page and will appear within some seconds after pressing the Go!-Button (depending on the complexity of your selections). The calendar is created especially for you. The higher your user level, the more complex objects you selected, the longer it does take to calculate. Please do not press the reload-button; the calculations will take only significantly longer.

Calendar and Timekeeping
Space Calendar: Birthdays, Rocket Launches
Local Events (Talks, Exhibitions)
NASA TV Guide
Local Telescope Dealers
Public Holidays
Saint's Day
Zodiac of today. Change of Zodiac
Islamic, Indian, Persian and Hebrew Calendar
Week Number
Sundials / GPS Time / Current Time Definitions
Julian Day Number
Sidereal Time
Local Magnetic Field
General events
Lunar Occultations (2 months)
Planetary Conjunctions
Lunar Eclipses
Solar Eclipses and Transits
Meteor Streams
Planetary Phenomena
Lunar Phenomena
The Sun
Asteroids (6 months)
Comets
Earth orbiting satellites
Space Station ISS, Shuttle (1 month)
shortduration Flares of Iridium satellites (2 days)
passes of other bright satellites (1 days, slow!)
Daily reoccuring events
Sun and Moon
Tides
Planets
Asteroids
Comets
Meteor Streams
Polar Star Transits
Weather Balloons
Dimmer and more difficult objects
Jupiter's Satellite: Events
Jupiter's Satellite: Position
Saturn's Satellites: Events
Saturns's Satellite: Position
Zodiacal light
Variable Stars (3 months)
Supernovae
Binary Stars
Deep sky objects
Milkyway
Galaxies
Open Star Clusters
Globular Star Clusters
Nebula

Tuesday 8 July 2008
TimeObject (Link)Event
 Local DateDay of Year (DOY): 190
Week of Year (WOY): 28
18h Supernova SNF20080514-002
Supernova SNF20080514-002
SNF20080514-002, ATEL 1532 discovered 2008/05/16.3 by SN Factory.
  • Found in UGC 8472 at R.A. = 13h29m12.82, Decl. = +11°16'20".6
      visible from local time,
  • Located west and south of the nucleus of UGC 8472(Discovery image(FITS version)) (François Teyssier image)(William Wiethoff image)(Diego Rodriguez image) (Andy Cason image)(Lode Stevens image)(Stan Howerton image) (Joel Nicolas image) (Joel Nicolas image) (JM Llapasset image) (Joel Nicloas image) (Andrey Prokopovich image)
  • Mag 16.2 and rising, Type Ia (References: ATEL 1535)  (Source: supernovae.net)
  • 18h Supernova 2008dx
    Supernova 2008dx
    2008dx (was Supernova candidate), CBET 1427 discovered 2008/06/24.20 by ROTSE collaboration.
  • Found in an anonymous galaxy at R.A. = 13h00m14.31, Decl. = +27°57'16".4
      visible from local time, (in coma cluster)
  • Located 44.6" west and 2.6" south of the nucleus of the host galaxy(Discovery image) (LOSS image) (Andrey Prokopovich image)(Andy Cason image)(Joel Nicolas image)
  • Mag 17.4, Type Ia (CfA spectrum) (References: ATEL 1590, CBET 1429)  (Source: supernovae.net)
  • 18h Supernova 2008dw
    Supernova 2008dw
    Magnitude 17.5, discovered 2008/07/02.24 by Lick Observatory Supernova Search.
  • Found in UGC 8932 at R.A. = 14h00m56.27, Decl. = +41°00'29".0
      visible from local time,
  • Located 1".1 west and 2".3 north of the nucleus of UGC 8932 (Discovery image)
  • Mag 17.5, Type unknown  (Source: supernovae.net, CBET 1426)
  • 18h Supernova 2008du
    Supernova 2008du
    Magnitude 18.3, discovered 2008/06/30.35 by Lick Observatory Supernova Search.
  • Found in NGC 7422 at R.A. = 22h56m11.84, Decl. = +03°55'35".4
      visible from local time,
  • Located 8".2 west and 1".2 south of the nucleus of NGC 7422(Discovery image)
  • Mag 18.3, Type unknown  (Source: supernovae.net, CBET 1423)
  • 18h Supernova 2008dt
    Supernova 2008dt
    Magnitude 17.2, discovered 2008/06/30.33 by Lick Observatory Supernova Search.
  • Found in NGC 6261 at R.A. = 16h56m30.56, Decl. = +27°58'33".2
      visible from local time,
  • Located 1".0 east and 5".5 south of the nucleus of NGC 6261(Discovery image) (Andrey Prokopovich image)(Joel Nicolas image)
  • Mag 17.2, Type Ia (CfA spectrum) (References: CBET 1424; SN 2007hu) (Source: supernovae.net, CBET 1423)
  • 18h Supernova 2008ds
    Supernova 2008ds
    Magnitude 15.4, discovered 2008/06/28.47 by Lick Observatory Supernova Search.
  • Found in UGC 299 at R.A. = 00h29m50.83, Decl. = +31°23'33".9
      visible from local time,
  • Located 33".6 west and 2".5 south of the nucleus of UGC 299(Discovery image)
  • Mag 15.4, Type Ia-pec  (Source: supernovae.net, CBET 1419)
  • 18h Supernova 2008dr
    Supernova 2008dr
    Magnitude 16.7, discovered 2008/06/28.42 by Lick Observatory Supernova Search.
  • Found in NGC 7222 at R.A. = 22h10m51.67, Decl. = +02°06'29".6
      visible from local time,
  • Located 1".3 west and 8".1 north of the nucleus of NGC 7222(Discovery image)
  • Mag 16.7, Type Ia  (Source: supernovae.net, CBET 1419)
  • 18h Supernova 2008dq
    Supernova 2008dq
    Magnitude 18.3, discovered 2008/06/25.30 by Lick Observatory Supernova Search.
  • Found in UGC 10214 at R.A. = 16h06m03.11, Decl. = +55°25'37".4
      visible from local time,
  • Located 7".2 west and 6".2 north of the nucleus of UGC 10214(Discovery image) (Andrey Prokopovich image)(Rick Johnson image (WOW!))(Joel Nicolas image)
  • Mag 18.3, Type Ic (References: CBET 1419, 1421; SN 2007cu) (Source: supernovae.net, CBET 1417)
  • 18h Supernova 2008do
    Supernova 2008do
    Magnitude 17.6, discovered 2008/06/19.48 by Lick Observatory Supernova Search.
  • Found in UGC 8179 at R.A. = 13h05m13.48, Decl. = +31°59'35".4
      visible from local time,
  • Located 9".1 west and 23".7 south of the nucleus of UGC 8179(Discovery image) (Joel Nicolas image) (Andrey Prokopovich image)(Joel Nicolas image)
  • Mag 17.6, Type IIP (CfA spectrum) (References: CBET 1414; SN 1988K)  (Source: supernovae.net, CBET 1413)
  • 18h Supernova 2008dn
    Supernova 2008dn
    Magnitude 19.2, discovered 2008/06/19.48 by Lick Observatory Supernova Search.
  • Found in UGC 11946 at R.A. = 22h11m41.95, Decl. = +46°18'38".8
      visible from local time,
  • Located 30".8 east and 4".2 north of the nucleus of UGC 11946(Discovery image) (Andrey Prokopovich image)
  • Mag 19.2, Type IIP (CfA spectrum) (References: CBET 1418)  (Source: supernovae.net, CBET 1413)
  • 18h Supernova 2008di
    Supernova 2008di
    Magnitude 17.2, discovered 2008/06/11.203 by Catalina Sky Survey.
  • Found in an anonymous galaxy at R.A. = 12h16m41.53, Decl. = +41°02'11".2
      visible from local time,
  • Located 5".5 west and 11".8 south of the nucleus of the host galaxy(Discovery image)
  • Mag 17.2, Type IIP (CfA spectrum) (References: ATEL 1571; CBET 1422)  (Source: supernovae.net, CBET 1409)
  • 18h Supernova 2008dh
    Supernova 2008dh
    Magnitude 16.8, discovered 2008/06/08.458 by Catalina Sky Survey.
  • Found in an anonymous galaxy at R.A. = 00h35m11.32, Decl. = +23°15'15".1
      visible from local time,
  • Located 12".6 east and 2".9 south of the nucleus of the host galaxy(Discovery image)
  • Mag 16.8, Type Ia (CfA spectrum) (References: ATEL 1570)  (Source: supernovae.net, CBET 1409)
  • 18h Supernova 2008cu
    Supernova 2008cu
    Magnitude 18.8, discovered 2008/06/01.45 by Lick Observatory Supernova Search.
  • Found in UGC 11419 at R.A. = 19h14m16.96, Decl. = +53°43'50".5
      visible from local time,
  • Located 11".5 west and 0".9 north of the nucleus of UGC 11419(Discovery image) (William Wiethoff image)(Andrey Prokopovich image)
  • Mag 18.8, Type IIn (CfA spectrum) (References: CBET 1396)  (Source: supernovae.net, CBET 1394)
  • 18h Supernova 2008ct
    Supernova 2008ct
    Magnitude 19.0, discovered 2008/05/31.48 by Lick Observatory Supernova Search.
  • Found in UGC 11878 at R.A. = 22h02m24.48, Decl. = +18°19'21".4
      visible from local time,
  • Located 23".4 east and 14".0 north of the nucleus of UGC 11878(Discovery image)
  • Mag 19.0, Type Ia (References: CBET 1419)  (Source: supernovae.net, CBET 1394)
  • 18h Supernova 2008cl
    Supernova 2008cl
    Magnitude 17.7, discovered 2008/05/07.49 by Lick Observatory Supernova Search.
  • Found in UGC 10261 at R.A. = 16h11m04.35, Decl. = +52°27'08".0
      visible from local time,
  • Located 2".8 east and 8".4 north of the nucleus of UGC 10261(Discovery image)
  • Mag 17.7, Type Ia (References: CBET 1380)  (Source: supernovae.net, CBET 1378)
  • 18h Supernova 2008bv
    Supernova 2008bv
    Magnitude 18.3, discovered 2008/04/19.21 by Lick Observatory Supernova Search.
  • Found in UGC 4653 at R.A. = 08h53m54.64, Decl. = +35°08'57".5
      visible from local time,
  • Located 1".7 east and 3".9 south of the nucleus of UGC 4653(Discovery image)
  • Mag 18.3, Type Ia (References: CBET 1358)  (Source: supernovae.net, CBET 1345)
  • 18h Supernova 2008bs
    Supernova 2008bs
    Magnitude 18.6, discovered 2008/04/08.17 by Lick Observatory Supernova Search.
  • Found in UGC 4085 at R.A. = 07h55m18.88, Decl. = +53°19'43".4
      visible from local time,
  • Located 4".5 west and 8".2 south of the nucleus of UGC 4085(Discovery image)
  • Mag 18.6, Type Ib (References: CBET 1338)  (Source: supernovae.net, CBET 1333)
  • 18h Supernova 2008bn
    Supernova 2008bn
    Magnitude 15.5, discovered 2008/03/31.42 by Lick Observatory Supernova Search.
  • Found in NGC 4226 at R.A. = 12h16m25.42, Decl. = +47°01'40".5
      visible from local time,
  • Located 9".0 west and 9".5 north of the nucleus of NGC 4226(Discovery image) (Lode Stevens image)(Diego Rodríguez image)(William Wiethoff image)(Joel Nicolas image) (JM Llapasset image) (Andy Cason image)(Taurus Hill Obs image) (Joel Nicolas image) (Marc Serrau image) (Stan Howerton image)
  • Mag 15.5, Type II  (Source: supernovae.net, CBET 1322)
  • 18h Supernova 2008bf
    Supernova 2008bf
    Magnitude 15.8, discovered 2008/02/18.41 by Lick Observatory Supernova Search.
  • Found in NGC 4055 at R.A. = 12h04m02.90, Decl. = +20°14'42".6
      visible from local time,
  • Located 20".1 east and 46".2 north of the nucleus of NGC 4055(Discovery image) (Taurus Hill Obs image) (Martin Nicholson image) (Joel Nicolas image) (CSP/LCO image) (JM Llapasset image) (JM Llapasset image) (Joel Nicolas image) (Joel Nicolas image) (JM Llapasset image) (Stan Howerton image) (Michael Hauss image)
  • Mag 15.8, Type Ia (References: CBET 1310)  (Source: supernovae.net, CBET 1307)
  •  Observer SiteNewport Beach, Ca, United States  
    WGS84: Lon: -117d54m00.4s  Lat: +33d36m55.1s  Alt: -35m
    All times in PST or PDT (during summer)
     Libra Moon SignLibra 4°
     Cancer Sun SignCancer 17°
    19h58.7mJupiter Jupiter Rise   Azimuth=116.9°, ESE (in constellation Sagittarius)
    20h04.7mSunSet   Azimuth=297.8°, WNW
    20.1hVenusVenusMagnitude=-3.9mag    Best seen from 20.1h -20.6h   (in constellation Gemini)
    RA= 7h50m19s  Dec=+22°08.3' (J2000) Distance=1.709AU  Elongation=  8°   Phase k=98%  Diameter=9.8"
    20h19m04sIridium 33Iridium 33Flare from MMA2 (Left antenna)   Magnitude=-1.4mag
    Azimuth=341.4° NNW  altitude= 28.9°  in constellation Camelopardalis
    Flare angle=1.14°  to flare center: distance=46.5km, azimuth=135.2° SE ; →MapIt longitude=117.548° W latitude=+33.317° (WGS84)
    Satellite above: longitude=122.166° W  latitude=+42.926°  height above Earth=782.7km  distance to satellite=1401.5km
    Altitude of sun=-3.5°
    20h33mTwilight End civil twilight
    20.6hMarsMarsMagnitude= 1.7mag    Best seen from 20.6h -22.6h   (in constellation Leo)
    RA=10h26m27s  Dec=+10°53.7' (J2000) Distance=2.163AU  Elongation= 47°   Phase k=94%  Diameter=4.3"
    20.6hJupiterJupiterMagnitude=-2.7mag    Best seen from 20.6h - 5.3h   (in constellation Sagittarius)
    RA=19h15m24s  Dec=-22°30.2' (J2000) Distance=4.161AU  Elongation=180°
    20.6hSaturnSaturnMagnitude= 0.8mag    Best seen from 20.6h -22.7h   (in constellation Leo)
    RA=10h30m27s  Dec=+11°10.8' (J2000) Distance=9.967AU  Elongation= 48°
    20h38.5mVenusVenusSet   Azimuth=297.3°, WNW (in constellation Gemini)
    20h51mTwilight Sun 9° below horizon
    21h07mLow TideLow Tide: 0.60 meters (Tide station: Balboa Pier, Newport Beach, California)
    21h08mTwilightDusk
    21hSupernova 2008cq
    Supernova 2008cq
    Magnitude 13.4, discovered 2008/05/29.804 by Berto Monard.
  • Found in an anonymous galaxy at R.A. = 14h21m09s.61, Decl. = -29°15'04'.9
      visible from 21.1h - 0.8h local time, Altitude=53° Azimuth=207.9° (Near ESO 446-53)
  • Located 9" west of the core of the host galaxy(Discovery image)(Confirmation image)(Berto Monard image)(Stan Howerton image)
  • Mag 13.4, Type Ia (References: CBET 1398)  (Source: supernovae.net, CBET 1388)
  • 21.1hMoon Phase: Waxing Crescent (evening/dusk)Earthshine
    21h22m37sIridium 35Iridium 35Flare from solar panels   Magnitude= 0.9mag
    Azimuth=137.3° SE   altitude= 20.6°  in constellation Sagittarius
    Flare angle=3.68°  to flare center: distance=374.5km, azimuth=308.5° NW ; →MapIt longitude=121.137° W latitude=+35.674° (WGS84)
    Satellite above: longitude=108.368° W  latitude=+23.724°  height above Earth=779.7km  distance to satellite=1707.8km
    Altitude of sun=-15.9°
    21h27mTwilight Sun 15° below horizon
    21h46mTwilight End astronomical twilight
    22h40.6mMarsMarsSet   Azimuth=283.4°, WNW (in constellation Leo)
    22h45.2mSaturnSaturnSet   Azimuth=283.8°, WNW (in constellation Leo)
    23h03m38sIridium 35Iridium 35Flare from MMA0 (Front antenna)   Magnitude=-2.7mag
    Azimuth=244.0° WSW  altitude= 14.9°  in constellation Virgo
    Flare angle=0.58°  to flare center: distance=84.4km, azimuth= 63.0° ENE; →MapIt longitude=117.086° W latitude=+33.958° (WGS84)
    Satellite above: longitude=133.570° W  latitude=+25.705°  height above Earth=779.9km  distance to satellite=2005.2km
    Altitude of sun=-27.9°
    23h12m25sIridium 97Iridium 97Flare from MMA0 (Front antenna)   Magnitude=-4.8mag
    Azimuth=243.9° WSW  altitude= 11.1°  in constellation Virgo
    Flare angle=0.24°  to flare center: distance=46.8km, azimuth=242.0° WSW; →MapIt longitude=118.344° W latitude=+33.417° (WGS84)
    Satellite above: longitude=135.614° W  latitude=+24.403°  height above Earth=778.9km  distance to satellite=2250.0km
    Altitude of sun=-28.8°
    This is a spare satellite or its status is unknown. Brightness estimate may be unreliable and flare time accurate to a few seconds.
    23h21m24sIridium 5Iridium 5Flare from MMA0 (Front antenna)   Magnitude= 1.0mag
    Azimuth=246.2° WSW  altitude=  8.2°  in constellation Virgo
    Flare angle=1.50°  to flare center: distance=206.8km, azimuth=260.3° W  ; →MapIt longitude=120.088° W latitude=+33.283° (WGS84)
    Satellite above: longitude=137.887° W  latitude=+23.898°  height above Earth=779.9km  distance to satellite=2470.0km
    Altitude of sun=-29.6°
    23h22.4mUranus Uranus Rise   Azimuth= 94.0°, E (in constellation Aquarius)
    23h43.3mMoon Phase: Waxing Crescent (evening/dusk)Set   Azimuth=262.3°, W (in constellation Virgo)

    Wednesday 9 July 2008
    TimeObject (Link)Event
      International Mars Sample Return Conference, Paris, France
    0h08.8mJupiter-Moon Ganymed Jupiter-Moon Ganymed Western Elongation (4.8 mag)
    0.6hUranus Uranus Magnitude= 5.8mag    Best seen from  0.6h - 4.7h   (in constellation Aquarius)
    RA=23h33m35s  Dec= -3°42.6' (J2000) Distance=19.649AU  Elongation=115°
    0h39mJupiterJupiterOpposition (distance to earth: 4.161 AU)
    0h56.9mJupiterJupiterTransit Altitude=+33.9°  (in constellation Sagittarius)  Elongation=179.8° East, Magnitude=-2.7mag
    2h21mHigh TideHigh Tide: 1.09 meters (Tide station: Balboa Pier, Newport Beach, California)
    3h22.5mJupiter-Moon Io Jupiter-Moon Io Eastern Elongation (5.2 mag)
    3.9h BoattiniBoattini Comet 'C/2007 W1'  Magnitude= 6.7mag
    Best seen from  3.9h - 4.8h
    RA= 3h18m43  Dec= +5°45.9' (J2000) Distance to Sun= 0.89AU  Distance to Earth= 0.35AU  Elongation= 59°
    hourly motion: dRA=-87.2"/h  dDec=106.1"/h
    4h26.8mMercuryMercuryRise   Azimuth= 63.1°, ENE (in constellation Orion)
    4.5hMercuryMercuryMagnitude=-0.3mag    Best seen from  4.5h - 5.3h   (in constellation Orion)
    RA= 5h50m40s  Dec=+21°48.9' (J2000) Distance=1.011AU  Elongation= 20°   Phase k=57%  Diameter=6.6"
    5hSupernova 2008db
    Supernova 2008db
    Magnitude 14.5, discovered 2008/05/15.39 by CHASE.
  • Found in NGC 50 at R.A. = 00h14m39s.36, Decl. = -07°19'23".5
      visible from 1.5h - 4.7h local time, Altitude=45.8° Azimuth=154.6°
  • Located 78" west and 79" north of the center of NGC 50(JM Llapasset image)
  • Mag 14.5, Type Ia (References: CBET 1411)  (Source: supernovae.net, CBET 1407)
  • 5hSupernova 2008bk
    Supernova 2008bk
    Magnitude 12.9, discovered 2008/03/25.141 by Berto Monard.
  • Found in NGC 7793 at R.A. = 23h57m50s.42, Decl. = -32°33'21".5
      visible from 21.1h - 4.7h local time, Altitude=22.7° Azimuth=167.8°
  • Located 9".2 east and 126".4 north of the nucleus of NGC 7793(Discovery image)(Berto Monard image)(Berto Monard image)(Stan Howerton image) (Berto Monard image)(Berto Monard image)(Berto Monard image)(Stan Howerton image) (Berto Monard image)(Berto Monard image)(Progenitor VLT image)
  • Mag 12.9 (12.5), Type II (References: CBET 1319, 1335; AAVSO 101; ATEL 1448, 1452, 1455, 1464, 1465)  (Source: supernovae.net, CBET 1315)
  • 5h55.1mJupiter Jupiter Set   Azimuth=243.1°, WSW (in constellation Sagittarius)
    Export to Outlook/PDA   Print

      Hide glossary

    Glossary:

    Altitude/alt/h
    Angular separation of the object from the local mathematical horizon. This accounts for refraction as well.
    Astronomical Twilight
    The times are the moments of beginning/end of the astronomical twilight, i.e. the moments the sun reaches a depression of 18° below the horizon. If the sun is below this angle, no brightening of the sky can be observed.
    Azimuth/az
    Azimuth direction of the object is given in degrees counting from geographic North (0°) clockwise to the East direction. East is 90°, South 180°, and West 270°. The three-character direction code is given as well. For example, NNW stands for north-north-west.
    Best from / LCT
    The best visibility time interval of the object. The calculation takes into account the magnitude of the object (required elevation above horizon), and the elevation of the sun. The time is given in local civil time (LCT), i.e. the time zone and definitions as selected by you.
    Center
    This figures gives the distance and direction to the flare center line projected on the earth surface. For distances of less than 1km, there is a very good chance for a spectacular bright Iridium flare. You can still travel to the listed point (indicated distance and azimuth) to observe the flare from the center line. However, the attitude control and steering of the satellite must not be perfect: being within 5km of the listed center line will be sufficient.
    Civil Twilight
    The times are the moments of beginning/end of the civil twilight, i.e. the moments the sun reaches a depression of 6° below the horizon. On clear weather, no significant dimout can be distinguished compared to the time of sunset/sunrise.
    Comet
    Interplanetary celestial body, usually consisting of ice and rock. Due to heating up when approaching the sun, the ice starts evaporating and produces a nebulous coma and tail around the nucleus.
    Date and Time
    Date of validity of calculated output in local time and date, taking into account daylight saving time as well (see the current timezone on the left of the earth icon on top right of almost all pages). The time is given as hours:minutes:seconds, or 00h00m00s. The time may also be rounded and given in decimal form: e.g. 10.1h means that the event will take place at about 5 minutes past 10 o'clock. This may also happen for days: 4.3d corresponds to the fourth day at arond 7 o'clock. The start time is taken as selected by you, i.e. this is not necessarily at midnight. For intervals shorter than one day, decimal days are given. Times are given in 24 hour format (0h00m is midnight, 12h: noon, 18h: 6 pm)
    Dawn and Dusk: nautical Twilight
    In CalSky, is taken as the moments of nautical twilight, i.e. the moments the sun reaches a depression of 12° below the horizon. Not astronomically trained people will recognize the brightening of the horizon at these times.
    Dec., declination, DE
    One coordinate used to indicate the position on the sky. It is the angular distance of the object from the celestial equator. North pole, close to Polaris, is 90° north.
    Delta
    Distance of the celestial body from earth in Astronomical Units (AU). For the moon, Delta is the topocentric distance of the moons mass center from the observer in earth radii (ER). It is also the fourth letter in Greek alphabet
    Diameter
    Diameter is the geocentric apparent angular diameter of a celestial object (topocentric for artifical satellites). The value is given in seconds of arc for planets and satellites, and in minutes of arc for sun and moon.
    dRA, dDec
    Apparent angular movement of the object. The value for right ascension is reduced to the movement at the celestial equator
    Eastern/ western Elongation
    Most extreme points on the orbit of the moons around the planet.
    Elongation
    The elongation is the angular separation of the (ecliptical) longitudes of a celestial body and the central body (Sun, for moons: Jupiter or Saturn), as seen from the earth mass center.
    Flare angle
    The angle between the direction of the mirrored image of the sun and the observer. For bright flares, this angle must be as small as possible (i.e. the observer should be as close to the center line as possible).
    Flare
    The communication antennas and the solar panels reflect the sunlight almost as a perfect mirror. In case the observer lays within this reflected beam, the satellite suddenly appears very bright, as bright as the moon in the first quarter; the light is even strong enough to cast shadows. Since the sunlight is bundled, the duration of the whole event is short, and lasts about 10 seconds. The indicated time is the center of the flare event; hence the satellite can be spotted some seconds earlier. Due to the shortness of the event, it is important to look in the right direction at the right time.
    Iridium
    Wireless worldwide communication system, which consists of 66 satellites, that are in low earth orbits. The user who has a rather small phone directly contacts one of the satellites, i.e. one of the three Main Mission Antennas MMA (the three panels in the bottom of the image with a size of about 1x2m2). The satellites constellation consists of 6 planes with 11 satellites each (and some spares). Hence, another Iridium satellite passes at about the same place in the sky every 8 minutes.
    J2000, precession, nutation
    The plans of ecliptic and equator shift with time by perturbations from sun, moon and planets. The long-term shift is called precession, the short periodic variations are called nutation. The given celestial coordinates are refer to the true direction of the vernal equinox and the true obliquity of the ecliptic to the standard reference time 1 January 2000. For this date many star charts and coordinate tables are printed.
    Magnitude/Mag
    Brightness of an object considered as a point source of light, on a logarithmic scale. Visual limiting magnitude is about 6mag, whereas the brightest star Sirius reaches -1.4mag. The Hubble Space Telescope can image objects as dim as 29mag.
    Moon sign
    The position of the moon within a part of the zodiac, that is subdivided into 30° wide segments. Besides this sign of the zodiac the angle within the sign is given as well.
    NGC
    New General Catalogue of Nebulae. The British astronomers Herschel published in 1864 a catalogue of 2000 deep sky objects, in 1888 the Danish astronomer J. Dreyer supplemented it to 7840 entries. Until 1907 he added 5386 objects in a supplement called Index Catalogue (IC).
    Opposition
    An outer planet (orbit outside the orbit of earth around the sun) apparently stands opposite the sun. Hence, it can be observed throughout the night.
    Phase
    Ratio of the illuminated fraction of a planetary disk to its apparent diameter.
    R.A., right ascension, RA
    One coordinate used to indicate the position on the sphere. It is the angular distance of the object from the spring equinox measured along the celestial equator, expressed in hours of arc.
    Radius
    Distance of the celestial body from main central body (earth for the moon, the sun otherwise). For the moon the unit is earth radii (ER), otherwise Astronomical Unit (AU), the mean distance between the sun and earth.
    Rise, Transit, Set
    Rise and set times are for a mathematical horizon. Transit is the moment the celestial object crosses the south meridian, i.e. it stands exactly in south direction and reaches its highest point on its diurnal journey. Times are listed only if they fall within the chosen interval, starting at the start time. Missing values indicate that the event does not take place at the underlying interval.
    Sat above
    Geographic coordinates of the sub-satellite point (in WGS84 coordinates). This is the point on Earth, from which the satellite is in the zenith at the indicated time. The altitude of the satellite from this point is given as "alt".
    Spare satellite or unknown status
    Not all Iridium satellites are operational. Some of them are spare satellites and are in a fuel save mode. Hence the attitude of the satellite is not as strictly stabilized as for operational ones. Predictions of the flare's brightness are not that accurate in this case, a no-show is also possible.
    Sun sign
    The position of the sun within a part of the zodiac, that is subdivided into 30° wide segments. Besides this sign of the zodiac the angle within the sign is given as well.
    Supernova (SN)
    WGS84 / Geographical Coordinates
    Geographical coordinates are given by the angles longitude (Lon), latitude (Lat), and altitude in meters (Alt). A place nort