For more than a year, the largest planet in our solar system has been transiting across the center of our Milky Way galaxy. This alignment happens only once every 12 years. Several things are notable about this event at this time. First, Jupiter is currently hovering on the eastern edge of the center of the Milky Way. Antares, one of the brightest stars in our sky, holds a permanent position on the western edge of the galactic central bulge. The position of Jupiter affords a breath-taking view of the immense size of the center of our galaxy in the sky.
My picture of Jupiter and the center of the Milky Way from 2 nights ago. Jupiter is the brightest "star" in the picture. Antares is not in the picture, off the lower right side. The large, brightness along the bottom is the bulge of the center of our galaxy. -quads
The visible width and breadth of the central portion of our galaxy fills an area more than 5,000 times greater than the apparent size of our moon. Jupiter’s current placement provides a beautiful highlight bringing the attentive viewers’ awareness to the immense dimensions of the heart of the largest of cosmic beings within which we all live together.
Sky watchers looking to the south right after dark will witness this incredible sight--even those who live near bright city lights. Jupiter is easily visible as the brightest object in the southern sky. Sharing the southern sky on the western edge of the heart of our galaxy is the bright orange star, Antares (Heart of the Scorpion) In early September at dusk, the line between Jupiter and Antares will be mostly horizontal, and centered in the south. To locate Antares, hold your hands together at arms length in front of you. With your left pinky near Jupiter, Antares will be the bright orange star close to your right pinky.
continue....
