Upcoming Astronomical Events

NGC 3913 and Lick 1951
22 Feb 1998

  Well, I was playing with The Sky software..watching asteroids move. And I found a asteroid crossing of NGC 3913 on 2/23/98 at 01h 10m (Plainview,MN). For Sacramento, CA the crossing takes place on 2/22/98 at 22h 10m. NGC 3913 is a 13th mag galaxy in Ursa Major. Located at 11h 50m 28.2s 55d 21m 43s N.  It may be interesting to see if this comes to pass. CCD photos would show the asteroid crossing just off of center.

  Just for fun..and something to do...I loaded my Guide 5 software and run the same problem. Interesting result..this time I got 1951 Lick acrossing NGC 3916 at 01h10m. And NGC 3913 five hours later. Or "same time..different galaxy!"  I wonder if there is an error in one of these. I guess time will tell..!  Now, I would really like to know what ECU says..anyone have a full copy?

Comet Tempel-Tuttle and Saturn
10 Mar 1998

As always when the skies are cloudy, I play around with my astronomy software. Tonight I found that Comet Tempel-tuttle and Saturn will be a few degrees apart on the 10th of March. Sky Map 3.1 shows it as being on the middle ring of the telrad, with Saturn centered. This one might make a nice photo.