Tammy Plotner and Jeff Barber, Universe Today
On this day in 1958, the first spacecraft that received its electrical energy from sunlight was launched. The Vanguard 1 spacecraft was an engineering test satellite. From its position in orbit, it transmitted data that helped determine the exact shape of the Earth.
Today you should point the telescopes towards Saturn and observe the pale structure in the ring system. On a particularly dark night it will be possible to observe the shadow cast by the planet on the side facing away from the sun and further on the plane of the rings. Look at the shadow of the rings themselves softening the apparent shape of the region north of Saturn's equator.
When the moon rises tonight, look for the bright star Spica accompanying it. A few lucky viewers
will be able to see the moon hiding the bright star.
Project 365
Universe Today website
https://www.hayadan.org.il/BuildaGate4/general2/data_card.php?Cat=~~~425399385~~~261&SiteName=hayadan
