Custom Charts / Graphs

You can make custom charts like this with the data series calculator. (Click image for larger version.)

The chart above shows an approximation of which major bodies were visible and at what time for a given location over a 24 hour period starting at 0900 UT on May 12th-13th, 1993. On the left, we can see that the Moon set just before local noon on the 12th. Sunset (the very beginning of the shaded region) was at about 2220 UT and astronomical twilight ended around 0030 UT on the 13th. The Moon rose at about 0350 UT , brightening the sky a little with its half-illuminated disc. Sunrise was at about 0810 UT.

All four of the navigational planets were visible at some time during the night. Mars and Jupiter were at moderately high altitudes after astronomical twilight and before the Moon rose. That should have made for some decent viewing through quality binoculars.

A chart like this can easily be made for any location on earth and for any time period. It only took a few minutes to make using the data series calculator. If you would like to see a detailed tutorial on how I made it, let me know in the comments. There are also many more types of charts you can make!

- Shawn