help: 3 good, easy targets

Weahter in the Portland, OR area suddenly clear. I'd like to show a few party guests tonight a couple of things in the sky, but haven't been out in months so need a quick update: what 3 things are great to show off in the early evening (should be above 20 or 25* preferably).

Is mars still an exciting object visually?

When will Satrun be above 25* or should I say, when would it be best to put off first sight of it for most of these people...the higher the better to make it totally memorable.

M42 I guess rises slightly after?

What else is ummm, 'unsubtle' / high impact and/or high up right now?

Thanks!
Ally

Allison: Mars in the southwestern sky is much less than it was in August, and whether or not your guests find it interesting depends on the equipment you are using and the quality of your local seeing. Saturn and M42 will be exciting later in the evening, but not at the time immediatly after sunset. While you are waiting for Saturn & M42, your guests might enjoy the double cluster in Perseus, and the 3 open clusters in Auriga (M36, M37 & M38), although these objects are not as awe-inspiring for non-astronomers as Saturn and the Orion nebula. Good seeing to you and your guests.

Mars still looks good. Saturn will be above 25 degrees there at around 20:00, but better later. Uranus will be out early. M31 will be up near the zenith early, as will M33 and M45. M42 will be viewable around 21:00.

Have you downloaded Cartes du Ciel? Superb freeware astronomy package.

Eric

Also in the western sky are some of the prime deep sky objects in Lyra and Cygnus. Go for the Ring Nebula (M57) and M92 in Hercules. It should still be high enough.

Hi, Allison. I hope all went well with your observing session the other night. What objects did you show your guests?