The Space Room
Night Sky Events for July/August 2010
by Anna Sanclement
Moon Phases for July 2010
The Last Quarter Moon will occur on Sunday the 4th this month, with the New Moon following on Sunday the 11th. The First Quarter Moon happens on Sunday the 18th and the Full Moon comes on Sunday the 25th.
Moon Phases for August 2010
Last Quarter Moon is coming on Tuesday the 3rd this month, while the New Moon is occurring on Monday the 9th. Then, the First Quarter Moon follows on Monday the 16th and the Full Moon will happen on Tuesday the 24th.
Planet Lineup for July/August 2010
In mid July and August you will find Saturn, Mars and Venus close to each other on the western sky about one hour after sunset. In late July, Mars and Saturn will pass within just a few degrees of one another.
Jupiter comes up at midnight in July and as August gets closer it will start rising earlier at around 10:00 or 11:00 p.m. When the gas giant is up high in the night sky, it is an excellent time to look at it through a telescope since less of the Earth’s atmosphere interferes with a clear view.
In August Jupiter will start to reach its highest point earlier, so it should be easier to view it for those earlier birds.
Around July 15th Mercury will peek out from the low western horizon about an hour after the sun goes down, joining the other three planets on that part of the sky at that time. The hot planet should be visible to the naked eye against the twilight, if you can’t spot it, then a pair of binoculars should help you find it.
By August, however, Mercury will be too dim to see at all without binoculars or a telescope.
Stars and Constellations to view on July/August 2010
The Aquarius constellation makes its way up from the eastern horizon at the end of July and rises earlier as we get into August. Constellation Andromeda also rises from the low northeastern horizon at around 10:00 p.m. in July and earlier on at about 8:00 p.m. in mid August.
You can also observe the Andromeda Galaxy, which lies on the southernmost end of the constellation. It is best viewed with a telescope, but can also be spotted easily with binoculars and as a fuzzy patch to the naked eye from a very dark location (without light pollution).
The Corona Borealis constellation is high in the sky during the summer months and at a good place for viewing. Find it between Hercules and Bootes (both of which we mentioned in last months’ column). The constellation looks like a crown floating in space; somewhat like a wide letter ‘U’.
The Big Dipper continues to be seen through July and August towards the low west-northwest, and it dips down to the horizon at around 10:00 p.m. in July and 8:00 p.m. in August.
Late July’s Delta Aquarid Meteor Shower
On July 28th the Delta Aquarid Meteor Shower will peak, but a nearly Full Moon will be nearby and drown out most of the meteors. But, the brightest meteors may still be seen, especially from a dark location.
To find the Delta Aquarid, look for the Aquarius constellation, which at the time of the shower’s peak at 4:00 a.m. will be to the south, a bit below to where the Moon and Jupiter will be.
The Perseids Meteor Shower in August
On August 12th and 13th the Perseids Meteor Shower will be better than July’s shower. There will be an almost New Moon, so skies should be dark enough to see a good amount of meteors.
The shower will start at around 9:30 p.m. but will get more spectacular as the night progresses into early morning. To find the Radiant, look towards the northeastern horizon to find the Perseus constellation, which lies to the east of Andromeda.
For our S. Florida area, look for it at around 11:00 p.m., which is when Perseus rises from the eastern horizon.
Look on up and smile!
Read more of Anna’s articles at:
The Examiner:
http://www.examiner.com/x-30007-Space-News-Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-6503-Ft-Lauderdale-Science-News-Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-39025-Celebrity-Headlines-Examiner
Suite101:
http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/annasanclement
And check out the children’s book she co-published with mom: