|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,963 Likes: 30
BellaOnline Editor Renaissance Human
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Renaissance Human
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,963 Likes: 30 |
Cosmic Pursuits enthuses about the delights of August skywatching: August is arguably the best month for stargazing. For northern-hemisphere observers, the weather is still warm but much of the unsettled and humid summer air dissipates and skies become, on average, drier and clearer. Observers in the southern hemisphere enjoy warmer weather as winter nears an end, and the center of the Milky Way, the starriest part of the night sky, still lies just past overhead. And of course, the Perseid meteor shower peaks this month, and the Moon will stay mercifully out of the way for this event this year. There are also plenty of planets to see in the evening sky, including Mars, which has just passed opposition and still shines brightly all month. Jupiter and Saturn remain large enough to afford good views with a telescope. And Venus slowly brightens in the western sky after sunset. Here’s what’s going on in the night sky this month.
1-31 August. Planets, planets everywhere! Look to the west and south after sunset to take in four dazzling planets. From right to left, look for Venus (the brightest), very bright Jupiter, Saturn, and brilliant red-orange Mars. These planets will remain in the sky all month. With your eye, binoculars, or a telescope, all these planets are a beautiful sight. And here’s some welcome news… the planet-wide dust storm on Mars is finally dying down, so hopefully we can all get a better view of the surface of the Red Planet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,963 Likes: 30
BellaOnline Editor Renaissance Human
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Renaissance Human
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,963 Likes: 30 |
A new comet - a green one! is briefly visible in the sky tonight and tomorrow night (August 7 & 8), and maybe beyond that, if you're lucky. But by mid-August it will be too close to the Sun to be easily seen. It's name is PanSTARRS (C/2017 S3), but because of its color and size it's been nicknamed the "Incredible Hulk". Ha, ha.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,963 Likes: 30
BellaOnline Editor Renaissance Human
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Renaissance Human
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,963 Likes: 30 |
Have you seen Mars this summer? I woke up in the night and went to the window. Didn't see any Perseids, but there was a break in the clouds and Mars was as bright as a beacon. Just wow! You can see Mars on the left in Mike Killian's photo.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,963 Likes: 30
BellaOnline Editor Renaissance Human
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Renaissance Human
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,963 Likes: 30 |
Last night I went for a walk in the evening. Lots of light pollution in London, but a clear enough sky to see a very bright Mars, Saturn and Jupiter, along with the Summer Triangle. Go out and see what you can see on a nice summer evening.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,963 Likes: 30
BellaOnline Editor Renaissance Human
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Renaissance Human
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,963 Likes: 30 |
Sky & Telescope tells us what to look out for this week. What can you see?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,963 Likes: 30
BellaOnline Editor Renaissance Human
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Renaissance Human
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,963 Likes: 30 |
Jane Houston Jones tells us What's Up in September - short video and transcript. What's going on in the sky as summer eases into fall?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,963 Likes: 30
BellaOnline Editor Renaissance Human
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Renaissance Human
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,963 Likes: 30 |
EarthSky says look west after sunset to spot the crescent moon, plus the planets Venus and Jupiter. You can’t miss them if your sky is clear! The moon, Venus and Jupiter rank as the second brightest, third brightest and fourth brightest sky objects, respectively, after the sun. Views on September 11, 12 and 13, 2018,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,963 Likes: 30
BellaOnline Editor Renaissance Human
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Renaissance Human
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,963 Likes: 30 |
Jane Houston Jones of Cal Tech & NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab says there's lots to see in the sky in September. There's a video and a transcript where she tells us What's Up - October.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,133 Likes: 52
Chimpanzee
|
Chimpanzee
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,133 Likes: 52 |
Hi Mona. I'll be honest, I haven't kept my eye on the sky. We were in Ireland for 12 beautiful (windy, showery weather, and rainbows) days.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,963 Likes: 30
BellaOnline Editor Renaissance Human
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Renaissance Human
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,963 Likes: 30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We take forum safety very seriously here at BellaOnline. Please be sure to read through our Forum Guidelines. Let us know if you have any questions or comments!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This forum uses cookies to ensure smooth navigation from page to page of a thread. If you choose to register and provide your email, that email is solely used to get your password to you and updates on any topics you choose to watch. Nothing else. Ask with any questions!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|