what’s up in the sky
Late July - Delta Aquarid
Meteor Shower
With a radiant point in the Aquarius
Constellation, the Delta Aquarids begin
their annual amble across the sky in mid-
July, bloom in late-July and fade out in the
third week of August. They can be seen
almost everywhere but favor observers in
the Southern Hemisphere and the tropics
region of the Northern Hemisphere. This
year, the Delta Aquarids’ loosely-defined
peak will occur around July 29th. During
the peak, the shower can produce 15-20
meteors per hour. Like other meteor
showers, the Delta Aquarids are the
result of Earth’s passage through debris
left behind by a comet. However, the
exact source comet for this shower has
been a matter of debate. The most likely
candidate is Comet 96P/Machholz, which
was not discovered until 1986.
Aug. 12-13 - Perseid Meteor Shower Peak
Although the waning gibbous moon will
present some significant interference, the
always-anticipated Perseid meteor shower
should still produce some real stunners
when it peaks around Aug. 12th. Caused
by the Earth’s passage through debris
left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle, the
Perseids have been known to produce 80-
100 meteors per hour during their peak,
and many of these display impressive
persistent trains. The shower does favor
Northern Hemisphere viewers and occurs
in the perfect season for a long night of
languishing under the stars. The best time
to view will be in the predawn hours well
after the moon has set. Because the Moon
will already be presenting a significant light
battle, observers will want to take extra
care this year in choosing where to view
because a dark sky will be vital.
Aug. 21 - Total Solar Eclipse
The last total solar eclipse to touch any
part of the contiguous U.S. happened
on February 26, 1979, and cut a narrow
path across five states in the country’s
northwest corner. Now, 38 years later, the
contiguous U.S. will once again witness a
total solar eclipse but this time the path
of totality will stretch from coast to coast
and cross through 14 states! The eclipse
begins in the Pacific Ocean and wraps up
in the Atlantic Ocean, and the U.S. is the
4
on the horizon
Awakening others to the marvels of the
universe is the most rewarding part of
astronomy outreach, and some of the
best places to do that are star parties and
astronomy expositions. The following is
a list of upcoming events that promote
amateur astronomy.
only place where
the narrow path of
totality will actually
cross over land.
More information
on where and
when you can see
this epic event is
spread throughout
this issue of Sky’s
Up!
Sept. 5 - Nepture at
Opposition
The fact that
Neptune was
first found by
mathematical
prediction rather
than actual
observation reveals
how elusive our
planetary sibling
can be. But in the
weeks leading up to
Sept. 5th, amateur
astronomers will
be getting their
telescopes ready
for the planet’s
move into a prime
viewing position.
On Sept. 5th,
the blue-hued
COURTESY OF Babak Tafreshi, TWAN (The World at Night)
Neptune will reach
A meteor appears next to the Milky Way during the Perseid Meteor
opposition, which
Shower above ancient Native American petroglyph in the Owens Valley of
means it will sit
the Sierras in Bishop, Calif., on Aug. 11, 2016.
directly opposite
planet, Uranus, will be at opposition, which
of the Sun when viewed from our planet.
means it will essentially be at a position
Around the same time, it also will be
directly opposite of the Sun when viewed
making its closest passage to Earth. These
from Earth. At the same time, it will also
circumstances translate to an excellent
be at its closest approach to Earth. For
observing opportunity. Located in the
sky watchers, the combination of these
Aquarius constellation, Neptune will be
factors means the planet will be in a prime
highest in the sky at midnight local time
and will have an apparent visual magnitude viewing position almost all night, peaking
at midnight local time. Even though
of 7.8. Although it is the fourth largest
planet in our solar system, Neptune is not a Uranus, which will be located in the Pisces
constellation, will appear at its brightest
naked eye object. To see it as more than a
and largest in the night sky during this
brilliant point of light, you will need to use
event, naked eye observations will reveal
at least a moderate-size telescope, which
will hopefully render the planet as a steady little more than a star-like point. To really
blue disk.
see this remote planet manifest as a pale
aqua disk, you will need a moderate-sized
Oct. 19 - Uranus at Opposition
telescope, and a larger scope may reveal
On Oct. 19, our solar system’s third largest some of the planet’s many moons.
Sky ’ s
Up
Finalize your eclipse plans!!
July 18-22 — Table Mountain
Star Party
The annual Table Mountain Star Party
will run from July 18 through July 22 at
Eden Valley Ranch near Oroville, Wash.
In addition to offering speakers and
stargazing sessions under a dark sky, this
event will include an observers challenge
program, telescope making, a swap
meet, a young astronomer program,
door prize drawings and more. For more
information, click here.
COURTESY OF Fred Espenak, MrEclipse.com
July 20-23 — Starfest
Canada’s largest annual amateur
astronomy conference and star party will
kick off on July 20 at River Place Park in
Ayton, Ontario. The theme for this year’s
event, which is hosted by the North
York Astronomical Association, is “Fire
and Ice.” The keynote speaker will be
renowned eclipse expert Fred Espenak,
who will share his vast knowledge of the
upcoming total solar eclipse. There will
be a wide variety of presentations on
topics ranging from NASA missions to
astrophotography, a kidsfest with hands-
on activities, day and night observing
sessions, workshops on constructing
solar filters, a swap table, door prizes,
vendors and much more. For additional
information, click here.
July 23-28 — Nebraska Star Party
Stunning dark skies await attendees of
the annual Nebraska Star