July is a grand time of year to learn to recognize the constellation Scorpius the Scorpion. If you’re in the city – with no dark sky – you probably won’t see the entire constellation. But you can still see the star that represents the Scorpion’s Heart, a bright red star called Antares. Our chart shows…read more » Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/watch-for-the-moon-and-the-scorpion…
Tag: Dark Sky
Go someplace dark and watch for meteors!
The Delta Aquarids are peaking. And the 2020 Perseid meteor shower gets rolling around now, too. Most importantly, find a dark sky! Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/the-radiant-of-the-delta-aquarid-meteors…
Delta Aquariids 2020: All you need to know
Late July presents the nominal peak of the Delta Aquariid meteor shower, but this long and rambling shower is officially active from about July 12 to August 23 each year. Source: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-delta-aquarid-meteor-shower…
M6 and M7 in the Scorpion’s Tail
Messier 6 and Messier 7 are star clusters near Scorpius’ stinger. But you’ll need a dark sky to see these faint but stunning stellar aggregations. Source: https://earthsky.org/clusters-nebulae-galaxies/m6-and-m7-deep-sky-gems-by-scorpius-tail…
Northern Cross: Backbone of Milky Way
On summer evenings, look for this star pattern in the east, sideways to the horizon. Source: https://earthsky.org/favorite-star-patterns/the-northern-cross-backbone-of-the-milky-way…
Dark Sky Sanctuary established in New England
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine was certified as a Dark Sky Sanctuary on May 8, 2020. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/first-dark-sky-sanctuary-in-new-england…
Deneb and its constellation Cygnus the Swan
The Summer Triangle consists of 3 bright stars – Vega, Deneb and Altair – in 3 different constellations. Deneb also represents the tail of Cygnus the Swan. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/summer-triangle-deneb-and-its-constellation-cygnus-2…
Use the Big Dipper to find Polaris
Draw a line through the Big Dipper pointer stars to find Polaris, Earth’s northern pole star. If your sky is dark, also look for a former pole star, Thuban. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/big-dipper-points-to-polaris-aids-in-finding-thuban-2…
How to see Comet NEOWISE
Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) is basically a binocular object, although some experienced observers with pristine skies are reporting they can see it with the eye alone. This post has information and charts that will help you see the comet. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/how-to-see-comet-c2020-f3-neowise…
Stunning images of the night
See the winners of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) 1st annual photography contest. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/ida-2020-photo-contest-winners-night-sky-images…