This Month's Sky
The Nantucket Sky in August 2010
Join us for Open Nights at Loines Observatory every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm, weather permitting. The Moon, planets, stellar clusters and binary stars will be observed with a telescope and this will be augmented with a comprehensive tour of constellations and a tour of the 24” research telescope, during which superb color pictures of celestial objects obtained with this telescope will be demonstrated.
Also, please join us at Loines Observatory on August 13, 4:00 to 5:00 am, for observations of the Perseid meteor shower (weather permitting).
All times below are given in Eastern Daylight Saving Time (EDT).
1. The Sun
Sunrise (for the first and last days of the month): 05:36 am; 06:06 am
Sunset (for the first and last days of the month): 07:57 pm; 07:15 pm
2. The Moon
First Quarter: August 16, 02:14 pm
Full Moon: August 24, 01:05 pm
Last Quarter: August 3, 00:59 am
New Moon: August 09, 11:08 pm
3. Planets visible with an unaided eye
Mercury: Is visible in the evening, low in the west after sunset, until August 27.
Venus: Is still a brilliant evening star in the western sky – up to October. It is in conjunction with Saturn on August 10 and in conjunction with Mars on August 23. On August 7, all the three planets will be seen within 5 degrees from each other (within a projected area of your feast at an extended arm length) – a formal condition to call the view “a planetary trio.”
Mars: Is seen early in the evening, in Leo, then Virgo. In conjunction with Saturn on August 1 and with Venus on August 23 (see above).
Jupiter: Observable as a very bright object in the eastern and southern part of the sky from late in the evening till the end of the night.
Saturn: Visible early in the evening in the western sky, lower and lower each day. In conjunction with Mars on August 1 and with Venus on August 10 (see above).
4. Meteor Showers
It is the month of the most popular meteor shower – Perseids, and this year the show will be presented on a moonless sky. Chances to see Perseid meteors are high several days before and after the date of predicted maximum (August 13). Come and join us in observations of this spectacular celestial show before sunrise, from 4am to 5am, on August 13 (weather permitting). Warm clothes, insect repellent and a transportable reclining chair will increase the fun.
5. Comets
No prominent comets by the time of writing this info (the beginning of August).
6. Zodiac Constellations (seen in the evening)
Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius.