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A Midsummer Night Sky
MOON PHASES
Last quarter: July 4, 8:35 a.m.
IN HISTORY
July 4, 1054 – Chinese astronomers observe a supernova. The Crab Nebula (Messier 1) is its remnant gas cloud.
Midsummer's southern sky is rich with deep-space jewels.
Constellations Scorpius, Ophiuchus and Sagittarius rule the evening and provide literally dozens of objects worthy of viewing again and again.
Our Milky Way galaxy intersects the eastern section of Scorpius and western portion of Sagittarius, dense regions of stars. Clusters abound.
Globular and open star clusters are among the most beautiful objects in the night sky. A small telescope or binoculars will enhance these gems. Imaginations soar when you see Â? then realize Â? how many stars are packed in seemingly small spaces. Are there planetary systems there too? Intelligent beings?
Globular cluster M4 is just 1.5 degrees west of the first-magnitude giant red star Antares, "the Heart of the Scorpion." A mere 7,200 light years away, M4 is one of the closest globulars to us.
Open clusters M6 and M7 are found near the Scorpion's stinger. Seen by some to resemble a butterfly, M6, is not far from the direction of the galactic center. M7, "Ptolemy's Cluster," is closer to us (about 800 light years) and brighter than M6. Shining at magnitude 3.5, it can easily been seen with the naked eye, but binoculars will show it in line with the dense galactic core.
To the east the Sagittarius Cluster (M22), is equally magnificent. Home to perhaps half a million stars, the cluster is some 10,000 light years away. And then, some 7 degrees to the north, there's M24, Delle Caustiche, the Sagittarius Star Cloud, a mixture of dense stars, dark and glowing nebulae and an open cluster.
Brilliant Venus, still the "evening star," spends the month moving eastward through Leo. Shining at magnitude minus 4, it stands out in the western sky after sunset. Watch nightly as it approaches and passes the 1st-magnitude star Regulus. The two will be only a single degree apart on the evening of July 9.
Venus is chasing Mars, which is moving eastward too but slower. The Red Planet, much fainter at magnitude 1.3, begins the month in Leo but joins Saturn in Virgo by the third week of the month. Mars and Saturn will be less than 2 degrees apart on the 30th.
Trailing Venus, Mercury can be seen low in the west just after sunset during the second half of the month. Look for it below and to the right of Venus. It'll be less than a half degree from Regulus on the 27th.
Throughout July, Jupiter is well up in the southern sky as dawn begins. In Pisces, the gaseous giant rises about 12:45 a.m. on the 1st and two hours earlier at month's end.
Shining at magnitude minus 2.6, it is the third brightest object in the night sky. Only Venus and the moon are brighter. Jupiter's large, Galilean moons are always worthy telescopic objects as is the planet itself. The recent disappearance of Jupiter's southern cloud band has kept astronomers focused on the planet awaiting the band's reappearance.
There's a total eclipse of the sun on July 11. A long one, it'll last nearly five and a half minutes at its maximum. Unfortunately, it'll require some travel. Its path lies in the south Pacific, crossing Easter Island and touching Chile and Argentina.
The Delta Aquarid meteor shower peaks during the night of July 28/29. Unfortunately this year, a gibbous moon hovers nearby, certain to blot out all but the brightest meteors.
Want to join other stargazing fanatics? Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, holds its annual astronomy festival July 7-10. You won't be disappointed.
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