{"id":2727,"date":"2022-06-26T11:43:11","date_gmt":"2022-06-26T15:43:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/?p=2727"},"modified":"2023-02-03T09:02:09","modified_gmt":"2023-02-03T14:02:09","slug":"julaugsep2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/2022\/06\/26\/julaugsep2022\/","title":{"rendered":"JulAugSep2022"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Silver Sands, April 8, 2022<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Our First Public Viewing Event in 2 Years!!!!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By Donna Pursley<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With COVID numbers at a temporary low, we dared to start scheduling our public events at Silver Sands and Young\u2019s Park. There were half a dozen scopes and Laurie\u2019s heavy-duty binoculars set up. Despite the lack of advertising, we had at least a dozen interested people show up to look through the scopes. The Moon was a perfect quarter and was the star of the show until darkness came. Then the Orion Nebula stole the show. Of course, there were other doubles and star clusters to be found. The sky was clear with a bit of moisture in the air. It was near 50 degrees but felt a lot colder with the wind off the sound. Many of us had forgotten how cold it can get at night. All in all, it was a very successful first night of viewing in a very long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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ASNH Solstice Picnic, June 19, 2022<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

By Donna Pursley<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After two years without a Solstice Picnic, we had the picnic on Sunday June 19. Even though it was Father\u2019s Day we still had a good sized group. I would guess about 25 – 30 members attended. We had a good showing of long-time members and some new members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was our first time being back at Sleeping Giant since the tornado hit it a few years ago. The scenery was different with many trees being gone. It was a beautiful warm sunny day with a light hurricane force breeze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was plenty of good food and everyone filled their plates more than once. It was nice to meet the newer members and some family that we only see at the solstice dinners. Bob Carruthers performed an impromptu concert after lunch. Everyone\u2019s bellies were full as we all started leaving after enjoying each other\u2019s company for the afternoon. My only regret is that I didn\u2019t have enough time to spend with everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Upcoming Monthly Meetings on Zoom<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday, July 26, 7:00 pm
Tuesday, August 30, 7:00 pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We will continue to use this format for monthly meetings until it is safe to meet in person again. A week or two before each meeting, members will receive an email announcement with a link that will allow them to connect to the online meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just click the link or copy and paste in your browser and that will connect you to the meeting. You can do this on any device that has an internet connection and a browser.  You can do this on a smart phone. You can display yourself if you like with your selfie camera on your device. If you don’t that’s okay, don’t feel you have to.

You can also dial in to the meeting. The number and password will be given in the announcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connecticut Star Party 32, September 23-25, 2022<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Save these dates for the 32nd annual Connecticut Star Party, to be held and the Edmund Strang Scout Camp in Goshen, CT. Registration begins on July 22. Check the ASNH website for more details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upcoming Observing Events<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Members with telescopes are needed for these public outreach events. If the weather looks questionable for an observing event, check the ASNH website<\/a> after 4:00pm. There will be a scrolling message on the home page if an event has been cancelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, August 20, 7:00pm<\/strong>
Massaro Farm Outreach
41 Ford Road, Woodbridge CT (map<\/a>)

Saturday, August 27, 8:00pm<\/strong>
Hammonasset Beach State Park
Meig\u2019s Point Nature Center, 1288 Boston Post Rd, Madison CT (map<\/a>)

Sunday, October 9, 7:00pm<\/strong>
Madison Moonlight Walk
Madison Surf Club, Madison CT (map<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday, October 21, 7:00pm<\/strong>
Silver Sands State Park
Milford CT (map<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, October 22, 7:00pm<\/strong>
Young\u2019s Park
60 Blackstone Ave, Branford CT (map<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, October 29, 7:00pm<\/strong>
Hammonasset Beach State Park
Meig\u2019s Point Nature Center, 1288 Boston Post Rd, Madison CT (map<\/a>) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday, November 4, 7:00pm<\/strong>
Silver Sands State Park
Milford CT (map<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, November 5, 7:00pm<\/strong>
Young\u2019s Park
60 Blackstone Ave, Branford CT (map<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Reports of Monthly Meetings on Zoom<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

By Donna Pursley<\/p>\n\n\n\n

March 29, 2022<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Greg Barker – Silver Sands observing events are scheduled for this year, listed in the calendar and on the events page.  Young\u2019s Park is on hold for now.  We are waiting for information from them.  Our first event is in the second week of April for Silver Sands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have 81 members as of today.  Pietro Adamo is our newest member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An image of a 30-hour Moon from Jim Mazur was shown, his personal best for young Moons.  It wasn\u2019t very hard to see.  He used a 500-mm telephoto lens through a window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leo Taylor \u2013 At Roxbury Airport some years ago, Eleanor saw a 28-hour Moon.  A picture is on the website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a chance to see a 17-hour Moon this weekend.  Springtime is the best time to see the crescents.  The young Moon is higher in the sky in the spring.  The ecliptic angle is straight up and down.  At a public outreach event on April 6, 2019 at Hammonasset Beach, they observed a 36-hour moon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last month Greg sent out Donna Pursley\u2019s lunar observing challenge.  Some folks tried it, including Chris Predom and Andrew Buynak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrew Buynak got a white-light filter for the Sun that he has used and took some pictures. There were lots of sunspots today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Greg \u2013 We have had a few members who have made the switch from nighttime observing to solar observing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Torin Thurston made solar filters for his binoculars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Greg \u2013 A CME is coming our way.  Maybe we\u2019ll see an aurora.  Spaceweather.com page tracks aurora activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jim Mazur and Laurie Averill used a 10-inch to see the Moon for the Moon challenge.  They saw a few objects.  Hadley Rim was one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Greg proposed a deep-space challenge.  Laurie sent some educational material to Greg that might have information for a deep-sky challenge.  We would need someone in the club to volunteer to be a trainer.  If anyone is interested, Laurie can provide the details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bob Caruthers saw Venus this morning out the window. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris Predom observed the Moon and Venus on Sunday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michael Amato observed Mars and Saturn this morning.  Jupiter and Venus will be \u00bd degree apart in the beginning of May. Jupiter and Mars will be \u00bd degree apart on May 19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bob Carruthers wants to get back to drawing the Moon and start drawing Mars when it gets bigger this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris Predom \u2013 Mars will graze the Moon in December in the northwest section of CT going into MA.  Maybe White\u2019s Memorial will work.  Chris will send Greg the details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ray Zywno gave information on two comets:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(1) Comet C\/2021 03:  May 17: 340 degrees azimuth, 31 degrees altitude, magnitude 13 at 10pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(2) Comet C\/2017 K2:  Until October, it will be in the east, 90-120 degrees azimuth. On July 15, it will be \u00bd degree away from M10, 45 degrees above the horizon at 10pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kennedy space center SpaceX launch \u2013 Andrew Buynak\u2019s sister will see the launch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CSP will be held on September 23-25.  The camp is ready for us.  The quest is to find a caterer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

April 26, 2022<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Young\u2019s Park observing has been approved for this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Solstice Picnic will be on Sunday June 19from 12 to 6 at Sleeping Giant Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

May 4-5 is the Great Give.  ASNH is asking for donations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have 80 members.  Our new member is Brian Beegan.  Bob Carruthers gave him a scope and has been helping him out.  Peter Adamo, who joined last month, is interested in astrophysics and cosmology.  He would like to discuss these types of topics with other interested members.  Not many of us are that involved, but a few people offered some advice.  Yale Astronomy has a Virtual Colloquium on Thursdays.  Gianne Jenkins offered to discuss the math involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The public outreach events are a good opportunity to learn the night sky and to teach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris Predom gave a presentation on a Lunar Occultation program.  The Moon will occult Mars in December.  He is looking for a place to view this from. Most of CT won\u2019t see it, except the NW corner area.  It should be high in the sky so it doesn\u2019t require a big field.  The Mid-Hudson Astronomy Group might be close, or Litchfield Hills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The planets have been passing each other and many have gone out to see them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gary Zrelak wondered why we don\u2019t have access to our state parks for viewing like some other states do.  Litchfield Hills lets us go there; they just need some notice.  If anyone knows of a good state park for viewing, let Greg know and he will try to get permission.  At Hammonasset, fishermen can go without a ranger, so why can\u2019t we?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Amato saw two asteroids!  Very nice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On our website we have a link to NASA Night Sky Network which lists all clubs and events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

May 31, 2022<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We have 78 members; no new members this month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andy Buynak is still enjoying his solar scope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many saw the lunar eclipse and will be sending pictures for the newsletter.  Mike Amato said that the clouds opened up for totality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not many have done any viewing.  It is disappointing that it has been cloudy for our public events.  There was a question about why do we hold public events on nights when the Moon is near full. The answer is that even though a full Moon is bad for finding deep sky objects, the public likes looking at the full Moon. It is more tangible to them to see features on the Moon than a star cluster very far away. We can still see some of the best deep sky objects during a full Moon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On November 8 there will be a lunar eclipse in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gary Zrelak was to ask about the WIFI at the camp and if we could do a ZOOM conference for CSP.  Greg thinks we have found a caterer.  The price should be about the same. The caterer also has vegetarian options.  Greg would like one more speaker for CSP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a big Dob for sale, with a very light case, on casters and in very good condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Greg will send out an email to members about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good books:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Grand Biocentric Design: How Life Creates Reality by Robert Lanza, Matej Pausiu and Bob Berman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Shape of Inner Space: String Theory and the Geometry of the Universe\u2019s Hidden Dimensions by Shing-Tung Yau.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We should be seeing some images from the James Webb telescope by the fall, maybe by CSP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Total Lunar Eclipse, May 15-16, 2022<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

By Chris Predom<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am writing this while still fresh in my memory. The night started at 9:30 pm as I saw the moon rise over the neighbor’s house across the street, by 10:30 it was entirely overcast at 11:06 pm Rich Asarisi texted me that clouds were breaking up at his home and wanted to know if I could see the moon. I told him I could not and that it clouded up here before event was to start, but I was watching it on a Youtube link from Highpoint Scientific and I was going to peak outside once in a while. When I did look outside the moon was slightly more than halfway covered. Grabbed my eyepieces and coulter 8 inch f4.5 dob and set up in front yard. Started with my 17mm plossel which the moon just fits the entire field of view and watched the shadow creep as I also scanned outward from the moon looking for the upcoming disappearing occultations, I knew would be coming up. One of which was a double star. I switched to my 12.5 ortho and watched the last portion of the shadow swallow the bright portion of the moon, taking quick naked eye views of the moon as it progressed. The portion in the shadow had a red hue to it with the maria portion very dark with no red hue at all. When the last of the bright portion was gone I switched to my Tuthill 35mm plossel, which has a nice low power wide field of view , I could fit two moons in the view easily with room to spare. With the moon centered I observe the overall red hue of the moon and the surrounding star field. After a quick naked eye view I switched back to the 12.5 mm eyepiece to catch the first reappearance occultation, but I had just missed it. There it was at the edge of the moon, did a quick glance on where the double star would be disappearing, then back to other side to wait for the other reappearance occultations. While waiting, clouds once again came in and covered up the moon, A quick view to the West did not look promising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Went back to the Youtube stream just in time to see that star disappear, but on the Youtube video did not notice a step disappearance as one might expect with a close double. Back outside with telescope I was able to see the moon thru the clouds off and on. Sometimes I had some good views other times I could just make out the circular outline
of the moon, Other times I could not see it at all and had to walk telescope a little in direction moon would travel, I was surprised that when after 20 minutes of nothing when I glanced up and saw a hint of the moon, I was actually pointing just above it. I played hide and seek like this for rest of the eclipse, Losing the moon for long periods
in the clouds until I saw a small bright sliver of white, The beginning of the end. Next view was a little more than halfway over. The only way I could tell that was by watching the clouds coming over the moon. The areas still in shadow I could see no detail at all but as soon as that same portion of cloud moved over the lit portion I could see detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Later on it thinned enough for me to get a quick naked eye view. Finally had to call it an end at 1:53a.m. As the clouds really thickened up again. Overall I was very happy to see what I did of this event, this is not my first time observing thru clouds, I have observed the moon and some planets thru clouds. It is just a matter of getting quick naked eye glances with enough time to point your focused telescope at that area and once in telescope view, when the object is hidden by clouds again, knowing how to creep your scope in the direction the object is moving, hoping to get a thin or clear opening for quick views. Try it sometime, start with the moon, the skies can not be totally overcast. It must have pockets of thinner clouds or clear openings in order for this to work. You will be surprised when in the telescope you see the moon, but naked eye you can not, The detail will not be the same as a clear sky but you will be able to make
out features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clear Skies!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Observing Reports<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

By Michael Amato<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the morning of April 4, my brother Anthony and I located our white light solar filter that we completely forgot about. After we affixed it to our 5″ MAK, we observed the Sun’s face and it was impressive. There was a huge sunspot # AR2978 on the Sun’s face and the facula around the Sun showed up nicely. We also observed some white splotches just emerging on the Sun’s face. The white areas may be the beginning of new sunspots rotating on the Sun’s face. We also viewed dark shading around the edge of the Sun, which is the photosphere. Next month we will remember to take the Televue eyepiece so we can see granulation on the Sun’s surface. Also, early this morning before dawn, I was able to enjoy the conjunction of orange-colored Mars with the yellow-shaded Saturn. They were just three tenths of a degree apart. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Before dawn on April 30, Anthony photographed the conjunction of Jupiter and Venus. I viewed the conjunction from my condo with my 5.1″ short tube rich-field Newtonian at both 25X and 50X. It looked like two headlights in my scope. We had a great morning!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On Sunday evening, May 15, the clouds miraculously cleared allowing Anthony to take this image of the total lunar eclipse. Through my binoculars, I was able to give a Danjon Scale rating of L=2, meaning it had a deep coppery color. The image was redder looking than looking at it with the naked eye or binoculars. The fact that this was a super Moon added to the enjoyment.<\/p>\n\n\n

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On the morning of May 29, Anthony and I were able to observe the Jupiter Mars conjunction. Anthony’s image shows Jupiter as being the brighter planet. We both noticed Mars was quite yellow looking and I think this means there is dust activity on Mars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Phone-Binoculars Adapter<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

By Al Washburn<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I recently received a pair of Ronhan 20X50 binoculars (Jeni ordered them for birdwatching in our back yard). They arrived with an i-phone adapter! I already have an expensive (~$100) Orion adapter which is much more technical and \u201cmuch harder\u201d to couple to my i-phone 7. I have used this setup with success on my Orion 6\u201d reflector (Dob) but the connection takes patience and a little bit of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ronhan adapter (no name on it) is much cheaper, less technical but is much quicker and easier to set up. First, it has a spring loaded i-phone holder (no thumb screws). Next you align the binocular eyepiece adapter over the i-phone camera lens. There is a thumb screw to secure this position. The \u201ccircular\u201d binocular eyepiece connector is now fitted over the binocular eyepiece and a thumb screw tightens it into place. If secured on an angle the image will not be clear from side to side with the focus you get from the normal binocular focusing ring. Check for this. Reset if necessary. This whole process takes me about a minute. Image steadiness is an issue and you may need to address this with a tripod or place the setup on some object to stabilize it. The magnification of the binoculars will affect this. I do use the 3-second timer setup to reduce shaking when taking a picture. A final thought is that smaller, less massive i-phones might better hold fast to the binoculars although I have not tested this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have enjoyed taking pictures with this easy setup during the day and will see how it works with night time subjects.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Astronomy Links<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

By Ray Kaville<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From a story seen on CBS Sunday Morning:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kovac Planetarium Wsconsin
Kovac Planetarium<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Found on Facebook:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sailing On a Racetrack In Death Valley
Sailing \u2014 AAPOD2.COM<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curiosity and clarity due to a comment I read. Pretty good explanation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does CO2 Deplete the Ozone Layer?
https:\/\/sciencing.com\/co2-deplete-ozone-layer-4828.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An interactive star chart for any time, date, and location:
https:\/\/skyandtelescope.org\/interactive-sky-chart\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Software for astronomy:
List of software for astronomy research and education – Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explanation of the Milky Way’s black hole:
https:\/\/youtu.be\/Q1bSDnuIPbo<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Features<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

If you have not looked at the newsletter before, check out some of the regular features. There are four useful links in the menu at the top of this page:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calendar<\/strong> This is a monthly calendar that includes all the scheduled events of ASNH, other regional events of interest, plus the dates and times of noteworthy events in the night sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SkyMap<\/strong> This page has a chart of the sky as it appears over the New Haven area at the present date and time. It is constantly updated, so you can go to this page on any clear night to see what is overhead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Space Place<\/strong> Read the monthly article from Space Place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Directions <\/strong>This page gives directions to all the locations where regular activities of ASNH take place, including the monthly meeting, public observing sessions, and the annual Connecticut Star Party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other regular features can be found within these pages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upcoming Public Events <\/strong>Many ASNH events are free and open to the public. These include the monthly meetings and public observing sessions at Young’s Pond Park in Branford and Silver Sands State Park in Milford. This section gives the dates, times, and descriptions of these events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upcoming Events for ASNH Members <\/strong>These events are for ASNH members only. Some are private observing nights, and others are outreach events where volunteers are needed with the telescopes and equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Night Sky Highlights <\/strong>This section lists some objects to observe in the sky during the next few months, whether you are using just your eyes, a pair of binoculars, or a telescope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gallery<\/strong> This section features photographs of celestial targets taken by ASNH members and others. If you have a picture you want to share with us, please submit it to newsletter@asnh.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Night Sky Highlights for July-September 2022<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Solar System<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Perseid Meteor Shower
Peaking on the night of August 11-12<\/strong>
This is not a good year for the Perseids, because the full Moon coincides with the peak of this annual shower. The bright Moon will substantially reduce the number of meteors that can be seen. On the positive side, many Perseids are bright enough to be seen even in the moonlight. Remember that the shower extends for several days on both sides of the peak night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mercury<\/strong>
The best chance to see Mercury this summer will be in late August, when it will be above the western horizon after sunset. Its greatest eastern elongation, when it is farthest from the Sun, will be on August 27. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Venus<\/strong>
Early risers can see Venus in the eastern sky before dawn all summer long. Even though it is on the far side of the Sun from our viewpoint, Venus will still be strikingly bright at about magnitude -3.9. Through a telescope, its 10″ disk will appear nearly round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mars<\/strong>
The red planet can be seen in the southeastern sky before dawn during the first part of the summer. By mid-September, it rises in the east around midnight. Through a telescope, its disk will grow from about 8″ in early summer to about 11″ in late summer as it gradually gets closer. This time around, its closest approach to Earth will be in December 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jupiter<\/strong>
Jupiter is in the constellation Pisces. In July, it will rise around midnight and be visible for the rest of the night. By early August it rises around 10pm and in early September it rises around 8pm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturn<\/strong>
The ringed planet is in Capricornus this year. In July, it will rise in the late evening and be well placed for observing by about midnight. As the summer progresses Saturn rises earlier, reaching opposition (rising as the Sun sets) on August 14. In September and into the fall, it can be viewed as soon as the evening sky gets dark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uranus<\/strong>
Uranus is in Aries, which means that to observe it this summer you will have to wait until the early morning hours (in early summer) or the late evening (in late summer). To find either Uranus or Neptune, you will need a go-to scope or a finder chart such as the one in this article from the Sky & Telescope<\/em> website: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

www.skyandtelescope.com\/observing\/planets\/ice-giants-neptune-and-uranus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neptune<\/strong>
Throughout 2022 Neptune is in Aquarius, roughly 10 degrees to the west of Jupiter and rising slightly ahead of it. Though a telescope it has a greenish or bluish tint which helps to distinguish it from any nearby stars. High magnification (150x or more) will show its small disk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deep Sky Objects<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The sky on a summer evening is full of so many deep-sky wonders that some good targets can get neglected. The objects below are not as well known as the typical star-party favorites, but they are well worth observing. The links provide star-hop charts for finding each of these objects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messier 18<\/strong>
Open cluster in Sagittarius
<\/strong>Messier 18 is a small open cluster of a few dozen stars with an overall magnitude of 7.5. It is flanked by Messier 17 (the Swan Nebula) to the north and the Messier 24 star cloud to the south. The cluster is about 4,900 lights years away. Star-hop chart<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messier 19<\/strong>
Globular cluster in Ophiuchus
This is an unusual globular cluster because it appears oblong in the north-south direction, whereas most globulars appear round. It is about 29,000 light years away, and just about 6,500 light years from the center of our Milky Way galaxy. Star-hop chart<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messier 62<\/strong>
Globular cluster in Ophiuchus
Located about 4 degrees to the south of Messier 19, Messier 62 is similar in size and brightness (both about magnitude 7.2). These two globulars will appear as fuzzy balls in small telescopes or binoculars, but with medium to large scopes some of the individual stars can be resolved. Star-hop chart<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messier 107<\/strong>
Globular cluster in Ophiuchus
Here is another one of the many globular clusters in Ophiuchus. It is a little smaller and dimmer (magnitude 8) than M19 and M62, but it is still easy to see in just about any telescope. The cluster is about 21,000 light years away. Star-hop chart<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NGC 6934 (Caldwell 47)<\/strong>
Globular cluster in Delphinus
This fourth and last globular cluster on our list is the dimmest (about magnitude 8.9), and it appears quite small and faint through amateur telescopes. It is also much farther away, about 51,000 light years. Star-hop chart<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NGC 6939<\/strong>
Open cluster in Cepheus
This cluster is just 2\/3 degree to the northwest of the galaxy NGC 6946 (see below), and the two make an interesting visual contrast both in astrophotos and through a wide-field eyepiece. The cluster contains about 70 stars spread over a diameter of about 10 arcminutes, and it is about 5,900 light years away. Star-hop <\/a>chart<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NGC 6946 (Caldwell 12), the Fireworks Galaxy<\/strong>
Spiral galaxy in Cepheus
At about magnitude 9, this face-on spiral galaxy is dimmer and harder to spot than the cluster NGC 6939, but with a medium-sized telescope both will be seen in the same field of view in a low-power eyepiece. The galaxy is about 25 million light years away, about 4000 times farther away than the open cluster. Star-hop chart<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

NGC 7243 (Caldwell 16)<\/strong>
Open cluster in Lacerta
The 16th entry on the Caldwell list is a coarse open cluster of about 70 stars spread over an area about two-thirds the diameter of the Moon. It is about magnitude 6.4 and can be spotted with binoculars. With a telescope, use a low-power eyepiece for the best view. Star-hop chart<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collinder 399, the Coathanger<\/strong>
Open cluster in Vulpecula
This cluster consists of about 10 bright stars arranged in the shape of a coathanger, (plus some dimmer ones). It stretches across about one degree of sky, and it is not hard to spot with the naked eye as a hazy patch. It is a good target for binoculars or a small telescope. Star-hop chart<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kappa Bootis<\/strong>
Double star in Bootes
The two components of this attractive double star are magnitudes 4.5 and 6.6. Separated by 13.4 arcseconds, they can be resolved with even a small telescope. The pair is about 155 light years away. Star-h<\/a>o<\/a>p chart<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

T Lyrae<\/strong>
Carbon star in Lyra
Carbon stars have an abundance of carbon in their atmospheres which gives them a very red color. The deep red color of T Lyrae when seen through the eyepiece is really very striking. The star is just about 2 degrees to the southwest of Vega. It is over 200 times brighter than our Sun. Star-hop chart<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Gallery<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Variable stars in Messier 3.<\/strong> At least 270 variable stars have been discovered in M3, more than in any other globular cluster. Many of them increase and decrease in brightness over a period of a few hours, so variations in brightness can be seen on a single night or from one night to the next. Jim Mazur took 3 images of M3 about an hour apart on one night in May, then 4 more on the next clear night. The animation loop below includes these 7 images. Watch carefully you can see many variable stars blinking. At least 40 variable stars show up in this sequence. The pictures were taken with a Meade 14-inch telescope and and SBIG STF-8300M camera. The dense core of the cluster appears to vary in brightness but this is because it was hard to match the 7 images perfectly. What you should look for is stars that appear to twinkle even though other nearby stars appear constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

View larger image<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Silver Sands, April 8, 2022 Our First Public Viewing Event in 2 Years!!!! By Donna Pursley With COVID numbers at a temporary low, we dared to start scheduling our public events at Silver Sands and Young\u2019s Park. There were half … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2727","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-19"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2727","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2727"}],"version-history":[{"count":38,"href":"https:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2727\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2957,"href":"https:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2727\/revisions\/2957"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2727"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2727"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.asnh.org\/ShootingStar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2727"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}