Back on the summer constellations

Well, I think this is where I came in, talking about the summer constellations. I started writing this column back in August of last year talking about the summer constellations. Only now, the summer stars and constellations are just rising in the east instead of being directly overhead.

The most prominent stars of summer make up the asterism (star pattern) of the Summer Triangle. Three bright stars in three constellations just rising above the eastern horizon and visible about 9 or 9:30 p.m. local time even in moderately light polluted cities.

The stars are Vega, a zero magnitude bright star in Lyra, the Harp (the topmost); Deneb, the first magnitude tail star in Cygnus the Swan (to the left); and Altair a first magnitude star in Aquila, the Eagle (on the lower right). Together the three make up a very visible triangle in the eastern sky.

I hope you have been watching as Venus and Saturn were showing off in the evening sky. Although no longer super close, the pair are still within two degrees of each other. They can be found in the western evening sky just after dark-thirty.

If you keep watching Venus, you will see it travel closer to Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo, the Lion. They will be closest on Wednesday, July 11, and Thursday, July 12. Don't wait too long though, all three are sinking toward the western horizon and will soon be lost in the glare of the setting Sun.

Now, how about a little fun? There are all kinds of asterisms in the sky. One that I like looking for is a very dim one made up of seven fifth and sixth magnitude stars now located in the east in the evening sky. Since these stars are rather dim, binoculars will be absolutely necessary as will a moderately dark place.

The asterism is called the Coathanger Cluster, so named for its resemblance to a straight wooden coat hanger (a wooden bar with a hook). The stars are not really a cluster since they all are at different distances from the Earth, but they appear together in the sky from our point of view.

To find the cluster will take a little work, but it will be worth the effort. Start at the bright star Altair in the Summer Triangle and draw a line to brighter Vega in Lyra. Scan with your binoculars to about one-third of the distance from Altair to Vega for the coat hanger-shaped asterism.

You can also go about seven degrees (a little more than a binocular field of view) down and to the right of Albireo, the tip star in Cygnus the Swan. If you have a telescope take a look at Albireo itself, a marvelous blue and gold double star.

SKY WATCH: Third quarter Moon on July 7. Bright Jupiter can be found up and to the right of Antares, the brightest star in Scorpius located in the southeast in the early evening.

The pair are above and to the right of just-rising Sagittarius in the southeast. If anyone would like to view Venus, Saturn and Jupiter and other stuff through a telescope, I will be at the Fourth of July fireworks display in Benkelman starting just after dark. I will have my telescope and would be happy to show anyone who would like to look.

Next time -- more ramblings about astronomical stuff.