Still recovering from the Star Party

I am still trying to recover from the Nebraska Star Party. So much to see and do. Incredibly dark skies, the dazzling brightness of the Milky Way running right overhead from north to south. A sighting of an aurora, the Northern Lights, and even the opportunity to see the zodiacal light, the so-called false dawn where sunlight reflects off the zillions of dust particles orbiting in the plane of the Milky Way. That was just the second time I have seen the light.

So many astronomical objects to look at through telescopes and binoculars. Sometimes I wonder if a week is long enough to do all of that.

Before I forget, I want to thank the good folks with the Platte Valley Astronomical Observers from Hastings/ Grand Island/Kearney for letting us join them at their camping location and for allowing us to look through their equipment at all the wonders of the night sky.

Now, after saying all that, I am pained to say this; there won't be any good night sky observing, for the next few days anyway, because there was a full moon yesterday.

The moon, however, shouldn't prevent anyone from spotting very bright Jupiter about a few degrees and slightly above and left of the lunar disk.

Just above and left of Jupiter you might be able to find the dim bluish disk of another gas giant planet, Neptune. But don't get your hopes up. Binoculars might help, but a larger telescope will almost certainly be necessary.

I would think, however, this "off" week will give us the chance to gear up for one of the astronomical highlights of the year, the Perseid meteor shower.

The shower is made up of the leftover bits of dust and stuff from the passing of comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle in 1610, 1737, and 1872. Since this is a large debris stream it will be possible to view the meteor shower from Aug. 11 to Aug. 13, with the peak, or best, viewing time in the early morning hours (between 3 a.m. and the twilight of dawn) on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

On Aug. 12, the peak rate could be in the 60-meteors-per hour range. That is, of course, if the third quarter moon doesn't get in the way, which, in all probability, it will. But the long-lasting streaks of a few of the brighter meteors should still be visible.

To properly enjoy a meteor shower go to your favorite dark-sky place. Bring a blanket, lawn chair, or sleeping bag, and a friend. Place your seating arrangement so your view is toward the east with your back to the moon. You won't need any binoculars or other visual assistance. Just lay back and enjoy the view.

The meteors could appear anywhere in the sky, but will mostly seem to come from a place between the constellations Cassiopeia (the big "W") and Perseus (the "A" shaped constellation) located almost directly below it.

If you get tired of waiting for meteors, try finding the Perseus Double Cluster. An almost twin cluster of stars located between Cassiopeia and Perseus. They can be seen without aid, but binoculars really bring out their glory.

If you want a challenge, try finding the Andromeda Galaxy. Find the Great Square of Pegasus, the Flying Horse. Go the the northeast corner and follow a twin line of stars seeming to reach out to Perseus. That is the Andromeda constellation. Count out two stars along those lines and look up about the same distance as the distance between the lines of stars for a fuzzy blob. That blob is the Andromeda Galaxy. It can be seen without aid but binoculars or even a small telescope will enhance the view.

SKY WATCH:

Full moon, Aug. 5, third quarter moon, Aug. 13.

NEXT TIME:

More astronomical blathering, and next time I will get to Scorpius.