September Night Sky

Commonly known as the Corn Moon - it is also known as the Fruit, Barley, and Hungry Ghost Moon. 

When the the moon rises tonight and tomorrow it will appear full on both Sunday and Monday evenings this time of year.   

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The Farmer's Almanac first published Native American names for the full Moons in the 1930s and over the years these names have become widely known. Algonquin tribes in what is now the northeastern states called this the Corn Moon - as this was the time for gathering their main staple crops of corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice. 

European names for this full Moon are the Fruit Moon, as a number of fruits ripen as the end of summer approaches, and the Barley Moon, from the harvesting and threshing of the barley. 

This full Moon is also associated with the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival. The seventh month of the Chinese calendar is the Ghost Month and a Full Moon is known as the Ghost Day – when spirits, including those of deceased ancestors, come out to visit the living. 

Have a terrific full moon. 

 

Autumn is definitely in the air.

 

 

September Astronomy

 

In the first week of September, Mars will lie low in the west and near Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo. You’ll need a clear western horizon to spot them in the evening twilight. Then on September 12, Mars will line up with Spica, which currently shines much brighter than the red planet.  After mid-month, Mars will become more difficult to spot low on the western horizon.  Mars will be descending more each night this month, setting with the sun by month’s end.

August Night Sky

Dark skies on tap this evening. 

Overnight the moon will officially pass its new moon phase.  This means the moon will be between the earth and the sun. Since sunlight can only reach the far side of the moon and the moon is is in the same region of the sky as the bright sun it become hidden from view for about a day.  

Consequently, there is no moonlight to interfere with your nighttime viewing ambitions.  There may be skeeters; but no light pollution.

Fingers-crossed for good star gazing conditions...

August Night Sky

While out checking-in on the Perseid Meteor Shower it's pretty hard avoiding all of the moon light clutter from August's Sturgeon Moon... 

 

August Night Sky

Sturgeon Moon.....

  

August Night Sky

One of the more spectacular night viewing events of each year is the arrival of the Perseid meteor shower.  It began July 14 and will continue to September 1.  Peak viewing opportunity is  Monday evening/Tuesday morning.  With ideal viewing conditions you may be able to spot 2-3 meteors per minute!   

Meteor showers occur when the orbit of the earth passes thru space debris left behind by comets and asteroids. These pebble-sized pieces of debris enter our atmosphere and burn-up creating shooting stars.  This particular meteor show is as a consequence of our planet passing thru the debris left over from the orbit of Comet Swift-Tuttle.  

Take note that this comet completes an orbit around the sun every 133 years and every time it comes back to our neighborhood in the solar system it gets closer to the earth.  If Swift-Tuttle were to hit the earth we’ll all go the way of the dinosaurs!  (Although scientists believe that possibility is probably about 2,000 years from now.)  

The Perseids are named after the constellation Perseus - which appears in the northern hemisphere between the constellations Auriga and Cassiopeia.  Look for them radiating from that location in the northeastern sky.  

The Perseids are bright so if the moon is out try blocking it to improve your viewing.  This shower rises to a peak gradually, then falls off rapidly. And Perseid meteors tend to strengthen in number as late night deepens into the wee hours before dawn. The shower is often best just before dawn.

 

Get out the bug spray and keep your fingers-crossed for good viewing conditions and enjoy the show.

August Night Sky

August’s Full Moon is called the Sturgeon Moon because of the great number of this huge freshwater fish that could once be found in lakes and rivers in North America. 

With the arrival of Europeans in North America many of the Native American names for the astronomical calendar were adopted and incorporated into the modern calendar. 

Other names for this Full Moon include Grain Moon, Green Corn Moon, Fruit Moon, and Barley Moon – inspiration for these names is derived from the abundance of crops to be harvested this month.  

 

The indigenous Anishinaabe people of the Great Lakes region call it Manoominike-giizis, the Wild Rice Moon, or Miine Giizis, the Blueberry Moon. The Cree Nation of central USA and Canada calls the August full moon Ohpahowipîsim, the Flying Up Moon. The Iroquois of Eastern North America call it Seskéha, the Freshness Moon.

 

Anyway, fingers-crossed for clear skies tonight and tomorrow.

Dark Sky On Tap

This month's new moon on July 24 offers you stargazers the opportunity to observe the night sky without the interference of moon glow spoiling your view.  Better yet if you can get out into the countryside and away from the light pollution of the city skyline.

 

Since sunlight can only illuminate the far side of the moon, and the moon is in the same region of the sky as the sun, it becomes completely hidden from view from anywhere on Earth for today.  Tonight will be a moonless evening conducive to viewing the night sky.

 

Image credit: Chris Vaughn

 

Fingers-crossed for clear, cloudless skies.  Unlike February you won't freeze your tukus-off but don't forget your bug spray!

July Night Sky

2023 Full Buck Moon

The names associated with our full moons are frequently derived from the names given by the indigenous peoples that inhabited North America.  The tribes used a calendar to track the seasons by means of the names given to the return of a full moon.  The Ojibwe people of the Great Lakes region call this moon Abitaa-niibini Giizis, the Halfway Summer Moon, or Mskomini Giizis, the Raspberry Moon.  

In the northern hemisphere the full moon that greets us today is called the Buck Moon in recognition of the rapidly-growing, velvet-covered, antlers of the whitetail deer. As a consequence of summer storms it is sometimes called the Thunder Moon.   It always shines in or near the stars of Sagittarius or Capricornus. It will appear at its fullest tonight and tomorrow night.  Look for it to rise in the east after sunset; highest at midnight and setting in the west at dawn.

With the arrival of European settlers two additional monikers come to mind:  the Meade Moon which coincides the harvest of honey used to ferment this drink and the Hay Moon as the first cuttings of cattle fodder occur.  

Fingers-crossed for clear night skies and no skeeters.

Astronomy and Astrology Explained

Maybe you associate the word zodiac with astrology. But it has an honored place in astronomy, too. 

Anyone who spends any time gazing at the night sky is keenly aware of the zodiac constellations, because they contain what’s called the ecliptic, or sun’s path across our sky. 

Why is the sun’s path so important? Join night sky experts - Deborah Byrd and Bob King, aka AstroBob - to find out!

What To See In The June Sky

If you live in the northern hemisphere like me here's an easy night sky opportunity.  That means no late night, early morning or fancy equipment.  

Shortly after sunset tonight go outside and cast your gaze to the northwest horizon.

Planet Mercury will align itself with the twin stars of Gemini, Castor and Pollux.  Naturally, the stars will not be as bright as Mercury.  And a pair of binoculars makes it easy.

Bug spray as needed....

 

Midsummer

Shot an azimuth a few moments ago.

Happy solstice everyone…..

What To See In The June Sky

If you have to get-up from your slumber to pee anytime before sunrise tomorrow or Sunday morning cast your gaze to the eastern horizon.

You should be able to spot with the naked eye the thin waning crescent moon along with a very bright Venus and the Pleiades star cluster.

If you look carefully you might be able to spot the glow of earthshine on the unlit portion of the moon.  Earthshine is light reflected off the earth.

Of course, a pair of binoculars make it easier..... 

 

What To See In The June Sky

There is an old saying about making hay while the sun shines - a recognition that farm chores last as long as there is daylight.  The last four weeks have been witness to my neighbors fetching their first cutting of hay; along with spreading manure, tilling, discing and planting.  It has been a busy place here in flyover country. 

We know that the summer solstice tomorrow marks the longest day of the year yet the latest sunset of 2025 doesn't occur on that date.  Let me explain.

Solstice Stone - Stonehenge, UK

The solstice marks the farthest point of advance in the sun's relentless march to the north, delivering the maximum daylight hours of the year for the Northern Hemisphere and the minimum daylight hours of the year for the Southern Hemisphere.  The solstice this month marks the beginning of summer here in the Northern Hemisphere and the winter in the Southern Hemisphere.  

The word solstice literally translates to: sun standing still.  Following this event the sun begins to march in the opposite direction and heads south with our daylight hours getting shorter.  Daylight will continue to dwindle until December 21 - The dark days of the winter solstice - and the first astronomical day of winter after which the process reverses and repeats itself.    

All of this aside, there is a curious paradox in play as a few evenings immediately following the solstice seemingly and inexplicably get brighter.  

If you were to check your Farmers' Almanac sunset tables on pages 150 and 151 you would note that at latitude 40 degrees north the sunset occurs at 8:33 every day from June 21st thru July 3rd.  On June 27th it will set a few seconds later compared to the 26th or 28th.  

What gives?

We all know that following the solstice the days grow shorter so logically the sun should be setting earlier, no?

Here in the northern hemisphere, where you live halfway between the equator and the north pole, on the 27th of June the sun will set just a few seconds later.  While this would seem to defy both logic and the science about days getting shorter; as a consequence of our elliptical orbit around the sun and the phenomenon astronomers call analemma the earth is several million miles farther from the sun and moving at the slowest speed around it. Which would explain the hiccup in the sun setting.

Most of you may not be making hay today; nevertheless, on Friday of next week enjoy a couple of extra seconds of sunlight as you take-in another sunset.

Cheers! 

What To See In The June Sky

Looking to take a walk down memory lane?  

Indulge a childhood memory?

Indulge in wishful thing?

Consider making a wish-upon a star after the sun goes down.  To make it easy I'll give you a couple to look for beginning this evening and it doesn't even require you to stay up late or rise from your slumber in an early morning.

After sunset and as the sky darkens step outside and cast your gaze to the southern sky.  

Image credit - Starry Night

You will be able to spot yellow-orange Arcturus in the constellation Boötes (the Herdsman)  This happens to be the fourth-brightest star found in the whole of the night sky worldwide.  

Next, cast your gaze to the east  to locate an equally bright star Vega in the constellation Lyra (the Harp).  Two very bright stars in the June night sky to wish-upon.

Go ahead.

Make a wish.

Sometimes you never know what will happen....

What To See In The June Sky

Technically the full moon this month occurs tomorrow, Wednesday the 11th; although by all outward appearances it will look full this evening.  

If you have an opportunity you might be able to spot the bright red star Antares (constellation Scorpio) adjacent to our lunar friend.  If the brightness of the moon washes-out the star try to shift yourself so as to view it with the moon situated behind an object such as a utility pole.  Antares should reveal itself. 

The June moon - typically the last full moon of spring or the first of summer - is traditionally called the Strawberry Moon.  With origins traced to the Algonquin people this was a sign to commence gathering wild strawberries.   

Following European settlement alternate names included the Meade moon and the Honey moon were introduced.  

Because the Roman goddess of marriage is Juno – namesake of this frequent month of marriages - hence we have the honeymoon.

From June 5, 2020 at 11:30 PM there was this full Strawberry Moon.....

What To See In The June Sky

This is an opportunity that doesn't require staying up late or rising in the dark before sunrise.  Beginning this evening and for the next handful of evening it will be worth your while to cast your eyes towards the western horizon immediately following the complete setting of the sun.

You will be be able to spot the planet Mercury close to Jupiter.  As Mercury swings away from the sun you can spot it adjacent to Jupiter to the right beginning this evening. On Sunday thru Monday they'll be close enough to observe with the naked eye; although a pair of binoculars or a telescope will make your experience better.

Your visual targets are found in the circle of the image... 

Image credit - Starry Night

 

 

What To See In the June Sky

Argh!  

They're at it again.  Social media memes are circulating suggesting a planetary alignment early this month.

True or False?

Night sky expert Deborah Byrd of EarthSky has the straight scoop - including a reliably real planet forecast for the month of June...

Astronomy For May

If you happen to be an early riser, or just have to get up to pee before sunrise take the opportunity to cast your gaze to the eastern horizon.  There's going to be a conjunction of heavenly bodies starting tomorrow morning and continuing thru Friday.  

The waning crescent moon will rise during the wee hours of the morning followed by the yellowish dot of Saturn with much brighter Venus the last to rise.  If you have binoculars you might be able to spot Neptune positioned immediately to the left of Saturn.

Astronomy For May

According to the Old Farmers Almanac we use full moon names that were adopted during Native American and Colonial times to help track the seasons.  This practice is traced to the Algonquin tribes who lived in the same areas as the Colonists.    

May’s full Moon is known as the Flower Moon.  It signifies the wildflowers that bloom in May.  This includes wild iris, sundrops, marsh marigold, violets and more that are found around here. 

The month of May also marked a period of increased fertility and the warming days that made it safer to bear young.  For that reason it is sometimes called the Mother’s Moon.  Other names include the Corn Planting Moon, Leaf Budding Moon, Frog Moon and Milk Moon. 

The moon will appear full tonight and tomorrow night.  Fingers-crossed for clear viewing conditions.

Our Marsh Marigolds - Silver Creek