Mt. Shasta Chamber Weblog

What’s Up – April 2010

Is it spring yet? Here’s hoping for some clear skies in April!

April heralds excellent views of Mercury and Venus together in the evening twilight.

For many in the Northern Hemisphere, early April ushers in the first warm days of spring. This year, the warmer weather ­heralds excellent views of Mercury and Venus together in the evening twilight. High in the south, Mars commands attention as the brightest object in Cancer the Crab. And as the sky darkens, Saturn climbs in the eastern sky and remains visible all night.
— Astronomy Magazine

The space shuttle will head for the International Space Station on Monday, April 5, and both can be tracked and viewed at Heavens-Above.com (link is set for Mt. Shasta’s location and elevation.)

April 14th is the next New Moon, with a Full Moon on the 28th. For a full list of sky happenings this month, as well as a handy printable map, download The Evening Sky Map (or click here for languages other than English.)

That’s all until next month — keep your eyes on the skies!

What’s Up – February 2010

In February, there will be many things to look at in the night sky!

Several major planets, and at least one minor one (the asteroid Vesta), give solar system observers plenty of targets for a night under the stars. The two brightest objects – Venus and Jupiter – pass close to each other low in evening twilight in mid-February.

Mars and Saturn rule the sky from nearly dusk until dawn. The Red Planet reached its peak in January and has now begun to dim, although it still ranks among the sky’s brightest points of light.

The ringed planet will peak in March and looks spectacular through a telescope. If you last through the night or simply get up at dawn, you’ll spot Mercury low in the southeast in early February.
— Astronomy Magazine

Also, the space shuttle will head for the International Space Station on Sunday, and both can be tracked and viewed at Heavens-Above.com (link is set for Mt. Shasta’s location and elevation.)

February 13th is the next New Moon, with a Full Moon on the 28th. For a full list of sky happenings this month, as well as a handy printable map, download The Evening Sky Map (or click here for languages other than English.)

That’s all until next month — keep your eyes on the skies!

What’s Up – January 2010

Credit: ESA/MPS

Winter means less-cooperative skies over Mt. Shasta, but there’s great things to see on those chilly clear nights! Turn your attention to Mars, which reaches peak visibility this month. Mars is closest to Earth on January 27th.

Mars ranks as more of a rarity. Once every 26 months or so, the Red Planet makes a grand appearance. That time is now. Mars reaches opposition and peak visibility in January, when it rightfully claims the bulk of our planet-viewing attention.
— Astronomy Magazine

There’s a New Moon tonight (the 15th), and a Full Moon on the 30th. For a full list of sky happenings this month, as well as a handy printable map, download The Evening Sky Map (or click here for languages other than English; they have several!)

That’s all until next month — keep your eyes on the skies!

What’s Up (in the skies above Mount Shasta)

A Leonid Meteor Over Sweden, Credit & Copyright: P-M Hedén

The 2009 Leonid meteor shower peaks tonight! Astronomy Magazine has sky maps, instructions and details for best viewing conditions. If the sky clears up a bit (and stays that way), you’ll be in for a show after dark! (Bundle up.) Edited to add: Additional information about tonight’s meteor shower can be found here at NASA.

Space Shuttle Atlantis launched earlier today en route to the International Space Station, and both orbiting objects are viewable at night from Mount Shasta (given clear skies, naturally.) Here is a table of sighting opportunities for both; Atlantis will be docked to the Space Station for approximately eight days, making for a brighter, bigger object!

The Perseid Meteor Shower

Photo © Brian Emfinger

It’s almost time for the 2009 Perseid Meteor Shower! This is a great opportunity to grab your family, grab a blanket and enjoy Mount Shasta’s clear night skies. This show only comes around once a year!

For sky watchers in North America, the watch begins after nightfall on August 11th and continues until sunrise on the 12th. Veteran observers suggest the following strategy: Unfold a blanket on a flat patch of ground. (Note: The middle of your street is not a good choice.) Lie down and look up. Perseids can appear in any part of the sky, their tails all pointing back to the shower’s radiant in the constellation Perseus. Get away from city lights if you can.

There is one light you cannot escape on August 12th. The 55% gibbous Moon will glare down from the constellation Aries just next door to the shower’s radiant in Perseus. The Moon is beautiful, but don’t stare at it. Bright moonlight ruins night vision and it will wipe out any faint Perseids in that part of the sky.

The Moon is least troublesome during the early evening hours of August 11th. Around 9 to 11 p.m. local time (your local time), both Perseus and the Moon will be hanging low in the north. This low profile reduces lunar glare while positioning the shower’s radiant for a nice display of Earthgrazers.