Upstate New York Stargazing – July Week 2, 2017

Author's Note: The "Upstate New York Stargazing" series ran on the newyorkupstate.com and syracuse.com websites (and limited use in-print) from 2016 to 2018. For the full list of articles, see the Upstate New York Stargazing page.

Stargazing in Upstate NY: What to see in the night skies July 7 to 14

M13, the great globular cluster in the constellation Hercules. Image courtesy of Gary Opitz of Rochester, NY

Updated: Jul. 07, 2017, 3:06 p.m. | Published: Jul. 07, 2017, 2:06 p.m.

Special to nyup.com

By Damian Allis | Contributing writer

This summertime weekly summary for planetary, satellite, constellation, and other observing opportunities covers the second week of July. With luck, the soot and smoke from the 4th of July celebrations have cleared, leaving views obstructed only by occasional cloud cover.

Lectures And Observing Opportunities In Upstate/Central New York

New York has a number of astronomers, astronomy clubs, and observatories that host public sessions throughout the year. Announced sessions from several respondent NY astronomy organizations are provided below for the remainder of July so you can plan accordingly. As wind and cloud cover are always factors when observing, please check the provided contact information and/or email the groups a day-or-so before an announced session, as some groups will also schedule weather-alternate dates. Also use the contact info for directions and to check on any applicable event or parking fees.

Astronomy Events Calendar

OrganizerLocationEventDateTimeContact Info
Adirondack Public ObservatoryTupper LakePublic ObservingJuly 71/2 Hour After Sunsetemail, website
Adirondack Public ObservatoryTupper LakePublic ObservingJuly 141/2 Hour After Sunsetemail, website
Adirondack Public ObservatoryTupper LakePublic ObservingJuly 211/2 Hour After Sunsetemail, website
Adirondack Public ObservatoryTupper LakePublic ObservingJuly 281/2 Hour After Sunsetemail, website
Albany Area Amateur Astronomers & Dudley ObservatorySchenectadyNight Sky AdventureJuly 187:00 – 10:00 PMemail, website
Albany Area Amateur Astronomers & Dudley ObservatorySchenectadyAAAA MeetingJuly 207:30 – 9:00 PMemail, website
Albany Area Amateur Astronomers & Dudley ObservatorySchenectadyOctagon Barn Star PartyJuly 288:00 – 10:00 PMemail, website
Astronomy Section, Rochester Academy of ScienceRochesterASRAS Member MeetingJuly 77:30 – 9:00 PMemail, website
Astronomy Section, Rochester Academy of ScienceRochesterPublic Star Party @ Northampton ParkJuly 109:30 – 11:00 PMemail, website
Astronomy Section, Rochester Academy of ScienceRochesterOpen House at Farash CenterJuly 2312:00 – 4:00 PMemail, website
Astronomy Section, Rochester Academy of ScienceRochesterRocheSTAR Fest 2017July 28 – 29daytime & nighttimeemail, website
Baltimore WoodsMarcellusBob Piekiel & Summer SkiesJuly 21/228:00 – 11:00 PMemail, website
Clark Reservation State ParkJamesvilleBob Piekiel & Summer SkiesJuly 28/298:00 – 11:00 PM315-492-1590 website
Green Lakes State ParkFayettevilleBob Piekiel – Choosing A TelescopeJuly 77:00 – 9:00 PM315-637-6111 website
Green Lakes State ParkFayettevilleBob Piekiel & Summer SkiesJuly 14/157:30 – 10:30 PM315-637-6111 website
Kopernik Observatory & Science CenterVestalFriday Night Lecture & ObservingJuly 78:00 PMemail, website
Kopernik Observatory & Science CenterVestalFriday Night Lecture & ObservingJuly 148:00 PMemail, website
Kopernik Observatory & Science CenterVestalFriday Night Lecture & ObservingJuly 218:00 PMemail, website
Kopernik Observatory & Science CenterVestalFriday Night Lecture & ObservingJuly 288:00 PMemail, website
Mohawk Valley Astronomical SocietyWatervillePublic Stargazing @ Waterville LibraryJuly 159:15 – 11:59 PMemail, website
Mohawk Valley Astronomical SocietyWatervilleSolar and Star GazingJuly 205:00 – 10:00 PMemail, website
Mohawk Valley Astronomical SocietyWatervillePublic Stargazing @ Prospect Library & QuarryJuly 227:45 – 11:59 PMemail, website

ISS And Other Bright Satellites

Satellite flyovers are commonplace, with several bright passes easily visible per hour in the nighttime sky, yet a thrill to new observers of all ages. Few flyovers compare in brightness or interest to the International Space Station. The flyovers of the football field-sized craft with its massive solar panel arrays can be predicted to within several seconds and take several minutes to complete.

The ISS remains a late night/early morning observing target this week, with visible double flyovers on the 9th, 11th, and 13th. Those enjoying an extended observing session on the 14th will even be treated to a rare triple flyover! Properly equipped members of the amateur radio community can even add audio to their visual experiences by listening to transmissions from the ISS – see ariss.org or issfanclub.com for details.

ISS Flyovers

DateBrightnessApprox. StartStart Direct.Approx. EndEnd Direct.
7-Julextremely4:44 AMSW4:50 AME/NE
8-Julvery3:53 AMS3:57 AME/NE
9-Julmoderately3:03 AME/SE3:04 AME
9-Julextremely4:36 AMW/SW4:42 AMNE
10-Julextremely3:45 AMS/SW3:49 AME/NE
11-Julvery2:55 AME/SE2:57 AME/NE
11-Julvery4:28 AMW4:34 AMNE
12-Julextremely3:37 AMW3:41 AMNE
13-Julextremely2:47 AME/NE2:49 AME/NE
13-Julmoderately4:20 AMW/NW4:25 AMNE
14-Julmoderately1:56 AME/NE1:57 AME/NE
14-Julvery3:29 AMW/NW3:33 AMNE
14-Julmoderately5:05 AMNW5:10 AMNE

Predictions courtesy of heavens-above.com. For updated nightly predictions, visit spotthestation.nasa.gov.

Lunar Phases

Full:Third Quarter:New:First Quarter:
Jul. 9, 12:06 AMJul. 16, 3:25 PMJul. 23, 5:45 AMJul. 30, 11:23 AM

The Moon's increasing brightness as Full Moon approaches washes out fainter stars, random meteors, and other celestial objects – this is bad for most observing, but excellent for new observers, as only the brightest stars (those that mark the major constellations) and planets remain visible for your easy identification. If you've never tried it, the Moon is a wonderful binocular object. The labeled image identifies features easily found with low-power binoculars.

Lunar features prominent in low-power binoculars.

Observing Guides

Items and events listed below assume you're outside and observing most anywhere in New York state. The longer you're outside and away from indoor or bright lights, the better your dark adaption will be. If you have to use your smartphone, find a red light app or piece of red acetate, else set your brightness as low as possible.

The sky at 10 p.m. from July 7 to July 14, accurate all week except for the changing Moon position.

Evening Skies: The two most prominent shapes in the sky, the Big Dipper and the Summer Triangle, are joined by a third shape you will hopefully come to recognize just as easily. The body of Sagittarius, close to the southern horizon from our view in New York all summer and into fall, can have its dots connected to look just like a teapot sitting flat above the tree line. Use the gap between Saturn and Antares to gauge the relative width of the shape you need to look for.

The Big Dipper is a bright and easy guide for finding Polaris, the north star. From its handle, you can "arc" down to Arcturus. Jupiter, which stands out soon after sunset, is close to the bright star Spica in Virgo and to the southwest of bright Arcturus in Bootes. Saturn is also visible as dusk approaches, rising soon after the bright orange star Antares in Scorpius.

The sky at 4 a.m. from July 7 to July 14, accurate all week except for the changing Moon position.

Morning Skies: Venus is unmistakable in the early morning sky, second only to the Moon in brightness before sunrise. Venus is accompanied by the Pleiades star cluster and Aldebaran in Taurus the Bull this week – an early warning that, in fact, winter is coming.

Planetary Viewing

Mercury: Mercury is hidden within the bright light of the the morning sun. Mercury will be visible again when it returns to sunset skies in late July before becoming a morning target again in August.

Venus spends the week passing through the Hyades open star cluster, head of Taurus the Bull.

Venus: Venus remains unmistakable in the early morning and even into sunrise. With good, steady binoculars, you should be able to see Venus as either half-lit of as a wide crescent – and you can follow the changing phase of Venus as it and the Earth make our way around the Sun.

This week, Venus even does a flyby of two of our two closest open star clusters. Starting July 9th, Venus will be within the binocular field of view of the Hyades, our closest star cluster at 150 light years away. The brightest pairing will occur on July 12th and 13th, when Venus approaches Aldebaran – a star which is not, despite its perfect position in the "V", a gravitationally-bound member of the Hyades. Watching over this flyby lies our third closest open star cluster – the Pleiades.

Mars: Mars sets very close to dusk right now, making it a difficult target without binoculars and a very clear horizon. Mars will not return to our pre-midnight skies until this time next year, but will become a morning target this mid-August.

Jupiter: If you look south soon after sunset, Jupiter will be the brightest object you'll see this summer (or second-brightest if the moon is out). Low power binoculars are excellent for spying the four bright Galilean moons – Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto – and several online guides will even map their orbits for you.

On the night of July 10th, astronomers will obtain the closest view of the Great Red Spot of Jupiter that we've had since we began properly monitoring this massive storm – back in 1830. The Juno Spacecraft, currently in Jovian orbit and providing as much excellent science as it is astounding images, will pass right over the storm, providing data and images sure to make the rounds in the news and social media for days after. For more information, check out the official NASA News release.

The Juno spacecraft captures a view of Jupiter's south pole.

Saturn: Still on the western edge of the brightest part of the Milky Way, Saturn is going to spend the next 18 months making its way to the eastern edge, all the while giving us an excellent observing target from late Spring to mid-Autumn.

Taking the southern view this week as a whole, there's plenty to take in for naked eye and binocular observing. With Jupiter and Arcturus jumping out soon after sunset, give the sky another half-hour or more and guide your sights to the west to find Saturn, itself close to the red-orange star Arcturus. With these two found, wait a little longer for the skies to darken before pouring over the stars around the Sagittarius teapot – you're looking into the heart of the Milky Way as you do so.

Saturn and Antares to the left of Jupiter and Spica, with M13 hovering high above.

If you want to see the featured globular cluster M13 with your own eyes, find bright Vega and Arcturus above you and look for a trapezoid roughly half-way between them – this is the torso of Hercules. In 10×50 binoculars, you should see a small fuzzy star that you can't seem to bring into focus surrounded by stars that you can. That fuzzy star is the combined light of roughly 250,000 stars all bound together by gravity.

Dr. Damian Allis is the director of CNY Observers and a NASA Solar System Ambassador. If you know of any other NY astronomy events or clubs to promote, please contact the author.

Original Posts:

Tags:

Upstate New York Stargazing – December, 2017

Author's Note: The "Upstate New York Stargazing" series ran on the newyorkupstate.com and syracuse.com websites (and limited use in-print) from 2016 to 2018. For the full list of articles, see the Upstate New York Stargazing page.

Upstate NY Stargazing in December: Geminid and Ursid meteor showers close out the year

Updated: Dec. 01, 2017, 12:32 p.m. | Published: Dec. 01, 2017, 11:32 a.m.

Special to nyup.com

A monthly preview of stars you can observe over Upstate NY from Damian Allis, contributing writer

Winter has come again, marking the time when many pack up their equipment and seek indoor lectures over outdoor observing. The situation is even worse for amateur astronomers, as the arrival of the Winter Solstice on the 21st also marks the point at which the days start to get longer – and the observing nights start to get shorter. As for 2017, New York observers saw mixed results in the "with my own eyes" department. The solar eclipse was generally excellent, with random blocks of overcast observing time. Some of the more subtle phenomena, such as lunar occultations and one lunar eclipse, also received mixed reviews for observability. The recent Venus-Jupiter conjunction was a wash for most, and the general consensus for the year was that none of the meteor showers lived up to the attention they received.

Major NASA missions this year did provide focus for many observers and outreach lecturers, with Juno at Jupiter and Cassini at Saturn highlights both in imagery and hard science. The list of major events for 2018 is lengthy, including a number of lunar and solar eclipses. Sadly, New York will only be able to catch a sliver of only one of these – the total lunar eclipse occurring on Jan. 31st. That said, any reason to get outside is a good one – and if you know of any NY astronomy clubs or events that could use some additional promotion, please consider contacting the author with information.

Lectures And Observing Opportunities In Upstate/Central New York

New York has a number of astronomers, astronomy clubs, and observatories that host public sessions throughout the year. Announced sessions from respondent NY astronomy organizations are provided below for December. As wind and cloud cover are always factors when observing, please check the provided contact information and/or email the groups a day-or-so before an announced session, as some groups will also schedule weather-alternate dates. Also use the contact info for directions and to check on any applicable event or parking fees. And bring one more layer of clothing than you think you are going to need!

Astronomy Events Calendar

OrganizerLocationEventDateTimeContact Info
Albany Area Amateur Astronomers & Dudley ObservatorySchenectadySenior Science DayDec. 43 – 4 p.m.email, website
Albany Area Amateur Astronomers & Dudley ObservatorySchenectadyOctagon Barn Star PartyDec. 157 – 9 p.m.email, website
Albany Area Amateur Astronomers & Dudley ObservatorySchenectadyNight Sky AdventureDec. 197 – 8:30 p.m.email, website
Albany Area Amateur Astronomers & Dudley ObservatorySchenectadyAAAA MeetingDec. 217:30 – 9 p.m.email, website
Astronomy Section, Rochester Academy of ScienceRochesterMember MeetingDec. 17 – 10 p.m.email, website
Astronomy Section, Rochester Academy of ScienceRochesterTelescope Tune-Up DayDec. 911 a.m. – 4 p.m.email, website
Baltimore WoodsMarcellusGeminid Meteor ShowerDec. 13/147 – 10 p.m.email, website
Kopernik Observatory & Science CenterVestalKAS Monthly MeetingDec. 137 – 9 p.m.email, website
Mohawk Valley Astronomical SocietyWatervillePublic Star GazingDec. 97:30 – 10 p.m.email, website
Mohawk Valley Astronomical SocietyWatervilleMVAS MeetingDec. 137:30 – 9 p.m.email, website
Syracuse Astronomical SocietySyracuseMeeting at OCCDec. 87 – 9 p.m.email, website

Lunar Phases

Full MoonThird QuarterNew MoonFirst Quarter
Dec. 3, 4:46 p.m.Dec. 10, 8:51 a.m.Dec. 18, 7:30 a.m.Dec. 26, 10:20 a.m.

The Moon's increasing brightness as Full Moon approaches washes out fainter stars, random meteors, and other celestial objects – this is bad for most observing, but excellent for new observers, as only the brightest stars (those that mark the major constellations) and planets remain visible for your easy identification. If you've never tried it, the Moon is a wonderful binocular object. The labeled image identifies features easily found with low-power binoculars.

Lunar features prominent in low-power binoculars.

Observing Guides

Items and events listed below assume you're outside and observing most anywhere in New York. The longer you're outside and away from indoor or bright lights, the better your dark adaption will be. If you have to use your smartphone, find a red light app or piece of red acetate, else set your brightness as low as possible.

The sky at 9:00 p.m. on December 15th, accurate all month except for the changing Moon position.

Evening Skies: The Summer Triangle has finally become a Summer Line, with only Deneb and bright Vega visible in the evenings this month. A new triangle takes up the slack, itself engulfed in a much larger geometric shape. The Winter Triangle – Sirius in Canis Major, Procyon in Canis Minor, and Betelgeuse in Orion, shares an edge with the much larger Winter Hexagon – Sirius, Procyon, Pollux in Gemini, Capella in Auriga, Aldebaran in Taurus, and Rigel in Orion.

With Orion and its cohort all above the horizon before midnight, learning eight constellations at once is as easy as following some lines within Orion's bowtie asterism.

Orion can guide you around its neighborhood. Red = belt stars to Sirius and Canis Major; Orange = Rigel and belt center to Castor and Pollux in Gemini; Yellow = Bellatrix and Betelgeuse to Canis Major; Green = Belt stars to Aldebaran and Taurus; Blue = Saiph and Orion's head to Capella in Auriga.

Morning Skies: There are no massive asterisms on the scale of the Winter Hexagon in the morning skies right now, but prominent and familiar shapes do abound. Moving from the Little Dipper to the Big Dipper, continue nearly the same distance to reach the hind end of Leo the Lion – look to the west for the backwards question mark that is its mane. In the same neck of the woods as the two Dippers is the Keystone asterism, marking the torso of the constellation Hercules.

The sky at 5:00 a.m. on December 15th, accurate all month except for the changing Moon position.

Planetary Viewing

Mercury: Mercury will be difficult to catch at the beginning and end of the month, then impossible to see directly for the rest of it. Mercury will slip below the western horizon soon after sunset on the 1st and 2nd, then rise before the morning sun after the 18th. It will be easiest to see Mercury on the 28th, when it rises at its earliest – close to 6 a.m.

Mercury low on the horizon on Dec. 28, with Jupiter and Mars still easy targets higher above.

Venus: If you want to see Venus before the end of the year, you have the first two mornings in December to do it. Just off of an impressive mid-November conjunction with Jupiter that many in New York couldn't see directly due to cloud cover, Venus is set to rise in the east soon before the morning Sun after Dec. 3. Those with a low horizon will have the 1st and 2nd, but that will end safe and easy Venus observations until 2018, when it becomes an exceptional target in February.

Venus low on the horizon on Dec. 1 and 2, with Jupiter and Mars still easy targets higher above.

Mars: Mars rises around 4 a.m. all month long, making it a quality target for early morning observers. With Jupiter rising earlier each morning, Mars will find itself being out-observed by binocular and telescope users mid-month. This situation will change after the 23rd, when Mars and Jupiter will share the field of view of 10×50 binoculars. Those planning ahead should set an alarm for the mornings of Jan. 6th and 7th, when the two planets will be exceptionally close to one another.

Both the 13th and 14th see the Moon, Mars and Jupiter in close proximity in the morning sky – a pleasant sight to end a long night of Geminid hunting.

Mars, Jupiter, and the Moon on the mornings of the 13th and 14th.

Jupiter: Jupiter is visible in the morning for all of December and will be an observing target at some point in the night until October of next year. Those with even poor-quality binoculars are able to see its four bright satellites – known as the "Galilean Moons" for their first observer – and the appearance of Jupiter as a disc of light instead of a simple pinpoint like all stars. Many websites, including the Jupiter's Moons webapp at Sky & Telescope, can provide you with the real-time and future positions of the fast-moving moons for any viewing opportunity you get this and every month.

When the weather doesn't cooperate, the NASA Juno mission (tw,fb) continues to impress with hard science and beautiful images.

Saturn: You have only a few days at the beginning of the month to observe Saturn low in the western sky, and those sessions must start very soon after sunset to do so. Saturn ends its time as an evening target well before mid-month even to those with very low and clear horizons. Observing Saturn after the first week will be very difficult due to the amount of sunlight still in the sky. Very close to the new year, Saturn will just begin to clear the horizon before the rising sun, likely still too difficult a target until mid-January, when it rises in the morning with time and dark skies to spare.

ISS And Other Bright Satellites

Satellite flyovers are commonplace, with several bright passes easily visible per hour in the nighttime sky, yet a thrill to new observers of all ages. Few flyovers compare in brightness or interest to the International Space Station. The flyovers of the football field-sized craft with its massive solar panel arrays and six current occupants can be predicted to within several seconds and take several minutes to complete.

December is excellent for ISS observing. From the 1st to the 18th, all flyovers are between 5 and 7:30 p.m., with many of them very bright and some of them occurring twice in an evening. Generally speaking, the first of the double flyovers will be significantly brighter than the second, giving you a 90 minute wait to compare and contrast. The ISS goes off our radar from the 18th to the 24th, after which it becomes a bright morning target into early 2018.

ISS Flyovers

DateBrightnessApprox. StartStart Direct.Approx. EndEnd Direct.
12/1extremely5:24 PMW/SW5:30 PMNE
12/1somewhat7:02 PMW/NW7:03 PMNW
12/2very6:09 PMW6:13 PMN
12/3very5:16 PMW5:22 PMNE
12/3somewhat6:54 PMNW6:55 PMNW
12/4moderately6:01 PMW/NW6:05 PMN
12/5moderately5:09 PMW/NW5:14 PMNE
12/5somewhat6:46 PMNW6:47 PMN/NW
12/6moderately5:54 PMNW5:57 PMN/NE
12/7moderately5:01 PMW/NW5:06 PMNE
12/7moderately6:38 PMNW6:39 PMN/NW
12/8moderately5:45 PMNW5:49 PMN/NE
12/9moderately6:29 PMNW6:31 PMN/NW
12/10very5:37 PMNW5:41 PMNE
12/10somewhat7:13 PMNW7:13 PMNW
12/11very6:21 PMNW6:23 PMN/NW
12/12very5:28 PMNW5:33 PME/NE
12/12somewhat7:05 PMW/NW7:06 PMW/NW
12/13extremely6:12 PMW/NW6:16 PMSE
12/14extremely5:20 PMNW5:26 PME/SE
12/14somewhat6:57 PMW6:59 PMSW
12/15very6:04 PMW/NW6:10 PMS/SE
12/16extremely5:11 PMW/NW5:17 PMSE
12/17somewhat5:56 PMW6:00 PMS
12/18moderately5:02 PMW/NW5:08 PMS/SE

Predictions courtesy of heavens-above.com. Times later in the month are subject to shifts – for accurate daily predictions, visit spotthestation.nasa.gov.

Meteor Showers: Geminids, Peaking On The 13th/14th, and the Ursids, Peaking On The 21st/22nd

Meteor showers are the result of the Earth passing through the debris field of a comet or asteroid. As these objects approach the warming sun in their orbits, they leave tiny bits behind, usually no larger than grains of sand. The Earth plows through the swarm of these tiny particles at up-to 12 miles-per-second. High in the upper atmosphere, these particles burn up due to friction and ionize the air around them, producing the long light trails we see. We can predict the peak observing nights for a meteor shower because we know when and where in Earth's orbit we'll pass through the same part of the Solar System – this yearly periodicity is what let us identity and name meteor showers well before we ever had evidence of what caused them.

Gemini resides inside the Winter Hexagon, standing on Orion's Club. Once you've found the Little Dipper, you've found the Ursid radiant.

December features two showers active enough to mention. The first and most significant is the Geminids, a shower that originates from asteroid 3200 Phaethon – a rarity among the major showers, which largely originate from comets. The Geminids peak this year on the 13th/14th within a window that spans the 9th to the 16th. The Geminids benefit from a late-arriving waning crescent Moon at the peak, meaning observers should have plenty of dark sky for their searches. Statistically speaking, the shower may produce 120 meteors/hour at its peak. Those who've kept diligent watch of meteor showers from New York this year may take this value with an asteroid-sized grain of salt, as none of the major showers have lived up to their potentials.

The second, and much less prominent, meteor shower this December is the Ursids, originating from Comet 8P/Tuttle. The peak comes just a week after the Geminid peak, has only one-tenth the usual activity, and peaks when most are still frantically trying to get shopping done – all factors which make the Ursids an often overlooked conclusion to the year's meteor shower festivities.

How to observe: To optimize your experience, lie flat on the ground with your feet pointed towards the radiant and your head elevated – meteors will then appear to fly right over and around you.

Those interested in seeing a full list should check out the American Meteor Society meteor shower calendar.

Learn A Constellation: Auriga

Auriga and its Messiers, with nearest neighbors shown in the inset.

Auriga is one of the surviving 48 constellations from antiquity that fits right into modern times. Specifically, it is one of the few constellations to undergo a significant change in its professional career – not quite fast enough for the modern gig economy, but certainly changing with the times. Auriga, or its brightest star Capella, goes back in the written record to Mesopotamia, where the arrangement of stars was seen as a shepherd's stick, or crook. Other groups of the time associated Auriga with goats and herding, a theme that made its way to ancient Greek times before Auriga took on a second career as a charioteer. Many of the representations of Auriga beyond the Roman Empire and into modern times even show Auriga with chariot reins in one hand and two small goats in another – a reminder to perspective hires to always have one's resume in hand.

The stars of Capella, with the Sun (Sol) for size comparison. Image from wikipedia.

While Auriga itself may be diminished in significance by its proximity to Orion and Taurus, its bright Capella is prominent enough to explain the shepherd association. This shepherd star is not working alone, however – this bright pinpoint is the combined light of four stars in total. Two of the stars, Aa and aB, are both massive and in close proximity – their separation is only 75% that of the Sun-Earth distance – while a more distant pair of dimmer stars orbit these two much farther out.

Generally speaking, Auriga is represented as a lopsided hexagon. If your star chart differs from that, it is likely due to the inclusion of stars in the small triangle next to Capella in the overall shape. The triangle of Almaaz, Haedus, and Saclateni is prominent by itself, but is made more so by being so close to Capella. Some of the flock refuse to stray.

Binocular observers are treated to three identifiable open star clusters that resolve reasonably well in telescopes at low magnification. M36, M37, and M38 all sit about 4,000 light years away and contain fewer than 150 stars. They are made easy to find because the region of the Milky Way in the direction of the Winter skies is away from the galactic center. There's enough material to make finding galaxies more difficult, but not enough to obstruct the views of close objects in our neighborhood – a perfect vantage point for keeping track of such a distinguished herd.

Dr. Damian Allis is the director of CNY Observers and a NASA Solar System Ambassador. If you know of any other NY astronomy events or clubs to promote, please contact the author.

Original Posts:

Tags:

Upstate New York Stargazing – November, 2017

Author's Note: The "Upstate New York Stargazing" series ran on the newyorkupstate.com and syracuse.com websites (and limited use in-print) from 2016 to 2018. For the full list of articles, see the Upstate New York Stargazing page.

Upstate NY Stargazing in November: The Leonid meteor shower takes the stage

The constellation Virgo before sunrise on October 18th. Below-right of the Moon is the star Porrima. The brightest object is Venus, with the star Zaniah to its lower-right. Farther above is the orange-colored Mars, with the star Zavijava to its lower-right. (Photo by Brad Timerson, member of the Astronomy Section, Rochester Academy of Science (ASRAS) and International Occultation Timing Association (IOTA), of Newark, NY.)

Updated: Nov. 01, 2017, 12:20 p.m. | Published: Nov. 01, 2017, 11:20 a.m.

Special to nyup.com

By Damian Allis | Contributing writer

Morning astronomy has its benefits! At night, you observe until you're too tired, or otherwise remember that your next day starts early. In the morning, the sun lets you know when you can't see anything else. Also on the plus side, evening observers get colder as they stay out longer. In the morning, you end up getting warmer the longer you're out.

To the morning astronomer, "what EDT giveth, EST taketh away." October and November are excellent for those who love observing and waking up early, as sunrise usually doesn't come until well into one's commute to work. The recent morning skies, filled with the brightest planets and excellent views of the constellation Orion and its neighbors, have been reason enough to throw a heavy coat on over pajamas to take the sights in. On Nov. 4, sunrise occurs at around 7:45 a.m., and a 5 a.m. riser can put it two good hours before twilight begins to consume most objects. On Nov. 5, sunrise occurs at around 6:45 a.m. With the drop of an auto-shifting smartphone, one full hour of observing goes away, leaving some to adapt to the time change or commit to that much earlier a bedtime.

Lectures And Observing Opportunities In Upstate/Central New York

New York has a number of astronomers, astronomy clubs, and observatories that host public sessions throughout the year. Announced sessions from several respondent NY astronomy organizations are provided for November so you can plan accordingly. As wind and cloud cover are always factors when observing, please check the provided contact information and/or email the groups a day-or-so before an announced session, as some groups will also schedule weather-alternate dates. Also use the contact info for directions and to check on any applicable event or parking fees.

Note that some clubs that have not yet may announce sessions for the Leonids later this month. Check their websites for updates as we get closer to the 18th.

Astronomy Events Calendar

OrganizerLocationEventDateTimeContact Info
Adirondack Public ObservatoryTupper LakeFriday Night ObservingNov. 37:00 PMemail, website
Adirondack Public ObservatoryTupper LakeFriday Night Observing & Book SigningNov. 177:00 PMemail, website
Albany Area Amateur Astronomers & Dudley ObservatorySchenectadySenior Science DayNov. 63:00 – 4:00 PMemail, website
Albany Area Amateur Astronomers & Dudley ObservatorySchenectadyniSci Science FestivalNov. 8 – 12see scheduleemail, website
Albany Area Amateur Astronomers & Dudley ObservatorySchenectadyAAAA MeetingNov. 167:30 – 9:00 PMemail, website
Albany Area Amateur Astronomers & Dudley ObservatorySchenectadyOctagon Barn Star PartyNov. 177:30 – 9:00 PMemail, website
Albany Area Amateur Astronomers & Dudley ObservatorySchenectadyNight Sky AdventureNov. 217:00 – 8:30 PMemail, website
Astronomy Section, Rochester Academy of ScienceRochesterMember MeetingNov. 37:30 – 9:30 PMemail, website
Astronomy Section, Rochester Academy of ScienceRochesterObserving At The StrasenburghNov. 47:30 – 9:30 PMJim S., 585-703-9876
Astronomy Section, Rochester Academy of ScienceRochesterObserving At The StrasenburghNov. 117:30 – 9:30 PMJim S., 585-703-9876
Astronomy Section, Rochester Academy of ScienceRochesterOpen House & Star PartyNov. 1212:00 – 4:00 PMemail, website
Astronomy Section, Rochester Academy of ScienceRochesterObserving At The StrasenburghNov. 187:30 – 9:30 PMJim S., 585-703-9876
Astronomy Section, Rochester Academy of ScienceRochesterObserving At The StrasenburghNov. 257:30 – 9:30 PMJim S., 585-703-9876
Baltimore WoodsMarcellusHello Winter SkiesNov. 177:00 – 9:00 PMemail, website
Green Lakes State ParkFayettevilleTelescope WorkshopNov. 51:00 – 3:00 PM315-637-6111, website
Kopernik Observatory & Science CenterVestalKAS Monthly MeetingNov. 17:00 – 9:00 PMemail, website
Kopernik Observatory & Science CenterVestalFriday Night Lecture & ObservingNov. 37:00 – 9:00 PMemail, website
Kopernik Observatory & Science CenterVestalFriday Night Lecture & ObservingNov. 10see event linkemail, website
Kopernik Observatory & Science CenterVestalFriday Night Lecture & ObservingNov. 177:00 – 9:00 PMemail, website
Kopernik Observatory & Science CenterVestalLeonids SessionNov. 188:00 PM – 1:00 AMemail, website
Kopernik Observatory & Science CenterVestalFriday Night Lecture & ObservingNov. 247:00 – 9:00 PMemail, website
Mohawk Valley Astronomical SocietyWatervilleMeetingNov. 87:30 – 9:00 PMemail, website
Mohawk Valley Astronomical SocietyWatervillePublic Star GazingNov. 117:30 – 10:00 PMemail, website
Syracuse Astronomical SocietySyracuseLecture @ OCCNov. 107:00 – 9:00 PMemail, website
Syracuse Astronomical SocietySyracuseScope Clinic @ Jamesville LibraryNov. 1110:30 AM – 12:00 PMemail, website

Lunar Phases

Full MoonThird QuarterNew MoonFirst Quarter
Nov. 4, 1:22 a.m.Nov. 10, 4:36 p.m.Nov. 18, 7:32 a.m.Nov. 26, 1:02 a.m.

The Moon's increasing brightness as Full Moon approaches washes out fainter stars, random meteors, and other celestial objects – this is bad for most observing, but excellent for new observers, as only the brightest stars (those that mark the major constellations) and planets remain visible for your easy identification. If you've never tried it, the Moon is a wonderful binocular object. The labeled image identifies features easily found with low-power binoculars.

Lunar features prominent in low-power binoculars.

Observing Guides

Items and events listed below assume you're outside and observing most anywhere in New York state. The longer you're outside and away from indoor or bright lights, the better your dark adaption will be. If you have to use your smartphone, find a red light app or piece of red acetate, else set your brightness as low as possible.

The sky at 9 p.m. on Nov. 15, accurate all month except for the changing Moon position.

Evening Skies: Two prominent shapes mark the eastern and western horizons for evening observers this month. To the east, the Bowtie of Orion, surrounded by a number of bright stars and prominent constellations. To the left, the Summer Triangle is still hanging on despite the seasonal change. In this geometry, the band of the Milky Way itself goes from east to west roughly through these two shapes. When you look north or south, you're looking out of the plane of the galaxy, where deep sky galaxy hunters set their sights away from all of the clutter in our own galaxy that obscures these distant views.

The sky at 5 a.m. on Nov. 15, accurate all month except for the changing Moon position.

Morning Skies: This is a transitional month for planetary observers, with Venus setting earlier each night and Jupiter rising in time to take over "brightest planet" duties until well into next year. With Orion and its cohort all above the horizon before dawn, learning eight constellations at once is as easy as following some lines within Orion's bowtie asterism. Leonid hunters should star to look early for the backwards question mark between the Bowtie to the west and rising planets to the east.

Orion can guide you around its neighborhood. Red = belt stars to Sirius and Canis Major; Orange = Rigel and belt center to Castor and Pollux in Gemini; Yellow = Bellatrix and Betelgeuse to Canis Major; Green = Belt stars to Aldebaran and Taurus; Blue = Saiph and Orion's head to Capella in Auriga.

Planetary Viewing

Mercury: The fleet-footed Mercury passes through the constellations Libra, Scorpius, Ophiuchus, and into Sagittarius this month. Mercury has returned to our early evening skies, but will be a difficult catch until after mid-November. Mercury sets soon after sunset until around Nov. 20 – you can find it with binoculars and a low horizon before, but be sure to wait until after sunset to begin your search. By the 20th, Mercury is high enough in the sky to be a bright early-evening target.

Starting on the 21st, Saturn and Mercury will just barely fit within the field of view of 10×50 binoculars, then will race toward one another for the rest of the month. The two will be at their closest on Dec. 6, but that pairing will only be visible for a very short time after sunset.

Mercury and Saturn make for close pairings soon after sunset later this month. The inset shows the path of Mercury from the 21st to the 28th.

Venus: Venus is finishing its morning residency as the brightest pinpoint in the sky this month, returning as an evening target in February. Having tangled with Mars and the bright star Spica last month in the constellation Virgo, Venus now prepares for a very close approach with Jupiter in Libra. From the 7th to the 18th, Venus and Jupiter will fit within the field of view of 10×50 binoculars, albeit very close to sunrise when Jupiter clears the horizon earlier in the month. On the 13th, Jupiter and Venus will be exceptionally close to one another, with morning observers treated to both planets and all four of Jupiter's brightest moons. From bottom to top in your binoculars, the alignment will be Ganymede and Io below Jupiter, and Europa and Callisto above. The binocular pairing ends on the 18th, but not before a crescent moon and Venus will make a great binocular pairing on the 17th.

The morning skies in mid-November, with Venus and Jupiter closely paired on the 13th. Use Venus early in the month or Jupiter later to help find Mars and Spica.

Mars: Mars spent October as the dim member of a bright pairing with Venus and will spend December being dulled by Jupiter when the two meet in Libra. November gives Mars a chance to be the only bright planet in Virgo. Mars still has competition for brightness – the bright star Spica shines a bit brighter than Mars. Starting on the 22nd, the two will fit within the field of view of 10×50 binoculars, then Mars will move closer until the morning of Dec. 2.

While giving Jupiter and Venus a look on the 15th, scan your binoculars a bit higher to see a sliver-of-a-crescent moon and Mars, which will just barely fit in a 10×50 field of view.

Jupiter: Jupiter makes its triumphant return to our skies as a morning object this month, replacing the brighter Venus in the process. Unlike the inner planet it is replacing, Jupiter will remain with us for many months to come, transitioning from an early morning object now into an early evening observing object this time next year. Besides the close pairings with Venus this month, Jupiter has its own meeting with a thin-sliver-of-a-moon on the 16th.

When the weather doesn't cooperate, the NASA Juno mission (tw,fb) continues to impress with hard science and beautiful images.

Saturn: Saturn continues its march towards the horizon this month, setting earlier each night. November will be the last month in 2017 you have to observe Saturn in the evening sky every night. It makes its appearance again at the very end of December as a morning target, joining Mercury, Mars, and Jupiter as the mornings progress into 2018. The 17th marks the transition of Saturn from the constellations Ophiuchus to Sagittarius, with the celebration on the 20th being lead by the sliver-of-a-crescent moon, which will pair nicely with Saturn in 10×50 binos. Saturn's month finishes with its pairing with Mercury as described above.

ISS And Other Bright Satellites

Satellite flyovers are commonplace, with several bright passes easily visible per hour in the nighttime sky, yet a thrill to new observers of all ages. Few flyovers compare in brightness or interest to the International Space Station. The flyovers of the football field-sized craft with its massive solar panel arrays and six current occupants can be predicted to within several seconds and take several minutes to complete.

The first half of the month contains several mornings of double-passes, although the adjusted clock means some of these will get washed out as dawn gives way to sunrise. The number of extremely bright fly-overs is a treat this month, perhaps NASA's unintentional way of coaxing people out despite the increasingly cold weather. With a 10-day break after the 16th, the end of the month will see the ISS return to evening skies, well-timed for those taking in early observing sessions.

ISS Flyovers

DateBrightnessApprox. StartStart Direct.Approx. EndEnd Direct.
11/1moderately5:24 AMSE5:26 AME
11/1extremely6:56 AMW/SW7:03 AMNE
11/2extremely6:06 AMW/SW6:10 AMNE
11/3moderately5:17 AME/NE5:18 AME/NE
11/3very6:49 AMW/NW6:54 AMNE
11/4extremely5:59 AMN6:02 AMNE
11/5very6:42 AMNW6:46 AMNE
11/8moderately5:43 AMN/NE5:45 AMNE
11/8moderately7:17 AMNW7:22 AME/NE
11/9moderately6:26 AMN/NW6:29 AMNE
11/10moderately5:35 AMN/NE5:36 AMNE
11/10very7:08 AMNW7:14 AME/NE
11/11very6:17 AMN6:21 AME/NE
11/12extremely7:00 AMNW7:06 AME
11/13very6:09 AMN6:13 AME
11/14extremely6:52 AMNW6:57 AME/SE
11/15extremely6:01 AMNE6:04 AME/SE
11/16extremely6:44 AMW6:48 AMS/SE
11/26very7:24 PMS/SW7:26 PMS
11/27moderately6:32 PMS6:36 PME/SE
11/27moderately8:08 PMW/SW8:09 PMW/SW
11/28extremely7:15 PMSW7:18 PMSE
11/29extremely6:22 PMS/SW6:28 PME/NE
11/29moderately7:59 PMW8:00 PMW/NW
11/30extremely7:06 PMW/SW7:10 PMN/NE

Predictions courtesy of heavens-above.com. Times later in the month are subject to shifts – for accurate daily predictions, visit spotthestation.nasa.gov.

Meteor Showers: Leonids – Active Nov. 15 to 20, Peaking Nov. 17.

Meteor showers are the result of the Earth passing through the debris field of a comet or asteroid. As these objects approach the warming sun in their long orbits, they leave tiny bits behind, usually no larger than grains of sand. The Earth plows through the swarm of these tiny particles at up-to 12 miles-per-second. High in the upper atmosphere, these particles burn up due to friction and ionize the air around them, producing the long light trails we see. We can predict the peak observing nights for a meteor shower because we know when and where in Earth's orbit we'll pass through the same part of the Solar System – this yearly periodicity is what let us identity and name meteor showers well before we ever had evidence of what caused them.

The name of each meteor shower is based on the constellation from which the shooting stars appear to radiate – a position in the sky we call the radiant. In the case of the Leonids, the meteor shower radiant appears to be just within Leo's mane, which rises from the east after midnight this month. The meteor shower itself is provided to us by Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, whose 33-year orbit will return it to the inner solar system in 2031.

Leo rises in the very early morning this month. To fully orient yourself, look for a backwards question mark (in green) that marks Leo's mane, which lies east of the brightest patch of stars in the sky. For an easy guide, find Orion's knee Rigel, look east to Procyon, and continue the same distance towards Regulus.

How to observe: The Leonids can be impressive and impressively bright, with up-to 20 meteors per hour expected this year. This shower will be improved by the lack of a Moon in the nighttime sky during the peak. To optimize your experience, lie flat on the ground with your feet pointed towards Leo and your head elevated – meteors will then appear to fly right over and around you.

Those interested in seeing a full list should check out the American Meteor Society meteor shower calendar.

Learn A Constellation: The Circumpolar Constellations in Review

A walk through Nov. 1 in 6-hour increments. Focus on the six constellations in the blue circles. Day or night, all throughout the year, these constellations are always above the horizon for NY observers.

One of the great problems with getting started in amateur astronomy around here is the lack of reinforcement. The chances of having multiple clear nights in a row to see – then see again – something you just learned are seemingly few and far between. A great way to start your journey through the 40-or-so constellations you can easily see from New York each year is to find the six constellations you know will always be visible regardless of the time of year.

Circumpolar constellations are those that never set below the horizon from a given latitude. For New York, there are six that are always visible every night and all year long, and are in fact always in the sky day and night. The rather busy image for this section walks you through November 1st in 6-hour increments from upper left to lower right. In each is a blue circle of six constellations – Ursa Minor, Ursa Major, Camelopardalis, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, and Draco. The many neighboring constellations with yellow labels eventually disappear below the horizon at some point, and you can follow this daily disappearing-reappearing act in the four images.

The six within the blue circles are your perfect place to start, and have been the focus of the last several months in the UNY Stargazing series. More information about each can be found in the following links: Ursa Minor, Ursa Major, Camelopardalis, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, and Draco.

Dr. Damian Allis is the director of CNY Observers and a NASA Solar System Ambassador. If you know of any other NY astronomy events or clubs to promote, please contact the author.

Original Posts:

Tags: