Image source: Space.com
Here we are again, time for the Full Moon that occurs early Saturday morning at 7:57 AM. This site will tell you when the phases occur: https://nextfullmoon.org/moon-calendar-month/august/2025. Unfortunately, this fact will wash out all but really spectacular Perseid meteors which reach their peak of activity on the 12th. Here’s hoping some of you catch at least a glimpse of one of those ‘falling stars.’
The Perseids are one of the most eagerly anticipated events, remnants of Comet Swift-Tuttle. The event was first recorded in AD 36 and eagerly anticipated ever since. Spectacular fireballs are frequently observed during the several weeks when earth is passing through the debris left in space from the comet’s passing. A dark viewing site will certainly be needed; then keep watch for streaks and flashes of light seeming to come from the constellation Perseus in the east above Taurus and Orion about 4:00 AM. The comet that provides the material for the meteors last past through in 1992; it will pass earth again in a hundred years.
These bits of rock and metal are always falling into our atmosphere on to our rooftops, grassy yards, even your head-but they are so small you don’t notice them. They compress air molecules heat to incandescence for a few seconds. Last week’s column shared information about the chemical makeup creating the colors seen from those meteorites.
Early Sunday morning will surprise us with a close encounter (optically at least) between Venus and Jupiter. They are not really close but their orbits will make it appear so. There is always something wonderful to see when conditions are right. Saturn will be rising about 10:30 PM and be in the sky all night, disappearing with the dawn’s early light-or as the little boy stated the ‘dauncerly light’ when he asked what that is. We really do have a southern drawl very often.
If you are up early looking for the meteorites, take time to enjoy the winter constellations of Orion, Taurus, Auriga, and that changing distance between Venus and Jupiter. It might be a great science project for a middle school student in their school’s competition this new school year. Data collecting is required and measuring angles would be something the math student might be drawn to study. The science of astrophysics and the pleasure of astronomy entice all ages and just might lead to a deep interest in learning more. Our UTRGV has a good physics and astronomy program and members of the program have opportunities to work in observatories in different countries to complete their doctoral work.
Constellations to enjoy include the usual summer patterns, but autumn constellations will emerge from the east as the summer ones drift across the southern sky to sink in the west and the ones in the north slowly rotate counter-clockwise about Polaris. Cassiopeia and Cepheus begin the night on the east but by dawn will be in the west. The Great Square of Pegasus is hosting the major league baseball teams on its diamond, with Andromeda holding down first base emerging from the eastern horizon while Scorpius is sinking into the west at the same time.
The familiar summer triangle is almost directly overhead as full darkness descends. The cross of the swan is easy to spot. https://astrobackyard.com/cygnus-constellation/ will provide insight into the stars that comprise this lovely constellation. Double stars that seem to be a single star unless one has a really special telescope. There are secrets in the sky that are pleasurable to discover and share. Flying through the Milky Way this beautiful group of stars may draw you into astronomy as a focused sky-watcher.
The astronomy program at the San Benito public library on the 12th will be about the mission to learn more about Jupiter’s moon Europa using a spacecraft called Europa Clipper in homage to those sailing ships that sped across watery oceans on earth during the nineteenth century. The program starts promptly at 5:00 PM and lasts an hour. It is family oriented and geared for students in grades 2-6 although we have had children as young as 5 attending. Parents seem to have fun being a child again and working with their little ones. Come and check things out for yourself. We look forward to sharing the adventure with you.
See you next week. KLU.
