This week was amazing for stargazing. On Sunday, Emma and I went out on our driveway and discovered it was actually a really great place to stargaze, except for one streetlight. We observed for about 15 minutes.
On Tuesday, we observed for 30 minutes. We saw Venus, Scorpius, Sagittarius, the Summer Triangle. We saw the handle of the Big Dipper and from there located Arcturus.
On Wednesday, we observed for more than 45 minutes, and during that time we saw approximately 11 satellites, including a satellite flare, which was really cool. We saw Scorpius and Antares pretty clearly, most of Sagittarius, some was hidden behind the light of the streetlight, and took note of how the constellations moved slightly over time by the location of the Summer Triangle. We saw and identified Hercules and Corona Borealis. I looked for Corona Australis and could not see it.
On Thursday, I observed for half an hour. It was cloudy that night in Nokomis but could see the Moon, which appeared to be in the 1st quarter phase, moving into a waxing gibbous. I saw the Summer Triangle, and remembered to look for Aquilus and found it. Venus was extremely bright that night, I took note of it. A little bit of Scorpius came into view as the clouds shifted, and I could see Arcturus and the handle of the Big Dipper. I saw one satellite moving from the east. I saw the keystone of Hercules and looked for Saturn, but it wasn't visible. I identifed Polaris with my Starwalk app because I was curious, and found it.
I don't know if this even counts for observation, but on Friday I was at a football game at Venice High and despite the bright lights, if I looked a little outside the stadium I saw the handle of the Big Dipper and some of Scorpius, which I pointed out to my uninterested friends. I could also see the bright gibbous moon.
No comments:
Post a Comment