Abrams planetarium

With amazing things happening in our sky every day we have highlighted a few things to look out for in the next few days. (Remember to check the best time to see it in your area since times will vary).

August 22 (Before Sunrise):
About 40 minutes before sunrise, look toward the eastern sky for bright Jupiter near the Beehive Cluster. The bright star Procyon will also be visible nearby, making this a nice grouping to look for in the early morning sky. You will need binoculars to see the beehive cluster.

Image description: The first Image contains the dates that this post is referencing. The following image contains snipping’s from the Abrams Planetarium Sky Calendar along with the planetarium logo and the event listed above, with graphics that correspond with the event.

If you want to read more on these:

https://www.star-facts.com/procyon/

https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/science/explore-the-night-sky/hubble-messier-catalog/messier-44/

https://science.nasa.gov/jupiter/

As the summer is starting to come to an end, with school right around the corner, now is the perfect time to slow down, get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and spend a little more time outside looking at the night sky!

While we do highlight a few exciting events each week, the physical Abrams Sky Calendar includes many more astronomical events to look forward to throughout the month. It is a great way to take a break from screens, plan your nights outside, and learn more about what is happening in the sky above us.

But with that being said, with amazing things happening in our sky every day we have highlighted a few things to look out for in the next few days. (Remember to check the best time to see it in your area since times will vary).

August 12–13 (Night/Early Morning):
The Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak overnight! Head somewhere with dark skies and give your eyes time to adjust. No telescope is needed, just look up and watch for meteors streaking across the sky throughout the night.

August 14 (Evening):
About 40 minutes after sunset, look toward the west-southwest for bright Venus. Venus reaches its greatest elongation, sitting about 46° east of the Sun, making this one of the best evenings to spot it in the evening sky.

August 15 (Morning):
About 40 minutes before sunrise, look low toward the east-northeast for Mercury and Jupiter. The two planets will appear only about 0.6° apart, making them look especially close together in the morning sky.

If you want to read more on these:

https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/meteors-meteorites/perseids/

https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/venus-after-sunset-greatest-elongation/

https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/definition-conjunction-astronomy/

Image description: The first Image contains the dates that this post is referencing. The following images contain snipping’s from the Abrams Planetarium Sky Calendar along with the planetarium logo and the events listed above, with graphics that correspond with each event.

As the summer is starting to come to an end, with school right around the corner, now is the perfect time to slow down, get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and spend a little more time outside looking at the night sky!

While we do highlight a few exciting events each week, the physical Abrams Sky Calendar includes many more astronomical events to look forward to throughout the month. It is a great way to take a break from screens, plan your nights outside, and learn more about what is happening in the sky above us.

But with that being said, with amazing things happening in our sky every day we have highlighted a few things to look out for in the next few days. (Remember to check the best time to see it in your area since times will vary).

August 7 (Before Sunrise):
About an hour before sunrise, look toward the eastern sky for the crescent Moon near the Pleiades star cluster. Uranus, the Hyades cluster, and the bright star Aldebaran will also be nearby to the south of Pleiades, although binoculars may be needed to spot Uranus.

If you want to read more on these:

https://www.space.com/pleiades.html

https://www.constellation-guide.com/hyades/

https://science.nasa.gov/uranus/

https://science.nasa.gov/mars/

Image description: The first Image contains the dates that this post is referencing. The following image contains snipping’s from the Abrams Planetarium Sky Calendar along with the planetarium logo and the events listed above, with graphics that correspond with each event.

Don't forget SYAC is this Saturday, and it is the last one of the season!
We will be learning about electronics!
We hope to see you there!

Image Description: A colorful promotional graphic for
the Spartan Young Astronomers Club event titled
“Electronics" with the Planetarium's 60th anniversary logo (1964–2024) is
displayed at the top. Below it, light blue text
reads:
“Spartan Young Astronomers Club”
“Electronics"
"August 1st, 10 am – noon”
“$5/kid.” See less

With amazing things happening in our sky every day we have highlighted a few things to look out for in the next few days. (Remember to check the best time to see it in your area since times will vary).

July 26–28 (Evening):
About an hour after sunset, look toward the southeast for the bright Moon moving through Sagittarius. On July 26 and 27, it will pass near the Teapot-shaped group of stars before continuing eastward each evening.

July 29 (Evening):
Look toward the southeast after sunset for the Full Moon rising into the evening sky.

If you want to read more on these:

https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/teapot-asterism

https://science.nasa.gov/moon/facts/

Image description: The first Image contains the dates that this post is referencing. The following image contains snipping’s from the Abrams Planetarium Sky Calendar along with the planetarium logo and the events listed above, with graphics that correspond with each event.

Harvard scientists have discovered an atmosphere around LHS 1140 b, a rocky planet located about 48 light-years from Earth. The planet sits in the “habitable zone” around its star, meaning temperatures could potentially allow liquid water to exist.

The atmosphere appears to be mostly made of helium, and this is the first atmosphere confirmed around a rocky planet in the habitable zone of another star. Scientists have not found evidence of life, but the planet has several features that make it especially exciting to study, including a rocky surface, suitable temperatures, and an atmosphere. Future observations could help researchers learn whether this distant world might have conditions that could support life.

If you want to read the full article on this:

https://current.fas.harvard.edu/stories/harvard-scientists-detect-atmosphere-distant-earth-planet

Image source: Harvard, Melissa Weiss/Center for Astrophysics

Image description from source: This artist conceptualization shows the exoplanet LHS 1140 b in the foreground surrounded by a helium-rich atmosphere. In the distance is its red dwarf star orbited by another rocky planet.

With amazing things happening in our sky every day we have highlighted a few things to look out for in the next few days. (Remember to check the best time to see it in your area since times will vary).

July 19 (Morning):
About an hour and a half before sunrise, look toward the east-northeast to find Mars near the bright star Aldebaran. Uranus will also be nearby, but you will need binoculars or a telescope to see it. North of Uranus you will be able to see the Pleiades star cluster.

July 20 (Eviening):
About an hour after sunset, look toward the southwest for the crescent Moon passing close to Spica, the brightest star in Virgo. The Moon will continue moving eastward each evening and reach its first-quarter phase on July 21.

If you want to read more on these:

https://science.nasa.gov/skywatching/

https://www.space.com/17021-virgo-constellation.html

https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/journey-to-the-center-of-the-virgo-cluster/

https://www.space.com/17101-taurus-constellation.html

https://science.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/goddard/hubble-catches-jets-bubbles-bursts-of-light-in-taurus/

Image description: The first Image contains the dates that this post is referencing. The following image contains snipping’s from the Abrams Planetarium Sky Calendar along with the planetarium logo and the events listed above, with graphics that correspond with each event.