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Monday, July 18, 2011

Summer Star-Gazing

Warm summer nights are a great time for star-gazing!

Our nights maybe be a bit later and shorter during the summer months – but there are a few things up in that night sky you might like to look for. In July, Saturn is sinking lower in the sky each night. It’s setting before midnight now – and if you’ve got a clear night and a telescope – go ahead and take a peak. Its rings have that “wow” factor if you haven’t seen them before. As Saturn sets, Jupiter is on the rise right next to the moon – and as the largest planet in the Solar System, it’s fun to spot too.

If you’re a fan of the moon – the best time to check it out is not when it’s full. Quarter phases make for the best moon view. The shadows on the surface will make the craters, mountains and seas much more defined.

It may be cheating a bit – but if you’ve got a smartphone, there are some great free aps for star-gazing. GoogleSky maps everything out for you in real-time wherever you are. NASA.gov has some great options for tablets and smartphones, and even has an app tracking the last space shuttle Atlantis mission.

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