Let’s explore “what’s up” in the July sky. This month we’ll check on the planets’ whereabouts, go on a “sat-seeing” tour, and chase down one of best know celestial critters: Scorpius. So grab your curiosity, and come along on this month’s Sky Tour episode.

This episode is sponsored by Celestron, manufacturer of high-quality telescopes and an industry leader in developing exciting optical products with revolutionary technologies.

Listen Here:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Email | RSS | More

Listen to an illustrated version of this podcast on Sky & Telescope’s YouTube channel.

Hey, it’s summertime! — at least here in the Northern Hemisphere. Long, warm days — and short, warm nights. Planet-wise, the pickings are slim this month, at least in the evening sky. As July opens, Mercury wraps up a so-so appearance very low in the west. Mars is also over in the southwest, a little easier to spot because it’s higher up at sunset. Meanwhile, Saturn is slowly migrating into the evening sky. And if you’re really into getting up early, then go out about 45 minutes before sunrise and look toward east. You’ll behold beautiful Venus climbing into the dawn twilight, with Jupiter lurking to its lower left and very close to the horizon.

This month’s Sky Tour explores how to view artificial satellites — a subject suggested by long-time Sky Tour listener Jim Slaughter in North Carolina. The best thing about a “sat-seeing” tour is that it doesn’t require any kind of equipment. All you need are your eyes and a clear, moonless evening. Go outside as soon as it’s dark enough to see stars, and then settle into something that allows you to recline comfortably.

A satellite shines by reflected sunlight, creating a pinpoint of light in the night sky that looks like a moving star. Want more details on how to spot satellites overhead — including the obvious and very bright International Space Station? Just stream or download this month’s Sky Tour podcast, and I’ll walk you through all the basics and tell you where to get predictions for your location.

Scorpius from Stellarium
The constellation Scorpius is one of the most easily recognized constellations and truly looks like its namesake. In ancient times, the brightest two stars of neighboring Libra were considered the critter’s northern and southern claws.
Stellarium

Perhaps more than in any other constellation, the stars of Scorpius really do look like their namesake. Antares is the heart of our scorpion. And close by, to its upper right and lower left, are two medium-bright stars representing its body. Less than one fist to Antares’ upper right are three stars marking the head.

Trailing from Antares to the lower left is a curving string of stars that form the Scorpion’s tail. They arc down and then turn upward, ending in a close-spaced pair of stars at the stinger end. These are sometimes called the Cat’s Eyes by amateur astronomers. The farther south you live in North America or Europe, the easier it is to see the whole tail and stinger.

There’s lots more to see on July evenings — including one of the few star clusters that can be seen easily without binoculars or a telescope. To get a guided tour of “what’s up” in the next few weeks, check out our fun and informative Sky Tour podcast!

Read the full podcast transcript.

About J. Kelly Beatty

J. Kelly Beatty, S&T Senior Editor, joined the staff of Sky Publishing in 1974 and specializes in planetary science and space exploration. Learn more about him here.

Comments


You must be logged in to post a comment.