Stargazing this Week

Observe the Moon Night!
This Saturday, October 16th is international observe the moon night! NASA is encouraging folks to host or participate in observing parties. We’re hosting one in our back lawn!

It’s a fun excuse to talk and learn about lunar science. The moon will be in its first quarter, making for some good viewing of the interplay between craters their shadows. So bring your binoculars!

Check out the NASA’s Observe The Moon program page.

Constellations and Delphinus the Dolphin
Constellations are more than fun mnemonics for groupings of stars. They’re a practical way to communicate locations in the night sky. To say that the moon is in Sagittarius (at it is tonight) or near Capricornus (as it will be tomorrow) is a way to telling you where to look.

Famously, the Andromeda Galaxy, M31, is located in that eponymous constellation. The supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy, Sagittarius A*, appears just on the edge of the Sagittarius constellation.

Often stars or even deep sky objects like fainter galaxies, neutron stars or black holes - will be referenced with their “host” constellation.

The night sky or celestial sphere was cut up into 88 constellations by the International Astronomical Union between 1922 and 1928.

Over at EarthSky, Kelly Kizer Whitt has a fun write up about one of the lesser known “official” constellations, Delphinus the Dolphin. Try to finding it this week as the waxing moon passes just under Jupiter.

To find Delphinus in a dark sky, look to the Southern horizon to find Jupiter shining brightly. Saturn should be nearby, also shining brightly, closer to due South. Delphinus is higher in the sky, also due South, just below the Milky Way.