Stargazing this Week
With less than 10 hours between sunset and sunrise these days, Methow stargazing time is in short supply. In spite of this, it's International Dark Sky Week! There's a big push to get the Valley's infrastructure to full International Dark Skies Alliance compliance. To learn more, check in with the Methow Valley Dark Skies Coalition.
Planets and the Moon
If you’re looking for a reason to wake up early, this is a great week to wander out at sunrise. The visible planets, from Venus to Saturn have fully stretched out along the Eastern horizon, and the waning crescent moon will rise just below them each day this week.
As the week wears on, the crescent moon becomes thinner and moves closer it is to the planets. The 25th is probably the best morning for viewing. If you have some good binoculars and a bit of luck, you might be able to see Vesta.
Vesta one of the largest asteroids in our solar system, and will follow in the chain of planets just behind Saturn.
Ever the odd ball, our inner most planet Mercury is now becoming visible on the Western horizon during sunset.
The Swan and the Serpent
This week is your chance to catch the whole constellation Hydra all at once, stretched out along the South-Southwestern sky. You'll find it just below Leo - which itself is easily identified by its sickle-shaped head. It sets to the West just after midnight, giving you plenty of time and darkness to catch the famous Serpent.
Cygnus the Swan rises from the Northeastern horizon at dusk and takes flight as the night wears on. If you’re finally getting to spend a spring night under the stars, keep an eye on it. Cygnus' head will point towards the ground until around midnight, then point ever more skyward until dawn.
Stargazing notes brought to you each week by the the Methow's own Pasayten Institute, an organization on a mission to build and share physics knowledge, without barriers. Star charts generated on stellarium, an open access program. Try them out at stellarium-web.org.
