Nightfly Astrophotography

The summer of 2009 so far has been one of the cloudiest in Maine. This is a major disappointment to stargazers who have looked forward to summer observing. Fortunately we are moving into what tends to be the clearest skies of the year. The weather of late summer and early fall provides crisp clear evenings perfect for stargazing. As soon as darkness falls on September evenings the Milky Way runs high overhead. One can see the largest stretch of our galaxy’s incomparable light as it blazes from the northeast in Perseus through Cygnus and Aquila, ending magnificently in Sagittarius on the south horizon. The bright star Vega dazzles overhead. It is the brightest in our evening sky as soon as Arcturus sets, but yields to brilliant Capella late at night. Lying on your back in a large field under dark skies one can get a feeling of traveling in space, as indeed we are. Jupiter rises in the southeast in Capricornus, the sea goat. The largest planet in our solar system, Jupiter’s size can be just made out in binoculars. Held steady, small instruments can show up to four Galilean moons. Galileo discovered these moons 400 years ago. Their orbit around Jupiter can be seen as you watch from night to night. A small telescope will give an impressive view, far surpassing Galileo’s. On the evenings on September 2nd and the 29th, Jupiter is in close conjunction with the nearly full Moon. These will be spectacular sights, so mark your calendar. If you are interested in celebrating the night sky with others, please take part in the many events taking place this month at the Acadia Night Sky Festival from September 17th though the 23rd. For more information visit http://nightskyfestival.org