Nightfly Astrophotography

The Earth is but a perch to view the larger Universe. The Milky Way galaxy’s visibility for the greater part of human history was a birthright. Our well lit technological age has reduced or eliminated its visibility, leaving it to the few rural and remote areas left. Fortunately, Maine has the largest area of naturally dark skies east of the Mississippi. This is dark sky country. Prime Milky Way observing will be on moonless nights which occur the latter half of the month. An optimal viewing location will include a good southern horizon as well as a clear overhead. Our Milky Way Galaxy and its dark rift appear from Cassiopeia in the north, overhead in Cygnus, through Aquila, Ophiuchus, and ends most spectacularly in Sagittarius near the southern horizon. The Star clouds that populate Maine’s summer Milky Way shine with a peerless light, subtle yet starkly wonderful. Nothing is more awe inspiring. It stimulates our sense of wonder and a zest for learning. Lunar events for July include a close encounter with Scorpius’ brightest star on the 3rd. The Moon will be seen hanging to the lower right of red-orange Antares. On the evening of the 25th, Saturn is in conjunction with the Moon. Saturn will appear to the upper right of our natural satellite. Spica, the brightest star in Virgo, tops our Moon on the 27th. All these events will be visible in early evening. The scene will be most striking in deep twilight. The Delta Aquarid meteor shower peaks on the 28th. The radiant is rather low on the southwest horizon after midnight; however, up to twenty meteors per hour may be seen. The first quarter moon will set by 11:00 and will increase the chances of seeing them.