Around 8:30 pm this week, summer constellations sink below the western horizon.
The Summer Triangle appears balanced on Altair and tips to the right. Aquila the Eagle flaps to stay above ground while Hercules dives head first.
The haze of the Milky Way spills over the ground between them in the country. Four smaller constellations form a line above Altair with Lyra highlighted by Vega.
Vulpecula, Sagitta and Delphinus balance across the eagle’s wingspan. Equuleus leads Pegasus by a nose with its triangular head.
Saturday’s sunrise in Moncton occurs at 7:18 and sunset arrives at 4:48.
Saint John experiences sunrise at 7:21 and sunset at 4:55. This provides 9 hours and 34 minutes of daylight.
Saint Stephen sees sunrise at 7:26 and sunset at 5:00. Next Saturday brings sunrise at 7:28 and sunset at 4:41 in Moncton.
Saint John watches the Sun rise at 7:30 and set at 4:49 for 9 hours and 19 minutes of daylight. Saint Stephen records sunrise at 7:35 and sunset at 4:54.
The Moon reaches first quarter on Tuesday. Telescope users may spot the Lunar X inside the shadow around sunset Monday.
Mars and Jupiter rise before midnight. They appear close together high in the south this Saturday morning within a binocular view of Regulus.
Venus rests just above Spica in Virgo this weekend while rising before 5 am. Mercury rises well before 6 am and reaches greatest elongation from the Sun on Thursday.
Saturn is at its best for telescope observing in the mid-evening. The Leonid meteor shower peaks on Tuesday evening to deliver extra shooting stars that morning and Wednesday.
Astronomy enthusiasts can tune into the Sunday Night Astronomy Show at 8 pm on the Facebook page or YouTube site of Astronomy by the Bay.
Questions can be directed to Curt Nason at [email protected].
