Next Star Party:

Saturday, August 10, 2024 8:30 PM

Quarter Moon Star Party at Maturango - August

C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS) and Cresecent Moon over Ridgecrest — Ralph Paonessa

* IMPORTANT: Please check here for POSSIBLE WEATHER or *SMOKE* CANCELLATIONS. *

The Moon will be 6.7 days past New Moon.

For a detailed map of what's visible on the Moon this night, go to Derekscope Moon Phase Maps and click on the 7–day Moon.

Saturn rises at 9:06 PM and should be in good viewing position by 10–10:30 PM, depending on clouds in the East. This will be a rare opportunity to see the rings almost edge–on, an alignment that happens only every 15 years!

Activity

Telescope views of the Moon and Saturn

Tonight we can see craters, mountains, rilles, and other details on the surface of the 6.7–day-old Moon. Saturn's rings are now tilted almost edge–on to our field of view, something that happens only every 15 years!

We are close to the peak of the annual Perseid Meteor Shower that occurs every August. The peak is spread out over several days, so we have a good chance of seeing some shooting stars streak by.

Location

Maturango Museum