The Nantucket Sky in July 2008

The Nantucket Sky in July 2008

Information courtesy of Dr. Vladimir Strelnitski, Director of Astronomy at the Maria Mitchell Association.

(All times are given in Eastern Daylight Saving Time)

The Sun

(for the first and last days of the month)
Sunrise: 6:07am; 6:36 am
Sunset: 7:13 pm; 7:58 pm

The Moon

New Moon: July 02, 10:19 pm
First Quarter: July 10, 00:35 am
Full Moon: July 18, 03:59 am
Last Quarter: July 25, 02:42 am

Planets

Mercury: Low above the horizon before sunrise in the beginning of the month, higher in the middle of the month, then low again, in the North-Eastern part of the sky.

Venus: Still too close to the Sun

Mars and Saturn: Evening objects, in the south-western part of the sky, in Leo – close to the Leo’s brightest star Regulus (especially Mars, in the beginning of the month). A spectacular trio!

Jupiter: A very bright object in Sagittarius. Rises early in the evening and is seen the best by midnight.

Meteor Showers

July 29: Delta Aquarid (about 20 meteors per hour).

August 12: Perseid (about one meteor per minute). Stay tuned for an Open Morning at Loines Observatory!