Conditions are getting better for observing!

Temperatures are moderating and we're beginning to see a clear sky. But, now that summer is moving in on us, we also gain more sunlight and shorter nights of observing. The other aspect of the summer sky in the Northern Hemisphere is that we also have a much longer twilight! A good night of observing in a dark sky may not start until after 10:00 p.m. Then, the dawn begins to brighten around 3 or 4 a.m. Grrrrr! Oh, we also begin to "share" the night with... the bugs! It's observing at it's "best!" The smell of insect repellent, the buzz of a gazillion "blood suckers" along with the familiar "swatting" and an occasional cuss to ward off the bugs by your fellow observers. Ain't summer star gazing wonderful? In spite of all of this, we've got galaxies, globular clusters, open clusters, double stars, a planet or two, nebula, a host of summer constellations and a heap of "fuzzies" to "star hop." At least we don't need to look like the "Pilsbury Dough boy" dressed for the cold!

Enjoy!

I was just thinking!

The sun is quiet. Just one tiny sun spot to hunt down and it's cloudy! My telescope has been stuck in it's case for what seems like months. The central Florida night sky is so light polluted I'm lucky to find the major constellations. Those of you in dark sky locations are really fortunate. NH has passed a "Dark Sky Bill" and so has a few MA cities and/or towns. Across America people are beginning to really listen to all the night sky lovers and everyone will ultimately benefit from less light pollution. In the long run the newer, more efficient lighting systems are more economical, last longer and provide more "beneficial" lighting, meaning much less glare and darker skies. Times are very difficult currently. Give yourself and your family a few moments of "me time" and go outside on a clear night well after sunset with a chair (perhaps with a pair of binoculars) and sit back and look up. Let your eyes digest the darkened dome and splash of stars above you. Let your mind wander as you did as a child. Watch for patterns, "shooting stars" and satellites. As you look deep into the darkness consider the great distances and sizes of the tiny lights you see. This tiny "rock" that we call home is incredibly small in comparison to every star you can see. Then consider how special we must be to be able to watch as the Universe in all of its glory "goes" by each night.