Night Sky Highlights for July-September 2024
By Jim Mazur
Solar System
Perseid Meteor Shower (peaking on the night of August 11-12)
This year, the Perseid shower peaks when the Moon is near first quarter, which means that the best viewing will be after midnight, when the Moon has set. Remember that this is a long-lasting shower, and some Perseids can be seen for at least a week before and after the peak night.
Partial Eclipse of the Moon, night of September 17-18
Although visible from Connecticut, this will be a very minor eclipse. The entire Moon will pass through the Earth’s dim outer shadow (the penumbra), but at maximum only a small sliver of the Moon will be covered by the darker umbra. Here are the times (EDT):
8:41 pm: Moon enters penumbra
10:12 pm: Moon enters umbra
10:44 pm: Maximum eclipse (8.5% in umbra)
11:16 pm: Moon leaves umbra
12:47 am: Moon leaves penumbra
Mercury
The first three weeks of July will provide a chance to catch Mercury above the western horizon after sunset. It will pass through the Beehive Cluster on July 6.
Venus
In July, Venus reappears in the evening sky, but it will remain quite low in west for the entire summer. At about magnitude -3.9, it should be easy to spot in the twilight glow if you have a good view to the west.
Mars
This summer, Mars will be visible in the east and southeast during the early morning hours. Telescopically, its red disk will be small, ranging from about 5.4″ in July to 7.2″ in September. During the morning of August 14, Mars will have a very close conjunction with Jupiter, passing just 0.3 degrees north of the giant planet.
Jupiter
Jupiter will be an early-morning object during the beginning of summer, but by mid-September it will be rising in the east late in the evening. As noted for Mars, these two planets will be very close on August 14.
Saturn
Saturn is in Aquarius, rising around midnight in July, around mid-evening in August, and around sunset in September. It reaches opposition on September 8. Its rings are gradually closing up from our viewpoint, giving a very different look compared to what we have seen in the last few years.
Uranus
This summer, Uranus will be in the morning sky in the constellation Taurus. By mid-September it will be rising around midnight. A finder chart can be found at: https://theskylive.com/uranus-info
Neptune
Throughout 2024, Neptune will be trailing Saturn across the sky, lagging behind the ringed planet by less than an hour. At about magnitude 8, it can be found with binoculars or a small telescope. Here is a finder chart for Neptune: https://theskylive.com/planetarium?obj=neptune
Deep Sky Objects
It is always fun to observe old favorites such as the Ring Nebula and the Hercules Cluster, but there are hundreds of other deep sky objects to seek out on a warm summer evening. Here are some lesser-known objects that are worthwhile tracking down.
Messier 26
Open cluster in Scutum
This is a compact open cluster, about 7′ across, containing about 100 stars. A few dozen stars can be seen through a small telescope, displayed against a rich Milky Way background. Star-hop chart
Messier 28
Globular cluster in Sagittarius
This is a small globular cluster that is bright enough to be seen in binoculars. It appears as a hazy glow less than 1 degree to the northwest of Lambda Sagitarii, the star that forms the top of the teapot asterism. With a medium or large amateur scope, many of its stars can be resolved. Star-hop chart
Messier 56
Globular cluster in Lyra
This is another small but bright globular cluster that can be at least partially resolved into individual stars with a medium or large scope. It is magnitude 8.2, and about 7′ across. Star-hop chart
Messier 75
Globular cluster in Sagittarius
Messier 75 is a distant 68,000 light years away, and it appears quite small and dim through a telescope. It is off by itself in the northeast corner of Sagittarius, far from any other Messier object. Star-hop chart
Messier 92
Globular cluster in Hercules
If you observe any of the globular clusters listed above then search out M92, the difference will be dramatic. M92 is much larger and brighter (magnitude 6.4), and it is an impressive sight through a medium or large scope. Star-hop chart
NGC 6210
Planetary nebula in Hercules
This nebula is fairly small (19″ in diameter), but bright (magnitude 9). Through a telescope it has a soft green color with a brighter center.
NGC 6781
Planetary nebula in Aquila
This is a large but dim planetary nebula, magnitude 11.6. Its diameter of 1.8′ is roughly 50% larger than the Ring Nebula. Through a large scope it has mottled appearance. Star-hop chart
IC 4665
Open cluster in Ophiuchus
This coarse open cluster deserves more attention. It covers more than a degree of sky and is a beautiful sight in binoculars or a rich-field telescope. At magnitude 4.2, it can be glimpsed with the naked eye on a dark night. Star-hop chart
Omicron 1 Cygni
Triple star in Cygnus
This is a very attractive trio because of their contrasting colors–orange, blue, and white. The three stars can be resolved in binoculars (if held steady or on a tripod) and through the smallest of telescopes. The stars are apparently not physically close together but simply in the same line of sight. Star-hop chart
Y Canum Venaticorum, La Superba
Carbon star in Canes Venatici
Carbon stars are known for their deep red color. La Superba is a good example that is pretty easy to find. Its magnitude varies from 4.8 to 6.4, and even at its dimmest it can be easily seen in binoculars or a telescope of any size. Star–hop chart