Sky Tips July 2012
Stargazing Summary
This month is all about triplets. In the evening sky it's Mars, Saturn, and Spica, which are roughly the same brightness this month. They are in the southwest at nightfall and drop from view around midnight. The grouping is tightest at the end of the month. And in the morning sky it's Venus and Jupiter — the two brightest objects in the night sky after the Moon — and Aldebaran, the brightest star of Taurus. They are bunched most tightly in the first half of the month, and are in the east at first light.
Radio Program Highlights
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July 2-8: A Big Hat. One of the most photogenic galaxies around is the Sombrero — a big spiral that looks like a wide-brimmed Mexican hat. We'll explain why the galaxy looks that way, and how it was important the history of astronomy.
July 9-15: Points on a Triangle. The bright Summer Triangle highlights the evening sky this month, and we'll have details on two of its three points — bright Altair, and brighter Vega. Join us for the Summer Triangle and much more.
July 16-22: Comet Tales. One of the best-known comets was discovered 150 years ago this week, and we'll have details on its discovery, its discoverers, and why it's so well known. Join us for this, plus a cosmic hailstorm and a "great" cosmic city.
July 23-29: Moon Meanderings. The Moon passes a beautiful array of bright lights this week — from the planet Mars early in the week, to the rival of Mars over the weekend. We'll have details on all the Moon's encounters plus much more.
July 30-31: The Swan. Cygnus, the swan, soars gracefully through the Milky Way on summer evenings. The constellation is home to one of the most appealing double stars in the night sky, as well as one of the first confirmed black holes.
July Program Schedule »
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Premium Audio: Listen to today's program today on-demand with a paid subscription to StarDate premium audio.
July 2-8: A Big Hat. One of the most photogenic galaxies around is the Sombrero — a big spiral that looks like a wide-brimmed Mexican hat. We'll explain why the galaxy looks that way, and how it was important the history of astronomy.
July 9-15: Points on a Triangle. The bright Summer Triangle highlights the evening sky this month, and we'll have details on two of its three points — bright Altair, and brighter Vega. Join us for the Summer Triangle and much more.
July 16-22: Comet Tales. One of the best-known comets was discovered 150 years ago this week, and we'll have details on its discovery, its discoverers, and why it's so well known. Join us for this, plus a cosmic hailstorm and a "great" cosmic city.
July 23-29: Moon Meanderings. The Moon passes a beautiful array of bright lights this week — from the planet Mars early in the week, to the rival of Mars over the weekend. We'll have details on all the Moon's encounters plus much more.
July 30-31: The Swan. Cygnus, the swan, soars gracefully through the Milky Way on summer evenings. The constellation is home to one of the most appealing double stars in the night sky, as well as one of the first confirmed black holes.
July Program Schedule »
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StarDate Magazine
July/August brings you our Summer Reading Issue. We'll share feature-length excerpts from several new books in astronomy and space to help you plan your summer reading, as well as the latest astronomy news, summer skywatching tips, and star charts.
Show Your Support For Science Education
At every level of government, civic and elected leaders speak in agreement about the need to improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) opportunities in elementary and secondary schools nationwide. McDonald Observatory has worked for decades with this mission in mind, giving teachers the tools they need for lesson planning and classroom instruction. Please help us continue this work by making a donation to McDonald Observatory's 2012 Annual Fund. Gifts are 100% tax-deductible and any amount helps.
News From The Observatory
Komatsu Shares Gruber Cosmology Prize with WMAP Team
The Gruber Foundation and the International Astronomical Union recently announced that the members of the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) team, including University of Texas at Austin professor Eiichiro Komatsu, are the recipients of the $500,000 Gruber Cosmology Prize for 2012. Komatsu is the director of the university's Texas Cosmology Center.
The Gruber Foundation and the International Astronomical Union recently announced that the members of the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) team, including University of Texas at Austin professor Eiichiro Komatsu, are the recipients of the $500,000 Gruber Cosmology Prize for 2012. Komatsu is the director of the university's Texas Cosmology Center.
High School Students Explore Research, Social Media at McDonald
Ten high school students recently spent a week at McDonald Observatory learning to use telescopes to support a study of one of the biggest mysteries in science today: dark energy. They are shared their experiences using social media.
Ten high school students recently spent a week at McDonald Observatory learning to use telescopes to support a study of one of the biggest mysteries in science today: dark energy. They are shared their experiences using social media.
About Sky Tips
SkyTips is a monthly email newsletter for visitors to McDonald Observatory and StarDate Online. Each issue features stargazing highlights, upcoming StarDate radio program descriptions, and other news. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends and family.
SkyTips is a publication of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory Education and Outreach Office, 2609 University Ave. A2100, Austin, TX 78712. Reproduction of SkyTips content is permitted with proper credit given to McDonald Observatory.
SkyTips is a publication of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory Education and Outreach Office, 2609 University Ave. A2100, Austin, TX 78712. Reproduction of SkyTips content is permitted with proper credit given to McDonald Observatory.
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