SkyTips: July 2013
Titanic Vortex
A large mass of clouds swirls around the south pole of Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, in this view from the Saturn-orbiting Cassini spacecraft. [NASA/JPL/SSI]
A large mass of clouds swirls around the south pole of Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, in this view from the Saturn-orbiting Cassini spacecraft. [NASA/JPL/SSI]
Stargazing Summary
Scorpius and Sagittarius highlight the July sky, scooting low across the south during the night. Bright orange Antares highlights the scorpion’s hook-shaped body, with teapot-shaped Sagittarius to its left. Under dark skies, the Milky Way rises from the teapot’s spout like steam. Meanwhile, the Big Dipper stands high in the north and northwest during the evening, looking especially dipper-like, with its handle to the upper left and bowl at the lower right. And the brilliant Summer Triangle is in good view in the east by mid-evening and climbs high overhead in the wee hours of the morning.
More stargazing information »
More stargazing information »
Radio Program Highlights
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July 1-7: Blasting Away. Some of the most powerful explosions in the universe come from stars at opposite ends of the size scale. Please join us for some big explosions from big and little stars, plus a surprising fact about the summer Sun.
July 8-14: Evening Encounters. The Moon passes by the "evening star" and the heart of the lion this week — two objects that are also getting ready to pass each other. Please join us for this skywatching logjam in the early evening sky.
July 15-21: Moon Meanderings. The Moon passes the bright planet Saturn this week, plus the brightest stars of Virgo and Scorpius — two of the brightest stars in all the night sky. Please join us for this and other close encounters in the night sky.
July 29-31: From Spiders to Water Bears. More than 500 people have flown in space — but they're not the only passengers to Earth orbit. Please join us for stories of an orbital menagerie — from wobbly spiders to hardy little tardigrades — plus much more.
July program schedule »
Hear StarDate every day on more than 300 radio stations nationwide.
July 1-7: Blasting Away. Some of the most powerful explosions in the universe come from stars at opposite ends of the size scale. Please join us for some big explosions from big and little stars, plus a surprising fact about the summer Sun.
July 8-14: Evening Encounters. The Moon passes by the "evening star" and the heart of the lion this week — two objects that are also getting ready to pass each other. Please join us for this skywatching logjam in the early evening sky.
July 15-21: Moon Meanderings. The Moon passes the bright planet Saturn this week, plus the brightest stars of Virgo and Scorpius — two of the brightest stars in all the night sky. Please join us for this and other close encounters in the night sky.
July 22-28: In the Core. We'll take you to the heart of the Milky Way galaxy this week, with the latest on its supermassive black hole, and the clouds of young stars and younger stars that surround it. Please join us for the heart of the Milky Way and more.
July 29-31: From Spiders to Water Bears. More than 500 people have flown in space — but they're not the only passengers to Earth orbit. Please join us for stories of an orbital menagerie — from wobbly spiders to hardy little tardigrades — plus much more.
July program schedule »
Hear StarDate every day on more than 300 radio stations nationwide.
This Month in StarDate Magazine
In the July/August issue, learn how astronomers continue to find nearby stars in 'Mister Sol's Neighborhood.' And Melissa Gaskill returns to StarDate with a feature on how amateur astronomers are contributing to the pros' research in 'Helping Eyes.'
Subscribe today »
Subscribe today »
Special Viewing Nights on the Struve Telescope
The 82-inch Special Viewing Night is back and it's better than ever! After extensive upgrades to the 82-inch telescope, such as automated pointing and a brand new focal reducing system, the original McDonald telescope — the 2.1 meter Otto Struve — is, arguably, one of the largest and finest telescopes in the world through which routine public viewing is allowed. Come and experience this unique program yourself! Book for July today and stayed tuned for August-November dates to be announced soon.
Book now »
Book now »
News From the Observatory
Texas Astronomers Discover Pulsations in Crystalized, Dying Star
Astronomers from The University of Texas at Austin and colleagues have used the 2.1-meter Otto Struve Telescope at McDonald Observatory to discover pulsations from the crystalized remnant of a burnt-out star. The finding will allow astronomers to see below the star’s atmosphere and into its interior, much like earthquakes allow geologists to study compositions below Earth’s surface.
Astronomers from The University of Texas at Austin and colleagues have used the 2.1-meter Otto Struve Telescope at McDonald Observatory to discover pulsations from the crystalized remnant of a burnt-out star. The finding will allow astronomers to see below the star’s atmosphere and into its interior, much like earthquakes allow geologists to study compositions below Earth’s surface.
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About SkyTips
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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