SkyTips: August 2013
Spiders in SpaceArabella, a small garden spider launched into space in 1973, found the trip to orbit a little disorienting at first, as this picture of her first web shows. After a few days, though, she was spinning webs much more like those she produced on Earth. [NASA]
Stargazing Summary
Three of the five planets that are easily visible to the unaided eye congregate in the eastern sky at dawn as the month begins. Dazzling Jupiter stands highest in the sky, with fainter Mars close below it as the month begins and Mercury below Mars. Jupiter and Mars pull higher into the sky each morning, while Mars begins to dive back toward the Sun by mid-month. Scorpius and Sagittarius continue to beckon in the south for much of the night, while the Summer Triangle climbs higher at each nightfall.
More stargazing information »
More stargazing information »
Radio Program Highlights
Welcome New Affiliates: StarDate is pleased to welcome new affiliates in St. Louis (107.3 FM or HD2 96.3 at 7:20 a.m. every morning) and St. Cloud, Minnesota (on KVSC-FM, 88.1 FM, at 9:15 a.m., 4:15 p.m. and midnight every day). If you want to start hearing the StarDate program in your area, you can request a station to carry our program by emailing the request to stations@stardate.org.
August 1-4: Morning Encounters. The Moon slides past a bright array of planets in the dawn sky this weekend, and we'll have the lineup card for you. We'll also talk about an ancient city of stars, plus a pair of stars in a tight orbital embrace.
August 1-4: Morning Encounters. The Moon slides past a bright array of planets in the dawn sky this weekend, and we'll have the lineup card for you. We'll also talk about an ancient city of stars, plus a pair of stars in a tight orbital embrace.
August 5-11: Seeing the Darkness. Thousands of stars are visible in a dark summer sky, plus the starry band of the Milky Way. Yet the glowing stars represent just a tiny fraction of the material that makes up the universe. Join us for dark matter and more.
August 12-18: Hot Planets. We have tales of a couple of hot planets this week — one that gets heated from the outside and inside by its star, and another that actually cools its star. Join us for strange planets, plus Moon rocks that fall to Earth.
August 19-25: Unseen Visions. Our eyes see only some of the wonders of the universe. But forms of energy that are invisible to the human eye reveal many more. Join us for the universe in the infrared and radio waves, plus much more.
August 12-18: Hot Planets. We have tales of a couple of hot planets this week — one that gets heated from the outside and inside by its star, and another that actually cools its star. Join us for strange planets, plus Moon rocks that fall to Earth.
August 19-25: Unseen Visions. Our eyes see only some of the wonders of the universe. But forms of energy that are invisible to the human eye reveal many more. Join us for the universe in the infrared and radio waves, plus much more.
August 26-31: Moon Meanderings. The Moon passes the bright eye of the bull this week. It also passes the brilliant planet Jupiter, and takes aim at Mars. Join us for this and other beautiful close encounters in the night sky.
August program schedule »
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August program schedule »
Hear StarDate every day on more than 300 radio stations nationwide. Find an affiliate »
Coming up in StarDate Magazine
In our September/October issue, find out how astronomers study the behavior of galaxies in giant clusters hoping to crack the mystery of dark matter. We'll also bring you fall skywatching tips, the latest astronomy news, and Merlin's cosmic wisdom.Subscribe today »
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News from the Observatory
Northrop Grumman to Sponsor StarDate
Northrop Grumman, a leading global security company and NASA's partner building the James Webb Space Telescope, will become official sponsor of the nationally syndicated StarDate radio program starting Sept. 1. StarDate is produced by The University of Texas at Austin's McDonald Observatory.
Hemenway Receives National Award for Contributions to Public Understanding of Astronomy
The Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) bestowed its 2013 Klumpke-Roberts Award for outstanding contributions to the public understanding and appreciation of astronomy to Dr. Mary Kay Hemenway of The University of Texas at Austin. Past awardees include Carl Sagan and Isaac Asimov. The award was presented at the society's annual meeting in San Francisco on July 23.
Northrop Grumman, a leading global security company and NASA's partner building the James Webb Space Telescope, will become official sponsor of the nationally syndicated StarDate radio program starting Sept. 1. StarDate is produced by The University of Texas at Austin's McDonald Observatory.
Hemenway Receives National Award for Contributions to Public Understanding of Astronomy
The Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) bestowed its 2013 Klumpke-Roberts Award for outstanding contributions to the public understanding and appreciation of astronomy to Dr. Mary Kay Hemenway of The University of Texas at Austin. Past awardees include Carl Sagan and Isaac Asimov. The award was presented at the society's annual meeting in San Francisco on July 23.
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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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