Pocket Sky-Atlas Challenges for August

The August Sky

Nights are getting a bit longer and darkness comes a little sooner each evening. It seems there is a little more time to observe as summer reaches half life. The sky looks just that much darker through midnight and offers opportunities to peer deeper into the galactic mists. August 12th marks the Perseids’ Meteor Shower, a good time to try and capture some meteor trails with your camera.

Last moment camping trips and over night outings bring opportunities for late summer whole sky observing. Don’t forget you Pocket Sky Atlas, even if you don’t bring an instrument with you. Even naked eye session help you map the night sky in your mind. Toward the end of the month there will be those who will lament summer’s passing; but those who see the glass half full, will look forward to the longer, cooler nights of September and start planning observing or photographic projects now.

 I’ve indexed the object to its star chart page.

Naked Eye

 

M31, Page 3 (find a really nice dark site).
Nekkar (Mag. 3.5 star)Page 53.
Antares (Mag. 1 star)Page 56.
Zubenelgenubi (Mag. 3 star) Page 57.
Shaula, Page 58.
Lesath, Page 58.

 

Larger Scopes

 

M31, 32,101and NGC 206, Page 3.
IC 4593, Page 55 (photo op).
M75, Page 66.
M55, Page 66.
M11, Page 67.
M7, Page 69.

 

Small Scopes and Binoculars

 

 

Zubenelgenubi, (Can you see the double?) Page 57.
M5, Page 57.
Struve 2474, Page 63.
Struve 2470, Page 63.
CR 350 Page 67.
Herschel’s Garnet Star, Page 71,
NGC 7662, Page 72

 

Bonus Objects

 

NGC 6235, Page 56.
NGC 5813, Page 57.
NGC 7008 Page 62.
UGC 10822 Page 63.

 

Happy Hunting!

Notably, this edition of Pocket Sky Atlas Challenges marks a full year of the project. I hope you have enjoyed them and deepened you appreciation of the night sky.

 

Published with permission of John Kulczycki, 2012 all rights reserved.

About the Author

I’ve been a freelance writer for more than 20 years, but I’ve been an amateur astronomer for longer than that. Astronomy is the one science that everyone can try and make significant contributions. All you need to do is take the first step and go outside to enjoy then night sky.

I’ll see you there!