Sukkot Under the Stars

Moon: The Moon will be Full. When looking at the Full Moon through a telescope, it helps to use a moon filter to cut down on the brightness. Look around the edges of the Moon for hints of detail.

Planets: Jupiter and Saturn will be visible low in the southeast.

Constellations and Deep Sky Objects: In the north, the Big Dipper hangs low with its bowl in the dipping position. The Whirlpool Galaxy is well-placed tonight, just below the tip of the Big Dipper’s handle. To the right of the Big Dipper is the “W”-shaped constellation Cassiopeia. Look for the bright star Arcturus (in Bootes), and Hercules in the west. The Great Hercules Cluster (M13) can be found along the bottom segment of the Hercules keystone. In the south, look for the two constellations Sagittarius and Scorpius. Look for the three stars of Scorpion’s claws, and the teapot shape of Sagittarius. From a darker location, point your telescope toward the Sagittarius Star Cloud (M24), the Lagoon Nebula (M8), the Trifid Nebula (M20), and the Swan Nebula (M17). Above Scorpius, look for Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer. This coffee-pot shaped constellation contains globular clusters M14, M10, and M12. To the left of Ophiuchus are the constellations Serpens Cauda and Scutum. Scutum contains the spectacular Wild Duck Cluster (M11). The Summer Triangle is at its highest in the sky, with Vega at the very zenith. Cygnus the Swan (the Northern Cross) is to the left of Vega, and Aquila the Eagle is just below Cygnus. Look for open clusters M29 and M39 in Cygnus, and don’t miss the blue and gold double star, Albireo, the Swan’s head. Rising in the east, you will find Capricornus and Aquarius. They are somewhat faint and require a moderately dark sky. The Great Square of Pegasus is also rising. Andromeda is just to the left of the Great Square, and there you will find the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), an incredible 2.5 million light-years distant.