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Nightfly Astrophotography
Blog
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Tue, 01 Jul 2008
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July Evenings in Downeast Maine
The most awe-inspiring sight in the summertime
night sky is our Milky Way galaxy. Late evenings
away from city lights offer spectacular views
that surpass many people's expectations of what
is visible in a dark sky free of light pollution,
indeed Downeast Maine's rural areas offer the
finest views east of the Mississippi.
To enhance your vision's ability to see fainter
stars, take time for your eyes to adapt to the
dark. Use a flashlight sparingly and only with a
red filter over it. Red light will preserve most
of your night vision. Remember to plan your
outing to see the Milky Way when the Moon is not
present, which is the first and last week of this
month.
The view starts directly overhead in the
constellation Cygnus and flows toward the
southern horizon to Sagittarius and Scorpius.
Most impressive are the billowy star clouds of
Scutum, Serpens, and Sagittarius. This is a very
busy area of our galaxy. You are looking at the
center of our Milky Way galaxy when you observe
in the direction of Sagittarius.
The softly glowing patches of light you are
seeing are the combined light of millions of
suns! The stars are there, but they eye does not
perceive them individually. Scanning these areas
with binoculars will reveal swarms of stars,
brighter and darker areas of nebulae, and
numerous clusters of stars that will need
detailed star charts to identify!
The Moon steals the show during mid-month,
approaching orange Antares on the evening of the
13th and brilliant white Jupiter on the 16th.
During this time the Moon hangs low on the
horizon, creating a romantic summer scene. Take
time for an evening stroll or venture to a scenic
area to enjoy these wondrous summer nights.
Posted 18:00
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