Three things in particular interest me this August, those being a partial lunar eclipse, an excellent year for the Perseid meteor shower, and the return of Saturn to the evening sky.
Our third month of the year brings us a total Lunar Eclipse, the vernal equinox, and a nice pairing of the Moon and Jupiter. Hopefully the clouds will part at the right time for viewing some of these events.
Happy New Year! Welcome to January. Our first month features Jupiter’s closest approach for the year, and plenty of bright stars to view. Nights will be cold and mostly cloudy, but step outside when skies clear for a stunning view, even if it is a short one!
Welcome to March! As I write this in mid-February, it sure does not look much like spring here in wintry Trout Lake. But I know change is coming as the season inevitably progresses.
Our first full month of fall is here. Saturn rides higher in the evening sky, and Jupiter joins the party late in the month. Darkness falls earlier, a good month to get in some dark sky viewing when skies are clear!
On Aug. 21 shortly after 10 a.m. the morning looked like 8:15 p.m. as the 98 percent totality eclipse shaded the Gorge in brief dusk conditions for about two minutes, and caused a notable drop in air temperature.
The moon's shadow passing directly in front of the sun, blotting out all but the halo-like solar corona, was reported Monday to have been the most watched celestial event in human history. Millions across the United States travelled to key viewing areas and tens of thousands came to Central Oregon, many passing through Wasco County.
