Stars over Sisters

The month starts out with a new moon on June 1. This means that we will not be able to see the moon, due to its face being dark. On June 9, the first quarter occurs, with the right half of the moon illuminated. The full moon will be on June 15, with the whole face of the moon lit up. By June 23 only the left side of the waning moon will be visible in the early morning.

The summer solstice occurs on June 21. At that time the North Pole will be tilted towards the sun, allowing the sun to achieve its northernmost position in the sky as it lies directly over the Tropic of Cancer, signaling the first day of summer.

Saturn is still in Virgo and easily visible in the southwest from dusk until it sets after 1 p.m. If you ever get an opportunity to observe this ringed gas giant through a telescope, by all means do so. It is spectacular. Venus, Mars, and Jupiter are all in the morning sky and can be viewed before sunrise. By month's end, Mercury becomes an evening object.

The Lyrid meteor shower will peak on June 15, when about 10 meteors per hour will appear to emanate from near the bright star Vega in the constellation of Lyra. Unfortunately, a full moon will make seeing any meteors difficult.

This month we will take a look at the constellation Ophiuchus. According to Roman mythology, Ophiuchus represents the healer Asclepius, who learned the secrets of keeping death at bay after observing one serpent bringing another healing herbs. To prevent the entire human race from becoming immortal under Asclepius' care, Zeus killed him with a bolt of lightning, but later placed his image in the heavens to honor his good works.

Ophiuchus is home to many globular star clusters that contain some of the oldest stars in our galaxy. M10 is the biggest and brightest of these clusters (see photo). Ophiuchus is bordered by the neighboring constellations of Serpens, Scorpius, Aquila and Hercules.

To learn more about the night sky, you can attend the next Sisters Astronomy Club meeting, Thursday, June 2, at Sisters Park & Recreation District's Coffield Center, beginning at 7 p.m. No Stars Over Sisters star watches are scheduled this month.