For the past decade or so, I’ve been writing a monthly astronomy column for a large organization of amateur astronomers. The column was called, “What’s UP?” and it covered the stargazing highlights for a given month.

Recently, I’ve retired as the regular columnist to pursue other interests. However, since I’m used to penning a column every month, I see no reason why I can’t continue the same tradition here at monkeyPi. So, if you’re even a teeny bit interested in the night sky, make a note to stop by around the first of every month. I try to target audiences of all interest and skill levels.

The first part of the article is always called “What’s New,” and it usually covers sky events that anyone can enjoy. Typically, the highlights contained within this section can be seen with the naked eye or a decent pair of binoculars. You’ll read about the planets, the Moon, meteor showers, eclipses, etc.

The second recurring section is called “What’s Old,” where I discuss more advanced topics. Every month I will list the available Messier objects within a short distance of the meridan at local midnight, along with other notable observing opportunities. Most of these events require at least a good pair of binoculars to enjoy; many times you will need a telescope to see them.

So… with that introduction, here is the June 2006 “monkeyPi” edition of “What’s UP?”

What’s New
The highlight of the month is the conjunction between Saturn and Mars on the 14th. Just after sunset, look to the west and you’ll see the two planets just a few “outstretched thumbnails” apart. If you have binoculars, you’ll see that there is a gorgeous open star cluster between the two of them. This cluster is M-44, nicknamed the “Beehive,” due to its apparent random star-swarm appearance. When you observe this sight, do your best to keep a “3-D” mindset. Even though the planets seem close together in our sky, Saturn is over five times farther away than Mars. If that seems impressive, the Beehive cluster that lies between those planets is over 14 billion times farther away than Mars!

Normally, June is not considered a great month for observing meteor showers. The nights are not that long, and the long morning twilight washes out most of the fainter meteor activity. However, there are two minor meteor showers (the Tau Cetids and the June Bootids) that peak around the 27th. Each has an hourly rate of 2-3 meteors per hour. Two days later, the Tau Aquarids peak; they also bring about 2-3 meteors per hour. On any given night, if you’ve got clear skies, the average meteor rate is ~6 sporadic meteors. So… you’ve got a decent chance to see up to about a dozen or more meteors per hour during the last few days of the month, especially before morning twilight - if the skies are dark. And the Moon will be quite young; if you see it at all, it will be shortly after sunset in the west, and it’ll set soon after.

What’s Old
If you were overwhelmed by the enormous amount of Messier objects visible at the meridian at local midnight last month, June offers a chance to catch up. There are only two M-objects visible within +/- 15 degrees of the meridian at midnight on the 15th. The first is the fine globular cluster M-5, located in Serpens Caput. This constellation represents the “head” of the snake that the serpent bearer Ophiuchus is holding. M-5 is a favorite target for RR-Lyrae hunters, having an unusually enormous population of them (over 100).

Ophiuchus

Did you ever wonder why Ophiuchus is often pictured holding a snake? Ophiuchus (also known as Asclepius) was the Greek god of medicine and healing. Ancients thought that snakes symbolized life’s renewal, due to the annual shedding of their skins. Fittingly, they were therefore kept in Asclepius’s shrines, and he is often pictured with them.

Moving on, just about 2 degrees south-southwest from M-5 is another globular, Palomar 5. P-5 is 11.8th magnitude; you’ll need to use a high powered eyepiece to resolve the individual stars. When observing these clusters, make sure to be patient and keep moving your eye around the field. After your brain becomes used to the sight, it will become easier to resolve the fainter stars. Unlike open clusters, which have stars of similar brightness, globulars have a great dynamic range. Swimming among the brighter members, there reside hundreds of thousands of dimmer ones, making for an overall ashen appearance. The contrast is really quite beautiful, and probably the reason why most manage to make a pass by M-5 at least once during every observing session.

The second Messier object is nicknamed the “Pinwheel Galaxy”, or M-101. This is also referred to as M-102, due to some confusion between groups of astronomers in the late 1700’s. It is located in Ursa Major and shines at magnitude 7.7. Because it lies only 15 million light years away, the nucleus is fairly noticeable in even small telescopes. But to see the galaxy’s namesake spiral arms (which reach out to about a moon-width in diameter), you’ll need large apertures and dark skies. While you’re looking northwards, check out the elliptical galaxy NGC-5866 in Draco. It’s a 10th magnitude galaxy with a sharp, narrow dust lane.

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