The Sky in August

Meteor Shower

August Contellations & Folklore

By Francine Jackson
Now that the signpost of summer, the Summer Triangle, is reaching its high position in the sky, it's time to use its stars to find some of the dimmer, but still easy to sight, constellations.

Observing Projects for August

A Selection of Double Stars in Corona Borealis

: By Glenn Chaple
It’s time to come out of hibernation! After two months of intense cold weather here in the Northeast, mild temperatures are returning. Celebrate spring with a visit to one of the season’s loveliest constellations, Corona Borealis. The Northern Crown is home to a splendid collection of double stars. Here are ten of the most noteworthy.

Summer Double Stars

: By Nan D'Antuono
The same hazy summer skies that provide excellent views of the planets also bring many double stars within reach of the small-scope user, some of which are close pairs. Here are just a few of these stars, waiting to be observed before the Square of Pegasus rises to announce that fall is but three months away.

Some Bright Summer Double Stars

: By Glenn Chaple
In this modern era of the huge galaxy-gulping Dobsonian reflector, double stars have become the neglected children of the cosmos. That’s too bad, because few heavenly objects have the visual appeal of double stars.
A Selection of Double Stars in Boötes

A Selection of Double Stars in Boötes

: By Glenn Chaple
During the warm summer evenings, the constellation Boötes is perched high in the sky after sunset. The Herdsman is a rich hunting ground for double stars.

A Selection of Double Stars in Scorpius

: By Glenn Chaple
Our summer double star adventure takes us to the southern skies and the constellation Scorpius. The region north and west of, and including, Antares contains a remarkable array of showpiece double and multiple stars.

A Selection of Double Stars in Draco

: By Glenn Chaple
A hazy summer evening may prevent you from observing nebulae and galaxies, but it could afford ideal seeing conditions for high power targets like double stars.
Mizar, The First Double Star

Mizar, The First Double Star

: By Glenn Chaple
The middle star in the handle of the Big Dipper, Mizar is the easiest double star for the novice to locate. It boasts historical importance as the first double star discovered.

Chaple’s Arc

: By Glenn Chaple
Forgive me for the apparent ego trip, but this month I’m going to introduce you to an amazing little asterism called “Chaple’s Arc.” I stumbled upon the Arc in the mid-1970s while looking for the double star h1470.

Epsilon Pegasi: The Pendulum Star

: By Glenn Chaple
Epsilon Pegasi (Enif) is an optical double star comprised of magnitude 2.5 and 8.7 component stars separated by 144 seconds of arc. Pairs this wide usually don’t merit much consideration, but wait! Epsilon Pegasi has a surprise for us.

Izar (ε Boötis)

: By Glenn Chaple
A larger telescope and magnifying power of 200X will readily split Izar and reveal a striking color contrast between the golden yellow primary and its bluish companion. The Russian astronomer Wilhelm Struve, who conducted a double star survey in the late 1820s and early 1830s, nick-named it “Pulcherrima” (The Most Beautiful).

Struve 2816 and 2819: Triple and Double Stars in Cepheus

: By Glenn Chaple
There’s something hypnotic about a double star – two gleaming points of light shining bravely through the surrounding darkness. A triple star is even more mesmerizing. Place a double star and triple star in the same eyepiece field, and the visual effect is stunning. This is what greets the eye when you view the triple/double star combo Struve 2816 and Struve 2819.

Resources

Eyes on the Sky

Eyes on the Sky makes it easier for anyone to find objects in the night sky and/or learn how to use astronomy equipment, and educates about smarter lighting practices. Take a look at the weekly videos to learn what YOU can find in the night sky, this week - naked eye, binocular and telescopic objects are always discussed, so anyone can look up and see planets, stars and other deep sky objects.

SkyMaps.com

An astronomy webstore where you can doanload a free sky map each month to explore, learn and enjoy the night sky

Uncle Al's Starwheels

Learn to identify the constellations by printing and building this simple planisphere.