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NAVIGATING THE SUMMER NIGHT SKY

THE MILKY WAY, THE SUMMER TRIANGLE, AND DEEP-SKY TREASURES

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WHAT YOU WILL LEARN TODAY

  • AN OVERVIEW OF THE NEW JERSEY NIGHT SKY DURING THE SUMMER
  • USE THE STARS AS A MAP TO FIND YOUR WAY AROUND THE SKY
  • LEARN TO IDENTIFY AT LEAST THREE CONSTELLATIONS (AND PROBABLY MORE!)
  • WHAT YOU CAN SEE THROUGH BINOCULARS OR A SMALL TELESCOPE
  • TAKE A PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR OF THE COSMOS!

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WHY SUMMER IS SPECIAL?

  • Warm nights!
  • Milky Way Season
  • Perseids Meteor Shower

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THE SUMMER SKY AT 10 PM

Insert Stellarium chart

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HOW TO READ A STAR MAP

Understanding Symbols

Learn to interpret the various symbols, lines, and icons on the map that represent stars, constellations, and celestial objects.

Orientation & Navigation

Use cardinal directions and recognizable constellations to orient the map in the night sky for accurate star identification.

Identifying Stars & Constellations

Match the star patterns on the map with those in the sky by comparing shapes, brightness, and relative positions.

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THE SUMMER TRIANGLE

EAST, SUMMER EVENINGS

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THE CONSTELLATIONS OF THE SUMMER TRIANGLE

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VEGA AND LYRA

  • Discuss Vega and the Ring Nebula (M57)
  • Lyra and the double-double.

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DENEB AND CYGNUS

  • Northern Cross, Albireo, North America Nebula.

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ALTAIR AND AQUILA

  • Complete the Summer Triangle.

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SUMMER MILKY WAY

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MILKY WAY FACTS

  • The Milky Way is our home galaxy. 
  • It is a massive, barred spiral containing 100 to 400 billion stars and stretching about 100,000 light-years across.
  • It houses a supermassive black hole at its center, is slowly "eating" smaller galaxies
  • It’s on a collision course with the Andromeda galaxy. 
  • The Earth is located in one of its spiral arms, midway between the edge and the center
  • Almost every star and object we can see in the night sky with our naked eyes lies within our galaxy.

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FOLLOW THE SWAN ALONG THE MILKY WAY

  • Trace the Milky Way from Cygnus to Sagittarius.

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LET’S STAR HOP!

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M13 – THE GREAT GLOBULAR CLUSTER

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HERCULES AND THE KEYSTONE

  • Gateway to M13.

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STAR HOP TO M13

  • Step-by-step navigation exercise.

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STAR HOP TO M13

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CONGRATULATIONS! YOU JUST STAR-HOPPED!

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SCORPIUS

  • Antares and mythology.

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SAGITTARIUS AND THE TEAPOT

  • Finding the galactic center.

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SUMMER DEEP-SKY SHOWCASE

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M13 – HERCULES CLUSTER

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M22 SAGITTARIUS CLUSTER

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TRIFID NEBULA IN SAGITTARIUS

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M8 LAGOON NEBULA IN SAGITTARIUS

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M17 OMEGA NEBULA - SAGITTARIUS

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M 27 DUMBBELL NEBULA IN VULPECULA

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M57 RING NEBULA IN LYRA

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BINOCULAR TREASURES

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OBSERVING TIPS FOR NJ SUMMERS

Top 5 Tips for Summer Stargazing in New Jersey

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  1. Get Away From the Lights

Darker skies means more to see

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2. Let Your Eyes Adapt to the Darkness

Patience pays off.

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3. Don't Chase Magnification

Bigger isn't always better.

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4. Know What You're Looking At

A little preparation makes a huge difference.

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5. Comfort = Better Observing

If you're uncomfortable, you'll quit early.

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YOUR SUMMER ADVENTURE BEGINS TONIGHT!