Tehachapi Skywatch: The dog days of summer are behind us
Tehachapi Skywatch: The dog days of summer are behind us
By: Dale Hawkins, Tehachapi News Columnist
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Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments I enjoyed this morning with my telescope as the sky was unusually clear of smoke. Day was breaking and I packed up my telescope and lit off the barbeque for the morning's steak and eggs. As I was meditating on the flaming grill, my attention was drawn to a dazzling point of light just above the trees in the pale blue of the morning twilight. My heart was filled with joy, for the appearance of Sirius (pronounced “serious”) in the morning sky has signaled the approach of autumn and cooler days.
This runs contrary to the origin of the term “dog days of summer.” If one were able to see all the way down to the horizon, Sirius would become visible at dawn in early July, thus signaling the start of the hottest part of summer, traditionally July third through August eleventh. The Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians believed that the intense light of Sirius, the brightest star in our sky after the sun, added its own heat to the sun's, thus making for hotter days. The name Sirius means “dog star,” by which it is known throughout a surprising number of cultures. Thus, we still speak of the “dog days of summer.”
However, from my backyard, I don't actually see Sirius rising in twilight until it clears the mountains and the neighbor's roof, which takes another six weeks or so. Therefore, to me it actually signals the coming of cooler days. This is probably the case for most everyone in our mountain valley.
I've found some interest in an astronomy club for the Tehachapi Valley, but we could use some more support. Everyone seems to be so busy. Perhaps we can limit our meetings to star parties and special events. Tell me what you think at hawk@ieee.org.
Manned Space Watch
With Endeavor's successful addition of a new truss to Space Station Alpha, Discovery is preparing for an October 23rd launch to deliver and attach the Harmony Node Module. It will provide an attachment point for Japanese and European modules to be delivered in the coming months.
There are no opportunities for sighting Space Station Alpha this week.
Night Sky Watch
The moon will continue to dominate the evening sky this week. As the moon reaches its full phase on Tuesday morning, Aug. 28, Tehachapi will be treated to the best lunar total lunar eclipse of the decade (if you don't insist that it occur in the evening). Such an eclipse occurs when the earth passes between the moon and the sun. The moon is cast in ruddy light of the combined sunrises and sunsets from around the world. The moon will be about thirty degrees above the horizon, providing a rich opportunity for photographers.
The eclipse will begin at 1:51 a.m., reach totality at 2:52 a.m., which will last for about ninety minutes, and end at 5:24 a.m., about an hour before sunrise.
The Alpha Aurigid Meteor Shower is expected to provide a burst of meteor activity on Saturday morning, September first. As many as three meteors per minute are expected during a two hour period peaking at 4:36 a.m.
Jupiter commands the evening southern sky, outshining all but the moon.
I've received a host of e-mails reminding me that Mars will be at its best position for viewing in decades this week. This is not true! Mars will be at opposition - the best position for the year — on Christmas Eve. The next great opportunity will be in 2016. I think these e-mails are in reference to the last really close approach of a few years ago.
Sunrise/Sunset (PDT)
6:25 a.m./7:24 p.m.
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