Caribbean Compass Yachting Magazine - June 2020

THE CARIBBEAN SKY: FREE SHOW NIGHTLY!
june 2020 CARIBBEAN COMPAss pAGE 28
The Sky from
Mid-June
to Mid-July
by Jim Ulik
Is a pandemic the preferred method of reducing pollution? Of course not. But it
didn’t take long for the lockdowns designed to control Covid-19 to clear the air of
many of the pollutants released by power plants, industry, vehicles and air travel.
The European Space agency (ESA), South Korea and NASA have
satellites that continually monitor worldwide air quality issues that
negatively affect human health. The satellite data has recorded a
significant reduction in pollutants coinciding with lockdown measures
imposed by governments across the world.
This reduction in pollution, however temporary, has cleared the
skies for stargazers, astronomers and those who enjoy the sight of a
distant landscape without the haze from pollution. More stars can be
seen in dark sky locations. Maybe a star or two can even be seen in
urban environments.
Asteroid Day (June 30th) was established to inform the public
about asteroid risks. In addition, the organizers want to “inspire
people and young minds to look up into the sky and to be excited
about our Solar System.” The improved atmospheric clarity during
this period will aid astronomers in the discovery of asteroids that
may threaten Earth. A perturbation from another asteroid or the
gravitational pull from another celestial object may send an asteroid
towards Earth.
Tuesday, June 16th
The June Lyrids meteor shower takes place within the boundaries
of the constellation of Lyra. Look for Vega, the bright star in the
northeast sky. The shooting stars will radiate out from an area near
Vega at 33 km/s (approximately 74,000 mph). This shower is active
June 11th through 21st, reaching its peak tonight.
Friday, June 19th
Over the last few days Venus has transitioned into a morning
apparition. This morning, low in the eastern sky, there is a close
approach between the fine crescent Moon and Venus in the constellation
Taurus. Above this celestial pairing is the Seven Sisters or
Pleiades. The bright star above the eastern horizon is Aldebaran.
Other planets up this morning are Mars, Saturn and Jupiter. Mars
is all alone high overhead. Saturn and Jupiter are together in the
western sky.
Saturday, June 20th
Call it the summer solstice or June solstice, today is the first day
of astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere. The position of
Earth in its orbit combined with its tilt places the Sun in its northernmost
point in the sky. The Sun is now over 23.5 degrees north
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA
latitude or the Tropic of Cancer for a few days before it starts its procession south.
If you see a shooting star tonight it could be from the Ophiuchids. This meteor
shower will peak tonight with a number of meteors radiating out the eastern sky.
This shower is active May 19th through July 2nd.
Sunday, June 21st
Be aware that some posts on the internet regarding today’s solar eclipse may neglect
to mention that the eclipse is not visible in the Caribbean. It will only be visible in
south/east Europe, Asia, north Australia, Africa, the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
What you will be able to see in the night sky are faint objects such as galaxies and
star clusters, because it is the New Moon. Be aware that the dark sky will offer better
viewing for the five active meteor showers.
Saturday, June 27th
The June Boötid meteor shower will be active from June 22nd through July 2nd.
As this is a variable shower it has been known to produce a peak rate of 100 meteors
per hour. On the other hand it may only produce a few. The shooting stars will fire
out of the northern sky from an area near the Boötes constellation.
Other meteors arcing across the night sky could be from the June Scutids. Peaking
tonight, this shower emanating out of the constellation Scutum, the shield, runs
from June 2nd through July 29th. The Moon may prevent spotting a few meteors
until it sets around midnight. The Moon reaches first quarter on June 29th.
—Continued on next page
The orbit of the Trojan
asteroid 2010 TK7 in green.
It continually passes in front
of or behind Earth as it
follows our planet’s path
around the Sun.
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