Brian Ventrudo

Farewell to Jupiter, and Hello

July 8, 2016 by Brian Ventrudo Filed Under: Science

Artist's concept of Juno at Jupiter (credit: NASA) — Artist’s concept of Juno at Jupiter (credit: NASA)

If you’ve been following the news this week, you know that Jupiter has a new moon, a man-made moon called Juno. The NASA spacecraft, bejeweled with solar cells and as big as a basketball court, entered an elongated orbit around the big planet on July 4 as it began a 20-month study of the structure of Jupiter. While Jupiter may be fading in the western sky after sunset, still visible but soon to be lost to our telescopes, it will continue to reveal many secrets to Juno during the coming months [Read more…] about Farewell to Jupiter, and Hello

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The Night Sky This Month – July 2016

July 1, 2016 by Brian Ventrudo Filed Under: Celestial Events

The Milky Way towards the constellations Sagittarius and Scorpius. — The Milky Way towards the constellations Sagittarius and Scorpius on June 29, 2016 from northern Virginia, USA. Mars is at lower right, Saturn is near center, and Antares is below Saturn.

In July, the Milky Way wheels into view by midnight and draws the eye towards the constellations Scorpius and Sagittarius. In the northern hemisphere, these stars lie just over the southeastern horizon by midnight, while southern stargazers see these stars– and the thickest part of the Milky Way– almost directly overhead.

But this July, bright planets distract the eye from the deep sky. Ochre-colored Mars, which outshines all stars at the beginning of July, lies just to the west of the red-orange star Antares at the heart of Scorpius. Sand-colored Saturn lies to the east of Antares. Brilliant Jupiter, always attractive in a telescope, fades in the west in the constellation Leo this month. And Mercury and Venus play cat and mouse later in the month after sunset in the western sky. Here’s what to see in the sky this month [Read more…] about The Night Sky This Month – July 2016

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Why Be an Amateur Astronomer

June 23, 2016 by Brian Ventrudo Filed Under: Stargazing

Why-Be-An-Amateur-Astronomer

A lifelong amateur astronomer, Al Nagler worked as a professional optical engineer and designed optics for the flight simulators of the Gemini and Apollo space programs. In 1977, he started his own company, Televue, to design and build premium refractor telesopes and eyepieces with the goal of making stargazing easier and more enjoyable for everyone. He is also the inventor of the famed Nagler wide-field eyepiece, an optical innovation that has vastly improved the visual views of the night sky through a telescope.

In a piece written in 2000 by David Levy, Al spoke of his love of astronomy: “Astronomy is the most wonderful pursuit. If we had more amateur astronomers in the world, we’d solve a lot of fundamental problems. The more people who enjoy and understand our place in the universe, the better our own planet will be. And if I am a Pied Piper in this regard, that’s what I want to be.”

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The Constellation Corona Borealis

June 22, 2016 by Brian Ventrudo Filed Under: Deep Sky

Illustrated star map showing Corona Borealis and Hercules

Corona Borealis, or the Northern Crown, is a small but lovely semicircular constellation just to the east of Böotes, the Herdsman. In the months of May and June, shortly after sunset, the constellation lies nearly overhead for northern-hemisphere observers, and well over the northern horizon for southern stargazers. It’s one of the oldest constellations, and one of the few that vividly resembles its name.

The constellation takes its name from the crown, in Greek legend, given to the maiden Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos of Crete. Ariadne had been abandoned on the island of Naxos by Theseus, the legendary hero who slew the Minotaur. The god Dionysus rescued the maiden, fell in love with her, and gave her a jeweled crown forged by Hephaestus, god of the forge. Ariadne and Dionysus had a happy life together. But she was mortal and eventually died. Dionysus placed her crown in the heavens to remember her [Read more…] about The Constellation Corona Borealis

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Strawberry Moon and Summer Solstice Meet

June 20, 2016 by Brian Ventrudo Filed Under: Stargazing

A strawberry Moon rising over Los Angeles in 2012 (credit: Pacheco at Flickr.com)

Today the Sun reaches the June solstice, its most northerly point on the celestial sphere. This marks the first day of summer in the northern hemisphere and the first day of winter in the southern hemisphere. And for the first time in 68 years, the June solstice occurs on the same day as the June full Moon, often called the Strawberry Moon [Read more…] about Strawberry Moon and Summer Solstice Meet

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