Autumn is a great time to get started with astronomy for so many reasons, here are a few!

With the longer nights come earlier sunsets, meaning you can get out and see some constellations and clusters without having to stay up super late. Not only are the nights longer, but they’re not nearly as frigid as the coming Winter months, so it’s reasonably comfortable to spend an evening outside without layering for an arctic expedition.

This fall, the planets are offering a rare and spectacular line-up, with brilliant-red Mars coming into view around 10 PM in the eastern sky, Jupiter and Saturn dominating the southern sky, and Venus glaring in the dawn. Past the planets, there’s a gem for binocular users called the Perseus Double Cluster, and also the famous Andromeda Galaxy which spans a staggering four moon-widths across the sky in Andromeda. This galaxy also holds the distinction of being the furthest object detectable with the naked eye, at 2.5 million light-years, though you’ll have to be viewing from a moonless dark site to fully appreciate it.

Speaking of the Moon, this weekend you’ll see a sliver crescent Moon, and for a few days after New Moon (which was yesterday) you can even see a phenomenon called “earthshine” in which the unlit remaining disc of the Moon - the dark part outside of the thin crescent - is illuminated by light reflected from Earth’s surface!

This is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. Stay tuned for more observing highlights to get the most out of this Autumn’s stargazing opportunities.

Plan to join us next week for two events!

First, NASA’s International Observe the Moon Night 2020 will be celebrated online Tues. 9/22 @ 6:00 PM, we’ll be discussing all things Moon-related, and we’ll be joined by local naturalist Lexie Martinez who will talk about how the Moon affects wildlife.

Visit our local event page HERE to learn more!

Also, Wednesday 9/23 @ 6:00 PM for our virtual program “Equinox” where we’ll cover why the seasons change and how the Earth moves in some strange ways!

Email LBmartin@cityofwestminster.us to register for either (or both!) of these free virtual programs.

Check back each weekday @ 5:00 pm for more observing guides and science news!

Learn more at: www.StandleyLakeStargazing.com and on Facebook www.facebook.com/StandleyLakeStargazing

If you'd like to support us, visit www.patreon.com/StandleyLakeStargazing

Looking for a new telescope? The experts at Mile High Astronomy in Lakewood would love to help you out, visit them at www.milehighastro.com and www.facebook.com/MileHighAstro/

Leave comments and questions on our page and feel free to reach us directly at contact@standleylakestargazing.com. As always-

Stay well, and clear skies!

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Why Autumn is Great for Stargazers