2017 Week 39: (September 24-30)

It is now officially Fall and the end of September is just around the corner!  This means cool weather but skies that are dark earlier!

Date	Event
September 27	Saturn 3°S of Moon
September 27	First Quarter

After the pile up on the ecliptic last week we do not have anything tremendously exciting this week.  You may still be able to see Jupiter setting after the Sun just after sunset.  Saturn will still be visible in our southern sky and will be in conjunction with the First Quarter moon on the 27th.

It the absence of defined events throughout the week it will be good to highlight some great easy deep sky sights that are in the sky throughout the entire season.  There are three deep sky objects that are popular with binoculars in the northeastern sky.  Most people can find the 'W' shaped constellation of Cassiopeia in the northeast.  Using this constellation, several great objects can be found, even with basic 7x35 binoculars.  Highlighted below are the Andromeda Galaxy, Double Cluster and Melotte 20 - The Alpha Persei Group.

The pointy part of Cassiopeia points right to the Andromeda Galaxy about 3-4 binocular fields of view away.

About 2 binocular fields beneath the northern edge of the 'W' is the Double Cluster.  The Double Cluster, much like the Andromeda Galaxy are naked eye objects from a dark sky site.

Finally, an object I have yet to put in the scope is the Alpha Persei Group.  Just stick the Alpha star of Perseus in your field of view and you should be able to see a beautiful open cluster.

Northeastern Autumnal Sky

Neptune and Uranus are making their presence known throughout the southern sky.  You can catch Neptune right next to Lambda Aqaurii in a telescope from urban skies.  Uranus is still hanging out in neighbouring Pisces within the same telescope field of view as Omicron Piscium.  More specific details of finding the ice giants of our solar system will follow later in the week.

Major astronomy events around Calgary are coming up in October!  October 14 will be the semiannual Fish Creek Star Night!  It is located at the Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre just off of 130th avenue West.  What a great event!  This event was what got me interested in visual astronomy in the first place!

Also, on October 28 there will be a star night at Ralph Klein Park.  There will be lectures and many scopes pointing to the sky showing the amazing wonders to be seen.

Both of these events start at 7pm and continue until 10pm.  We will be there to answer questions and show you some of my favourite objects above.  Keep tuned to the Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/simonjastronomy/) for details closer to the time!

The Rothney Astrophysical Observatory will be having their monthly open house on October 21.  The theme will be science fiction and there will be a lecture on nuclear science!  The price of $30 per vehicle is well worth the adventure!  Pack the minivan full of kids and head on out!