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Celestial Events Calendar
Monday, August 1, 2005:
12 PM CDT – Comet 37P Forbes will be at its perihelion, its
closest approach to the Sun, juts outside of the orbit of Mars. Since its
aphelion, its furthest point from the Sun, is north and outside of Jupiter’s
orbit.
This is the beginning of the next dues period
for all NHAC members
members have until September 30 to renew their dues
Thursday, August 4, 2005:
Iota Aquarid meteor shower – active July 25 to
August 15
ZHR ~ 2 meteors/hour
5 PM CDT – The Moon is at apogee, the point in its orbit
where it is furthest from the Earth ~ 255,000 miles
10:05 PM CDT – New Moon, the beginning of
lunation cycle 1022
Friday, August 5, 2005:
6 PM CDT – Mercury is at inferior conjunction with the Sun.
Its is between the Sun and the Earth and it is moving from being visible in the
evening sky to being visible in the morning sky.
The Neal Site is open
Saturday, August 6, 2005:
NHAC Summer UNO (Uranus/Neptune opposition) BBQ
& Star Party, BBQ starts at 4:30 PM at the Neal Site
Monday, August 8,2005:
Delta Aquarid meteor shower – active July 15 –
August 25
ZHR ~ 4 meteors/hour
11 AM CDT – Neptune is at opposition, the
Earth is between the Sun and Neptune. Neptune is visible all night since it
rises when the Sun sets and sets when the Sun rises.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005:
3 AM CDT – The Moon is at its descending node. It is
crossing the plane of the Earth’s orbit and heading southeast.
8 AM CDT – The Sun leaves the astronomical constellation of
Cancer the crab and enters the astronomical constellation of Leo the lion.
On this date in 1990 the Magellan radar mapper arrived at
Venus.
Thursday, August 11, 2005:
On this date in 1877 Asaph Hall discovers Deimos, a moon of
Mars.
Friday, August 12, 2005:
Perseid meteor shower – one of the best meteor showers of
the year, active: July 17 – August 24, ZHR ~ 100 meteors/hour
9:39 PM CDT – First Quarter Moon
The Neal Site is open
Saturday, August 13, 2005:
The Neal Site is open
Monday, August 15, 2005:
8 AM CDT – Mercury is stationary relative to the stars, it
ceases retrograde westward motion and resumes its normal prograde eastward
motion.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005:
Kappa Cygnid meteor shower – active August 3 –
August 25
ZHR ~ 3 meteors/hour
On this date in 1877 Asaph Hall discover Phobos, the second
moon of Mars
Friday, August 19, 2005:
Iota Aquarid meteor shower – active August 11
– August 25
ZHR ~ 3 meteors/hour
1 AM CDT – The Moon is at perigee, the point in its orbit
where it is closest to the Earth ~ 224,000 miles
12:54 PM CDT – Full Moon, green corn moon or
grain moon, a full Moon at perigee should produce larger than normal high
spring tides
Monday, August 22, 2005:
4 PM CDT – the Moon is at its ascending node, it is crossing
the plane of the Earth’s orbit and heading northeast
8 PM CDT – The Sun leaves the astrological sign of Leo the
lion and enters the astrological sign of Virgo.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005:
6 PM CDT – Mercury it at its greatest elongation west, it
appears the furthest from the Sun in the morning sky
Wednesday, August 24, 2005:
On this date in 1989, Voyager 2 flew past Neptune
Thursday, August 25, 2005:
Gamma Leonid radio meteor shower
On this date in 1981, Voyager 2 flew past Saturn
Friday, August 26, 2005:
4 AM CDT – Mercury is at its ascending node, it is passing
through the plane of the Earth’s orbit (ecliptic) and is heading northwest
10:19 AM CDT – Last Quarter Moon
76th Meeting of the North Houston Astronomy Club at
Kingwood College
pre-meeting programs start at 6:30 PM and the meeting begins at 7:30 PM
Sunday, August 28, 2005:
On this date in the year 1789 William Herschel discovered
Saturn’s moon Enceladus
Wednesday, August 31, 2005:
7 PM CDT – Venus is at its descending node
8 PM CDT – Mercury is at perihelion, its closest approach to
the Sun
~28.6 million miles