BRESSER Telescope House User Guide

: July 15, 2024
: BRESSER

Table of Contents

BRESSER Telescope House
Product Information
Product Usage Instructions
Frequently Asked Questions
The Solar System
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

BRESSER Telescope House

BRESSER-Telescope-House-product

Product Information

Specifications:

Brand: Telescope House Hosted By Bresser UK
Date: July 2024 Sky Guide
Observation Resources: www.spaceweather.com, Michel Deconinck’s newsletter, AuroraWatch app by Lancaster University

Product Usage Instructions

Solar Observations:

For solar observations, refer to websites like www.spaceweather.com and Michel Deconinck’s newsletter. Additionally, consider using the AuroraWatch app for warnings of auroral events.

Moon Observations:

Follow the Moon’s phases and positions as described in the sky guide for July 2024. Note the specific timings and phases for optimal viewing.

Planet Observations:

Observe Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune as they move through the sky during July. Pay attention to their positions and magnitudes for better viewing experiences.

Cometary Observations:

Track Comet 13/P Olbers and anticipate the arrival of Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) for early 2025. Keep an eye out for potential bright comets in the night sky.

Meteor Observations:

Prepare for the Perseid meteor shower peak in August by observing early participants towards the end of July. Take advantage of optimal meteor watching conditions with minimal lunar interference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I best observe the Moon’s phases and planets mentioned in the guide?
- A: To observe the Moon and planets effectively, ensure you have a clear view of the sky with minimal light pollution. Use a telescope or binoculars for detailed observations.
Q: Are there specific tools or apps recommended for tracking celestial events?
- A: Yes, consider using resources like www.spaceweather.com, Michel Deconinck’s newsletter, and the AuroraWatch app by Lancaster University for up-to-date information on celestial events.

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Those of us living in higher northern latitudes will still be suffering the iniquities of permanent astronomical twilight throughout much of July. Though by the time we get to the end of the month, the situation will have changed somewhat for those in the southern parts of the United Kingdom and France, the Lowlands and Northern Germany. Those at higher latitudes than this will still have to contend with permanent astronomical Twilight throughout the night into August. This part of the summer is traditionally still quite a quiet one for astronomical events, but there are a few choice events, worth looking forward to. Wherever you are, let’s find out what lies in store for us in the sky is above us in the month ahead.

The Solar System

The Sun

Our Parent Star is still at the height of its 11 year cycle so activity and has plenty to interest observers. While we have not had the repeat of May’s extraordinary auroral events, a rerun of recent activity is not beyond the bounds of possibility, considering the Sun’s heightened activity. As the Sun is still ridinghigh in the northern ecliptic, it remains in an almost ideal position for observation for northern hemisphere, observers. As ever, we would always urge caution and a “safety first” policy when it comes to solar observation. You must use a full aperture filter of reasonable quality in order to view the solar surface, or better still a dedicated Hydrogen Alpha or Calcium K telescope to observe the Sun’s surface and atmosphere. As we’ve mentioned in previous sky guides, websites such as www.spaceweather.com and Michel Deconinck’s monthly newsletter:

https://astro.aquarellia.com/doc/Aquarellia-Observatory-forecasts.pdf covers many aspects of solar observations and are well worth checking out. Signing up to the AuroraWatch app, produced by Lancaster University in the UK, is also recommended for those looking for warnings of impending auroral events.

The Moon

Our natural satellite begins July a resident of Aries. Rising at a little after 1:30 am (BST), the Moon shows reasonably thin 26% illuminated waning crescent phase on the morning of the 1st. We do not have to wait too long for the arrival of new Moon, which occurs on the 5th/6th. The Sun will be joined by the Moon in Gemini, with our natural satellite passing to the north of the Sun disc. Were it not for permanent astronomical twilight during this particular time, we would urge deep sky observers and astrophotographers to make the most of the Moon’s absence. However, as the majority of our readership will still find themselves in permanent astronomical twilight during this period, this is one of those rare times when the Moons absence, while still reasonably favourable for observing brighter deep sky targets, is not altogether useful for more serious or challenging deep sky observation. After new phase, the Moon emerges as an evening object on the evening of July 7th, the extremely thin 3.8% illuminated Moon can be found alongside Mercury in the middle of the zodiacal constellation of Cancer. Both objects will require reasonable sky conditions and clear horizons to the west and northwest to observe, but should still be visible to those who choose to take the chance. The next week finds the Moon traversing through the large neighboring constellations of Leo and Virgo and it is in the latter that the Moon comes to
first quarter phase on the evening of the 13th. Post-first quarter, the Moon traverses through the southern part of the ecliptic: through Libra, Scorpius, Ophiuchus, Sagittarius and on into Capricornus, where it will become full on the evening of the 21st. Despite the ending of permanent astronomical twilight for some, this part of the month will not be, for very understandable reasons, ideal for deep sky observations and astrophotography. The Moon will rise a little before 10 pm, transiting at around 1 am and setting at a little before five the following morning (all times BST). Beyond full, the Moon will start to climb up from the “deep south” of the ecliptic, taking in Aquarius, where it will meet Saturn on the night of the 25th, and on into Pisces and Aries. The Moon ends July alongside Jupiter Mars and Uranus in the constellation of Taurus, spending the 30th and the 31st slipping through the northern part of the constellation above its planetary neighbours. This collection of worlds will be visible to those with a clear easterly horizon, who are up early enough and will represent quite a spectacular sight in the pre-dawn sky. On the morning of the 31st, the Moon will display a 19% illuminated crescent phase and rises at a little before 1 am (BST). $BRESSER-Telescope-House-fig $2$$

Mercury

The solar system’s innermost planet will start July on a very positive foot – displaying one of the best evening apparitions for the northern hemisphere observers this year. The planet begins the month in the constellation of Cancer, at a visual magnitude of -0.5, displaying an apparent size of 5.7 arc seconds. The evening of the 1st will find Mercury standing a little over 9° high in the west as the Sun sets (as observed from 51° north). The planet will continue to gain altitude and separation from the Sun over the next few days and will remain a very viable evening target until the latter part of the month (though will have faded a little by the time we get to this point). Mercury will reach its greatest eastern elongation from the Sun on the 22nd of July. While the planet will still be visible until the end of the month, the latter part of July sees Mercury fading and losing altitude, making it a more challenging target. By the time we get to the last day of July, Mercury will be found as a +1.0 magnitude target in Leo, standing a little over 4 1/2° high above the horizon when the sunsets. The planet’s proximity to the much brighter Venus – to be found to its west in the sky – will probably make Mercury an easier find for those with the binoculars at this point in time . $BRESSER-Telescope-House-fig $3$$

Venus

Venus is emerging from early June’s superior conjunction and is still to befound in close proximity to the Sun at the beginning of July. The evening of the seventh sees Venus just 7° to the east of the sun in Gemini. As previously mentioned Venus’ proximity to Mercury (acting as a guide to the position of its fainter neighbour) in the sky is potentially its most useful observational aspect at this time, as the planet will remain too low and close to the Sun for meaningful observation, during the month. By the time we get to the end of the month, Venus will have increased its separation from the Sun to just under 16°, but will still sit very low in the sky at sunset – just over 6° elevation (as observed from 51° north) – as the Sun set on the evening of the 31st. As ever, Venus is the most brilliant of planets at a visual magnitude of -3.9, but we will have to wait a little longer until it has increased its separation from the Sun and moved into a more favourable part of the ecliptic for meaningful telescopic observations. $BRESSER-Telescope-House-fig $4$$

Mars

Mars is slowly, but surely, improving – yet still has some time to go before it is back to its best. The morning of the first finds Mars in the constellation of Aries, flanked by the crescent Moon and the brighter Jupiter. The planet will be at a respectable, if unspectacular +1.0 magnitude, displaying a 5.4 arc second diameter disc at the beginning of the month. The planet will stand around 27° high in the east as the Sun comes up. By mid- month, Mars will have crossed over the border into neighbouring Taurus and can be found under the Pleiades on the morning of the 15th. It will have brightened just fractionally from the month’s beginning to +0.9 magnitude and now displays a 5.6 arc second diameter disc. By the time we get to the end of the month, Mars has become closer to Jupiter and can now be found just to the north of the Hyades in Taurus. The planet is no brighter at +0.9 magnitude, but now displays a 5.8 second diameter disc. Most importantly, it will have reached an altitude of just over 41° elevation (as observed from 51° north) by the time we get to the end of the month. This will put it in an area of sky just before dawn that is less beset with atmospheric turbulence and subsequently – in theory at least – yield better telescopic observations and images. It has to be said that Mars is still a relatively small target and it will be a good few months yet before it has significantly increased size and brightness. However, the trend is most definitely positive as far as the Red Planet is concerned. $BRESSER-Telescope-House-fig $5$$

Jupiter

Jupiter is re-emerging from its recent superior conjunction and has started to make some progress in terms of altitude and separation from the Sun. The morning of the first finds Jupiter resident (as previously mentioned) of the constellation of Taurus, sitting a little to the north of the famous Hyades star cluster. At magnitude -2.0, Jupiter will be unmistakable in the east as the Sun rises and will have attained an altitude of just under 17° (as observed from 51° north) as the sun rises. Come mid-month, Jupiter has brightened a little to -2.1 magnitude and now displays an apparent size of just over 34 arc seconds diameter. The planet will not have changed its position drastically within Taurus, but with its onward march of separation from the Sun, now displays a significant increase in altitude to just under 26° elevation (as observed from 51° north), as the Sun rises. By the time we reach the end of July, things have improved even further as far as Jupiters observational opportunities are concerned. While the planet is no brighter at -2.1 magnitude it’s now displays a 35.5 second diameter disc and will stand at over 37° elevation at sunrise. As we previously mentioned with Mars, this puts Jupiter into a much better position in the sky for telescopic observation and those with prerequisite equipment and the inclination for an early start, will be rewarded by some very reasonable opportunities for observation of the King of the Planets, towards the end of July. $BRESSER-Telescope-House-fig $6$$

Saturn

The ringed planet is distinctly further away from the Sun in Aquarius than any of the previously covered members of the solar system and as such rises at a little after midnight on the 1st and transits in the south at a little before 6 am. The planet is a respectable (if unspectacular) + 1.1 magnitude at present and displays a 17.9 arc second diameter disc on the morning of the 1st. Even though Saturn never attains the significant brilliance that Jupiter does, it is by far away the brightest “star-like” object in its particular area of the ecliptic. As such, it should be relatively easy to find, sitting a little under the prominent ” Square” of nearby Pegasus. While Saturn will not have got quite to transit point in the sky by the time dawn breaks, it is still a respectable 32° above the horizon (as observed from 51° north) on the morning of the 1st. By the time we get to the end of July, Saturn will have brightened a little to +0.9 magnitude and will now display an 18.7 arc second diameter disc. Those with a telescope and the inclination for an early start will find Saturn an extremely worthwhile target at present. However, as we have mentioned in previous sky guides, the planet’s famous ring system is closing from our perspective here on Earth and as such the planet does not appear quite as spectacular as it does at times of wider ring opening. But even if Saturn’s rings are not quite at their best, the closing of the ring system also leads to opportunities for observation of transits of Saturn’s Moons and their shadows. These are much more challenging events to observe then the Galilean satellites equivalents of Jupiter’s are, but can be glimpsed with larger telescopes, when conditions are favourable. $BRESSER-Telescope- House-fig $7$$

Uranus and Neptune

Of the two out of gas giants, Neptune, sitting a little to the east of Saturn is by far away the better observing prospect. At +7.9 magnitude and displaying a 2.3 arc second diameter disk, Neptune will always require either binoculars or Telescope to observe. Once found blue disc is quite unstable and is often lied to a brighter planetary nebula Neptune will rise at a little before midnight in mid-July and will have attained an altitude of over 30° by the time nautical dawn approaches. Uranus is much closer to the Sun than its outer sibling and as such will be much more of a challenge to observe. Mid-July sees Uranus and Mars right alongside each other in Taurus, separated by just over half a degree. However, this conjunction will be a reasonably challenging event to observe in the east before sunrise on the 15th. At +5.8 magnitude, Uranus is technically within naked eye visibility from a reasonable location, but it is doubtless that you will need at least binoculars to be able to make out this particular conjunction. This is the undoubted highlight of the month, as far as Uranus is concerned. $BRESSER-Telescope-House-fig $8$$

Comets

Comet 13/P Olbers is still northern hemisphere-based observers’ brightest cometary target at this time. Having received the “P” (periodical) designation, Comet Olbers has orbital period of around 70 years and is in an orbit described as “Halley-like“. It reached perihelion on the 30th June 2024, so will arguably be at its brightest in early July. This comet will probably be around 7th magnitude during early part of the month and will be found in the constellation of Lynx. The comet is technically circumpolar from many higher Northern latitudes. However, it will brush the horizon quite significantly in the early hours of the morning, so it is really the evenings that suit observations best – certainly as far as the early part of the month goes. Permanent astronomical twilight at this time will do no favours for observation of this target, but it will be interesting to see how it develops. By mid-month, the comet will be moving through Leo Minor and during the latter part of July will be found around the “hind legs” of Ursa Major. 13/P will probably be around eighth magnitude by this point. Not content with the delights of forthcoming comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan- ATLAS), which will hopefully reach naked eye brightness and peak in October of this year, it appears that there is a new potentially bright comet on its way for early 2025. This is C/2024 G3 (ATLAS), which could potentially reach a similar sort of brightness (if not slightly brighter) as C/2023 A3, in January of next year. However, this comet is a so-called “Sungrazer”, whose closest approach to our parent star is inside the orbit of Mercury. It seems this comet’s orbit and perihelion point may be too close to the Sun for the comet to survive closest approach to our parent star. The comet’s lead up to perihelion favours the southern hemisphere for observation, whereas perihelion and just after favours the northern hemisphere, with it looping over the North Pole of the Sun, before the comet returns to the southern skies – if it makes it that far. Ominously, this comet is following a similar profile to C/2012 (ISON), whose fate we covered way back in November 2013. This comet met a rather unfortunate end around its perihelion – though was still tracked right up to this point. As ever, caution needs to be applied to everything comet-wise, but we will be watching this one with interest and bring you further news, when we have it . $BRESSER-Telescope-House-fig $9$$

Meteors

The month of August holds the crown for the most spectacular meteor displays of the summer, with the peak of the ever-reliable Perseids. However, the Perseid shower actually begins in late July, so it’s worthwhile to keep an eye out for some early participants in this year’s event towards the end of the month. The influence of the Moon, nearing new in very late July, will largely be out of the way – creating conditions that are close to ideal for meteor watching

Another notable shower, the Delta Aquariids, reaches its maximum on the night of July 28th/29th and is considered the major meteor shower for July. While the Moon will be lurking in Aries during the night of the 28th/29th, which is not ideal, it will rise around midnight and this will leave the sky free of moonlight, during the evening. While the shower is at its best when the radiant is at its highest in the sky from the northern hemisphere, which doesn’t happen until the early morning, at least the skies will be clear from moonlight at more clement hours of the evening. Traditionally, the Delta Aquariids shower favours observers in the southern hemisphere to some extent, but it can still be seen from various parts of the world. It’s important to note that while the radiant of the shower is located in Aquarius, meteors from the Delta Aquariids can be spotted anywhere in the sky. The best time to view them is after midnight. These meteors have a relatively slower speed, averaging around 41 km/25 miles per second. Consequently, they are not as energetic and bright as some other meteor showers. Nevertheless, the Delta Aquariids are generally reliable and actually represent the more active of the two Delta Aquariid showers (the northern equivalent is less active and peaks in mid-August). The Delta Aquariids originate from Comet 96/P Macholtz, a short-period comet that will next reach perihelion in January 2023. In 2012, observations indicated that a couple of smaller fragments of the comet had detached from the main body, potentially leading to an increase in the Zenithal Hourly Rates of the meteor shower. Currently, the Zenithal Hourly Rates stand at around 15-20 meteors per hour. To capture the shower effectively, the recommended method is to use multiple widefield images. Utilizing a DSLR with a widefield lens or a USB imager with an “All Sky” super-widefield lens would be ideal for this purpose. However, it’s worth mentioning that while observing the Delta Aquariids, you are just as likely to witness an early Perseid meteor. By tracing the path of a specific meteor, you can accurately identify the radiant it originated from.

Deep Sky Delights in Scorpius

Scorpius, also known as the Scorpion, is one of the most striking constellations in the night sky, notable for its bright stars and distinctive shape. Located in the southern hemisphere, it is best observed during the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere. Scorpius is one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy and remains one of the 88 modern constellations defined by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). In some old descriptions the constellation of neighbouring Libra was treated as the Scorpion’s claws. Libra was known as the Claws of the Scorpion to ancient Babylonian and Egyptian Astronomers. In Greek mythology, Scorpius is associated with the story of Orion. According to the myth, the scorpion was sent by the goddess Artemis to kill Orion, a boastful hunter. To commemorate the event, both Orion and Scorpius were placed in the sky, but on opposite sides, so that they never appear in the sky at the same time. Scorpius is often remarked to be almost as spectacular a constellation as Orion – and when seen from the southern hemisphere, or equatorial regions of the planet, high in the sky, it is not difficult to see why. It is often remarked that Scorpius is one of the few constellations that actually looks like the animal it is supposed to represent. It many ways this puts it into a more similar league as Taurus or Cygnus. $BRESSER-Telescope-House-fig $10$$

The constellation of Scorpius. Image created with SkySafari 6 for Mac OS X, ©2010-2024 Simulation Curriculum Corp., skysafariastronomy.com. Antares, or Alpha Scorpii, is the brightest star in the constellation of Scorpius. Classified as spectral type M1, Antares is a red supergiant, a massive star and one of the largest stars visible to the naked eye. If placed at the centre of the Solar System, it would extend out to somewhere beyond the orbit of Mars. Like Betelgeuse in Orion, Antares is a slow irregular variable star that ranges in brightness from an apparent visual magnitude of +0.6, to +1.6. Shaula, or Lambda Scorpii, is a 1st magnitude star which marks the tip of the sting in the scorpion’s tail. This notable star never rises very far from the horizon in the higher latitudes of the northern hemisphere and is not as well known as it would be, were it situated further north. Due to its location, bisecting the Milky Way, close to the centre of our galaxy, Scorpius contains many deep-sky objects. The open clusters Messier 6 (the Butterfly Cluster) and Messier 7 (the Ptolemy Cluster), sit to the north of the “sting” in Scorpius’ tail and at 4th and 3rd magnitude respectively are rather prominent. Both clusters were first catalogued in modern times by Italian astronomer Giovanni Batista Hodierna and awareness of these observations led Charles Messier to include them in his first catalogue in the 1760s. Ptolemy’s cluster has been recorded first by its titular 2nd-century Greek astronomer in 130AD, making it one of the oldest deep sky objects ever recorded. Telescopic observations of the cluster reveal about 80 stars within a field of view of 1.3° across. At the cluster’s estimated distance of 980 light years this corresponds to an actual diameter of 25 light years.

Messier 7, Ptolemy’s Cluster. Image credit: ESO, Creative Commons M6 contains some 120 stars, and is thought to lie around 1560 light years away, with a diameter of around 12 light years.

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Messier 6, the Butterfly Cluster. Image Credit: Guiseppe Donatiello, Creative Commons. Further north from M6 is NGC 6231 – the Tom Thumb Cluster – which is a 8th magnitude Open Cluster. It is 6784 light years from our solar system. Tom Thumb Cluster’s apparent size is approximately 7.0 arc minutes, corresponding to a physical diameter of 14 light years. Two interesting nebulous objects sit to the west of these clusters: NGC 6302 and NGC 6334. NGC 6302, also called the Bug Nebula, is a bipolar planetary nebula of around 7th magnitude. Although compact, relatively modest telescopes will show its hourglass shaped structure. It is thought to lie around 3000 light years from our solar system and was first catalogued in the New General Catalogue in the 1808s. $BRESSER-Telescope-House-fig $13$$

NGC 6334 is an emission nebula and star-forming region. This lies just to the west of Shaula and is also known as the Cat’s Paw or Bear Claw Nebula. NGC 6334 was discovered by astronomer John Herschel in 1837, who observed it from South Africa as part of his survey of the southern hemisphere. Photos clearly show its paw like structure and it has been the subjects of many studies over the years, owing to its prodigious star forming. The nebula lies around 5000 light years from us here on Earth and is thought to be around 40 light years in diameter. Although not especially bright, at around 10th magnitude, the Cat’s Paw is easily picked up in widefield astrophotography. Its notable red colour comes from its abundant hydrogen reserves, which are still coalescing to form new, as yet unseen, stars. $BRESSER-Telescope-House-fig $14$$

Also notable are Scorpius’ globular clusters, Messier 4 and Messier 80. M4 is conspicuous in even the smallest of telescopes as a fuzzy ball of light. It appears about the same size as the Moon in the sky. It is one of the easiest globular clusters to find, being located only 1.3 degrees west of the bright star Antares, with both objects being visible in a wide-field telescope. Modestly sized telescopes will begin to resolve individual stars, of which the brightest in M4 are of around 10th magnitude.

Messier 80 (NGC 6093) is a globular cluster of magnitude 7.3, 33,000 lightyears from Earth. It is a compact Shapley class II cluster; the classification indicates that it is highly concentrated and dense at its nucleus. M80 was discovered in 1781 by Charles Messier. It was the site of a rare discovery in 1860 when Arthur von Auwers discovered the nova T Scorpii . $BRESSER-Telescope-House-fig $16$$