Kootenai Stargazers Astronomy Club logo (c) 1995

Kootenai Stargazers Astronomy Club

Calendar of Events

The Kootenai Stargazers Astronomy Club meets the third Friday of each month.

Upcoming Meetings and presentations

  • Our July meeting, normally scheduled for Friday July 17, has been cancelled. Please check in again next month for information about our next meeting. Thank you.

What's Up in the Night Sky

    Note: Observations are good for the lower 48 states, but more accurate for the Northwest Area.

  • On July the 4th, Earth reach it's aphelion or the maximum distance from the Sun for the year. That distance is 94,511,180 miles. The mean distance of the Earth from the Sun is 92,955,807 (or 1 Astronomical Unit (1 AU)). Earth's perihelion (or minimum distance from the Sun) will occur on January 4.

  • Both Jupiter (July 14) and Saturn (July 20) reaches Opposition this month. Both planets will be visible the entire night, rising before dusk and setting after dawn. Look for Jupiter in the southern sky just above Sagittarius, Saturn will also be in the southern sky but lower than Jupiter. You will need a clear horizon to the south to see them well.

  • The Southern Delta Aquarids meteor shower runs from July 21 to August 23, It's peak will be from Midnight to dawn on Tuesday July 28 but will be active for a week surrounding that date. This shower usually generates 15 to 20 meteors per hour at the peak from low in the southeast section of the sky.

  • The New Moon occurs on July 20. First Quarter Moon occurs on July27.

  • The Perseid Meteor Shower occurs every year from July 23 to August 23 and reaching its peak from Midnight on August 12 to dawn on August 13. It is possible to have as many as 40 to 50 meteors per hour in the peak time and with very little moonlight, viewing should be good. Look towards the northeast.

  • A new comet has appeared: Comet Neowise. From July 10 to July 15, the Comet will appear low in the northeast sky below the constellation Auriga around 4am to dawn. From July 15 to July 23, the Comet will appear in the northwest sky below Ursa Major approximately 1 hour after sunset. Look for a fuzzy ball with a tail on it. This is a good time to dust off those binoculars and point them to the sky.

April 8, 2024 Next Total Solar Eclipse in the United States