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JULY PROGRAMS

JUPITER (about the solar system’s largest planet, now dominating the evening sky); EARTH’S NEAREST NEIGHBOR (when the moon is visible); THE SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS; and ASTRO NEWS. Each program runs about 20 minutes, and they generally alternate through the evening at the discretion of the supervisor on duty.

Your Window on the Universe

  • Our Telescopes

    Featuring views of the night skies through our 3 Telescopes!

  • Presentations & Programs

    Astronomy Presentations every Saturday Night!

  • It's all FREE

    There is NO ADMISSION CHARGE

HOURS

We’re open every Saturday year-round.

Hyde may be closed if Saturday falls on or very near a major holiday. If in doubt call first: (402) 441-7094.

  • March 15-August 31

    Sundown to 11 PM

  • September 1-30

    8 PM to 11 PM

  • October 1-March 14

    7 PM to 10 PM

OBJECTS IN THE SKY FOR JULY

Solar System Objects

Jupiter rules the sky all night in July, a bit brighter and bigger than it has been in 5 years. Saturn rises about an hour after sunset at the start of the month, and just before sunset by the end of July. That puts it low in the southeast for most of the evening, but high enough for the telescopes. The only problem on hot summer evenings is that we’re looking through Earth’s cooling atmosphere, which churns with currents that distort telescopic objects that are far from the zenith (overhead). So, especially right after sunset, Saturn and Jupiter may appear fuzzy and a bit out of focus.

The Moon

Lunar phases this month: Saturday, July 6 is 4 days after New Moon, so it is a beautiful crescent in the southwest. On Saturday the 13th, the moon is between First Quarter and Full with a sharp terminator (the line between light and darkness) cutting across the disk, making for shadows that help pick out surface features. On the 20th, the moon is past Full phase, so it rises well after sunset — and about 20 minutes after the observatory closes. On July 27th, the moon is past 3rd Quarter and rises long after the observatory is closed, so no lunar viewing on the 20th and 27th.

Deep Sky Objects

Deep Sky Objects are those beyond the solar system: galaxies, nebulae and stars. Our visual guides to these objects are the constellations. The summer constellations are high in our evening sky. Leo (the lion) , Virgo with its bright star Spica, Bootes (the herdsman) defined by its bright star Arcturus are joined by the Summer Triangle in the east: Deneb in Cygnus (the swan), Altair in Aquila (the eagle) and Vega in Lyra (the lyre).

Check out our new Celestron 14″ Telescope

Stop by Hyde Observatory and See the Universe!