This whole region is full of rich and beautiful star fields, which are a joy to explore using binoculars.
At this time of the year Sagittarius offers some exceptional deep-sky objects. The globular cluster M22 is visible to the naked eye if you have good observing conditions. The Lagoon Nebula, or M8, lies above the spout of the ‘Teapot’ and is a glowing cloud of gas. Other famous deep-sky objects in Sagittarius are visible through a telescope, including the Trifid Nebula, or M20. Beside Sagittarius, Scorpius contains the bright open clusters M6 and M7, which remain high in the sky this month.
If you’re observing Libra, the Scales, look out for Zubenelgenubi – Arabic for ‘the Southern Claw’ – which is the brighter component of the binary star system Alpha Librae. Its two stars orbit each other, and a pair of binoculars easily shows them.
Looking north, the wonderful globular cluster M5 is also high in the sky this month. It is roughly 25,000 light-years from Earth towards the constellation Serpens Caput. A small telescope brings many of its outer stars into focus. A short hop east over Ophiuchus into Serpens Cauda and you will find the open cluster M16 surrounded by the much fainter Eagle Nebula.
This month’s conjunctions, which is when two astronomical objects appear close to each other, include Venus and Uranus on July 4, the moon and Saturn on July 16, the moon and Venus on July 22, the moon and Jupiter on July 23, and the moon and Mars on July 29. Also, three meteor showers – the Piscis Austrinids, Alpha Capricornids, and Southern Delta Aquariids – will peak between July 28-30.
For further information about the Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society, such as public stargazing nights, event bookings and membership, please visit the society’s Facebook page, or website at www.mpas.asn.au
