What can you expect to see at the Community Observatory this weekend?

The new moon falls on next Wednesday so both this weekend and next will be very dark. Unfortunately, the prediction is for about 50% cloud cover. We will be monitoring the weather and will decide if we will be open no later than 3 PM on the day of the event. Be SURE to check communityobservatory.com after 3 PM on the day you plan to visit. If we are going to be closed, we will post it by then.
This is our first weekend for our Daylight Savings Time Summer schedule. We will be there from 9:00 until 11:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays until November when we drop back to standard time.
Jupiter and Uranus are the only planets that you are likely to see this weekend. Venus and Saturn will have set in the west before we open. This year’s much hyped “Planetary Parade” turns out to be a disappointment.
There are some great deep-sky objects to view this time of the year. Orion continues to impressively occupy the Southern Horizon. Its Orion and Horsehead Nebulae are deservedly fan favorites. Today’s image is the Jellyfish Nebula (IC 433). It is a supernova remnant about 5,000 light years away in the Gemini Constellation which is directly overhead this time of year. It was taken by me on Monday night this week from my property near the observatory.
This is also considered to be “Galaxy Season.” We are positioned in our orbit around the Sun so that our night sky is facing away from the bulk of the Milky Way. There are many gaps between the stars that allow us to see out of our galaxy into interstellar space. The Constellation Virgo (the Virgin) sits directly below the to tail of the lion in the Leo Constellation. The Virgo Cluster is a group of 1300 to 2000+ galaxies in a small area of the sky. Our images from this area often show a dozen or more galaxies in a single frame.
Saturday the 21st of May will feature our annual “Messier Marathon.” If you are interested, please look at the Messier Marathon website for this year’s event (.https://randallh9673.wixsite.com/mysite/about-4) More on this next week.
So, cross your fingers. We MAY be open this Friday and Saturday. Be sure to check communityobservatory.com.

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