What Can You Expect To See At The Placerville Observatory

July 31 & August 1, 2026 (9:00–11:00 PM)

If you've been waiting for a classic summer evening under the stars, this weekend should be an excellent opportunity to visit the Placerville Community Observatory. Our volunteer astronomers will be welcoming visitors from 9:00 to 11:00 PM on both Friday and Saturday evenings, weather permitting.


Just two days after the Full Buck Moon of July 29, the Moon will be in its waning gibbous phase, still more than 90% illuminated. It will rise during the evening and brighten the sky as the night progresses, limiting views of the faintest deep-sky objects but providing spectacular telescopic views of the Moon itself. Expect to see striking mountain ranges, bright ray systems surrounding young craters, and rugged crater walls highlighted by the changing angle of sunlight.

Even with the bright moonlight, there will be plenty to enjoy. Supernova 2026sqf has brightened to Magnitude 11, so should still be viewable through our telescopes as a tiny dot. As darkness settles in, the magnificent Summer Triangle—formed by Vega, Deneb, and Altair—will dominate the overhead sky. The Milky Way will stretch from the northeastern horizon through Cygnus and down toward Sagittarius, offering a beautiful reminder that we are looking into the heart of our own galaxy.

Visitors can also look forward to several favorite summertime showpieces, including:

  • The colorful double star Albireo in Cygnus.
  • The beautiful globular cluster M13 in Hercules.
  • The Ring Nebula (M57) in Lyra.
  • The Wild Duck Cluster (M11) in Scutum.
  • Bright star clouds and rich Milky Way fields throughout Sagittarius and Scutum.

Although the Moon will reduce contrast for faint nebulae and galaxies, many bright star clusters and double stars remain excellent telescope targets.

This weekend also coincides with the peak of the Southern Delta Aquariid and Alpha Capricornid meteor showers. While the bright Moon will wash out many of the fainter meteors, patient observers may still catch an occasional bright streak—or even one of the Alpha Capricornids' distinctive fireballs—between moonlit intervals.

In addition, our Solar Docents have “cooked up” a special treat for Saturday: TWO solar events, one at Soil Born Farms from 9 to noon and the other at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden just down the hill from the Observatory from 10 to noon. So slather on the sunscreen, grab your water bottle and come on out to safely view the sun through our specially filtered telescopes. You might toss in an extra water bottle for the docents who are out there in the heat for the whole time.

The forecast currently looks encouraging for observing. Warm summer weather is expected with clear skies both Friday and Saturday evenings. Daytime temperatures will be quite hot, approaching 100°F, but conditions should become much more comfortable after sunset, making for pleasant observing sessions. As always, forecasts can change, and if weather conditions become unfavorable, updates will be posted on the Observatory's website and social media channels. (Community Observatory)

Whether you're seeing the Moon's spectacular landscape for the first time, exploring colorful double stars, or simply enjoying a summer evening beneath the Milky Way, we hope you'll join us for another memorable weekend at the Placerville Community Observatory. We look forward to sharing the sky with you!  Remember to stop at the parking lot kiosk to pay the Folsom Lake College $2 parking fee, please, and if you are able, put a little money in our donation box just inside the Observatory door. Our docents are all volunteers, so your donations help support our continued operations. Thank you!

 

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