[aslyfox]

Capital Weather Gang
Comet Neowise, two meteor showers and the ISS: Skywatching opportunities abound in next few weeks

The heavens are brimming with amazing sights — if you know where to look.

By Matthew Cappucci
Meteorologist, Capital Weather Gang

July 19 at 8:57 AM
If you’re feeling cooped up and looking for an out-of-this-world adventure, you may not have to travel far. In the next four weeks, you will be able to enjoy a comet, multiple meteor showers and a glimpse of the International Space Station.

. . . Neowise, a three-mile-wide comet that has been gracing evening skies. The comet will make its closest pass to Earth on Wednesday, slipping past by just 64 million miles. For a time, Neowise will be closer to us than the sun is. . . .

You can catch it in the northwestern horizon in the evenings before then. Just follow the Big Dipper downward toward the horizon. Neowise will climb progressively higher in the sky each night.. . .

Delta Aquarids occur sporadically during the second half of July and much of August, but the main flurry of activity comes on the night of July 29. That’s when up to 20 shooting stars per hour may streak over clear, dark skies.

Viewers in the Northern Hemisphere will see shooting stars emanate from the shower’s “radiant” point in the southern sky, meaning the best meteors with the longest tails will be most readily visible in the east and the west. . . .

The Perseid meteor shower peaks the night of Aug. 11. Dozens of shooting stars could be visible beneath a clear sky every hour. Perseid meteors zip across the sky at 37 miles per second. Their diaphanous tails can appear white, orange, yellow, pink, turquoise and even violet, lingering in the sky for a few seconds. The rainbow spectrum of colors come from the combustion of magnesium, sodium and iron.

The only fly in the ointment? This year’s Perseids will be competing with a 47 percent illuminated moon, which could outshine some of the fainter meteors. ..

In the meantime, you can also keep an eye out for the International Space Station, a scientific laboratory 254 miles above Earth’s surface. The International Space Station will occasionally be visible as it cruises overhead at speeds of about five miles per second.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/07/19/comet-neowise-two-meteor-s...ge%2Fstory-ans

[aslyfox]

for hints:

Shooting Comet NEOWISE - PentaxForums.com

[Serkevan]

I went out three times, have some clouds to show for it . Unfortunately we've been having summer storms almost every day for a month and it's been cloudy around sunset basically all the time. I'll keep trying this week since the weather is taking a turn for the better!

[aslyfox]

more information on upcoming " attractions " above us all -

Capital Weather Gang
Fall night sky to offer wondrous celestial sights from Halloween ‘blue moon’ to dazzling meteor showers

As the days become shorter and daylight wanes, it’s easy to catch a case of cabin fever with the coronavirus pandemic powering on. It may seem tricky to stay busy and entertained amid these trying times, but there are amazing spectacles to take in right above our heads.

With multiple meteor showers, including arguably the year’s best in December, along with full moons, planetary appearances and flyovers of the International Space Station, there’s plenty to enjoy by looking up.

While only viewable in South America, December also presents what is expected to be a stunning total solar eclipse.

We’ve created a guide on what to look for and when.. . .

Fall night sky offers wondrous celestial sights, including Halloween blue moon - The Washington Post