View the Night Sky with Astronomers

 On Monday evening, July 1, the sky will be the stage, as astronomer-educators set up telescopes outside Scotch Plains Public Library so members of the public can view the heavens  from 8:30 to 10:00 o’clock.

 Astronomer “Edutainer” Bob Reichman gives a preview, “The Moon will be just a slender crescent on July 1 and it will be visible throughout the afternoon and evening as it arcs across the southern sky…In the minutes before 9, Mars and Saturn will barely appear to those with sharp eyes.  Mars doesn't easily yield much detail to the casual observer even with the magnification that we'll be using with our telescopes.  Its color, though, a pink-orange, will be intriguing.  Saturn on the other hand …will knock everyone’s' socks off!  The tilt of the rings this summer is even steeper than last year and easily seen by all - so, weather permitting, it will be a memorable sight and the star of the evening.

Speaking of the stars, they will take their time coming out on a summer night so near the solstice.  Bright single stars pop soon after the planets: Leo's Regulus will be directly above the Moon, Spica in the constellation Virgo will cozy up to Mars and Saturn will be flanked by the 2 coolest-named stars in the sky - Zubeneschamali and Zubenelgenubi - the upper and lower claw stars of the Scorpion (though now designated in Libra).  By 9:30 we should be able to point out complete constellations, the globular cluster in Hercules (M13), the Ring Nebula in Lyra (M57) and others.  If sight lines cooperate, we can show everyone how to use the Big Dipper to locate Polaris (the North Star) in the handle of the Little Dipper which can help with nighttime navigation. Trees and buildings, bright lights, sky clarity and cloud cover on our date will dictate which of these potential target objects will be accessible.  We'll make the most of whatever the sky offers.”

This program, sponsored by the Friends of Scotch Plains Public Library, is free and open to all interested participants. Children under age fourteen must be accompanied by a responsible adult.  No reservations are necessary. The Scotch Plains Library is located at 1927 Bartle Avenue, one block from Park Avenue in the center of town.