With the new Astro Pup, Sophie, dogs have been on the mind of us here at Astro Rails. On the clear nights, when Sophie goes out for her evening patrol, I wonder if she notices the brightest star in the night sky, Sirius. Located in the constellations Canis Major, or the Big Dog, Sirius is visible due south in the night sky this time of year.
Sirius got it's dog star nickname in ancient times. People thought that because in the summer time, the star was daytime sky, that it was helping to make the summer temperatures warmer, thus the dog days of summer.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
The boys of summer make a winter appearance
Taking schnauzers for their special walks is a round the clock operation. Some of these occur first thing in the morning. This time of year, first thing in the morning is about an hour and a half before sunrise, or about 5:45 am local time.
You can get a 'sneak peak' of the upcoming season's night sky by going out later in the evening. Or, in this case early in the morning. In the winter time, the night is long enough that you can get peek at the night sky for several months in advance. So when I went out this morning at 5:45, the morning sky looked like it would at around 11:45 pm cdt four months from now.
In the summer time, your sneak peak in the morning isn't as far ahead, as the night time isn't as long.
You can use this to your advantage in the fall, as you can get a preview of the winter sky while observing in warmer weather clothes and without the risk of snow.
Happy observing!
You can get a 'sneak peak' of the upcoming season's night sky by going out later in the evening. Or, in this case early in the morning. In the winter time, the night is long enough that you can get peek at the night sky for several months in advance. So when I went out this morning at 5:45, the morning sky looked like it would at around 11:45 pm cdt four months from now.
In the summer time, your sneak peak in the morning isn't as far ahead, as the night time isn't as long.
You can use this to your advantage in the fall, as you can get a preview of the winter sky while observing in warmer weather clothes and without the risk of snow.
Happy observing!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Astro Pup
There is a new member of the Astro Rails staff. Her name is Sophie, and she is a rescue miniature schnauzer.
Schnauzers are what got me restarted on the backyard astronomy hobby. It was on a trip to my wife's family farm several years ago that I took our schnauzers at the time, Molly and Emma out for their special walk.
While waiting for dogs to do what dogs do outside, I looked up at the clear, dark sky and the million little diamonds of light. I thought then, "hey, this is pretty coool, why haven't I done this for so long?
For most of the last year, since our last dog Emma passed, when i look up I've mostly seen the stipple of our indoor ceilings. Since Sophie will need these special walks to, I hope to be looking up at a lot more stars, even if more than a few are hiding behind the city lights.
Schnauzers are what got me restarted on the backyard astronomy hobby. It was on a trip to my wife's family farm several years ago that I took our schnauzers at the time, Molly and Emma out for their special walk.
While waiting for dogs to do what dogs do outside, I looked up at the clear, dark sky and the million little diamonds of light. I thought then, "hey, this is pretty coool, why haven't I done this for so long?
For most of the last year, since our last dog Emma passed, when i look up I've mostly seen the stipple of our indoor ceilings. Since Sophie will need these special walks to, I hope to be looking up at a lot more stars, even if more than a few are hiding behind the city lights.
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