Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 3, 2016)
Wednesday, August 3, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 23 Stars over Sisters Many articles written in this column have fea- tured various constellations, describing the mythology and prominent celestial objects associated with each primary stellar grouping. The celestial sphere is comprised of 88 of these named constellations. There are many other interesting arrangements of stars that lie within many constellations. These are called asterisms. For example, the Big Dipper is an asterism that exists inside the constellation of Ursa Major, the Great Bear. Another noteworthy and fun asterism is found in Vulpecula, the Little Fox. On a clear, dark night, locate Albireo, the head of Cygnus the Swan, and draw an imagi- nary line southward to the much dimmer star Alpha Vulpeculae. Extending that line about five more degrees should lead to the vicinity of an unresolved patch of light vis- ible to the naked eye. So far, no big deal. But turn a pair of binoculars on the faint glow and a small arrangement of stars is revealed that looks strikingly like a coat hanger, viewed upside down from our latitude. Six stars in a straight line denote the body of the hanger while four other stars beneath form the “hook” (see photo at right). The Coathanger asterism is also known as Brocchi’s Cluster. Dalmiro Brocchi was an American amateur astron- omer who created a map of the cluster in the 1920s for calibrating photometers. The annual Perseid Meteor Shower is expected to peak on the evening of August 11 and the early morning of August 12. This year’s ver- sion comes with some poten- tial for good news which, however, is tempered by the certainty of some bad news. First, the good news. Meteor expert Bill Cooke, head of NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office, believes that there may be an outburst this year that could yield anywhere between 150-200 meteors per hour. The reason for this optimism stems from the fact that the gravitational Last-Minute Guide Trips? IN A BIND? We’ve got the time! fi cient We offer fast and ef emergency service. By ron thorkildson Correspondent No problem! Full-day and half-day trips available on rivers, streams & beautiful lakes. influence of Jupiter and the other giant planets has moved three streams of particles from comet Swift-Tuttle closer to the earth. If the earth does plow through this denser material, the height- ened meteor rate should last about half a day. Now, the bad news. A waxing gibbous moon will wash out the fainter shoot- ing stars and even make the brighter ones harder to see on the evening of August 11. But the moon sets at about 1 a.m. on August 12, so it’d be best to observe from moonset to dawn of that morning. The Perseid Meteor Shower derives its name from the fact that the meteors asso- ciated with this shower ema- nate from the constellation of Perseus. When it comes to viewing the planets this month, all the action is in the evening sky. Mercury, Venus and Jupiter will stay clustered low on the western horizon throughout August and be visible about 30 minutes after sunset. Mercury spends the first half of the month distanc- ing itself from the sun, but Next time you have a plumbing problem, call your local and reliable plumbing professional! Repairs. Replacements. Remodels. naSa iMaGe the Coathanger asterisum in the constellation of Vulpecula bears a striking resemblance to the real thing. after August 16 the speedy orb reverses its direction and joins Jupiter as both planets fall toward the sun. Venus, on the other hand, spends the entire month mov- ing ever farther from the sun. Approaching each other from opposite directions, Venus and Jupiter stand just 0.1 of a degree apart on August 27. After the trio of planets low in the west has set, look for Mars and Saturn to take center stage in the south- southwest. Brighter Mars lies to the west of Saturn early in August, but by month’s end the swifter Red Planet will have shot by the slower moving and more distant ringed sphere. The moon is dark early in the month, then progressively waxes until August 18, when it’s full. For the remainder of the month the face of our only natural satellite gradually becomes less illuminated. To learn more about view- ing the night sky, or if you already have this knowl- edge and wish to share it with others, join the Sisters Astronomy Club on Saturday evening, August 27 for a starwatch at Sisters Park & Recreation District. A pre- starwatch presentation begins at 8:30 p.m. Brace yourself for summer! $300 $30 Discount Fo For F or the m month of August when y yo u std you stdrt d comprehensive tredtment progrdm! tred Not vd vdlid with dny other offer. New Pdtients Only. N 541-549-4349 260 N. Pine St., Sisters Licensed Bonded / Insured CCB#87587 Smile by Hailee and The Brace P Place! 541-382-0410 54 410 E. C Cdscdde Ave., , Sisters www.CentralOregonBracePlace.com Join SPRD for their 3rd Annual HAWAIIAN LUAU 151 W. Main Ave., Sisters 541-549-FISH | Open 7 days a week Presented by the Rotary Club of Sisters Th urs., Aug. 11 • 6:30-8:30 p.m. At Village Green City Park $12 adult/$5 youth Must purchase tickets in advance from SPRD PAIN? FOOD & FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! I CAN HELP! Taya Newton Massage Therapist #22458 Effective massage for acute & chronic pain, sport injuries, and relaxation. 541-550-0257 Come In and Try Our Yummy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls! SOUP OF THE DAY Au gust 3rd - August 9th Wed .................. Chicken Noodle Thurs .............Navy Bean & Ham Fri ....Clam Chowder & Vegetable Sat...........Cajun Chicken Gumbo hair | massage | nails | facials | makeup 161-C N. Elm St., Sisters Connect with us for great specials! Sun .............. Split Pea with Ham Mon ............Tomato Gorgonzola Tues ...............Chicken Vegetable Orders to go welcome Breakfast & lunch 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nightly dining until 10 p.m. (21 & over) 171 W. Cascade Ave., Sisters | 541-549-2631 Hula dancers, authentic Hawaiian cuisine & music combine to make a great community event. Enjoy Kalua Pig, Lomi Lomi Salmon, Hawaiian Sticky Rice & More. Entertainment will include special guest artists Mele’Uhane from the Big Island of Hawaii, Halua “Huhane Hawaii,” Sisters Ukulele Club, Halau Uhane Hawaii, Kurt Silva, and DJ Chuck Boogie View activities i i i & classes, l and register i online! li ! www.SistersRecreation.com 1750 W. Mckinney Butte Rd. | 541-549-2091 SNO CAP MINI STORAGE Sisters Industrial Park 157 Sisters Park Dr. • 541-549-3575 www.SistersStorage.com • State-of-the-art Security Technology • Sizes from 5x5 to 12x40 • Individual Gate Codes • Long-term Discounts • On-site Manager
