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Retired Journal Gazette copy editor June Gladfelter of the Fort Wayne Astronomical Society tracks the northeast Indiana sky.
Star charts and maps in books and magazines are helpful, but they show positions of stars and constellations at a specific time on a specific date.
For example, the chart in the July issue of Astronomy magazine shows the sky as it appeared at midnight July 1 and will appear at 10 p.m. July 31. It’s not difficult to adjust your viewing by looking a little east or west.
With a star wheel, also called a planisphere, you can see how the sky will look at any time on any day of the year. Star charts are easy to use and usually cost less than $20 and often less than $10.
You can make your own for free. Just search the Web for “making star wheel” or “making planisphere.”
You’ll get a number of options. If you live in this area, look for one that works for latitude 40 degrees north. One example is at www.washjeff.edu/physics/plan.html.A second is at www.skyandtelescope.com. Do a search for “make a star wheel.”
Both come with instructions on how to assemble the wheel and how to use it.
Both have two parts to print out. The bottom plate is a map of the sky with dates around the outer rim. The top plate has a center hole to cut out, the compass directions and times around the rim.
The idea is to have the bottom plate free to rotate to match the date with the time on the top plate.
The skyandtelescope version has flaps to fold on the top plate to create an envelope to hold the bottom plate. In the washjeff version the plates are connected with a pin.
It would be a good idea to use stiff paper, such as photo paper. You might want to paste the bottom piece or both on thin cardboard.
Planispheres you can buy are sturdier, but the make-you-own might be good to start with.
Jupiter will rise in the east-southeast at 11:17 tonight and 25 minutes earlier by next Monday morning. The moon will be to the planet’s upper right Thursday and to its left Friday about 2 1/2 hours after sunset, according to Abrams Planetarium.
Mars and gleaming Venus are in Taurus in the pre-dawn sky in the east, while Jupiter is shining in the south before sunrise.
Free public observing is offered by the Fort Wayne Astronomical Society on clear Saturday nights at Fox Island County Park.
Viewing begins an hour after sunset and continues for two hours. Donations are accepted.
For directions, visit fortwayneastronomicalsociety.com.
