One feature of being at 54 North is the light nights at this time of year.   This culminates on the 20th/21st June.   The sky at 00:00 UT at the zenith is a darkish blue.   A brighter white area indicates the position of the sun, no lower than 12 degrees below the horizon.   As the 'night' progresses this white area moves from NW through N to NE.

A little earlier, Mars and Saturn, together in the west, put in a brief appearance before setting.    Arcturus is the first star I see, its red colour looking distictly odd against the blue sky.    Deneb, Vega & Altair, the summer triangle appears in the east.   I always find that by the time it is dark enough for the triangle to look really prominent, then Tarazed and Alshain are visible and spoil the triangle effect.    (At least there is no mistaking which star is Altair!)

The moon and Jupiter are technically in the southern sky, but they are so low I can't see them behind the hills.   I can't even detect the moon-glow, the sky is so bright.    Antares and Spica too are hidden for the same reason.

However, dazzling Capella is on the northern horizon.  Capella never sets from this latitude and is the brightest star that is always in my sky.    Every colour of the rainbow is displayed through the thick atmosphere.

The feature that catches my eye most is what we call the 'Plough',  (big dipper) or as some of the older people around here call it in full, 'King Arthur's Plough'.     I have noticed that Cor Caroli is much more noticable when there are fewer stars in the sky.   Also that Kochab in Ursa Minor looks more prominent than Polaris.  It is probably because Kochab is in a slightly darker sky.   A reminder that Kochab was once the Pole star.

 I took an image of the Plough as a reminder.   Cor Caroli is to the left and Kochab, the retired Pole Star at the top.

Interesting report Aratus - thanks for posting.

George

Thank you, Aratus.  What a thoughtful rumination, it goes to show that we don't always need the darkest of skies to stimulate our minds and our spirits with the night sky.

Aratus:

One feature of being at 54 North is the light nights at this time of year.   This culminates on the 20th/21st June.   The sky at 00:00 UT at the zenith is a darkish blue.   A brighter white area indicates the position of the sun, no lower than 12 degrees below the horizon.   As the 'night' progresses this white area moves from NW through N to NE.

A little earlier, Mars and Saturn, together in the west, put in a brief appearance before setting.    Arcturus is the first star I see, its red colour looking distictly odd against the blue sky.    Deneb, Vega & Altair, the summer triangle appears in the east.   I always find that by the time it is dark enough for the triangle to look really prominent, then Tarazed and Alshain are visible and spoil the triangle effect.    (At least there is no mistaking which star is Altair!)

The moon and Jupiter are technically in the southern sky, but they are so low I can't see them behind the hills.   I can't even detect the moon-glow, the sky is so bright.    Antares and Spica too are hidden for the same reason.

However, dazzling Capella is on the northern horizon.  Capella never sets from this latitude and is the brightest star that is always in my sky.    Every colour of the rainbow is displayed through the thick atmosphere.

The feature that catches my eye most is what we call the 'Plough',  (big dipper) or as some of the older people around here call it in full, 'King Arthur's Plough'.     I have noticed that Cor Caroli is much more noticable when there are fewer stars in the sky.   Also that Kochab in Ursa Minor looks more prominent than Polaris.  It is probably because Kochab is in a slightly darker sky.   A reminder that Kochab was once the Pole star.

 I took an image of the Plough as a reminder.   Cor Caroli is to the left and Kochab, the retired Pole Star at the top.

 

 

Thats a great photo, I want to steal it. I have never seen that; just not possible from where I live

Doberman:

Thats a great photo, I want to steal it. I have never seen that; just not possible from where I live

 Please right click and take a copy with my compliments.

I could put up a larger version, but there isn't much more detail, although you can see little Alcor next to Mizar in the original.

I guess I take Ursa Major for granted, especially since it always well above the horizon here, and overhead in the Spring evening sky.    Rest assured that I am equally envious of impossible constellations like Crux and Centaurus.   Even seeing the whole of Scorpius would be a treat for me.

Very interesting report.  I take the circumpolar constellations for granted as well since a live a bit more south and the pull of those visitors in that area, like Scorpius, seem to get most of my attention.

Thanks for sharing the report and the images,

L

Very nice report Aratus, and commendably written.

Great report. 

Yes I too take the cirumpolars for granted. Even 3 degrees more south make little difference.

Scorpius just clambers over some houses. It's tail always hangs below though! I really want to see the LMC and the SMC in a dark sky, I will one day!