Friday, May 26
With the waxing Moon in the west after sunset, let’s concentrate our gaze east, where the cross-shaped constellation Cygnus is rising. About two hours after sunset, the Swan has sufficiently cleared the horizon for observers to seek out one of its many deep-sky treasures: The North America Nebula. Also cataloged as NGC 7000, this emission nebula sits just under 3.5° east of bright Deneb, the tail of the Swan. That makes it easy to find with binoculars or a telescope — and you’ll want to go for a wide-angle view, because NGC 7000 stretches some 2° across at its widest.
Take some time with this object and see whether you can pick out the familiar shape of its namesake continent — the Eastern Seaboard appears more prominent and sharply defined than the West Coast. Slip in a UHC filter if you have one to bring out the gas’ soft glow even more. Just west of the North America Nebula, across a narrow dark divide, is the Pelican Nebula (IC 5070). Although smaller at about 1° across, this is another worthy target to enjoy.
Both objects are popular astrophotography subjects as well. With a wide-angle view, you can capture the whole area in a single shot. The later you look, the better conditions will be as the area rises farther above the ground and the turbulent air that sits just above it.
Sunrise: 5:37 A.M.
Sunset: 8:18 P.M.
Moonrise: 11:38 A.M.
Moonset: 1:30 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waxing crescent (41%)
*Times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset are given in local time from 40° N 90° W. The Moon’s illumination is given at 12 P.M. local time from the same location.
Saturday, May 27
First Quarter Moon occurs at 11:22 A.M. EDT. Our satellite is now traveling through Leo and sits just over halfway between the Lion’s heart (Regulus) and his tail (Denebola).
