Planets do Show on the coast of Oregon; Bright Saturn Burns

Planets do Show on the coast of Oregon; Bright Saturn Burns

Posted on 26/06/2018 at 12:52 pm PDT
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Oregon Coast) – The evening sky on the Oregon Coast promises a decent show with a nice handful of planets adorning the skies of the Pacific Northwest. (Above: planets converging on the coast of Oregon in 2015).

It's going to sound like an episode of The Expanse. According to OMSI astronomer Jim Todd, late June brings more Jupiter, Mars, Saturn and Mercury. Venus arose at dusk, shining in the west. Jupiter has been spectacular for a while, continuing to shine in the south.

The end of June, however, will see more Mars to the east while Saturn will make a dazzling few in the sky while it reaches the opposition.

What does it mean?

Todd said that everyone's favorite ring planet will make its closest approach to the Earth and will be seriously illuminated by the Sun. This opposition occurs on June 27 at 18:15, where Saturn reaches a distance of 836 million miles or 9.05 AU.

It will be visible throughout Oregon, but on the Oregon coast, it will be particularly spectacular on the beaches at night.

"Saturn will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night," Todd said. "This happens because when Saturn is in front of the Sun in the sky, the solar system is aligned so that Saturn, the Earth and the Sun form a straight line with the Earth in the middle, on the same side of the Sun as Saturn. It's the best time to see and photograph Saturn and its moons. "

A telescope of medium size or larger will allow you to see the rings of Saturn and some of its brightest moons.

Todd said to look to the southeast horizon, which can make it difficult to see parts of the coast of Oregon until it rises further in the sky. It will swing in a more southerly direction as the small hours of the night continue, crossing promontories like Tillamook near Seaside or Yaquina Head in Newport.

Just before midnight on June 27, look for the moon that is already low on the horizon. Saturn will be just below that. However, the full moon will hinder part of the view for a while.

"In the weeks following its opposition, Saturn will reach its climax in the sky four minutes earlier each night, gradually moving away from the sky before dawn while remaining visible in the evening sky for a few months "said Todd.

Other things to look out for on the Oregon Coast at night in the coming weeks: check the wet parts of the sand for "glowing sand". Shuffle your feet back (make sure it's dark at this time without a moon) and you can see tiny greenish / blue sparks.

This is caused by the tiny bioluminescent phytoplankton that shines, just like fireflies. The summer often increases your chances of seeing this.

Also right now: more interstellar fun with a funky moon and other fun attractions above.