GARRETT COUNTY SKIES
By Dr. Bob Doyle, Frostburg State Planetarium

Doyle writes this column for those who would like to identify the brightest stars, planets and sights in their backyards. To ask questions or get a planetarium brochure, call Dr. Doyle at (301) 687-7799 .

MAY 2008 SUN - As May opens, the sun is in the star group Aries where it stays through May 13th. Around mid day on May 13th, the sun moves into Taurus, where it stays until June 21st. (These dates are based on the actual star group boundaries and sun's position, not the 2500 year old dates used by Western astrologers.) The amount of daily sunlight in May grows by nearly an hour; early May has 13.86 hours of daylight while the end of May has 14.75 sunlit hours. Sunrises in Oakland in early May are about 6:10 a.m., dropping back to 5:55 a.m. at the end of May. Sunsets in Oakland in early May are about 8:15 p.m., shifting to about 8:35.m. in late May. During May the sun's peak height at mid day increases from 65 degrees to 72 degrees. At dawn the morning stars begin to fade away around 5 a.m. while evening stars first appear about 9:30 p.m.

MAY 2008 MOON - In early May, the moon is a crescent in the morning sky. Low in the west southwestern dusk, a very slender crescent moon appears near the planet Mercury on May 6th. On May 10th, the moon appears near the planet Mars. The evening moon grows to half full on May 11 (like a "D"), offering the best views of its craters and mountains through binoculars. To the right of the moon on that evening, the planet Mars shines. On May 12th, the evening moon appears nears the bright planet Saturn. The evening moon grows to full on May 19th, rising as the sun sets and hanging in the sky all through the night. By May 24th, the moon has shifted into the early morning sky, appearing near the bright planet Jupiter.

THE BRIGHT PLANETS IN MAY 2008 - Our five nearest planetary neighbors appear as points of light that shine steadily, unlike the bright night stars that twinkle. Venus is at too low an angle to the sun and is lost in the sun's glare through mid fall. The predawn sky offers good views of the bright planet Jupiter in the South. The planet Saturn is in the southwestern evening sky, appearing near the star Regulus of Leo. Above Orion (has three star belt) is the yellowish planet Mars.

THE EVENING STARS IN MAY - The Big Dipper is upside down, high in the North with its scoop on the left and handle to the right. The handle of the Big Dipper can be extended outward to the bright golden star Arcturus, the brightest evening star now that Sirius has dropped out of view. In the West, there is an arch of bright winter evening stars. From left to right, these stars are Procyon, Pollux, Castor and Capella. At the start of May, the planet Mars appears near Pollux; as the weeks pass, Mars drifts upward and to the left into Cancer.

ASTRONOMY ACTIVITIES IN MAY - The May 2008 program at the Frostburg State Planetarium is "Report on Planet Earth" with free programs each Sunday on May 4, 11 and 18 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. There will be an additional showing of "Report on Planet Earth" on Saturday, May 10th at 8 p.m. for National Astronomy Day. Following this Saturday program, the Cumberland Astronomy Club will have a number of telescopes set up outside to view the moon and the planet Saturn. The Tawes Hall Planetarium is in the middle of the FSU campus nearby FSU's clock tower, the Lane University Center and the Performing Arts Center. This program is at a beginner's level, inviting audience questions and lasts about 45 minutes. Following an intermission, our Sunday visitors are invited to tour of the Compton Exploratorium and see the Cavallaro collection of preserved mammals from five continents. To get a free planetarium/exploratorium bookmark and a 2008 Celestial Highlights flyer, call (301) 687-7799 and leave your name and mailing address.