August 2011: Windy Worlds
Events
Special Event Opportunities
| Juno Misson | Juno launches to Jupiter on August 5, 2011. It will significantly improve our understanding of the formation, evolution and structure of Jupiter. Juno posters, fact sheets and bookmarks, as well as Jupiter lithographs are available to educators and astronomy groups. For inquiries about these materials or arranging for a speaker for your class or event, please contact Juno Outreach. |
| Vesta Fiesta | The Dawn mission is holding this event: organizations are encouraged to host their own public events, observing Vesta with telescopes and through the eyes of the Dawn mission. |
Observing Events
| Comet Elenin | By some predictions, recently discovered comet Elenin will be visible to the naked eye by the end of August. |
| Perseid Meteor Shower | The Perseids (August 13) are often the year's best meteor shower, but this year will be partially obscured by a full moon. The shower is visible when fragments enter Earth's atmosphere and burn up. |
| Saturn | The ringed planet is in the west after sunset early in the month; by the end of the month, it may be too close to the horizon to see well. |
| Earth's Atmosphere | Our sky is always changing. Spend some time looking at clouds, and get information about how satellites see clouds, anytime and anywhere. |
Observing Resources