Greetings Everyone,

I hope you have seen the three planet conjunction in the western sky.  If you haven't, it's OK because it will continue all month long.  Although Venus and Mars are leaving Saturn behind, they will all three be visible in the western sky after sunset.  Venus is impossible to miss and will reach its maximum brightness in September.

Did you get that e-mail about Mars being as big as the full moon in August?  You guys all know that's a bunch of bunk that was started way back in 2003 when Mars reached its closest point of approach to Earth in around 60,000 years.  Even back in 2003, Mars certainly wasn't as big as the full Moon and since it's almost on the other side of the Sun from us, this year it's just a small red dot not too far from Venus.

But there is a planet that reaches its closest approach to us this month and it's closer than it's been since the 1960's.  It's the big boy on the block, Jupiter and Jupiter enters our early evening sky this week.  Just find Venus in the western sky and turn completely around.  Jupiter will be brighter than it's been since the '60's this month.

But that's not the only news about Jupiter.  Have I got a deal for all you Uranus freaks on the list.  For you newer members who have NO idea what I'm talking about, I have a loyal group of list members who LOVE to find Uranus.  What's the big deal?  Well, you can see Uranus with a decent pair of binoculars if you know where to look.  Once you find Uranus, there's no question that you've found it because of a very simple fact.  Uranus is pistachio ice cream green.  The problem is knowing exactly where to look.

That is NOT a problem this month, because Uranus will be in the same binocular field with Jupiter all month long.  When you turn your binoculars on Jupiter to find the little green dot, you'll notice two, three or four very bright little stars close to Jupiter in a line that will be virtually at right angles to the horizon.  You've just done a Galileo Galilei and discovered the four large moons of Jupiter as he did 400 years ago this year!  Go out this week and do a little planet gazing and discovery.

If you're interested in Guam's skies, this is the month for you.  Public shows are 9, 10 and 11 September (that's NEXT week).  The 6:30 show is 'Autumn Skies' and we'll tell you all about what's up there.  I haven't decided about the 7:00 show.  If it's completely overcast, we'll go with 'Learning the Sky'.  If it's not so cloudy, we'll do 'Quality Time with the Star Lady' and then go out and watch the show in the real sky.  Bring your binoculars and we'll see what we can see!

Thank you so much for the support!  You guys are the GREATEST!

Pam