Embrace the Day to Embrace the Night - Katie Yelink

Astronomy is a pastime that usually takes place after the sun goes down. But what happens if you work nights? Or your kids go to bed early? Maybe you have a friend who feels uncomfortable being out after dark. How can you ease into the wonders of the night sky when the sun still shines?  Here are a few suggestions.

• Moon.  The moon isn’t only up at night, of course.  The best time to see the moon during the day is right before and after full moon. In the week leading up to full moon, it will rise in the afternoon in the east.  In the week after full moon, it will set in the morning in the western sky.  Look for the ghostly white on a sunny day and say Hi to Luna while the sun still shines.

• Sun. While you can view the moon with the naked eye, viewing the sun takes special solar filters or for the sun to be projected onto a flat surface.  Never, ever view the sun without protection, because you risk permanent, serious damage to your eyes. Assuming you take necessary precautions, you can view sun spots or simply note how the sun rides higher in the sky in summer than in winter. Or note how the sun sets farther south along the horizon in winter and farther north in summer.

• Sky. The sky isn’t always blue. If the sky looks white along the horizon, that’s because it’s extra humid outside. If the horizon is pure blue, it’s less humid. Take a look the next time it’s clear and see how a whiter sky correlates to higher humidity.

• Clouds: There are star gazers and bird watchers, but did you know there are also cloud spotters? Take the time to watch the clouds and see what they might tell you about upcoming weather. The book The Cloud Collector’s Handbook by Gavin Pretor-Pinney can help with this.

• Light: The sun produces all sorts of light effects, including rainbows, sundogs, sun halos, and sun pillars. Of course, simple sunrises and sunsets can take your breath away.

The next time you can’t be out after dark, take a look at what the sky gives you to enjoy during the day. It might wet your appetite for your next night under the stars.

• Katie