A rare “Black Moon” is approaching on August 23, creating an ideal opportunity for stargazers to witness the majestic star clusters and stellar alignments within the Milky Way. This weekend marks a perfect time to spot a trio of celestial wonders embedded in the galaxy’s glowing band.
The dark skies surrounding this new moon phase will allow viewers to see magnificent star clusters without harsh light pollution. The Double Cluster, Wild Duck open Cluster, and Coathanger asterism are on display, showcasing the beauty of gravitational bound stellar bodies that formed from the same cloud of interstellar material.
To begin exploring these wonders, start with a pair of binoculars and then switch to a telescope for a closer view. Allow half an hour for your eyes to adjust to the dark and remember to look slightly away from your target. The Celestron NexStar 4SE is an excellent choice for beginners seeking quality, reliable, and quick views.
A guide to finding each of these celestial features follows:
– **The Double Cluster**: Located in the constellation Perseus, this spectacular starfield spans three full moons and can be seen as a smudge of hazy light with the naked eye. Use a smartphone astronomy app to pinpoint the constellation and nearby Cassiopeia along the band of the Milky Way.
– **Wild Duck open Cluster (M11)**: Found 6,200 light-years from Earth in the constellation Scutum, this mass of stellar bodies shines with a collective brightness of +6.3. Use your stargazing smartphone app to identify Beta Scuti and then look approximately two degrees lower left.
– **Coathanger Cluster (Collinder 399)**: This chance alignment of stellar bodies forms a familiar shape resembling a coathanger. Locate the three bright stars of the Summer Triangle asterism, sweep your binoculars between them, and you’ll find the Coathanger Cluster.
Remember that Earth is located in the Orion-Cygnus arm of the Milky Way, while the Double Cluster resides in the Perseus arm 7,000 light-years away. The next new moon phase presents a rare chance to gaze at these celestial wonders without distractions.
Source: https://www.space.com/stargazing/black-moon-darkens-august-skies-heres-how-to-hunt-sparking-wonders-in-the-milky-way-this-weekend