The Dark Side of Sea Ranch

Our communities produce very little light-pollution, so ours is a truly dark sky. This is the antithesis of "bright lights, big city." The Milky Way, and other galaxies are typically visible, and "ordinary" sights like constellations, planets, meteors, and of course the moon, are dazzlingly bright. Consider these peaceful ways to appreciate the coastal skies after dark:
New Moons: 2008 (darkest sky, best visibility) 
  • January 8
  • February 7
  • March 7
  • April 6
  • May 5 (Cinco de Mayo)
  • June 3
  • July3
  • August 1
  • August 30
  • September 29 (Rosh Hashana)
  • October 28
  • November 27 (Thanksgiving)
  • December 27
Full Moons: 2008

 
  • January 22
  • February 20
  • March 21
  • April 20
  • May 19
  • June 18
  • July 18
  • August 16
  • September 15
  • October 14
  • November 13
  • December 12
Meteor Showers, 2008 

Meteors occur regularly at a standard rate of a handful per hour. Every so often, the Earth's path crosses that of cosmic debris left by a passing comet. The result is a meteor shower. Our stargazing friends inform us that this year, the full moons of 2008 will outshine many meteor showers*. Still, meteors and their luminous trails will probably be visible on these dates in the pre-dawn hours following moonset.
  • April 21 - Lyrids*
  • May 4, 5, 6 -Eta Aquarids
  • July 28 - South Delta Aquarids
  • August 12 - Perseids
  • October 21 - Orionids*
  • November 17 - Leonids*
  • December 14 - Gemenids*
 
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