Night Sky News — Seeing the Milky Way.
People have always asked me about the best time to see the Milky Way (the galaxy we are in). The answer depends on three things. The first is the time of night you expect to observe. The second is the time of year. The third is your latitude.
For this news, we are assuming you want to observe in the early evening during September and October and you live somewhere between the equator and 50 degrees north. So, my Philipino friends and southern Canada friends can see about the same thing but in a different local time zone.
Then you must choose a location where you have a good southern to southwest view of the sky. I am assuming you can see to the North to some extent.
The Milky Way, on a clear night, can be seen from South Southwest to overhead to North Northeast. This is where having a rotating star map (planisphere) is handy. If you set the time and date properly, it will normally show you the Milky Way in a light blue or grey along with the major stars. You have to learn how to use it, but it is not hard.
For us in North Carolina, in an early evening in September through middle October, we can look South Southwest and see Sagittarius. As we raise our eyes Northward to overhead, we can see Cygnus. That portion of the Milky Way between these constellations is full of sky objects and is beautiful.
Want more answers for other times and dates? You need to download and take the lessons in Astronomical Observing from a Biblical View (AOBV). For the course, you need a rotating Sky Map, a small star Atlas, a 7 or 8 power binocular with a 35 mm front set of lenses OR a small telescope. Then you can learn when to see the Milky Way and a dozen other things.
Are you in the Philippines? Contact Hallel International Ministries in Iloilo. I taught several staff what to do. Are you in the US? Contact us for more information and training opportunities.
Roland Beard
