Only the Shadow Knows

As we approach Summer Solstice, vertical shadows come to their shortest length. Stepping out for lunch with your work colleagues tomorrow? Stand on a sunny corner and note the length of your shadow and those of fixed vertical objects – fire hydrants, utility poles, even buildings. The sun’s arc path across the sky is low for inhabitants of the northern latitudes.
By midnight both Jupiter and Saturn are well up for observing! An hour later, Mars is in the mix in the east; Jupiter drops off by 4 a.m. Gemini on the west horizon, Arcturus overhead at 9p, and Cygnus rising in the east.

The Franklin Institute will hold its Night Sky Observatory on June 12 – Mars author David Weintraub tells stories about the search for life on Mars and three planetarium shows take you out into the universe. We’ll also be joined by WXPN’s Kids’ Corner host Kathy O’Connell.