SAL’S ASTRONOMY CORNER astronomy for beginners Squaw Valley

  Sal's Astronomy Corner

Wildfires can make the sun and moon appear deep red by altering how light travels through the atmosphere. Normally, air molecules scatter blue and green light, but wildfire smoke carries larger particles of soot and ash. These block shorter wavelengths, allowing only longer red and orange wavelengths to pass, creating the vivid effect—most striking when the sun or moon is low.

As of 8/10/25, the Gifford Fire northeast of Santa Maria is a major source of such skies. Burning in Los Padres National Forest, it has consumed about 117,000 acres, making it California’s largest wildfire of 2025. Containment is at 21%, with over 2,900 structures threatened and thousands evacuated. More than 3,000 firefighters are battling the blaze in hot, rugged terrain. The smoke plume has spread far beyond Santa Barbara County, producing hazy conditions and crimson sunsets even here in the Central Valley. Officials warn that while the sight is beautiful, wildfire smoke can be dangerous to breathe.

Sal's Astronomy Corner

Skywatching Highlights – July 2025

Mariner 4: 60 Years Since the First Mars Flyby
July marks 60 years since NASA’s Mariner 4 became the first spacecraft to successfully fly by Mars. In 1965, it sent back the first close-up images of another planet from deep space and revealed that Mars has a thin, cold atmosphere—reshaping our view of the Red Planet.

July 24 –New Moon
The New Moon occurs at 19:13 UTC. With the Moon positioned between Earth and the Sun, it won’t be visible, creating ideal conditions for observing faint objects like galaxies and star clusters, thanks to the dark skies.

July 28–29 – Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower
The Delta Aquarids peak overnight on July 28 and into the morning of July 29. This annual shower, caused by debris from comets Marsden and Kracht, can produce up to 20 meteors per hour. Running from July 12 to August 23, this year’s peak benefits from dark skies as the crescent moon sets early. Best viewing is after midnight, from a dark location. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Aquarius but may appear anywhere in the sky.

Planets in the Morning Sky
Saturn rises late and appears high in the southern sky by dawn. Venus shines brightly in the eastern sky during the early morning hours all month. It’s joined by the Pleiades star cluster and bright stars Aldebaran and Capella. Meanwhile, Jupiter returns to the morning sky, rising about an hour before sunrise and climbing higher each day. By month’s end, both Venus and Jupiter will be visible together in the pre-dawn sky. Their close conjunction happens in mid-August, but this month offers a great preview. Don’t miss the crescent moon appearing with them on July 21 and 22.