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- Written by: PRESTON DYCHES
What's up for July? Mars and Venus go their separate ways, Saturn cruises with a dusty young star, and it's prime time for the Milky Way.
You'll find Venus and Mars in the west after sunset throughout July. The pair moved ever closer in the sky during June, and they begin July appearing quite near to each other, but it's time for them to part company. You'll notice them trending lower as the month goes on, with Venus in particular being noticeably lower each night.
During the second week of July, reddish-colored Mars will appear very close to the blue-white star Regulus. Mars is quite distant from Earth right now, and appears at its dimmest for the year in July and August.
This month it appears at about the same brightness as Regulus, and you should easily be able to see the difference in their color with your eyes, or a pair of binoculars. They're closest together on July 9 and 10.
And on July 20, the Moon will pass through, appearing just next to Mars. Mercury also pops up – quite low in the sky – in the second half of July, for those with views of the horizon.
During July, you'll have giant planets Jupiter and Saturn keeping you company in the late night and early morning hours. And notably, you'll find Jupiter shining brightly beneath the crescent moon on the morning of July 11. Now, Jupiter appears quite a bit brighter than Saturn, and it's not just because Jupiter's a little bigger.
See, the farther away something is in space, the fainter it tends to be, and Saturn's certainly farther away from Earth than Jupiter. But it's also farther away from the Sun, and being more distant means it receives much less sunlight than Jupiter to begin with.
So it's the combination of being both farther from the Sun and farther from Earth that makes Saturn appear so much fainter.
Now, Saturn cruises across the sky with bright star Fomalhaut in July. At around 440 million years old, Fomalhaut is a fairly young star. NASA's Webb Space Telescope recently revealed new details in the dusty debris disk that surrounds it.
Webb showed that there's more structure in the disk than was previously known, with three distinct belts made of debris from collisions of larger bodies, probably not unlike the asteroids and comets in our own planetary system.
And researchers think the belts most likely are carved by the gravitational forces produced by unseen planets. It's a nice reminder that most stars you gaze upon represent entire planetary systems. Each one is a sun, and most have a family of worlds in orbit around them.
Finally, a reminder that July is prime time for viewing the bright core of our home galaxy, the Milky Way.
The Milky Way core is visible looking toward the south in July, as a faint, diagonal band of light, as soon as it's fully dark.
Packed with enormous numbers of stars, along with dark clouds of dust, you can view its faint glow with your own eyes from locations away from bright urban centers.
So if you have the opportunity to go camping or skywatching away from the city, it's truly one of the most awe inspiring sights of the night sky, and not to be missed!
Stay up to date with all of NASA's missions to explore the solar system and beyond at www.nasa.gov.
Preston Dyches works for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Health officials and forecasters are warning of extreme heat this weekend and urging community members to take measures to protect themselves.
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Lake County and other parts of Northern California through Sunday night due to the increasing temperatures.
The advisory, in effect through 9 p.m. Sunday, warns of temperatures as high as 108 degrees.
Temperatures are expected to top the century mark on Saturday and Sunday before dropping into the 90s by Monday. By Thursday, temperatures are forecast to drop into the high 80s.
“This weekend, millions of people across five states will experience unusual heat. Human-caused climate change made this event more likely and more intense,” said Dr. Andrew Pershing, vice president of science at Climate Central, an independent group of scientists and communicators who research and report the facts about the changing climate and how it affects people’s lives.
Climate Central said forecasts indicate a three-day stretch of “anomalous and extreme heat” is expected across California and the rest of the southwest through Monday.
The California Department of Public Health urged Californians to protect themselves from extreme heat over the Fourth of July weekend and remaining summer months by staying cool, hydrated, connected and informed.
“Summer heat waves can be dangerous, especially for young children, older adults, people with chronic diseases and disabilities, outdoor workers, people who are unhoused and those who are pregnant,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás Aragón. “It's important to protect yourself and your loved ones by checking in on friends and family who may need assistance, monitoring weather forecasts, staying hydrated, limiting time outdoors, and visiting cooling centers.”
CDPH said extreme heat is defined in most of the U.S. as an extended period — two to three days — of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees.
Extreme heat often results in the highest annual number of deaths among all weather-related disasters, the agency said.
California is experiencing more frequent episodes of extreme heat, posing a greater danger to Californians from heat-related illness, state health officials reported.
Community members are urged to follow the following guidelines to stay safe.
Stay cool (during the hottest times of the day):
• Those without air conditioning should check with their city or county for cooling centers or visit public locations such as a library or shopping mall.
• Avoid physical exertion or exercising outdoors.
• Wear lightweight, light colored, loose clothing, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Stay hydrated:
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, even when not thirsty; drink sports drinks (in moderation with water) to help replace electrolytes lost during exercise.
• Avoid sugary, alcoholic, and very cold drinks.
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Stay connected:
• Monitor those at high risk of heat-related illness including infants and young children; people 65 years of age or older; individuals with chronic illness, disabilities or who are pregnant.
• Use a buddy system when working in the heat.
Stay informed:
• Check the local news for weather forecasts, extreme heat alerts and cooling centers.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The long Independence Day weekend will once again bring with it celebrations including parades and fireworks.
The following is a list of major community events planned for the weekend.
SATURDAY, JULY 1
Clearlake
The Lakeshore Lions Club of Clearlake will sponsor the 65th annual Redbud Parade and Festival, beginning at 11 a.m. with the parade starting at Redbud Park.
At Austin Park, the Lakeshore Lions and Lakeshore Lioness will feature an assortment of food, cold drinks and beer. Arts and craft vendors, games and entertainment for all will be offered, and the Clearlake Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the International Worm Races.
The city of Clearlake will host a free concert showcasing Def Leppard Revisited and Journey Revisited at 7 p.m.
The Midway of Fun Carnival presale tickets are available at Clearlake Automotive, Bob’s Vacuum and A+B Collision. For ticket information call 707-350-7100.
The Lakeshore Lions Club also will sponsor the firework display at dark off of Austin Beach.
Lakeport
The Lakeport Speedway will hold its annual fireworks display after the evening’s races.
The grandstands open at 5 p.m., racing action begins at 7 p.m. and fireworks will follow.
There will be modifieds, bombers, legends and West Coast mini modifieds.
General admission is $15 per person, with seniors 55 and over and members of the military paying $12 each. Children ages 4 to 12 are $12, children age 3 and under are admitted for free.
The speedway is located at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St.
SUNDAY, JULY 2
Clearlake Oaks
The Maxine Sherman Memorial annual fireworks display will take place beginning at 9 p.m.
Fireworks will be launched from the lake at the Clearlake Oaks public launch ramp.
For more information, contact the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association,
Lakeport
Konocti Vista Casino Resort will hold a free community fireworks show.
A party with vendors, a DJ, food for purchase and a bar begins at 6 p.m., with the Fun Zone Arcade open indoors.
The fireworks will start at dusk, at approximately 9:30 p.m., and will be viewable from the marina and parking lot.
Konocti Vista is located at 2755 Mission Rancheria Road, Lakeport.
TUESDAY, JULY 4
Lakeport
Lakeport’s July 4 celebration will take place from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
At Library Park, there will be a street fair, craft vendors, food trucks, and a beer and wine booth.
There will be fireworks over the lake beginning at dusk.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
On Saturday morning, police said Ismael Orozco, 13, was found.
Ismael had been reported missing on Thursday.