Environment & Outdoors

Smiling man next to a large home telescope

After a little break (of 25 years or so) Bob King is celebrating his retirement with a return to The North 103.3's airwaves!After almost 40 years with the Duluth News Tribune, Bob is now retired. But scratch a print guy and you'll find a radio guy; King and then-UMD Planetarium Director Glen Langhorst hosted Startalk on KUMD for several years in the early '90s.Listen for Astro Bob every other Tuesday at 8am on Northland Morning.

Astro Bob's Backyard Astronomy: Perseid Meteor Shower, Saturn and the Moon in Conjunction

The North 103.3 | By Luke Moravec

Published August 9, 2022 at 10:15 AM CDT

Several streaking meteors crisscross a purple and blue night sky

We are gaining darkness and the weather is ideal in the over-night hours. It's a comfortable and opportune time for late-night/early-morning stargazing.

The Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak beginning Friday night, August 12th. Put the full moon to your back and face north for your best chance to see some fireballs crossing the dark skies.

After a summer out of sight, Orion's Belt is beginning to peak over the horizon again. Orion is visible near dawn and will continue to grow higher in the sky as the month progresses.

Saturn is still visible overhead. The best way to pinpoint it is by using the moon. The two will be in conjunction on Thursday, August 11th. Saturn can be seen by looking directly above the full moon.