{"id":627958,"date":"2026-08-09T02:16:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T02:16:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/627958\/"},"modified":"2026-08-09T02:16:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T02:16:14","slug":"whats-up-in-the-sky-a-look-at-the-stars-of-harry-potter-astronomy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/627958\/","title":{"rendered":"WHAT\u2019S UP IN THE SKY: A look at the stars of Harry Potter | Astronomy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today:<\/strong> One minor Harry Potter character actually has two well-known star names: Regulus Arcturus Black, the brother of Harry Potter\u2019s godfather Sirius Black. Regulus Black was a former follower of Voldemort, the bad guy of the Harry Potter series.<\/p>\n

However, Regulus tried to dissociate himself from Voldemort and was killed. In the sixth book, Harry found an important note written by someone known only by the initials R.A.B.<\/p>\n

Hmmm. R.A.B. Regulus Arcturus Black perhaps?<\/p>\n

Regulus the star is right in line with the Sun at this time of year, so it is not visible. Arcturus, the second brightest star visible in the nighttime sky in the northern United States and at Hogwarts, is two and a half fists held upright and at arm\u2019s length above the western horizon at 11 p.m.<\/p>\n

Sunday:<\/strong> Saturn is half a fist above due east at 11 p.m.<\/p>\n

Monday:<\/strong> Bellatrix Lestrange is Sirius Black\u2019s cousin. But certainly not kissing cousins.<\/p>\n

They are killing cousins. Bellatrix kills Sirius in a fight at the Ministry of Magic. Bellatrix the star is the third brightest star in the constellation Orion the hunter. It is about two fists above the east-southeastern horizon at 5 a.m.<\/p>\n

Tuesday:<\/strong> Of course, Bellatrix is in cahoots with \u201cHe who must not be named.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, that\u2019s a poorly written sentence, using an obscure synonym for \u201cconspiring\u201d and a vague reference to someone. I must be under the curse \u201cwriticus dreadfulium.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clearly this is the work of Tom Riddle, whose mother is named Merope Gaunt.<\/p>\n

Merope is a star in the Pleiades, an open star cluster about five fists above the southeastern horizon at 5 a.m. Look lower in the sky to find Mars, three fists above the eastern horizon.<\/p>\n

Mercury is often difficult to spot because it is never far from the Sun in the sky. But this morning it is half a fist above the east-northeastern horizon and just to the lower right of the nearly new moon.<\/p>\n

Wednesday:<\/strong> There\u2019s a solar eclipse today. If you are planning to travel to Greenland, Iceland, or Spain, you\u2019re in luck. You\u2019ll see a total solar eclipse.<\/p>\n

Part of the Midwest and northeastern USA will see a partial solar eclipse. For details about the eclipse, including where to watch it live or by video, go to https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/eclipses\/future-eclipses\/total-solar-eclipse-on-august-12-2026\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Perseid meteor shower peaks tomorrow morning. In case you decide to stay in bed this week, the shower is active until about Sept. 1, so you may still enjoy an increased number of meteors later.<\/p>\n

The moon is in the new phase, so even the dimmest meteors will be visible in good viewing conditions. The meteors appear to come from a point just below the W of the constellation Cassiopeia. This point is about three fists above the northeast horizon at 11 p.m. By dawn, this point is nearly straight overhead.<\/p>\n

For tips about optimizing your viewing this year, go to https:\/\/earthsky.org\/?p=165416.<\/a> As your mother might say, dress warmly and sit in a comfortable chair for maximum enjoyment.<\/p>\n

These meteors are sand to pea-sized bits of rock that fell off Comet Swift-Tuttle. They travel about 40 miles per second as they collide with the Earth and burn up in the atmosphere.<\/p>\n

Thursday:<\/strong> Draco Malfoy, Harry Potter\u2019s young nemesis, is related to Sirius Black. Draco\u2019s mother, Narcissa Black (Sirius\u2019 cousin), helped develop a plan to trap Harry at the Ministry of Magic in the fifth book.<\/p>\n

Draco\u2019s namesake, the constellation Draco the dragon, is one of the largest constellations in the sky, winding around the North Star. Draco\u2019s head is a four-sided figure a little on the northwest side of straight overhead at 10 p.m.<\/p>\n

Friday:<\/strong> Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius, is one and a half fists above the south-southwestern horizon at 9 p.m. Draco Malfoy was so impressed with this constellation name that he used it for the first name of his son. Venus is half a fist above the western horizon at this time.<\/p>\n

The positional information in this column about stars and planets is typically accurate for the entire week. For up-to-date information about the night sky, go to https:\/\/nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov\/planner.cfm<\/a>. All times are Pacific Time unless noted.<\/p>\n

Bruce Palmquist is a professor of physics, science and mathematics at Central Washington University. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Today: One minor Harry Potter character actually has two well-known star names: Regulus Arcturus Black, the brother 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