All articles tagged with #southern utah
The Orionid meteor shower peaks overnight on October 21-22, 2026, offering fast-moving meteors originating from Halley's Comet. Observers in Southern Utah and Maine are advised to watch after 3 a.m. when the waxing gibbous moon sets, allowing up to 20 meteors per hour under dark skies. The shower is active until November 7, with meteors entering Earth's atmosphere at 66 kilometers per second.
Southern Utah will witness a series of celestial events in July, including close encounters between Jupiter, Mars, and Uranus, culminating in a conjunction on August 14. The Perseid meteor shower, one of the year's most vibrant, will debut on July 17 and peak between August 11-12, offering a spectacular show for sky watchers.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 21 Starlink internet satellites is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 8:31 p.m. MDT, potentially visible from Southern Utah if the skies are clear. The increasing frequency of West Coast launches visible from Southern Utah prompts questions about advance notice, but SpaceX typically announces launch dates less than 48 hours in advance due to FAA launch warnings. While as many as nine launches are listed for the rest of the month, not all will be visible locally, as it depends on the trajectory.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 Starlink internet satellites launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, drawing a large crowd in Southern Utah to witness the repeat rocket launch just a week and a half after the previous one. The rocket's exhaust stream and stage separation were visible in the sunset sky, with photos capturing the event from various locations in St. George and surrounding areas. The first stage, B1071, was on its 15th launch, and a different first stage, B1075, was responsible for the last Falcon 9 appearance in the area on March 18.
The launch of a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 20 Starlink satellites from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base was visible in Southern Utah, prompting awe and curiosity among locals. The rocket launch coincided with the passing of the International Space Station overhead, providing a double space spectacle for eagle-eyed observers in the region.
Southern Utah is experiencing a rise in respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, with increased emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Despite the surge, the flu vaccine appears to be effective this year. The state health department warns of increasing infections and hospitalizations as winter progresses. Health experts provide guidance on COVID-19 exposure, testing, symptoms, home remedies, and when to seek medical care. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of staying home and wearing masks to prevent the spread of the virus.
Tourists from all over are flocking to southern Utah next month to witness an annular solar eclipse, a rare event where the moon appears as a ring of sunlight around it. The path of totality will pass through southern Oregon, northern Nevada, southern Utah, parts of Arizona and Colorado, New Mexico, and southwest Texas. Towns in the middle of the path, such as Richfield and Torrey, are expecting to see the totality for over 4 minutes. Southern Utah, known for its dark sky designated areas, is preparing for an influx of eclipse tourists, with businesses booking up and locals advising visitors to be respectful and bring their own supplies. Safety precautions, such as using solar filters, are recommended for viewing the eclipse.
Kedon Slovis, the graduate transfer quarterback for BYU, had an impressive performance in the team's 41-16 win over Southern Utah. Slovis threw for 348 yards and four touchdowns, showcasing his skills and earning praise from his teammates. Despite an interception, Slovis demonstrated his ability to deliver accurate passes and also contributed with rushing touchdowns. The Cougars' rushing attack still needs improvement, but Slovis remains confident in the team's offense and is ready to face upcoming challenges.
Tick activity in southern Utah increases during the monsoon season and into fall, with the Rocky Mountain wood tick being the most common species encountered. While most tick species in the area are harmless to humans, black-legged ticks have the potential to transmit Lyme disease, although they are not known to do so in Utah. The Utah State University Extension office advises taking precautions to avoid tick bites during this time.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying internet satellites for Starlink was launched from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base and was visible in the night sky of Southern Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and Southern California. This launch marked the second time in a year that Southern Utah residents were able to witness a SpaceX-Starlink launch. The rocket's first stage, known as B1071, had previously been seen in the Southern Utah skies and successfully landed on a drone ship for reuse. The visibility of the launch in Southern Utah was due to the rocket's height and trajectory.