Are you fascinated by stars, comets, planets, and other celestial bodies you can glimpse in the night sky? Many aspiring astronomers start out at home, in their own backyard. It is possible to observe quite a lot about our solar system using
Are you fascinated by stars, comets, planets, and other celestial bodies you can glimpse in the night sky? Many aspiring astronomers start out at home, in their own backyard. It is possible to observe quite a lot about our solar system using basic telescopes or even the naked eye, but there are also many tools that can help you identify what you’re seeing and learn more about what’s out there.
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Since the beginning, mankind has looked at the distant stars trying to make sense of their patterns. It is human nature to “connect the dots” in a meaningful fashion. Throughout history, all cultures and civilizations have associated constellations with myth and legend.
The word constellation is the name of a starry group forming a recognized pattern. Twelve are located along the ecliptic plane—the “signs” of the zodiac: Aquarius, Aries, Cancer, Capricorn, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Pisces, Sagittarius, Scorpius, Taurus and Virgo. The celestial sphere contains 88 constellations.
What constellations can be seen in the Spring?
We’ve learned the movements of the sky and the celestial dome. If we watched all night the constellations would change from one season to the next during its course. Let’s begin identifying constellations seen between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. in mid-March—the time of vernal equinox.
In the northern hemisphere, face north and identify the “Big Dipper”—Ursa Major. You’ll find it upside down and just west of Polaris.
Northwest is pentagon-shaped Auriga. On the northeast horizon—the bright orange star Arcturus signifies Bootes. Overhead on the ecliptic plane you will see the bright stars—Castor and Pollux—the heads of the stick figures of Gemini. West is red Aldeberan—alpha in V-shaped Taurus. East is white Regulus and the backwards “question-mark” of Leo. South is the brightest star in the northern sky—Sirius—alpha Canis Major.
Southwest is hourglass-shaped Orion and its three bright “belt” stars. East of Sirius is a handful of bright stars—Puppis. Low southeast is box-shaped Corvus.
In the southern hemisphere, Taurus will appear northwest, with Gemini low north and Leo northeast. Orion is west, while Canis Major is overhead. Brilliant star Canopus in Carina is almost due south while the brilliant stars of the Milky Way in Vela lead southeast to the “Southern Cross”—Crux.
What constellations can be seen in the Summer?
During Summer Solstice the hours of daylight are longer for the northern hemisphere and shorter for the southern. The night skies have changed dramatically—the stars of Spring are setting and those of Fall will rise soon. Let’s look beginning around mid-June at 10:00 p.m.
In the northern hemisphere, faint box-shaped Ursa Minor stands directly above Polaris and Ursa Major northwest. Northeast is brilliant Vega—alpha in the faint parallelogram of Lyra. Overhead, orange Arcturus and faint kite-shaped Bootes command the zenith. West, the mighty Leo is diving towards the horizon head-first, and keystone-shaped Hercules has well risen east.
Look for bright Spica on the ecliptic to guide you to Virgo. Exiting southwest is box-shaped Corvus. High southeast, bright red Antares and the long “J” of Scorpius begin to climb, followed by “teapot-shaped” Sagittarius rising southeast. Between Spica and Antares is faint triangle-shaped Libra.
In the southern hemisphere, Arcturus and Bootes are north with Leo setting northwest. Hercules is northeast with Aquila rising east. Overhead Virgo dances. Crux is southwest and Centaurus commands center stage. Scorpius moves higher south and the starry river of the Milky Way is pouring out of Sagittarius.
For both hemispheres, this is an exciting time as our galactic center now begins coming into view and the Milky Way (our own galactic arm) rises higher.
What constellations can be seen in the Fall?
Now our view of the celestial globe has changed to the Autumnal Equinox. The stars of Summer are setting and within hours the stars of Winter will rise. Let’s look between 9:00—10:00 p.m. starting around mid-September.
In the northern hemisphere Ursa Major is on the northern horizon. Northwest, Bootes is setting while W-shaped Cassiopeia and Perseus are rising. Overhead huge, cross-shaped Cygnus commands attention flying along the Milky Way. To its west, Lyra and brilliant Vega are above the setting Hercules.
East, the large diamond-shaped “Great Square” of Pegasus dominates. Scorpius sets southwest, while teapot-shaped Sagittarius tips—spilling the “steam” of the Milky Way from its spout. High south, small cross-shaped Aquila stands with bright Altair marking its place. Southeast, smile-shaped Capricornusand the faint stars of Aquarius are rising.
In the southern hemisphere, Cygnus marks the north, flanked by Lyra and Hercules northwest and