Beginners Guide to Astronomy
The Constellations
By Shawn Grant
One of the first steps in learning the sky is the constellations. The constellations are celestial landmarks of the sky. They help you find your way around the sky, for instance the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor) helped sailors find North. When someone asks where is Jupiter, a comet or a deep sky object the reply is usually in the constellation so and so. By learning the constellations you can later use a telescope to find those elusive deep sky objects. If the constellations are learned nothing can escape your eye. The way one starts learning is to get a planisphere or Sky & Telescope and Astronomy Magazines have maps to help you in learning the constellations. These Items can be purchased at a bookstore such as Books A Million.
The fall skies have several easy constellations to identify. One of the easiest is Pegasus the flying horse. In October you'll find Pegasus near the east in evening sky. First look for a large square of four 2nd magnitude stars. Find the Southwestern star Markab; from there follow a row of three stars to the Southwest. At the end of the third star make a right angle to a bright star called Enif this is the nose of the flying horse. The Northwestern Star Scheat is the shoulder of the front legs.
The Northeastern Star Alpheratz marks the beginning of the constellation of Andromeda the Daughter of Cassiopeia. There is a chain of 4 fairly bright stars that make the back of Andromeda. The last star Almach represents the head. The next bright star towards the West Mirach makes the shoulders and two chains of fainter stars represent the arms to the North. The next bright star in the chain Delta (d ) Andromedae is Andromeda's hips and to the North are chains of fainter stars that represent the legs.
To the North of Andromeda is the constellation Cassiopeia the Queen. Five fairly bright stars making the shape of a "W" easily identify this constellation. To the West of Cassiopeia is the constellation of Cepheus the King. This constellation looks like a house or a square with a triangle on top of it.
Fall has many other constellations such a Triangulum, Aquarius, Pisces and Capricornus. Take the time to learn the constellations. It is a fun filled activity the whole family can do. You also don't have to travel to dark site to do this because the constellations are easier to identify in moderately light polluted skies. The dimmer stars won't confuse you. Grab your lawn chair and most important have fun.
Back