Autumn Skies 2012 Aileen O’Donoghue SLU, APO Aileen O’Donoghue SLU, APO
Constellations International Astronomical Union/ Union Astronomique Internationale Political Map of the sky Named for shapes, animals & mythological characters Eg. Triangulum, Scorpius, Cassiopeia Simplified to stick figures 88 Official Constellations Determined by IAU Political Map of the sky Named for shapes, animals & mythological characters Eg. Triangulum, Scorpius, Cassiopeia Simplified to stick figures 88 Official Constellations Determined by IAU
Constellations Designate regions of the sky
Diagram from Guy Ottewell’s “Astronomical Companion” Constellations Fill the Sky
Asterisms Subconstellations eg. Big & Little Dippers Subconstellations eg. Big & Little Dippers Big Dipper in Ursa Major Dubhe Alkaid Alcor & Mizar Alioth Megrez Phecda Merak Pherkad Kochab Polaris Little Dipper in Ursa Minor Recognized patterns that are not constellations Subconstellations: The Dippers Recognized patterns that are not constellations Subconstellations: The Dippers
Asterisms: Big & Little Dipper Polaris Looking NNW from Canton, 9 pm August 24 URSA MAJOR The Great Bear URSA MINOR The Small Bear Arcturus Arc to … LITTLE DIPPER BIG DIPPER Pointer Stars Point to …
Northern Sky Tonight Arcturus LITTLE DIPPER BIG DIPPER CORONA BOREALIS BOÖTES DRACO CASSIOPEIA HERCULES Thuban Guard Stars The Losenge The Keystone Looking NNW from Canton tonight Polaris URSA MAJOR Pointer Stars Arc to … Point to …
Asterisms Recognized patterns that are not constellations Superconstellations : Summer Triangle Recognized patterns that are not constellations Superconstellations : Summer Triangle Deneb in Cygnus Vega in Lyra Altair in Aquila The Summer Triangle
Asterisms: Summer Triangle Deneb Vega Altair Tarazed CYGNUS The Swan LYRA The Lyre AQUILA The Eagle Looking South from Canton, 9 pm August 26
Asterisms Subconstellations eg. The Teapot Subconstellations eg. The Teapot The Teapot in Saggitarius Antares Scorpius
The Southern Sky Antares Deneb Vega Altair Tarazed CYGNUS The Swan LYRA The Lyre AQUILA The Eagle SCORPIUS The Scorpion SAGGITARIUS The Archer Looking South from Canton tonight BOÖTES The Eagle Arcturus The Summer Triangle The Teapot
The Southern Sky Antares Deneb Vega Altair Tarazed CYGNUS The Swan LYRA The Lyre AQUILA The Eagle SCORPIUS The Scorpion SAGGITARIUS The Archer Looking South from Canton tonight Zubenelgenubi Zubeneschamali BOÖTES The Eagle Arcturus OPHIUCHUS The Snake Bearer The Lozenge HERCULES CORONA BOREALIS The Keystone The Summer Triangle The Teapot The Coffin
The Great Square CEPHEUS The King CASSIOPEIA The Queen PERSEUS The Hero PEGASUS The Winged Horse LITTLE DIPPER Guard Stars Polaris ANDROMEDA The Princess Andromeda Galaxy Looking East from Canton at 9 pm on Halloween The Eastern Sky Enif Algol
The Great Square CEPHEUS The King CASSIOPEIA The Queen PERSEUS The Hero TAURUS, The Bull PEGASUS The Winged Horse LITTLE DIPPER Guard Stars Polaris AURIGA The Charioteer The Kids ARIES The Ram ANDROMEDA The Princess PISCES The Fishes The Pleiades Jupiter Andromeda Galaxy Looking East from Canton at 9 pm on Halloween The Eastern Sky Enif Aldebaran Capella Algol The Ringlet Cosmic Hockey Stick
The Great Square AURIGA ANDROMEDA PISCES Capella Algol TAURUS Aldebaran Jupiter GEMINI The Twins ORION The Hunter CANIS MAJOR The Big Dog CANIS MINOR The Little Dog PERSEUS Looking south from Canton at 9 pm on Christmas Eve Sirus Pollux Castor Rigel Procyon The Kids ARIES Asterisms: The Winter Hexagon The Pleiades
The Great Square AURIGA ANDROMEDA PISCES Capella Algol TAURUS Aldebaran GEMINI The Twins ORION The Hunter CANIS MAJOR The Big Dog CANIS MINOR The Little Dog PERSEUS Looking south from Canton at 9 pm on Christmas Eve Sirus Pollux Castor Rigel Procyon The Kids ARIES Asterisms: The Winter Hexagon The Pleiades Aldebaran Jupiter 12/24 8/24 has moved!Jupiter The Pleiades 8/24
The Great Square AURIGA ANDROMEDA PISCES Capella Algol TAURUS Aldebaran GEMINI The Twins ORION The Hunter CANIS MAJOR The Big Dog CANIS MINOR The Little Dog PERSEUS Looking south from Canton at 9 pm on Christmas Eve Sirus Pollux Castor Rigel Procyon The Kids ARIES Asterisms: The Winter Hexagon 12/24 The Pleiades Aldebaran Jupiter 8/24 1/30 4/29 Jupiter at opposition on December 3, 2012 has moved!Jupiter The Pleiades 8/24
… stargazing with the Adirondack Public Observatory!