The Coathanger Cluster is a very rewarding target for anyone with a pair of binoculars. While you’re out observing meteors in this month (because you are, right?), you might be interested in taking along a telescope or binoculars and locating some new dim objects. The Coathanger Cluster is a very rewarding target for anyone with… Continue reading Coathanger Cluster
Tag: constellations
What to Find in the Big Dipper
The Big Dipper is probably THE most famous star pattern, period. It’s big, bright, and serves as a guide to many other bright stars and constellations on the great road map of the sky. But don’t let its commonness deceive you. Far from a humdrum star pattern, it actually has some pretty cool stars and… Continue reading What to Find in the Big Dipper
Cygnus the Swan Constellation
Cygnus & Albireo Swooping across our summer sky, standing out against the shimmering background of the Milky Way, Cygnus the Swan is another great constellation to see in the coming months. See if you can find it and its beautiful double-star, Albireo! In the next few weeks, Cygnus will be rising in our northeastern sky… Continue reading Cygnus the Swan Constellation
Finding Cassiopeia
Sailing gracefully across our northern skies, Cassiopeia the Queen is one of the easiest constellations to find in the Northern Hemisphere It’s visible at any time of the night, at any time of the year, and its stars are all relatively bright. Head outside on the next clear night and see if you can spot… Continue reading Finding Cassiopeia
Of Meteors and Transits
It’s going to be an event-filled week for sky-watchers! As another meteor shower peaks and astronomers gear up for a rare planetary transit, it’s time to unplug for a while and start lookin’ up! Read on to find out how to make the most of the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, and the 2016 transit of… Continue reading Of Meteors and Transits
Finding Polaris: The North Star
How fast are you at finding the North Star? Have you tried, but you’re not sure what you’re looking for? Or maybe you’re one of those people (like me) who’s always looking for new ways to find it, since you always have to crane your neck sky-ward and locate it the second you step outside on a dark night.… Continue reading Finding Polaris: The North Star
The Winter Triangle
The weather may be fooling us into thinking it’s spring, but the collection of stars known as the Winter Triangle denies it. It can still be seen sailing across the southern sky, during these mild evenings in March. It rises in the east and sets in the west a little sooner each night. Using some… Continue reading The Winter Triangle
December Challenge: Find The Summer Triangle
No, that’s not a type-o. Though the weather definitely reflects winter, the pattern of stars known as the Summer Triangle will be visible throughout the month of December. It features the prominent stars Vega, Deneb, and Altair. Maybe you’ve seen it before, high overhead during the summer months. To see it now, look in the western sky just… Continue reading December Challenge: Find The Summer Triangle