Posts Tagged ‘Cassiopeia’
Sky Tonight—February 3, Double Cluster of Perseus in
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science Visit EarthSky at www.EarthSky.org To find the gorgeous Double Cluster in the constellation Perseus, face north to northwest as darkness falls this evening. Here you can find the Double Cluster in the constellation Perseus. These are two open star clusters, known as “H” and “Chi” Persei (also called NGC 884 and 869). How to find them? First, you need a dark sky. Second, you may need binoculars, as the Double Cluster is only faintly ... Full Story
Sky Tonight—February 2, Cassiopeia is shaped like an
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science Visit EarthSky at www.EarthSky.org Erick wrote, “Do you have any information on Cassiopeia’s Chair?” Erick, you have used the lovely old-fashioned name for this constellation. In the 1930s, the International Astronomical Union gave this constellation the official name of Cassiopeia the Queen. Nevertheless, skywatchers still see the chair, and speak of it. Cassiopeia was an Ethiopian queen in ancient Greek mythology. According to legend, she ... Full Story
Sky Tonight—January 16, Cassiopeia and Big Dipper on
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science Visit EarthSky at www.EarthSky.org Bright star on January evenings? It’s the planet Jupiter The northern sky’s two most prominent sky patterns – the constellation Cassiopeia the Queen and the Big Dipper – both circle around Polaris, the North Star, once a day. They are opposite each other – one on either side of the North Star. The constellation Cassiopeia the Queen is easy to recognize in the northern sky, either in the evening or before ... Full Story
Sky Tonight, December 23—Southern Cross visible in
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science Visit EarthSky at www.EarthSky.org Bright object in south on December evenings? It’s the planet Jupiter A reader asked us, “When can I see the Southern Cross in Hawaii?” At this time of year, Hawaiians can see the Southern Cross, which is also known as the constellation Crux, in the southern sky before dawn. The Southern Cross stands close to upright, but quite low in the sky. Notice the two nearby stars, Rigel Kentaurus and Hadar. Rigel ... Full Story
EarthSky Tonight—December 4, Cassiopeia high up in
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science Visit EarthSky at www.EarthSky.org On these December evenings, the constellation Cassiopeia the Queen appears high in the northeastern sky at nightfall and swings directly over Polaris, the North Star, at about 8 p.m. local clock time. Cassiopeia – sometimes called The Lady of the Chair – is famous for having the shape of a telltale W or M. You will find this configuration of stars as a starlit M whenever she is highest in the sky, hovering ... Full Story
EarthSky Tonight—Nov 9, Use constellation Cassiopeia
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org David Smith of Michigan wrote, "What is the easiest way to find the Andromeda galaxy at this time of year?" “I tried a couple times with my telescope, but had no luck." Dave, the image at right shows the view of the Andromeda galaxy through a telescope. We hope you are not looking through the eyepiece of your telescope when sweeping through the sky for this galaxy. That would be hard. You need a wider field of view to spot the ... Full Story
EarthSky Tonight—Tonight Nov 5, Constellation
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org The constellation Cassiopeia the Queen can be found high in the northeast in the evening at this time of year, not far from Polaris, the North Star. Cassiopeia is an easy constellation to recognize because it is small and compact and looks like the letter M or W, depending on what time of night and what time of year it is. The constellation on today’s chart used to be known among astronomers and skywatchers alike as ... Full Story
EarthSky Tonight—October 16, See Cassiopeia and Big
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org On October evenings, the Big Dipper resides rather low in the northwest sky, and the W or M-shape constellation Cassiopeia the Queen sits on her throne in the upper northeast sky. These two star formations are like riders on opposite side of a Ferris Wheel. They spin around Polaris, the North Star, once a day. As one rises upward, the other plunges downward – and vice versa. As evening deepens into late night, the Big Dipper ... Full Story
EarthSky Tonight—September 17, Close-up on
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org Will you be able to see the ‘demon’ star in the constellation Perseus the Hero tonight? Yesterday’s chart showed you how to use the constellation Cassiopeia to locate Perseus in the northeast at mid to late evening. The brightest star in Perseus is Alpha Persei, whose proper name is Mirfak, pronounced MEER-fak. Comet Hartley 2 passes in front of Cassiopeia, Perseus in autumn 2010 Meanwhile, the best-known star in this ... Full Story
EarthSky Tonight—Sept 16, Cassiopeia and Perseus in
Courtesy of EarthSky A Clear Voice for Science www.EarthSky.org At this time of year, if you are in the northern hemisphere, try looking northeast at mid to late evening for two prominent constellations, Cassiopeia and Perseus. Learn these constellations now, and you may be able catch Comet Hartley 2 in front of Cassiopeia in late September and the first week in October. Then watch as the comet passes through Perseus until October 17. Comet Hartley 2 might brighten to binocular object by late ... Full Story
