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Post by ladystargazer on Aug 7, 2007 17:59:47 GMT 1
With clear skies and warmer temperatures why not step into the garden this evening and enjoy the stars. Riding high in the South East you will see the three bright stars that make up the Summer Triangle (so called by Patrick Moore). Top left of the triangle is Deneb in the constellation Cygnus, the Swan. Top right is Vega in Lyra and, directly below - but a fair way down, is Altair in Aquila the Eagle. As the sky darkens these three will get progressively swamped by other, fainter, stars as your night vision improves. Then you will see that the Swan is like a cross shape in the sky. Further to the west that very bright star low to the horizon, is the planet Jupiter - not a star at all. Swinging round to the east you will see the 'W' of Cassiopeia and to its left the stars of Perseus. If you try to recognise this now you will be rewarded in a few days time with a chance of seeing the Perseid meteors - they are active between the 11th - 14th August every year. You'll have more chance of seeing them closer to midnight but may still catch sight of one or two anytime after dark. The BBC's Sky at night page - www.bbc.co.uk/skyatnight gives star charts if you need them. Enjoy LadyStargazer |
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Post by sweetleaf on Aug 7, 2007 18:03:22 GMT 1
Im definitely going to try to see those meteors, and I shall be in the garden tonight looking at the stars, thanks LSG  |
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Aug 7, 2007 18:14:59 GMT 1
Good idea LSG....  Do you belong to your local astronomical society? OH and I haven't been to ours for a few months (no car) but now we've got wheels again we'll be going back... we meet every 2nd Tuesday at the Space Centre in Leicester. The BAA have had their 'Out of London' meetings there two years running...  |
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Post by ladystargazer on Aug 7, 2007 20:11:39 GMT 1
No such luck CPB. We're a bit too far from the nearest Astronomical group - and I don't drive (medical reasons). There are no buses after 6.00pm so I can't get to any of the meetings.
I wish they had built the Space Centre when we lived in Leicester (Braunstone, close to J21) we've been and thoroughly enjoyed the day out.
I just sit in my back garden (with not too much light pollution) and gaze at the stars
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Post by debbiem on Aug 8, 2007 8:16:08 GMT 1
Isn't the Coathanger somewhere around the Summer Triangle, LSG? Apparently it's easy to see but I've never been able to make it out  I think it's meant to be around the Altair end. Many cricks in the neck later and I still haven't found it. |
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Post by ladystargazer on Aug 8, 2007 8:20:01 GMT 1
Isn't the Coathanger somewhere around the Summer Triangle, LSG? Apparently it's easy to see but I've never been able to make it out I think it's meant to be around the Altair end. Many cricks in the neck later and I still haven't found it. Coat hanger? Coathanger? Sorry, Mrs. B I've never heard of it. Can you tell me more? |
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Post by debbiem on Aug 8, 2007 8:22:44 GMT 1
I'll get me book.
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Post by ladystargazer on Aug 8, 2007 8:26:00 GMT 1
Yes, please, Mrs B. I'm sat here positively baited  |
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Post by debbiem on Aug 8, 2007 8:29:26 GMT 1
Got it... 'on the border of Vulpecula with Sagitta is a notable little group of 6th and 7th magnitude stars known colloquially as the Coathanger, a striking scene in binoculars. The Coathanger's most remarkable feature is a almost straight line of six stars;a curse of stars, forming the Coathanger's hook, extends from the centre of this line.'
I could make out Sagitta and even Vulpecula, but the Coathanger? Not a sausage.
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Post by debbiem on Aug 8, 2007 8:31:49 GMT 1
I've only got the Collins Guide To Stars and Planets, nothing compared to OH's very involved collection of Astronomy books going into the science of it all, but I'm the Constellation spotter between us and that little book suits me fine. |
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Post by ladystargazer on Aug 8, 2007 8:36:17 GMT 1
Hmmm, yes, I've found it in one of my books too. So, above Altair but 6th & 7th magnitude stars aren't that bright. ( basically the lower the number the brighter the star. Sirius for example has a minus number erm minus 1 point something, I think) I'm short sighted as well! I'll Google for a more precise placing of your Coathanger and have a look tonight. Thanks. |
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Post by debbiem on Aug 8, 2007 8:42:02 GMT 1
Maybe my binoculars weren't that good - they did have quite small lenses, but whatever, I couldn't make it out - thanks LSG. |
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Post by Sleepy on Aug 8, 2007 8:45:08 GMT 1
The Coathanger is usually found under the Huster of Tosk, in line with Chandra V
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Post by debbiem on Aug 8, 2007 8:48:31 GMT 1
Whose wardrobe's that in then Sleepy? |
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Post by ladystargazer on Aug 8, 2007 10:18:00 GMT 1
The Coathanger is usually found under the Huster of Tosk, in line with Chandra V Great! I know where to come when I need some help with me stargazing then.  |
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Post by Sleepy on Aug 8, 2007 10:18:31 GMT 1
The Coathanger is usually found under the Huster of Tosk, in line with Chandra V Great! I know where to come when I need some help with me stargazing then. No probs |
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Aug 8, 2007 14:16:31 GMT 1
The costellation that always makes me snort with laughter is...Scutum....  |
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Post by emseypop on Aug 8, 2007 15:03:41 GMT 1
sorry to lower the tone of the thread, but isnt that the constellation near uranus?
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Post by The witch on Aug 8, 2007 15:40:15 GMT 1
I used to love the Sky at Night when I was a child, the night sky always fascinated me and still does. I remember going to the London Planetarium when I was a kid too. What I would like is a map of our night sky. I know the map changes throughout the year and that 4 maps might be needed. Are there any for sale anywhere? |
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Post by ladystargazer on Aug 8, 2007 16:23:37 GMT 1
You'll find plenty on the web if you Google for them The witch. A quick, easy and pocket size guide is the Times 'Night Sky' book which gives a month-by-month guide to observing using the naked eye. It also includes a bit on the planets and where/when to see them and meteor showers etc. It costs £5.99 and is available from most good bookshops (I sound like an advert! What a shame I'm not on commission |
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Post by The witch on Aug 8, 2007 16:41:21 GMT 1
I'll see if I can find it for sale with Amazon, back in a mo .......... .......................................... would you recommend any of THESE LSG? My link to Amazon won't work  anyway at lot of books came up after searching for the "night sky" .... but which one to choose.  |
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Post by ladystargazer on Aug 8, 2007 18:45:50 GMT 1
Anything by Patrick Moore is pretty good and usually ideal for the layman, The one of his I have, and like, is PM's Guide to observing the night sky with binoculars - if you can find that. It gives you charts of all the constellations too. Including those in the Southern Hemisphere for when you next go to Australia or on a South African safari!
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Post by The witch on Aug 9, 2007 7:55:07 GMT 1
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Post by ladystargazer on Aug 9, 2007 8:17:47 GMT 1
Sorry The witch, It was cloudy here last night. Couldn't see anything, let alone your coathangar. I'll try again tonight - weather permitting.
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Post by 4pygmies on Aug 9, 2007 8:46:34 GMT 1
The Coathanger? You're making this up! It just doesn't sound right, does it?
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anyway at lot of books came up after searching for the "night sky" .... but which one to choose. 
