5 Constellations in the Sky That Anyone Can Marvel At
The vast night sky holds endless wonders waiting to be discovered. If you wish to embark on a stargazing adventure, start by acquainting yourself with the brightest stars visible in the sky. Whether it’s the captivating Andromeda constellation or the majestic Canis constellation, anyone can become a stargazer with a bit of knowledge.
Andromeda Constellation (The Chained Maiden)
The Andromeda constellation, also known as The Chained Maiden, graces the night sky from August to February. It is a prominent constellation visible in the northern hemisphere. Positioned in close proximity to the Pegasus constellation, one of its stars, Alpheratz, forms part of the Great Square of Pegasus and resembles the head of a girl.
Alpheratz, a giant blue star, shines 97 light years away from Earth and is 200 times brighter than our sun. Another star within this constellation, Mirach, represents the thighs of a woman, while Almach appears like a chained anklet. Despite their similar brightness, Mirach is a larger, redder star that sits 197 light years away from Alpheratz.
While the Andromeda constellation is primarily visible from the northern hemisphere, most of its stars can be seen from the southern hemisphere as well. However, their close proximity to the horizon makes observing celestial objects within this constellation particularly challenging. The Andromeda Galaxy, also known as Messier 31, presents itself as the closest spiral galaxy to our Milky Way, positioned just 2.5 million light years away. On clear autumn nights, it can be spotted with the naked eye from suburban areas.
2. Canis Major Constellation (The Big Dog)
Canis Major, also referred to as The Big Dog, is located next to Orion, the mighty hunter of the night sky. It can be spotted from almost anywhere on Earth, as it lies beneath the celestial equator. The brightest star in the sky, Sirius, which is also known as the Dog Star or the thief star in Thai culture, can be used as a guide to locate the Canis Major constellation.
Some astronomers in the northern hemisphere have observed that Sirius rises and sets alongside the Sun. This celestial event is believed to be the cause of the scorching heat experienced at the end of summer, leading to the expression “Dog Days of summer.” Canis Major is home to various star clusters, with the most prominent being M41, also known as the Honeycomb, located approximately 4 degrees south of Sirius. Despite being 2,300 light years away from Earth, M41 is still visible to the naked eye at night. Observing the orange stars scattered within the M41 cluster through a backyard telescope is a remarkable sight to behold.
3. Orion Constellation (The Hunter)
The Orion constellation, one of the oldest known constellations, holds countless tales and legends. It has been observable from all corners of the globe for thousands of years, as it lies precisely on the equator line. This constellation boasts some of the brightest stars in the sky.
One of the most renowned stories surrounding Orion, the great hunter in Greco-Roman mythology, is his untimely demise at the hands of a scorpion, represented by the Scorpius constellation. That is why these two constellations can always be found opposite each other in the night sky. Key stars within the Orion constellation include Betelgeuse and Rigel, serving as Orion’s left shoulder and right foot, respectively. Orion’s Belt is formed by Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka.
Beneath Orion’s Belt lies the Orion Nebula, also known as M42 or the sword of Orion. When observed with the naked eye, it appears as patches and smears, but a telescope unveils its remarkable features, showcasing the formation of stars through an array of tightly clustered rings. Orion also borders the Milky Way Galaxy, offering a glimpse into a starry expanse.
4. Southern Cross Constellation (Crux)
The Southern Cross is the smallest constellation in the sky, but it holds great significance among the constellations of the southern hemisphere. Consisting of four stars arranged in the shape of a cross, it was initially noticed by European sailors during their journeys south in the 17th century. While the Southern Cross is most prominent in the southern hemisphere, it can be observed from both sides of the equator.
This constellation is situated alongside the southern part of the Milky Way Galaxy, filled with a diverse array of celestial bodies. The eastern region of the Southern Cross displays a captivating void known as the Coalsack Nebula. This black expanse contrasts against the illustrious constellations of the Milky Way Galaxy, appearing as a giant gas cloud when observed with the naked eye.
5. Ursa Major Constellation (The Great Bear)
Ursa Major, also known as The Great Bear, stands as one of the most famous constellations in the northern hemisphere. It features a notable asterism known as the Big Dipper, comprising the bear’s back and tail, with other stars representing its head, nose, and legs. Ursa Major orbits the North Star once a day, remaining perpetually above the horizon.
While the ancient Greeks visualized this constellation as a bear, other civilizations saw it differently. It has been imagined as war horses, wagons, or even a herd of cattle. The Egyptians, who likely had never encountered a bear, viewed this constellation as a hippo. Native Americans believed the stars of the Big Dipper and its handle represented a bear and a warrior pursuing it.
For an unforgettable stargazing experience, find a clear night away from city lights and allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness. Take the time to search for these mesmerizing stars and constellations!
By National Geographic Editorial (USA)
Translated by Phawida Jongjoho
Collaborative Education Project Editorial Staff of National Geographic Magazine, Thai Edition
5 constellations in the sky that anyone can meet Easy to be a stargazer Just know how to find the brightest stars in the sky. Be it the Andromeda constellation or the great constellation Canis
The night sky is so wide Where should we start? Let’s start by finding a constellation that contains star clusters and nebulae. Or a mysterious galaxy? These 5 constellations are the constellations you can see throughout the season. just look up
Andromeda Constellation (The Chained Maiden)
The constellation Andromeda above El Caputal in Yosemite National Park, California. which can be seen with the naked eye on clear nights from August to February.
Andromeda, or The Chained Maiden, is a constellation that appears from August to February. And it is a large constellation that can be seen clearly in the sky of the northern hemisphere. Because it is close to the constellation Pegasus and has a member star connected to an excellent star (Asterism), the square known as the Great Square of the constellation Pegasus is Alpheratz, which is like a girl’s head
This giant blue star is 97 light years from Earth and is 200 times brighter than the sun to the east. with the star Mirach (Mirach) representing the thighs of a woman And the star Almach is like a chained anklet. and despite the similar brightness But Mirak is a bigger, redder star and is 197 light years away compared to Alfiratz.
Although the constellation Andromeda is considered a constellation in the northern sky. But most of the stars in this constellation are visible from the southern hemisphere. and always appears near the horizon Makes the observation of celestial objects in this constellation even more complicated. Especially the stars like the Andromeda Galaxy, or Messier 31, is the closest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way, only 2.5 million light years away. It can be seen with the naked eye from the suburbs in autumn when the sky is clear.
2. The constellation Canis Major.
Where is Sirius? The big dog was there. Canis Major can only be found by looking for Sirius, which is Sirius in Alqueva Dark Sky, Portugal.
Canis Major (Canis Major) is the big dog of the Orion Orion. or Orion constellation Canis Major is close to Orion’s feet. and can be found in almost every area on earth Because it is a constellation located below the celestial equator. In this constellation, Sirius is the brightest star in the sky.
since in the northern hemisphere astronomers noticed that the bright star Sirius would rise and set with the Sun. It is believed that the power of the luminous sun and the two combined stars Sirius is the cause of the extreme heat at the end of summer. Thus was born the idiom Dog Days of summer which means the hottest time of the year. Which is named after the dog star (dog star) or Sirius star which the Thai people call the thief star
When viewed through binoculars and telescopes, Canis Major contains many star clusters. The most prominent is the open star cluster M41, or Honeycomb, about 4 degrees south of Sirius. M41 contains about 80 stars and has a magnitude of 4, despite its distance of 2,300 from Earth. r M41 contains around 80 stars and has a distance of 2,300 light years, but is still visible to the naked eye at night. The sight of orange stars scattered within the M41 star cluster through a backyard telescope would be an unforgettable sight.
3. Orion constellation
Orion is seen above the forest of Mammoth Lake in California. which is one of the oldest constellations with many stories to tell
The constellation Orion, or Orion, is one of the oldest known constellations. and has been known for thousands of years It is a constellation that can be observed in all parts of the world. whether from the northern or southern hemisphere Because it is located on the equator line. This is also the constellation that contains the brightest stars.
There are many stories about Orion. or the great hunter in Greco-Roman legend The most famous story is that the hunter Orion was killed by a scorpion (Scorpius) during a battle. This is why the two constellations are opposite each other in the sky. The constellation Orion consists of Betelgeuse and Rigel, with magnitude 1 as its left shoulder and right foot. With Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka forming Orion’s belt.
Below Orion’s Belt, between the three constellations, lies the Orion Nebula, or the M42, the sword of Orion. If you look at it with the naked eye, you will see patches and patches, but you will see clearer details from the telescope. The nature of the rings arranged together will appear. This shows the rapid formation of stars. In addition, Orion is also a constellation that borders the Milky Way Galaxy, which contains many stars.
4. Southern Cross (Crux)
The Southern Cross can be seen above an acacia tree in Amboseli National Park in Kenya.
The Southern Cross is the smallest constellation in the sky. And it is the best known constellation among the constellations of the southern hemisphere. In this constellation there are 4 stars arranged in the form of a cross in ancient times, before the movement of the Earth’s axis caused the stars to move south. The constellation is visible on the European side. It was not until the 17th century that European sailors who sailed south noticed the cross arrangement of the four stars, leading to the official constellation of the Southern Cross. The worlds north and south of Florida can also see this constellation. Although the southern sky constellation is most visible from south of the equator,
The Southern Cross constellation is on both sides of the southern part of the Milky Way Galaxy, which is full of a wide variety of celestial bodies. The eastern part of this constellation is like a hole in the sky. This is a dark hole that has no stars at all, known as the Coalsack Nebula, a large dark nebula that can be seen with the naked eye as a giant gas cloud that contrasts with the many constellations of the Milky Way Galaxy.
5) Ursa Major (Ursa Major)
Ursa Major and Big Dipper at the entrance to Roodafshan Cave in Iran.
Ursa Major is one of the most famous and well-known constellations in the northern hemisphere. Because there is a prominent constellation (Asterism) in the form of a dipper called the Big Dipper, which is the dorsal and the tail with other stars. See into the nose and legs. Ursa Major moves around the North Star once a day, and appears so close to the North Celestial Pole that it never appears below the horizon.
Although the ancient Greeks saw this constellation as having the appearance of a great bear, in other civilizations I have a different imagination and vision. Whether they were seen as war horses, horses, wagons, or herds of cattle, Egyptians who had probably never seen a bear before saw this constellation as hippos. and Native Americans or Indians believe The stars of the dipper and the handle of the dipper represent a bear and a warrior chasing the bear.
For an unforgettable stargazing experience Choose a clear night stay away from the light And don’t forget to give your eyes time to adjust to the dark. Then start looking for the stars!
By National Geographic Editorial (USA)
Translate Phawida Jongjoho
Collaborative Education Project Editorial staff of National Geographic magazine, Thai edition
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