Constellations - Revision history

WikiSysop at 23:34, 7 January 2012

2012-01-07T23:34:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:34, 7 January 2012
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	<center>'''You know the Big and Little Bears'''</center>		<center>'''You know the Big and Little Bears'''</center>

	<center>Click here to visit the constellations</center>		<center>[http://www.astrosurf.com/jwisn/constellations.htm Click here to visit the constellations]</center>


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	But the little Owl Nebula is in our own galaxy. Here is where a little star, once the size of our Sun, died puffing out a planetary nebula, leaving a small white dwarf at its center.		But the little Owl Nebula is in our own galaxy. Here is where a little star, once the size of our Sun, died puffing out a planetary nebula, leaving a small white dwarf at its center.

	The M in M51, M81, M82, and M97 comes from Charles Messier (1730-1817) a clerk of the French navy, who made a list of 110 annoying objects not to be confused with comets. The objects in Messier's Catalog turned out to be more interesting than the comets.		The M in M51, M81, M82, and M97 comes from Charles Messier (1730-1817) a clerk of the French navy, who made a list of 110 annoying objects not to be confused with comets. The objects in [http://www.wwu.edu/depts/skywise/a101_messier.html Messier's Catalog] turned out to be more interesting than the comets.


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	Some familiar Messier objects are the star forming Orion Nebula (M42), the Pleiades (M45) open star cluster and the globular star cluster M15, the planetary nebulae from dying stars Ring Nebula (M57) and Owl Nebula (M97), and a supernova remnant Crab Nebula (M1). All are in our 100,000 light year (ly) wide Milky Way galaxy. See if you can find them on the chart ! The Pleiades (M 45), also called Subaru or the Seven Sisters, may easily be seen with the naked eye.		Some familiar Messier objects are the star forming Orion Nebula (M42), the Pleiades (M45) open star cluster and the globular star cluster M15, the planetary nebulae from dying stars Ring Nebula (M57) and Owl Nebula (M97), and a supernova remnant Crab Nebula (M1). All are in our 100,000 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_year light year (LY)] wide Milky Way galaxy. See if you can find them on the chart ! The Pleiades (M 45), also called Subaru or the Seven Sisters, may easily be seen with the naked eye.


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	Some galaxies are as much as 14 billion light years away. The light we see today, left those galaxies billions years ago. We are seeing what the Universe was like 14 billion years back in time.		Some galaxies are as much as 14 billion light years away. The light we see today, left those galaxies billions years ago. We are seeing what the Universe was like 14 billion years back in time.

	Click here for an interesting tour of what can be seen in Ursa Major with a small backyard telescope.		Click [http://www.weasner.com/etx/ref_guides/ursa_major.html here] for an interesting tour of what can be seen in Ursa Major with a small backyard telescope.


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	<center>'''Precession'''</center>		<center>'''Precession'''</center>

	Although Polaris has guided navigators for thousands of years, it hasn't always been over the north pole. Precession, a slow rotation of the direction of the Earth's axis, causes the north pole to trace out a circle every 25,765 years. This is also called precession of the equinoxes. Since it changes the direction of the Earth's tilt, and the Earth's tilt is what causes the seasons, the seasonal constellations change a tiny bit year by year until they return to their original locations after 25,765 years.		Although Polaris has guided navigators for thousands of years, it hasn't always been over the north pole. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precession_(astronomy) Precession], a slow rotation of the direction of the Earth's axis, causes the north pole to trace out a circle every 25,765 years. This is also called precession of the equinoxes. Since it changes the direction of the Earth's tilt, and the Earth's tilt is what causes the seasons, the seasonal constellations change a tiny bit year by year until they return to their original locations after 25,765 years.


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	Use star maps, a planisphere if you have one, or free planetarium software such as Stellarium to follow the changes in the sky with seasons.		Use [http://www.midnightkite.com/starcharts.html star maps], a [http://prancer.physics.louisville.edu/classes/107/topics/planisphere/index.html planisphere] if you have one, or free planetarium software such as [http://www.stellarium.org/ Stellarium] to follow the changes in the sky with seasons.

	*On February 1st at 9 PM you will find Orion and Taurus rising in the east. By 12 AM you will see Orion highest in the sky. At 6AM Orion will be setting in the west at the end of the night.		*On February 1st at 9 PM you will find Orion and Taurus rising in the east. By 12 AM you will see Orion highest in the sky. At 6AM Orion will be setting in the west at the end of the night.
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	Altogether there are 88 constellations. Visit this website for a tour. Google Sky offers an on-line realistic view with links to Hubble Space Telescope images. Did you recognize the galaxies that showed up when you clicked the link?		Altogether there are 88 constellations. Visit this [http://www.astrosurf.com/jwisn/constellations.htm website] for a tour. [http://www.google.com/sky/ Google Sky] offers an on-line realistic view with links to Hubble Space Telescope images. Did you recognize the galaxies that showed up when you clicked the link?

WikiSysop at 23:25, 7 January 2012

2012-01-07T23:25:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:25, 7 January 2012
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	[[File:hubble_deep_field_opo9601a1.jpg\|600px\|center\|Hubble Deep Field]]		[[File:hubble_deep_field_opo9601a1.jpg\|600px\|center\|Hubble Deep Field]]

	<center>Galaxies seen by Hubble Deep Field</center>		<center>Galaxies seen in the Hubble Deep Field</center>


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	<center>Precession</center>		<center>Precession</center>




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	As Earth revolves around the Sun during the year our night looks out towards different parts of the universe. With each season different constellations appear to cross the sky.		As Earth revolves around the Sun during the year our night looks out towards different parts of the universe. With each season different constellations appear to cross the sky.



	<center>'''Autumn'''</center>		<center>'''Autumn'''</center>



	Pegasus (the flying horse) and Andromeda (which looks like his hind legs) leaps over a small glow, the Andromeda galaxy (M31), 2.5 million light years away. Andromeda is in the Local Group of Galaxies. It looks much like our Milky Way galaxy and they are nearly the same size. Edwin Hubble found a Cepheid Variable star in the Andromeda galaxy that revealed how distant the galaxy is.		Pegasus (the flying horse) and Andromeda (which looks like his hind legs) leaps over a small glow, the Andromeda galaxy (M31), 2.5 million light years away. Andromeda is in the Local Group of Galaxies. It looks much like our Milky Way galaxy and they are nearly the same size. Edwin Hubble found a Cepheid Variable star in the Andromeda galaxy that revealed how distant the galaxy is.
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	<center>Andromeda Galaxy (M31)</center>		<center>Andromeda Galaxy (M31)</center>




	<center>'''Winter</center>		<center>'''Winter</center>



	We see Orion the hunter chase Taurus the bull, across the sky. The star Betelgeuse on Orion's left shoulder is a red giant, a dying star that has expanded before its final collapse.		We see Orion the hunter chase Taurus the bull, across the sky. The star Betelgeuse on Orion's left shoulder is a red giant, a dying star that has expanded before its final collapse.
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	<center>'''Spring</center>		<center>'''Spring</center>



	We see Leo the Lion, near Ursa Major, the Great Bear, where there are more galaxies up above and far beyond the plane of our Milky Way.		We see Leo the Lion, near Ursa Major, the Great Bear, where there are more galaxies up above and far beyond the plane of our Milky Way.
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	<center>'''Summer'''</center>		<center>'''Summer'''</center>



	The Teapot Sagittarius crosses the sky. The center of our Milky Way galaxy looks like steam rising over the teapot's spout. Here we see many nebulae and globular clusters of stars towards the center of our galaxy.		The Teapot Sagittarius crosses the sky. The center of our Milky Way galaxy looks like steam rising over the teapot's spout. Here we see many nebulae and globular clusters of stars towards the center of our galaxy.
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	<center>'''You know about: ZODIAC CONSTELLATIONS'''</center>		<center>'''You know about ZODIAC CONSTELLATIONS'''</center>


	As we look towards the Zodiac Constellations, we are looking across the plane of the solar system where we naturally find the Sun, Moon, and planets. This path in the sky is called the ecliptic.		As we look towards the Zodiac Constellations, we are looking across the plane of the solar system where we naturally find the Sun, Moon, and planets. This path in the sky is called the ecliptic.


	[[File:Zodiacblue2.jpg\|600px\|center\|Zodiac]]		[[File:Zodiacblue2.jpg\|600px\|center\|Zodiac]]

WikiSysop at 23:23, 7 January 2012

2012-01-07T23:23:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:23, 7 January 2012
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	Messier's galaxies were no more than 63 million ly away, and may be seen with a good backyard telescope. It wasn't until the Hubble Space Telescope that we could see galaxies 14 billion ly distant. The Hubble Deep Field (HDF) images were taken in the Big Dipper. These galaxies are what was seen in a tiny speck of sky no larger than a grain of sand held at arms length.		Messier's galaxies were no more than 63 million light years (LY) away, and may be seen with a good backyard telescope. It wasn't until the Hubble Space Telescope that we could see galaxies 14 billion ly distant. The Hubble Deep Field (HDF) images were taken in the Big Dipper. These galaxies are what was seen in a tiny speck of sky no larger than a grain of sand held at arms length.


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	As Earth revolves around the Sun during the year our night looks out towards different parts of the universe. With each season different constellations appear to cross the sky.		As Earth revolves around the Sun during the year our night looks out towards different parts of the universe. With each season different constellations appear to cross the sky.

	Autumn: Pegasus (the flying horse) and Andromeda (which looks like his hind legs) leaps over a small glow, the Andromeda galaxy (M31), 2.5 million light years away. Andromeda is in the Local Group of Galaxies. It looks much like our Milky Way galaxy and they are nearly the same size. Edwin Hubble found a Cepheid Variable star in the Andromeda galaxy that revealed how distant the galaxy is.		<center>'''Autumn'''</center>

			Pegasus (the flying horse) and Andromeda (which looks like his hind legs) leaps over a small glow, the Andromeda galaxy (M31), 2.5 million light years away. Andromeda is in the Local Group of Galaxies. It looks much like our Milky Way galaxy and they are nearly the same size. Edwin Hubble found a Cepheid Variable star in the Andromeda galaxy that revealed how distant the galaxy is.


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	<center>''Winter: We see Orion the hunter chase Taurus the bull, across the sky. The star Betelgeuse on Orion's left shoulder is a red giant, a dying star that has expanded before its final collapse.~~''</center>~~		<center>'''Winter</center>

			We see Orion the hunter chase Taurus the bull, across the sky. The star Betelgeuse on Orion's left shoulder is a red giant, a dying star that has expanded before its final collapse.


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	<center>''Spring: We see Leo the Lion, near Ursa Major, the Great Bear, where there are more galaxies up above and far beyond the plane of our Milky Way.~~''</center>~~		<center>'''Spring</center>

			We see Leo the Lion, near Ursa Major, the Great Bear, where there are more galaxies up above and far beyond the plane of our Milky Way.


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	<center>''Summer~~: The Teapot Sagittarius crosses the sky. The center of our Milky Way galaxy looks like steam rising over the teapot~~'~~s spout. Here we see many nebulae and globular clusters of stars towards the center of our galaxy.~~''</center>		<center>'''Summer'''</center>

			The Teapot Sagittarius crosses the sky. The center of our Milky Way galaxy looks like steam rising over the teapot's spout. Here we see many nebulae and globular clusters of stars towards the center of our galaxy.


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	You know about: ZODIAC CONSTELLATIONS		<center>'''You know about: ZODIAC CONSTELLATIONS'''</center>

	As we look towards the Zodiac Constellations, we are looking across the plane of the solar system where we naturally find the Sun, Moon, and planets. This path in the sky is called the ecliptic.		As we look towards the Zodiac Constellations, we are looking across the plane of the solar system where we naturally find the Sun, Moon, and planets. This path in the sky is called the ecliptic.

WikiSysop at 23:18, 7 January 2012

2012-01-07T23:18:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:18, 7 January 2012
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	[[File:~~orion_nebula~~.jpg\|600px\|center\|Orion Nebula]]		[[File:orion_nebula_web.jpg\|600px\|center\|Orion Nebula]]

WikiSysop at 23:17, 7 January 2012

2012-01-07T23:17:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:17, 7 January 2012
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	[[File:orion_nebula.jpg\|600px\|center\|]Orion Nebula]]		[[File:orion_nebula.jpg\|600px\|center\|Orion Nebula]]

WikiSysop at 23:14, 7 January 2012

2012-01-07T23:14:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:14, 7 January 2012
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	[[File:~~Whirlpoool_nasa~~.jpg\|600px\|center\|Messier 51 - The Whirlpool Galaxy]]		[[File:Whirlpool_nasa.jpg\|600px\|center\|Messier 51 - The Whirlpool Galaxy]]

	<center>Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)</center>		<center>Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)</center>
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	[[File:hubble_deep_field_opo9601a1.jpg\|600px\|center\|Hubble Deep Field]]		[[File:hubble_deep_field_opo9601a1.jpg\|600px\|center\|Hubble Deep Field]]

	<center>Galaxies seen by Hubble Deep Field<center>		<center>Galaxies seen by Hubble Deep Field</center>

WikiSysop at 23:13, 7 January 2012

2012-01-07T23:13:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:13, 7 January 2012
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	[[File:hubble_deep_field_opo9601a1.jpg\|600px\|center\|Hubble Deep Field]]		[[File:hubble_deep_field_opo9601a1.jpg\|600px\|center\|Hubble Deep Field]]

	<center>Galaxies seen by Hubble Deep Field<center>		<center>Galaxies seen by Hubble Deep Field<center>

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	Use star maps, a planisphere if you have one, or free planetarium software such as Stellarium to follow the changes in the sky with seasons.		Use star maps, a planisphere if you have one, or free planetarium software such as Stellarium to follow the changes in the sky with seasons.

	On February 1st at 9 PM you will find Orion and Taurus rising in the east. By 12 AM you will see Orion highest in the sky. At 6AM Orion will be setting in the west at the end of the night.		*On February 1st at 9 PM you will find Orion and Taurus rising in the east. By 12 AM you will see Orion highest in the sky. At 6AM Orion will be setting in the west at the end of the night.

	On May 1st at 9 PM see if you can find Leo rising in the east. Watch Leo cross the sky during the night.		*On May 1st at 9 PM see if you can find Leo rising in the east. Watch Leo cross the sky during the night.

	On August 1st at 9 PM find the Teapot in Sagittarius rising in the southeast. Watch it climb in the southern sky and set at dawn.		*On August 1st at 9 PM find the Teapot in Sagittarius rising in the southeast. Watch it climb in the southern sky and set at dawn.

	On November 1st at 9 PM find Pegasus and Andromeda, and let them fly across the autumn sky.		*On November 1st at 9 PM find Pegasus and Andromeda, and let them fly across the autumn sky.


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	As we look towards the Zodiac Constellations, we are looking across the plane of the solar system where we naturally find the Sun, Moon, and planets. This path in the sky is called the ecliptic.		As we look towards the Zodiac Constellations, we are looking across the plane of the solar system where we naturally find the Sun, Moon, and planets. This path in the sky is called the ecliptic.

	[[File:~~zodiacblue2~~.jpg\|600px\|center\|Zodiac]]		[[File:Zodiacblue2.jpg\|600px\|center\|Zodiac]]

	Zodiac Constellations along the Ecliptic		<center>Zodiac Constellations along the Ecliptic</center>

WikiSysop at 23:09, 7 January 2012

2012-01-07T23:09:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:09, 7 January 2012
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	[[File:~~whirlpoool_nasa~~.jpg\|600px\|center\|Messier 51 - The Whirlpool Galaxy]]		[[File:Whirlpoool_nasa.jpg\|600px\|center\|Messier 51 - The Whirlpool Galaxy]]

	<center>Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)</center>		<center>Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)</center>
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	As we look towards the Zodiac Constellations, we are looking across the plane of the solar system where we naturally find the Sun, Moon, and planets. This path in the sky is called the ecliptic.		As we look towards the Zodiac Constellations, we are looking across the plane of the solar system where we naturally find the Sun, Moon, and planets. This path in the sky is called the ecliptic.

	Zodiac		[[File:zodiacblue2.jpg\|600px\|center\|Zodiac]]

	Zodiac Constellations along the Ecliptic		Zodiac Constellations along the Ecliptic

WikiSysop at 23:07, 7 January 2012

2012-01-07T23:07:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:07, 7 January 2012
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	[[File:whirlpoool_nasa.jpg\|600px\|center\|Messier %1 - The Whirlpool Galaxy]]		[[File:whirlpoool_nasa.jpg\|600px\|center\|Messier 51 - The Whirlpool Galaxy]]

	<center>Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)</center>		<center>Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)</center>

WikiSysop at 23:06, 7 January 2012

2012-01-07T23:06:25Z

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