learning the night sky - mhuss.compaper (atlas) –edmund mag 6 star atlas –norton’s star atlas...

Learning the Night SkyLearning the Night Sky

III. How Big is it?III. How Big is it?IV. The ConstellationsIV. The ConstellationsV. Books and ReferencesV. Books and References

How Big is...How Big is...

Relating Figures on a Map to the SkyRelating Figures on a Map to the Sky Size in DegreesSize in Degrees Use your handUse your hand At arms' lengthAt arms' length

How Big?How Big?

The 88 ConstellationsThe 88 Constellations

A great way to beginA great way to begin A requirement for finding objectsA requirement for finding objects Start with easy onesStart with easy ones

– Ursa Major (includes the Big Dipper)Ursa Major (includes the Big Dipper)– OrionOrion– Cassiopeia (the “W”)Cassiopeia (the “W”)– Ursa Minor (the Little Dipper)Ursa Minor (the Little Dipper)

Ursa MajorUrsa Major


Next, learn some other easier onesNext, learn some other easier ones– GeminiGemini– PegasusPegasus– LeoLeo– Canis MajorCanis Major– AurigaAuriga

LeoLeo


Learn the other ones as the need Learn the other ones as the need arisesarises– CancerCancer– PerseusPerseus– VirgoVirgo– BootesBootes– etc.etc.

Time and Date MattersTime and Date Matters


Orion Rising


Orion Meridian


Orion Setting

You Need a Map You Need a Map (review)(review)

Paper (Atlas)Paper (Atlas)– Edmund Mag 6 Star AtlasEdmund Mag 6 Star Atlas– Norton’s Star AtlasNorton’s Star Atlas

Electronic (Programs)Electronic (Programs)– Cartes du Ciel (free)Cartes du Ciel (free)– Many available $30-$600Many available $30-$600– Guide, AstroplannerGuide, Astroplanner

Books for BeginnersBooks for Beginners

Just StartingJust Starting– Starlight NightsStarlight Nights– The Monthly Sky GuideThe Monthly Sky Guide

Books About the HobbyBooks About the Hobby– Constellation GuidebookConstellation Guidebook– DK Stars and PlanetsDK Stars and Planets– The Backyard Astronomer's GuideThe Backyard Astronomer's Guide– Astronomy HacksAstronomy Hacks– Binocular AstronomyBinocular Astronomy


Starlight Nights,Starlight Nights, Leslie C Peltier, $15 Leslie C Peltier, $15

A book about why astronomy is fun! In a career spanning A book about why astronomy is fun! In a career spanning six decades and using telescopes from 2 to 12 six decades and using telescopes from 2 to 12

inches in diameter, Peltier inches in diameter, Peltier discovered a dozen comets and six discovered a dozen comets and six novae and made more than novae and made more than 100,000 observations of variable 100,000 observations of variable stars.stars.


The Monthly Sky Guide,The Monthly Sky Guide, Ian Ridpath & Wil Ian Ridpath & Wil Tirion, $11 ($16)Tirion, $11 ($16)

Organized in a monthly layout, Organized in a monthly layout, this book lists for each month of this book lists for each month of the year info on planets and the year info on planets and meteor showers and one or two meteor showers and one or two prominent constellations..prominent constellations..


Constellation Guidebook,Constellation Guidebook, Antonin Rukl Antonin Rukl

A complete set of the A complete set of the constellations and a complete map constellations and a complete map of the sky. A few objects are of the sky. A few objects are detailed for each constellation detailed for each constellation providing a good variety.providing a good variety.

(out of print, $4 used)(out of print, $4 used)


DK Stars and Planets,DK Stars and Planets, Ian Ridpath, $10 Ian Ridpath, $10

Primarily a constellation Primarily a constellation guidebook. Excellent science, guidebook. Excellent science, highly visual presentation.highly visual presentation.

This book has monthly all sky This book has monthly all sky charts and a section with a good charts and a section with a good collection of objects presented collection of objects presented monthly. Complete data on all the monthly. Complete data on all the planets.planets.


Backyard Astronomer's Guide,Backyard Astronomer's Guide, Terrence Terrence Dickenson & Alan Dyer, $33 ($50)Dickenson & Alan Dyer, $33 ($50)

This is not a constellation This is not a constellation guidebook. It is a guidebook to all guidebook. It is a guidebook to all the things you could learn about the things you could learn about astronomy that will make your astronomy that will make your experience a little easier and a experience a little easier and a little better. little better.

This is one of those books that This is one of those books that offer advice, tips and instruction offer advice, tips and instruction for everyone, beginner, for everyone, beginner, intermediate and advanced.intermediate and advanced.


Astronomy Hacks,Astronomy Hacks, Robert Bruce Thompson & Robert Bruce Thompson & Barbara Fritchman Thompson, $16 ($25)Barbara Fritchman Thompson, $16 ($25)

This handy field guide covers the This handy field guide covers the basics of observing, and what you basics of observing, and what you need to know about tweaking, need to know about tweaking, tuning, adjusting, and tricking out tuning, adjusting, and tricking out a 'scope.a 'scope.

This book ties together This book ties together computers, hand-held devices, computers, hand-held devices, and telescopesand telescopes


Binocular Astronomy,Binocular Astronomy, Craig Crossen & Wil Craig Crossen & Wil Tirion $25Tirion $25

Organized by season. Lists about Organized by season. Lists about 250 objects visible in binoculars. 250 objects visible in binoculars.

A great strength of the book is the A great strength of the book is the outstanding sky photos with deep outstanding sky photos with deep sky objects identified, making this sky objects identified, making this a great choice for the beginner or a great choice for the beginner or avid novice.avid novice.

(Willmann-Bell)(Willmann-Bell)

Star HoppingStar Hopping

Start from somewhere obviousStart from somewhere obvious Using a star map, figure out a way to Using a star map, figure out a way to

“get there from here”“get there from here” Ideally use a map which matches the Ideally use a map which matches the

view you’re using (naked eye, binos, view you’re using (naked eye, binos, telescope)telescope)

Make a “field of view” ringMake a “field of view” ring

Star HoppingStar Hopping

M13 in M13 in HerculesHercules

learning the night sky - mhuss.compaper (atlas) –edmund mag 6 star atlas –norton’s star atlas...

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