Learning the Night SkyLearning the Night Sky

Mark Huss

IntroductionIntroduction

What’s up there?The Moon, Planets, Stars and BeyondDeep Sky vs. Shallow Sky

What are the challenges?What resources are available?Do I need expensive equipment?

CyclesCycles

Day and Night (and twilight)Day and Night (and twilight) Lunar MonthLunar Month Annual circle of the heavensAnnual circle of the heavens

The MoonThe Moon

The MoonThe Moon

Maria - dark “seas”Maria - dark “seas” CratersCraters The terminatorThe terminator 29.5 day cycle29.5 day cycle LibrationLibration

The MoonThe Moon

Phases of the MoonPhases of the Moon

The MoonThe Moon

Moon’s Orbit is Slightly TiltedMoon’s Orbit is Slightly Tilted

The MoonThe Moon

EclipsesEclipses

The PlanetsThe Planets

Inside – Mercury and VenusInside – Mercury and Venus EarthEarth Outside – Mars, Jupiter, SaturnOutside – Mars, Jupiter, Saturn Way Out – Uranus & NeptuneWay Out – Uranus & Neptune ““Dwarf Planets” – PlutoDwarf Planets” – Pluto

The PlanetsThe Planets

The PlanetsThe Planets

The PlanetsThe Planets

Relative Sizes

Deep SkyDeep Sky

Stars and ConstellationsStars and Constellations Star Clusters (open and globular)Star Clusters (open and globular) Nebulae (bright, dark, planetary)Nebulae (bright, dark, planetary) GalaxiesGalaxies Catalogs (NGC, Messier, …)Catalogs (NGC, Messier, …)

Deep SkyDeep Sky

Star Brightness is called Magnitude

“Mag 1” is brightest

Star Colors - subtle

Star Groupings - asterisms, clusters

Sky “real estate” = constellations

Example: Ursa Major aka The Big Dipper

Deep SkyDeep Sky

Deep SkyDeep Sky

M15

M37

Deep SkyDeep Sky

M57

M42

Deep SkyDeep Sky

M31

ChallengesChallenges

Weather in this part of the countryWeather in this part of the country Light Pollution Light Pollution Lunar Cycle (for Deep Sky)Lunar Cycle (for Deep Sky) Life!Life!

Clear Sky ChartClear Sky Chart

Summary View - “Is tonight good?”Summary View - “Is tonight good?” http://www.cleardarksky.com/csk/http://www.cleardarksky.com/csk/

ResourcesResources

The Internet!The Internet! Local Astronomy ClubsLocal Astronomy Clubs

– Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers (dvaa.org)Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers (dvaa.org)– Chester County Astronomical Society (www.ccas.us)Chester County Astronomical Society (www.ccas.us)– Chesmont Astronomical Society Chesmont Astronomical Society

(www.chesmontastro.org)(www.chesmontastro.org)

The LibraryThe Library

EquipmentEquipment

Your EyesYour Eyes– Dark AdaptationDark Adaptation– Red LightsRed Lights

Binoculars Binoculars TelescopeTelescope Accessories & GadgetsAccessories & Gadgets