Learning the Night Sky · Stars and Constellations ... Star Brightness is called Magnitude “Mag...
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Learning the Night Sky Learning the Night Sky Mark Huss
Transcript of Learning the Night Sky · Stars and Constellations ... Star Brightness is called Magnitude “Mag...
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
