Being in real estate, I get the chance to preview a number of
homes in our area. And for some reason, I see over in the corner,
in the closet, or hidden in the garage somewhere, some very nice
looking telescopes with an awful lot of dust on them.
Being in real estate, I get the chance to preview a number of homes in our area. And for some reason, I see over in the corner, in the closet, or hidden in the garage somewhere, some very nice looking telescopes with an awful lot of dust on them. And I wonder to myself, when do you suppose was the last time that these telescopes saw the dark of night?
Well, my hope is that some of those dusty telescope owners will read these articles and will be encourage to dust them off and put them back into use again. There is so much out there to see it would be a shame not to make full use of their telescope. On the other hand, if any of you out there don’t want your scope anymore, just give me a call, I know a lot of youngsters who would just love to have a telescope of there own.
I think the main problem after one receives his or her new telescope is that they have no idea where to look, or how to find anything that resembles the fine pictures you see in those astronomy magazines. Well for one thing, those fine pictures you see are usually taken with huge telescopes on top of some of the tallest mountains. Don’t even think you can compete with those scopes. The main thing is just being able to find the object and enjoy what you found. To do so, just go to the library to find a book on astronomy or subscribe to one of the many magazines out there, such as “Sky & Telescope” and “Astronomy.” They can get you accustomed to the sky in little time.
Every now and then I receive responses from readers on my articles. Most of them say: I like to read your article, but most of the time I have no idea what you are talking about? I totally understand that feeling, especially when it comes to cooking or trying to figure out my own taxes. We all have problems understanding subjects that we are unfamiliar with. But stick with me and don’t give up. There is an awful lot of this subject that baffles my mind as well. We can learn together. I promise to keep the information as down to earth as I possible.
Constellation of the month: Cassiopeia
Cassiopeia is one of the groups of stars known to many people. It comes in fourth in popularity after the Big Dipper, Orion and the Pleiades.
The reason is its easily recognizable shape: like a “W.” People have been known to argue about whether it is a W or an M! Of course it depends on which way you are facing, and which position it is in as it revolves around the Pole Star. To the Greeks it was neither one, but a chair. Cassiopeia was one of the bad characters. As punishment she was tied to her throne, which was set close to the Pole of the sky. So it whirls around the Pole, and Cassiopeia has to spend half of every day upside down.
Cassiopeia and Ursa Major are the two brightest of the “circumpolar” constellations, and they whirl around opposite to each other. At times when Ursa Major is on the low side, next to the horizon, trees or low lying haze may prevent you from using its two Pointer stars to find the Pole Star. So you can use Cassiopeia instead. Not as good as Ursa Major but it will get you close. There aren’t many bright stars around that area with Polaris so it should be easy to find.
If you look at Cassiopeia when in its W shape you will see five main stars. Counting from left to right use the number three and four stars to draw an imaginary line to help locate Polaris. And just to make it a little harder, when it is in the M shape, I guess you could use stars number two and three to find your Pole Star.
Last December we had terrible skies for viewing. I always enjoy the rain, so I have a tendency to whish for rain in the daytime, and clear skies at night – lthough I don’t seem to have any control over this timing.
I wish you all Season Greetings, and for the best evening skies ever.
David Baumgartner is in local real estate and is an avid amateur astronomer. His Sky Watch column appears monthly.
