The Design of the Sky – Orion’s Belt (Originally published in the Classical Astronomy Update newsletter) In speaking of the constellations, you hear people say all the time, “I don’t know how anyone is supposed to see those pictures in the stars. I don’t see anything like that.” It is true that a lot of the so-called constellations require quite… Continue reading
SEE THE ORION NEBULA: Warmer evenings are now at hand in early spring, and the amazing constellation Orion remains in the evening sky for at least another month. A moonless evening is a good time to look for M42, the Orion Nebula. M42 is an “emission nebula,” a patch of brightly glowing gas in deep space. M42 is easy to… Continue reading
After ruling the evening skies during the winter, the constellation Orion will soon say goodbye for the season, when he disappears into the spring sunset. But friends of Orion can make a new friend with the constellation Leo the Lion, which is currently high in the evening sky of spring. You can’t miss Leo since the bright “star” Jupiter is… Continue reading
“The Heavens Declare the Glory of God.” – Psalm 19:1a This verse is inscribed on the gable of the “pink clubhouse” at Stellafane in Springfield, Vermont, the birthplace of modern-day amateur astronomy. However, the night sky does not appear very glorious if it is spoiled by light pollution… the collective glow of ground lighting, scattered upwards onto the sky.… Continue reading
