Winter Constellations Over Rhode Island
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Every season has its share of interesting astronomical wonders for us to marvel at in the heavens. But whether you are using your naked eye or a newly acquired telescope, can you navigate your way around the constellations to find a particular object? I’m sure everyone could locate the Moon, and some of you might get lucky and find a planet! However, if I told you there was a new comet in a certain constellation, would you know where to look in the sky so you could enjoy the view? If you answered “no” to my question, then this star pattern primer is for you.
On the next clear night take a close look at the stars in the sky. We all see the same stars, but does everyone really perceive the view the same? Not unless you’re well versed in sky lore! Though each star is just an apparently random diamond set in the blackness of space, the human mind tends to connect the dots into familiar patterns that can be recognized again and again. Our ancient ancestors played “connect the dots” with the stars, and the constellations were born. The key is in knowing what stars make up what sky patterns.
Ancient pictures in the sky
Some of our present day constellations have a 6,000 year history. Taurus the Bull, Leo the Lion, and Scorpius the Scorpion, were recorded in cuneiform texts from around 4000 B.C. The ancients honored these common animals by placing them in the sky for all to revere.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThough these sky pictures and associated stories were developed to explain the mysteries of the heavens, their regular rising and setting times came to be relied upon for the planting and harvesting of crops here on Earth. The motion of the sky became the first calendar. Because the lives of our ancestors depended upon their knowledge of this sky clock, they dutifully recorded all that transpired in the heavens. The science of astronomy arose from these early and diligent observations.
A good example of this knowledge was utilized by the ancient Egyptians. I’m sure many of you are aware that the Egyptians relied upon the annual flooding of the Nile for the success of their crops. How did they know when this event was to occur? When Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, rose above the eastern horizon at dawn, the Nile would soon overflow its banks.
Throughout history new star patterns emerged as contact with other cultures occurred. Old and established constellations were replaced with new ones when conquering civilizations subjugated their enemies. The same grouping of stars could be a big bear or a ladle or dipper (Ursa Major or the Big Dipper). One could consider it a stellar Rorschach inkblot test. What each star pattern resembled merely depended upon the knowledge and experience of the viewer. Many non-traditional constellations were added when explorers traveled to the southern hemisphere and witnessed an entirely different vault of stars.
Modern constellations
Since 1932, the constellations have well-defined boundaries and names. This standardization was done to avoid confusion in the astronomical community. Today there are 88 constellations, half of which were known to the ancients. Many of you are probably familiar with the 12 signs of the zodiac, so you’re already acquainted with about one-fourth of the constellations that can be seen from our latitude here in New England. But can you find these star patterns in the sky?
I hope you can at least locate the star pattern that is your astrological sign. By the way, did you know we owe the creation of the zodiac to the Babylonians? The zodiac is the band of constellations that encircles the sky centered on the ecliptic, our sun’s path across the sky during the course of a year. The term means “little animal cycle,” since all of the patterns, except Libra, represent living creatures.
Many of the traditional star patterns are rich in mythology. Over the years I have related mythological tales about Orion, Taurus, Aquarius, Hercules, Andromeda, Pegasus, and Scorpius, as well as pointed out some of the brighter telescopic sights in these constellations. For new readers of this column I will re-examine some of these sky pictures as well as introduce you to additional signposts in the sky in future months. Once you know the history behind the figures in the sky you won’t observe them the same way again. The vault of the heavens is a giant pictograph from our ancient ancestors who have given us a time capsule from their day.
How to learn the constellations
Learn the constellations, particularly if you own a telescope. If you don’t own a scope, learn the star patterns first before you purchase one. The constellations are full of wondrous objects such as galaxies, clusters, and nebulae. If you can’t even locate specific constellations in the sky, you’ll never find the riches lying within them. (Though computerized telescopes have perhaps rendered constellation identification obsolete, I hope you will take some time to continue this ages-old tradition. Besides, what would you do if your only battery ran down? The “backup” would be your knowledge of the sky patterns.)
The easy way to learn the constellations is to accompany a person who is already knowledgeable in this field of study. Let that individual be your guide to the beautiful star patterns our ancestors created in the heavens.
Must-have: planisphere
However, if an experienced guide is not readily available to you, there is a simple and inexpensive tool that can help you with constellation identification...it’s called a planisphere.
A planisphere (also called a star wheel) consists of a round rotating disc depicting the constellations and a calendar of dates. A fixed outer dial contains a time scale (for example, 8:00 pm, 9:00 pm, etc).
All one has to do is set the rotating disc to the corresponding month and time. Some of the local book stores have carried different versions of planispheres from time to time. There are small ones and large ones. Today, most are made of plastic. Prices vary considerably. But the best deal can be found at Uncle Al’s Sky Wheels on the Internet. From this Web site you can download free of charge the templates to assemble your own planisphere. Instructions for assembly and use are included. I suggest you print on the heaviest stock paper your printer can accommodate.
One important fact that most of the instructions don’t point out is that you have to imagine that the planisphere curves up around you like a planetarium dome. After you’ve identified a few star patterns, a great family game would be to create your own constellations. All you have to do is have a good imagination and connect the dots (stars). This pastime can provide quite a few laughs. Post a comment with your constellation interpretations. It could prove very entertaining. I promise I won’t show them to any psychiatrists!
In conclusion, after you’ve become familiar with these constellations, learn some of their mythology. The stories will add a different dimension to your knowledge of the heavens.
Keep your eyes to the skies!
For more coverage, don't miss GoLocalTV, fresh every day at 4pm and on demand 24/7, here.
Related Articles
- Meteor Showers + More Predictions for 2012
- NEW: Plummeting Satellite to Hit Earth Tomorrow Afternoon
- NEW: Largest Full Moon in 18 Years To Rise Over Rhode Island Tonight
