- 16 February 2017
Circinus is another relatively small constellation, in fact it comes in at the fourth smallest constellation in the night sky. It is located in the third quadrant of the Southern hemisphere and can be viewed specifically at latitudes between +30° and -90°. Its name is derived from the Latin language “the compass”; the tool used for drawing circles.
Read the full article- 15 February 2017
Bellatrix is about 20 million years-old and is thought to have six times the radius of the Sun and eight or nine solar masses. Bellatrix also has a bluish-hue and shines the 3rd brightest in its home constellation and 27th overall in the night sky. Bellatrix is also one of the four stars that are used in celestial navigation.
Read the full article- 9 February 2017
Chamaeleon is a relatively small constellation in the second quadrant of the Southern hemisphere. It can be viewed specifically at latitudes between 0° and -90°. As its name suggests, this constellation is named after a lizard; the chameleon.
Read the full article- 8 February 2017
Barnard’s Star was named after the astronomer E.E. Barnard. This 7 to 12 billion year-old star may be one of the oldest ones in the Milky Way. It’s traveling closer to the Sun and will be nearest in the year of 11,800. Astronomer Peter van de Kamp reported it had up to three planets in its orbit, but this turned out to be wrong.
Read the full article- 2 February 2017
Cetus is the sea monster in Greek mythology that had Andromeda left as a sacrifice for her mother’s vanity. It lies in the first quadrant of the Southern hemisphere and is located specifically between latitudes of +70° and -90°. Along with other constellations, Cetus was first catalogued in the 2nd century by, Ptolemy, a Greek astronomer.
Read the full article- 1 February 2017
Arcturus is derived from the ancient Greek language meaning ‘guardian of the bear’, because of its proximity to Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. Romans spoke of Arcturus as the narrator of the prologue, Rudens. Arab culture refers to this star as Al Simak al Ramih meaning ‘Leg of the Lance-bearer’, and in Chinese this star is called Ta-Kio or ‘the Great Horn’.
Read the full article- 4 January 2017
Did you get a new telescope for the holidays that you’re just dying to try out? Then check out what’s in store this January for you to take a look at.
Read the full article- 3 November 2016
What’s up for astronomers this November? Grab your telescope or binoculars and get ready all this month for some fabulous celestial wonders.
Read the full article- 6 September 2016
With summer coming to a close, you may be tempted to put away your telescope until next season. But don’t pack it up just yet, there’s some celestial wonders you may want to take a peek at all month long.
Read the full article- 29 August 2016
Astronomers have located a galaxy made up mostly of dark matter. However, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing going on inside this mysterious location.
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