Mirach, a bright star in the constellation Andromeda, is often used by stargazers to locate the Andromeda Galaxy, the Triangulum Galaxy, and a galaxy known as Mirach’s Ghost (NGC 404). Source: https://earthsky.org/brightest-stars/mirach-guide-star-to-three-galaxies…
Tag: Brightest Stars
Gamma Cephei: A future Pole Star
About two thousand years from now, Gamma Cephei, an inconspicuous star in the constellation Cepheus, will become our North Star. Source: https://earthsky.org/brightest-stars/star-errai-future-north-star…
Betelgeuse is smaller, closer, and won’t explode any time soon
According to new research, the red supergiant star Betelgeuse – which began to dim dramatically in brightness in late 2019 – might not explode for another 100,000 years. The star is also smaller and closer to us than first thought. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/betelgeuse-supergiant-smaller-closer-wont-explode-soon…
The ocean in the autumn sky
In Northern Hemisphere autumn (Southern Hemisphere spring), you can see a group of constellations that represented an “ocean” to the early stargazers. Source: https://earthsky.org/constellations/the-constellations-of-the-celestial-ocean…
Alpheratz belongs to Andromeda, but is part of the Great Square
Alpheratz, the brightest star in the constellation Andromeda, can help you locate the Andromeda Galaxy, the closest large spiral galaxy to our Milky Way home galaxy. Source: https://earthsky.org/brightest-stars/alpheratz-belongs-to-andromeda-but-pegasus-can-claim-it…
Aquarius? Here’s your constellation
Aquarius lies in a “watery” part of the sky, near Pisces the Fish, Cetus the Whale, Eridanus the River, and Piscis Austrinus the Southern Fish. Source: https://earthsky.org/constellations/aquarius-heres-your-constellation…
Moon, Venus, Regulus October 12 to 15
Watch for the moon, Venus and the bright star Regulus in the constellation Leo the Lion, as they beautify the eastern sky before sunup on October 12, 13, 14 and 15, 2020! Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/moon-venus-before-sunup-october-12-15…
Last quarter moon in Gemini, waning moon in Cancer
Last quarter moon comes on October 10. That morning, the moon will be in front of Gemini the Twins. The next morning – October 11 – the moon will be in front of Cancer the Crab. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/last-quarter-moon-in-gemini…
Moon and Fomalhaut in late September
These next several nights – September 28, 29 and 30 – 2020 – use the bright waxing gibbous moon to find the bright star Fomalhaut, the Autumn Star. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/moon-fomalhaut-in-late-september…
The moon, Jupiter and Saturn September 23 to 26
On September 23, 24, 25 and 26, 2020, the moon can guide your eye to the solar system’s 2 biggest gas giant planets, Jupiter and Saturn. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/moon-jupiter-saturn-september-23-26…