Stargazer's Guide to the Galaxy
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WWW.THEPOST.OHIOU.EDU
THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2011
5
LEGENDS OF THE HEAVENS
Eta Aquarids’ radiant — or point of origin in the sky — is located in the Aquarius constellation, which is actually most visible during fall. The location of the radiant changes depending on the season. Aquarius is one of 88 constellations, all visible in the United States. The International Astronomical Union divided the night sky into these 88 constellations in 1930, but not all can be seen year-round. Spring offers the best view of eight constellations in particular: Gemini, Virgo, Orion, Canes Venatici, Boötes, Ursa Major
S
and Leo. “Back in ancient times, when it got dark, everybody focused on the light, and the only light in those days was the campfire or the stuff in the sky,” O’Grady said. “They had a lot of time to look up and a lot of questions, so they looked to the sky for answers.” From Leo — the lion that was defeated by Hercules — to the twins of Gemini — who are thought to represent the relationship between the sun and moon — each of the eight constellations bear extraordinary stories that add to their legends.
GEMINI THE TWINS
Gemini, the twins, have been thought by some scholars to resemble the relationship between the sun and the moon. They are generally referred to as Castor and Pollux, the names of the two first magnitude, or brightest, stars in the constellation. They have also been referred to as "David and Jonathan" and "Adam and Eve." The Eskimos relate them to the two door stones of an igloo, and the Arabs see them as peacocks. Pollux is the brighter of the two stars — residing 54 light years away — and is often used in lunar observation navigation.
VIRGO THE VIRGIN
Virgo, the virgin, holds a head of wheat marked by its brightest star, Spica. Virgo enters the sky in August and many cultures view her as the goddess of the harvest. In Egypt, Virgo is associated with Iris, and it is said that she formed the Milky Way by dropping wheat heads in the sky.
OLIVIA YOUNG | Staff Writer | oy311909@ohiou.edu
AFTER A LONG WINTER, many are eager to soak up the spring sunshine and
catch some refreshing vitamin D. But when the sun goes down and most find an indoor escape from the looming darkness, a vibrant galaxy of moons, planets and stars is revealed. “I’ve been to some pretty amazing places,” said Tom O’Grady, instructor of astronomy at Ohio University. “But some of the most striking nights I’ve seen have been here in Athens.”
STARGAZER’S
GUIDE TO THE GALAXY
NORTH
ORION THE HUNTER
TH ES PR IN G
Y SK
With the exception of the Big Dipper, the "Belt of Orion," which can be seen from every part of the globe, is probably the best known and most popular celestial object. Orion, the hunter, contains two first magnitude and four second magnitude stars and is the brightest constellation in the sky. Greek legend says that Orion pursued the Pleiades and was confronted by Taurus, the bull. Another legend says Orion was placed in the sky after the moon-goddess accidentally shot him with an arrow, so that she might gaze upon him as she sailed in her chariot. In Egypt, the soul of Osiris is said to rest in Orion and the early Irish knew him as "The Armed King."
CANES VENATICI THE HUNTING DOGS
URSA MAJOR
Canes Venatici, the hunting dogs, are closely associated with the constellation Boötes. The dogs are on the leash of the hunter and aid in tracking the bear as it rotates around the pole. "Asterion" is the name of the northern dog and "Chara" is the name of the southern dog. ORION WEST
EAST
CANES VENATICI BOÖTES LEO
GEMINI
CORVUS THE CROW
VIRGO
Corvus, the crow, is generally depicted as pecking at the coils of Hydra. It is known as “The Red Bird” to the Chinese, and it is the last constellation in their zodiac. According to Greek fable, the crow was placed among the stars by Apollo as a reward for watching over his lover.
CORVUS
HOW TO USE THIS MAP:
The four directions (north, south, east, and west) are located on the edges of the map. In order to find stars, hold the map up and match the sides to the direction you are facing. The stars on the map’s horizon now match the sky. The constellations on this map are viewable in the night sky at about 9 p.m. SOUTH
PLANETARY SPECTER
aroundT
WN O
ETA AQUARID METEOR SHOWER
TONIGHT
Angela Perley, The Howlin’ Moons and The Lovesick Blues, 10 p.m., Casa Cantina, 4 W. State St., free Macpodz, 9 p.m., Jackie O’s Pub and Brewery, 24 W. Union St., $8
TOMORROW
Fayble Family and Raw Dough, 10 p.m., Casa Cantina, 4 W. State St., free East Coast Float, 9 p.m., Jackie O’s Pub and Brewery, 24 W. Union St., cover The Drenched Earth Tour featuring The Womack Family Band and Kelly Latimore, 9 p.m., Donkey Coffee and Espresso, 17 1/2 W. Washington St., cover
In tomorrow’s early hours, around 4 a.m., debris from Halley’s Comet will hit Earth’s atmosphere at 148,000 mph, creating a spectacular light show in the night sky. The Eta Aquarid is the third of eight annual meteor showers and the last one until August. A meteor shower occurs when particles of interplanetary rock and debris form a trail that intercepts with Earth’s orbit. When the particles hit Earth’s upper atmosphere, they burn and create streaks of light across the sky, commonly called meteors or shooting stars. Eta Aquarid meteors will not reach the ground, as they are too small to make the journey through Earth’s atmosphere. Any celestial object that survives the trip through the atmosphere and the impact of hitting Earth is called a meteorite.
In the past week, Mercury, Mars, Venus and Jupiter, which are usually spread out over the night sky, have been moving closer together. This rare sight is most vivid just before dawn at about 5:30 a.m. “It is said in Greek mythology that when the gods and goddesses get together, they’re always conspiring against mortals,” O’Grady said. “So you wouldn’t want to have that little gathering going on in the night sky right over your shoulder.” For the past couple years, spring has also offered a rare sight of Saturn, as Earth passes between it and the sun. “It’s the ultimate eye candy,” said Eberts. Last night, Eberts set up a seven-inch telescope on the OU golf course to show a group of Adams Hall residents the unusual sight. With their eyes glued to the scope, they marveled at the planet’s vibrant colors and distinct rings.
Originally named "Arcturus," Boötes, the bear driver, first appeared in The Odyssey. He is depicted holding the leash of two hunting dogs and appears to be pursing the great bear, from which his name is derived. Boötes has also been called “Atlas" based on his proximity to the northern pole and his appearance of hoisting the heavens above his head.
BOÖTES THE BEAR DRIVER
URSA MAJOR THE GREAT BEAR
HALLEY’S COMET
CELESTIAL VIEWING
SATURDAY
International Dance Night with DJ Self Help, 10 p.m., Casa Cantina, 4 W. State St., cover Mike Perkins and Molly Jo Stanley, 9 p.m., Jackie O’s Pub and Brewery, 24 W. Union St., cover Option 22, Scrimshaw and the Mariner, and Chloe Mockensturm, 9 p.m., Donkey Coffee and Espresso, 17 1/2 W. Washington St., cover — Nicolien Buholzer
Every Eta Aquarid meteor that crosses the sky is born from a comet about the size of Manhattan. Halley’s Comet is the only short-period comet that can be seen with the naked eye and is only visible every 76 years. Nicknamed “dirty snowballs,” comets are a mixture of ice and dust that, for reasons unknown, did not affix to planets when the solar system was formed. The last time Halley’s Comet crossed the Earth’s atmosphere, a large group of people gathered on the roof of the Research and Technology Center, where a gigantic telescope is housed in a shed. But George Eberts, an instructor in OU’s astronomy department, called the sight “lame” and said the next time it appears, “it will rip the sky in half.” Halley’s Comet may not be visible from Earth again until 2061, but every May and November, its fiery particles shower the night sky.
“The sky is like a neighborhood of patterns that most people aren’t familiar with because they haven’t looked at it very often,” O’Grady said. “The more frequently you go around the block, the more it becomes familiar.” Eberts and O’Grady, who have been friends and astronomy buddies since they were in high school, suggest finding a open and elevated place free from light pollution for the ultimate sky view. “The best place is where you will do it most often, even if that’s your backyard,” Eberts said.
Ursa Major, the great bear, is the most widely recognized constellation. "Ursa" is derived from "Versus" because of how the constellation orients around the pole. Aristotle claimed that the name was derived from the advantageous nature of the animal. According to legend, Ursa Major represents a princess who was transformed into a bear because she showed too much pride and rejected all suitors.
LOCAL EVENTS
The Southeast Ohio Astronomical Society, based in Athens, hosts many events with OU every year. The Department of Physics and Astronomy will set up telescopes on College Green Saturday night for “Sidewalk Astronomy,” a public celebration of National Astronomy Day.
LEO THE LION
GRAPHICS BY ALI MORRIS
According to Greek fable, Leo, the lion, was killed by Hercules and Jupiter placed him in the heavens to commemorate the battle. Ancient astrologers taught that Leo was the "sole house of the sun.” Regulus, the brightest star in Leo, was believed to be the ruler of the affairs of heaven. — Ali Morris
WWW.THEPOST.OHIOU.EDU
THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2011
5
LEGENDS OF THE HEAVENS
Eta Aquarids’ radiant — or point of origin in the sky — is located in the Aquarius constellation, which is actually most visible during fall. The location of the radiant changes depending on the season. Aquarius is one of 88 constellations, all visible in the United States. The International Astronomical Union divided the night sky into these 88 constellations in 1930, but not all can be seen year-round. Spring offers the best view of eight constellations in particular: Gemini, Virgo, Orion, Canes Venatici, Boötes, Ursa Major
S
and Leo. “Back in ancient times, when it got dark, everybody focused on the light, and the only light in those days was the campfire or the stuff in the sky,” O’Grady said. “They had a lot of time to look up and a lot of questions, so they looked to the sky for answers.” From Leo — the lion that was defeated by Hercules — to the twins of Gemini — who are thought to represent the relationship between the sun and moon — each of the eight constellations bear extraordinary stories that add to their legends.
GEMINI THE TWINS
Gemini, the twins, have been thought by some scholars to resemble the relationship between the sun and the moon. They are generally referred to as Castor and Pollux, the names of the two first magnitude, or brightest, stars in the constellation. They have also been referred to as "David and Jonathan" and "Adam and Eve." The Eskimos relate them to the two door stones of an igloo, and the Arabs see them as peacocks. Pollux is the brighter of the two stars — residing 54 light years away — and is often used in lunar observation navigation.
VIRGO THE VIRGIN
Virgo, the virgin, holds a head of wheat marked by its brightest star, Spica. Virgo enters the sky in August and many cultures view her as the goddess of the harvest. In Egypt, Virgo is associated with Iris, and it is said that she formed the Milky Way by dropping wheat heads in the sky.
OLIVIA YOUNG | Staff Writer | oy311909@ohiou.edu
AFTER A LONG WINTER, many are eager to soak up the spring sunshine and
catch some refreshing vitamin D. But when the sun goes down and most find an indoor escape from the looming darkness, a vibrant galaxy of moons, planets and stars is revealed. “I’ve been to some pretty amazing places,” said Tom O’Grady, instructor of astronomy at Ohio University. “But some of the most striking nights I’ve seen have been here in Athens.”
STARGAZER’S
GUIDE TO THE GALAXY
NORTH
ORION THE HUNTER
TH ES PR IN G
Y SK
With the exception of the Big Dipper, the "Belt of Orion," which can be seen from every part of the globe, is probably the best known and most popular celestial object. Orion, the hunter, contains two first magnitude and four second magnitude stars and is the brightest constellation in the sky. Greek legend says that Orion pursued the Pleiades and was confronted by Taurus, the bull. Another legend says Orion was placed in the sky after the moon-goddess accidentally shot him with an arrow, so that she might gaze upon him as she sailed in her chariot. In Egypt, the soul of Osiris is said to rest in Orion and the early Irish knew him as "The Armed King."
CANES VENATICI THE HUNTING DOGS
URSA MAJOR
Canes Venatici, the hunting dogs, are closely associated with the constellation Boötes. The dogs are on the leash of the hunter and aid in tracking the bear as it rotates around the pole. "Asterion" is the name of the northern dog and "Chara" is the name of the southern dog. ORION WEST
EAST
CANES VENATICI BOÖTES LEO
GEMINI
CORVUS THE CROW
VIRGO
Corvus, the crow, is generally depicted as pecking at the coils of Hydra. It is known as “The Red Bird” to the Chinese, and it is the last constellation in their zodiac. According to Greek fable, the crow was placed among the stars by Apollo as a reward for watching over his lover.
CORVUS
HOW TO USE THIS MAP:
The four directions (north, south, east, and west) are located on the edges of the map. In order to find stars, hold the map up and match the sides to the direction you are facing. The stars on the map’s horizon now match the sky. The constellations on this map are viewable in the night sky at about 9 p.m. SOUTH
PLANETARY SPECTER
aroundT
WN O
ETA AQUARID METEOR SHOWER
TONIGHT
Angela Perley, The Howlin’ Moons and The Lovesick Blues, 10 p.m., Casa Cantina, 4 W. State St., free Macpodz, 9 p.m., Jackie O’s Pub and Brewery, 24 W. Union St., $8
TOMORROW
Fayble Family and Raw Dough, 10 p.m., Casa Cantina, 4 W. State St., free East Coast Float, 9 p.m., Jackie O’s Pub and Brewery, 24 W. Union St., cover The Drenched Earth Tour featuring The Womack Family Band and Kelly Latimore, 9 p.m., Donkey Coffee and Espresso, 17 1/2 W. Washington St., cover
In tomorrow’s early hours, around 4 a.m., debris from Halley’s Comet will hit Earth’s atmosphere at 148,000 mph, creating a spectacular light show in the night sky. The Eta Aquarid is the third of eight annual meteor showers and the last one until August. A meteor shower occurs when particles of interplanetary rock and debris form a trail that intercepts with Earth’s orbit. When the particles hit Earth’s upper atmosphere, they burn and create streaks of light across the sky, commonly called meteors or shooting stars. Eta Aquarid meteors will not reach the ground, as they are too small to make the journey through Earth’s atmosphere. Any celestial object that survives the trip through the atmosphere and the impact of hitting Earth is called a meteorite.
In the past week, Mercury, Mars, Venus and Jupiter, which are usually spread out over the night sky, have been moving closer together. This rare sight is most vivid just before dawn at about 5:30 a.m. “It is said in Greek mythology that when the gods and goddesses get together, they’re always conspiring against mortals,” O’Grady said. “So you wouldn’t want to have that little gathering going on in the night sky right over your shoulder.” For the past couple years, spring has also offered a rare sight of Saturn, as Earth passes between it and the sun. “It’s the ultimate eye candy,” said Eberts. Last night, Eberts set up a seven-inch telescope on the OU golf course to show a group of Adams Hall residents the unusual sight. With their eyes glued to the scope, they marveled at the planet’s vibrant colors and distinct rings.
Originally named "Arcturus," Boötes, the bear driver, first appeared in The Odyssey. He is depicted holding the leash of two hunting dogs and appears to be pursing the great bear, from which his name is derived. Boötes has also been called “Atlas" based on his proximity to the northern pole and his appearance of hoisting the heavens above his head.
BOÖTES THE BEAR DRIVER
URSA MAJOR THE GREAT BEAR
HALLEY’S COMET
CELESTIAL VIEWING
SATURDAY
International Dance Night with DJ Self Help, 10 p.m., Casa Cantina, 4 W. State St., cover Mike Perkins and Molly Jo Stanley, 9 p.m., Jackie O’s Pub and Brewery, 24 W. Union St., cover Option 22, Scrimshaw and the Mariner, and Chloe Mockensturm, 9 p.m., Donkey Coffee and Espresso, 17 1/2 W. Washington St., cover — Nicolien Buholzer
Every Eta Aquarid meteor that crosses the sky is born from a comet about the size of Manhattan. Halley’s Comet is the only short-period comet that can be seen with the naked eye and is only visible every 76 years. Nicknamed “dirty snowballs,” comets are a mixture of ice and dust that, for reasons unknown, did not affix to planets when the solar system was formed. The last time Halley’s Comet crossed the Earth’s atmosphere, a large group of people gathered on the roof of the Research and Technology Center, where a gigantic telescope is housed in a shed. But George Eberts, an instructor in OU’s astronomy department, called the sight “lame” and said the next time it appears, “it will rip the sky in half.” Halley’s Comet may not be visible from Earth again until 2061, but every May and November, its fiery particles shower the night sky.
“The sky is like a neighborhood of patterns that most people aren’t familiar with because they haven’t looked at it very often,” O’Grady said. “The more frequently you go around the block, the more it becomes familiar.” Eberts and O’Grady, who have been friends and astronomy buddies since they were in high school, suggest finding a open and elevated place free from light pollution for the ultimate sky view. “The best place is where you will do it most often, even if that’s your backyard,” Eberts said.
Ursa Major, the great bear, is the most widely recognized constellation. "Ursa" is derived from "Versus" because of how the constellation orients around the pole. Aristotle claimed that the name was derived from the advantageous nature of the animal. According to legend, Ursa Major represents a princess who was transformed into a bear because she showed too much pride and rejected all suitors.
LOCAL EVENTS
The Southeast Ohio Astronomical Society, based in Athens, hosts many events with OU every year. The Department of Physics and Astronomy will set up telescopes on College Green Saturday night for “Sidewalk Astronomy,” a public celebration of National Astronomy Day.
LEO THE LION
GRAPHICS BY ALI MORRIS
According to Greek fable, Leo, the lion, was killed by Hercules and Jupiter placed him in the heavens to commemorate the battle. Ancient astrologers taught that Leo was the "sole house of the sun.” Regulus, the brightest star in Leo, was believed to be the ruler of the affairs of heaven. — Ali Morris
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