In Depth |
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Here we see the constellation names, with a few
bright stars labeled. Leo the Lion is setting
in the west as evening starts, but his Zodiac
pals Virgo the Maiden and Libra the Scales are
up longer. The bright star Spica marks Virgo.
The Zodiac continues with bright Scorpius the
Scorpion and Sagittarius the Archer (which
looks like a teapot).
Just west of straight overhead, watch for Bootes the Herdsman, marked by the 4th brightest night time star (the sun is a star, remember), Arcturus. Notice the small arc of stars east of Bootes; this is Corona Borealis, the northern crown. Northwest of Bootes is what he's herding - the Great Bear, Ursa Major. The most famous part of Ursa Major is the Big Dipper.
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Arcing above the northern horizon is Draco the Dragon - his diamond shaped head is easy to spot. In the northeast, just beginning to rise into view, are the house shaped constellation of Cepheus the king and his wife, Cassiopeia, which looks like a "W".
Rising high in the east are three bright stars: Vega, Altair, and Deneb, the lead stars of threee separate constellations: Lyra the Lyre, Aquila the Eagle, and Cygnus the Swan respectively. This triangle of summer stars is an excellent sky mark for finding your way around the heavens; notice the small and bright Lyra in particular.
Our Constellation Feature this month is a distinctive pair of constellations in this area: the squarish Hercules and its small neighbor, Lyra.
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