Weather: Clear
Time: About 10:00pm
Location: Footbridge Lodge
I had the opportunity to view the night sky from Footbridge Lodge as it was the place of my brother's wedding reception. I didn't get much time to see anything but I did see a few things. The stars shone brightly and clearly, peeking out between the trees. Occasionally birds flapped overhead and doves cooed in the trees. Large pines poked into the sky like tent poles, holding up the great canopy of stars and obscuring some at the same time. Scorpius' tail stuck out cheekily, its head diving towards the horizon. Then to the left sat a hidden treasure, Corona Australis, the Southern Crown, twinkling jewels in a crown-shaped form.
I had difficulty finding the Southern Cross as it was obscured by cloud, but I did locate the pointers. In the evening, the Southern Cross is low on the horizon. At my house, you can't see it at all because it is behind the trees.
Also visible was the Triangulum and Eridanus, led boldly by Achernar.
After I left Footbridge I tried observing from my car window. This proved difficult for two reasons. First, I had to crane my neck to see anything and this was slightly uncomfortable and secondly, I would just be coming to grips with what was in the sky when the car would turn and I would be facing a different direction. However, being away from the city lights meant that the stars stood out and shone brightly.
Constellations
Scorpius: The Scorpion
Bright Stars: Antares (red)
Aquila: The Eagle
Bright Stars: Altair
Notes: In Greek myth, Aquila is the eagle that carries the thunderbolts of the god Zeus.
Triangulum: The Triangle
Notes: This triangle sits near the two pointers, Alpha and Beta Centauri, just below. It is worth locating because it can be used to help you find other constellations in the sky.
Centaurus: The Centaur
Bright Stars: Centaurus contains the closest star to Earth apart from the sun, Alpha Centauri. This star is only 4 and a 1/2 light years away. A light year is how far light travels in a year. Light travels approximately 5.88 trillion miles in a year. So it takes light from Alpha Centauri about 4 1/2 years to reach us. This means we are looking back 4 and a 1/2 years when we see Alpha Centauri. Alpha Centauri is really a group of three stars. If you look at Alpha Centauri through a small telescope you can see two stars.
Notes: Centaurus is the 9th largest constellation in the sky. This is in comparison with the Southern Cross, or Crux, which is the smallest constellation in the sky. A Centaur is a creature that is half human and half horse. I didn't really get much of a look at the whole constellation, only Alpha and Beta Centauri.
Corona Australis: The Southern Crown
Notes: This is such a beautiful constellation. It is one of my favourites. It is a few stars set in a semi circle, or crown shape. It is very difficult to see but if you have good eye-sight you may be able to make it out. You need a dark night to see it well. Another crown in the sky is the Corona Borealis or Northern Crown. This is close to Bootes, which you can't see at the moment. I guess the Coronas are like tiaras.
Eridanus: The Celestial River
Bright Stars: Achernar
Notes: Achernar was on form last night. It was very bright. It is the end of the river. Eridanus is the 6th largest constellation.
Phoenix: The Phoenix
Notes: This sits just above Eridanus and Achernar.
Bibliography:
Sasaki, C. (2002). The Constellations: Stars and Stories. New York: Sterling Publishing
