Monday, November 30, 2015

The phase of the moon that is pictured is the waning gibbous. This phase of the moon appears two to three days after a full moon. The waning gibbous is visible in the early morning hours. The waning of the moon actually means "shrinking" of the moon. The waning phase repeats every 29 days, which is a synodic month. The waning gibbous is directly between the new moon phase and the first quarter phase. The waning gibbous is the direct opposite of the waxing gibbous. It has been said that when the moon is in this phase that the moon represents the Goddess in her Crone Aspect. The period of waning lasts for 14 days. 
http://earthsky.org/moon-phases/waning-gibbous 

Sunday, November 29, 2015

 

The constellation pictured in known as Gemini. Gemini is Latin for "twins." Gemini is one of the few constellations that actually looks like the meaning. Gemini is one of the 48 constellations described by the second century astronomer Ptolemy. The constellation is named after the twins Castor and Pollux in Greek mythology. The stars Castor and Pollux are the two brightest stars in the constellation. Another well-known star in the constellation is called Mekbuda, which is a super giant star with a radius 220,000 times the size of the Sun. Gemini also includes Messier object M35, which is part of set of astrominical objects first discovered in 1777 by French astronomer Charles Messier. Gemini is the 30th largest constellation. It is found in the second quadrant in the northern hemisphere. There are two meteor showers associated with this constellation: the Geminids and the Rho Geminids. 
http://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/gemini-constellation/
https://stardate.org/nightsky/constellations/gemini

Saturday, November 28, 2015

The planet pictured is Venus. On this date, Venus is at its brightest point in the sky. Venus is the second planet away from the sun. Venus is named after the Roman goddess of beauty and love. In ancient times, Venus was once thought to be the morning and evening star. Venus and Earth are very similar in size, composition, and gravity. Venus is the hottest planet. Venus' atmosphere is primarily carbon dioxide with clouds on sulfuric acid. The rays from the sun leaves no trace of water on Venus' surface, but the rays have left the surface of Venus in a molten-like state. Venus is very mountainous and made up of six different regions. Venus rotates on an opposite way of most planets. It takes Venus around 243 days to rotate on its axis. 
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/venus    

Friday, November 27, 2015


The constellation pictured is known as Eridanus. This constellation is located in the northern hemisphere. Eridanus represents a river, that is why it has no distinct shape. The constellation's name is the Ancient Greek name for the river Po in Italy. The constellation Eridanus is associated with the myth of Phaeton and is depicted as a river because it is the water flowing from the constellation Aquarius. Eridanus was first cataloged by the second century astronomer Ptolemy. This constellation contains a well-known star, Achernar. Eridanus also contains the Eridanus galaxies and the Witch Head nebula. This constellation the sixth largest constellation in the sky and is located in the southern hemisphere. This constellation contains a total of stars. Eridanus contains one of the largest supervoids ever discovered.
http://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/eridanus-constellation/



















Thursday, November 26, 2015




















The constellation pictured is known as Libra. This constellation is called the Scale, which symbolizes divine justice, harmony, and balance. In winter, this constellation can be found in the southern hemisphere. The two brightest stars in the constellation are known as Spica and Antares. The sun passes in front of the constellation from about October 30-November 24. In ancient Babylonian's time apparently associated this constellation with balances and scales. Libra is the 29th largest constellation. The scales in the constellation are held by the Greek goddess of justice Dike. Libra contains three known stars with planets and does not have any Messier objects. There is one meteor shower associated with Libra, May Librids.
http://earthsky.org/constellations/libra-heres-your-constellation

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

 

The constellation pictured is called Aquila. Aquila is called the Eagle. The brightest star in Aquila is Altair, "the Eagle," a white star that is about 17 light years away from the Earth. This star is the southern most point of the Summer Triangle. Altair is also the 12th brightest star in the sky.  Aquila is located fourth quadrant in the northern hemisphere near the equator. This constellation represents the eagle of the Roman god Jupiter in mythology. The constellation was first discovered in by the second century astronomer Ptolemy. Aquila is the 22nd largest star constellation in the sky. Aquila contains seven stars with known planets. There are two meteor showers associated with Aquila: the June Aquilids and the Epsilon Aquilids.
http://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/aquila-constellation/

Tuesday, November 24, 2015


The constellation pictured is called Lepus. Lepus represents a hare this being hunted by the Orion and chased by the nearby dogs, Canis Major and Minor. this constellation lies just below celestial equator in the southern hemisphere.  Lepus was one of the constellations discovered by the second century astronomer Ptolemy. This constellation is the 51st largest and is best seen in February, but can be seen anytime during the winter time. M79, a globular star cluster, is the only Messier object located in this constellation. Lepus contains one star with a known planet. Lepus contains a total of 8 stars. No meteor showers are associated with Lepus. The brightest star in Lepus is Arneb. 
 http://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/lepus-constellation/ 
http://www.topastronomer.com/StarCharts/Constellations/Lepus.php


















Saturday, November 21, 2015

The moon is pictured in the first quarter phase. When the moon is in the first quarter the right side of the moon is lit up. This phase is between the waxing crescent and waxing gibbous phase. The first quarter moon rises at noon and sets around midnight the next day. The moon is overhead at noon. The reason that it's not called the first half is because the moon is only one quarter of its way around the orbit of the earth. The first quarter moon comes about a week after the new moon from the previous week. The best way to describe this is that the moon is 90 degrees angle with respect to the earth and sun. The moon goes through a complete phase cycle in about a month, The lunation cycle takes approximately 29 days to complete. 
http://earthsky.org/moon-phases/first-quarter

Thursday, November 19, 2015

This constellation pictured is known as Hercules Cluster or M13. This cluster is known to be the best cluster in the northern hemisphere, Hercules Cluster is found in a star pattern called the Keystone, which is located between the two brightest stars Vega and Arcturus. Globular star clusters area huge globe-shaped section filled with hundreds-thousands of stars. Globular clusters are tightly held together by gravity unlike open clusters. Hercules Cluster is best seen with a telescope. Hercules Cluster was named after the famous comet hunter, Charles Messier. Charles first discovered this constellation in 1764. Of the 250 globular clusters in the northern hemisphere, Hercules Cluster is the biggest by far. This cluster is made of gas and dust rich, star-forming spiral galaxies. A blue tint is usually given off by this constellation. 
http://earthsky.org/clusters-nebulae-galaxies/m13-finest-globular-cluster-in-northern-skies

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

This constellation pictured here is known as Orion Nebula. In order to find Orion Nebula. you must first find the constellation Orion. In the northern hemisphere during the winter months is when this is seen the easiest. Orion Nebula is easily visible due the three stars that make up Orion's belt. Midway down Orion's Sword you can then find Orion Nebula. Nebulae are described as clouds of interstellar gases and dust. Nebulae are very difficult to see with the naked eye, so it is necessary to use binoculars to find them. Orion Nebula, however, is different from the Nebula because it is visible to the naked eye. Orion Nebula is approximately 1,300 light years away from the Earth. In 2012, astronomers found within Orion Nebula a cluster of stars. They believe that at the center of this cluster contains a black hole. Orion Nebula has four primary stars. Pictures of Orion Nebula normally have a greenish tint with some red and violet colors. 
http://earthsky.org/clusters-nebulae-galaxies/orion-nebula-jewel-in-orions-sword

Monday, November 16, 2015

This constellation pictures is known as Perseus. Perseus can be found in the northern hemisphere. Perseus is located next the constellation Cassiopeia, which I published about a days ago. Perseus can also be called Perseus the Hero. The peak time that Perseus is visible is in the autumn and winter time. Of the stars in Perseus, Mirfak is the brightest star. The most well-known of the stars in Perseus is Algol, the Demon Star. Perseus is considered to be cirfumpolar from about 40 degrees N latitude. Perseus was named by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy. In Greek mythology, Perseus was the son of Danae. Perseus is bordered by Aries and Taurus. In total, Perseus is composed on 19 different stars, but only a few are visible to the naked eye. 
http://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/perseus-constellation/

Sunday, November 15, 2015

This constellation pictured is known as Sagittarius Teapot. The Sagittarius Teapot's position marks the center of the Milky Way and of the galactic center. The Milky Way is at its densest near the Sagittarius Teapot. The Teapot is made up of 8 different stars. The Teapot can be visible in the northern hemisphere. The Teapot is known as an asterism, meaning that it is a star formation that is not a recognized constellation. An asterism also means that its an obvious grouping of stars, but it's not big enough to be a constellation. The best time that the Teapot is visible is towards the middle of the year. At this point, it reaches its highest point in the sky, so it is easily visible. The Sagittarius Teapot was first discovered by a 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy. The Sagittarius is usually symbolized with a centaur drawing a bow.   
http://earthsky.org/favorite-star-patterns/teapot-of-sagittarius-points-to-galactic-center

Friday, November 13, 2015

The constellation pictured is known as the Great Square of Pegasus. This constellation can be seen in mid September and November at night. It is positioned in the east to northeast position in the sky. The Great Square of Pegasus is made up of four stars. Scheat, Alpheratz , Markab, and Algenib. This constellation is easy to find from the position of the North Star. The Great Square of Pegasus is similar to the Big Dipper in the way that it is used to find other constellation and galaxies. The Great Square of Pegasus is made up of many small stars, but the four that are seen by the eye are the easiest to see. In Greek mythology, Pegasus was a winged horse. 
http://earthsky.org/favorite-star-patterns/great-square-of-pegasus-wings-in-sept-equinox 

Thursday, November 12, 2015


This constellation pictured is known as Orion. Orion was named after the hunter in Greek mythology. This constellation is visible between November and February in the southwest sky in the northern hemisphere. Alnilam, Mintaka, and Alnitak are the stars the form the belt. Betegeuse, is the second brightest star in this constellation. Orion has a special formation, which is called Orion Nebula. This formation is made of dust, hydrogen, helium, and other gases. This formation is not a star. Other stars that are included are Hatsya, Meissa, Saiph, and Rigel. All but one of the stars in Orion are young bright blue stars. The other one star that is not blue is red. Many culture use the mythology behind Orion is different ways. 
https://stardate.org/nightsky/constellations/orion 

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

What is pictured is the brightest star visible in the sky on the night November 10th is the star known as Capella. Capella is very similar to the Sun in that their brightness and color are almost the exact same. Capella is the brightest yellow star visible in the sky at night. Capella actually consists of two stars, Capella A and B. They emit 50-80x more light than the sun. Currently Capella is in a transitional phase. This phase of them being smaller, hotter stars to larger, cooler stars. If far enough to the north, Capella can be seen year round. Capella is the brightest star in the constellation Auriga the Charioteer. The four other stars that make up this constellation are known as Beta, Theta, Kappa, and Gamma. This constellation is named after the Greek god Posideon. 
http://earthsky.org/brightest-stars/capella-is-the-stellar-beacon-of-auriga-the-charioteer

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

This constellation pictured is known as Lacerta. Between the dates on November 8-10, it is visible around dawn. Lacerta, the Lizard was created by a Polish astronomer named Johannes Hevelius in 1687. Interestingly enough, Lacerata does not name after any kind of mythology. The two stars that Lactera falls between are Cygnus and Andromeda. This constellation runs through the Milky Way. The constellation has been called the "Little Cassiopeia" because the brightest star forms the "W" shape in the Cassiopeia constellation. Lacerta is located in the fourth quadrant of the northern hemisphere. Lacerta has four stars within the constellation. 
http://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/lacerta-constellation/

Monday, November 9, 2015


This constellation that in picture is Cassiopeia. Cassiopeia shows up in the northeast at this time of the month of November. This constellation is named after the Greek queen, Cassiopeia. This particular queen had the reputation for talking about her beauty. Cassiopeia was named by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy. Cassiopeia remains one of the eighty-eight modern constellations today. If viewed from the north, Cassiopeia has a certain M-shape to it. If viewed from the south, Cassiopeia has a certain W-shape to it. Cassiopeia is formed by five bright stars. The five stars of Cassiopeia are: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon Cassiopeia. There are two Messier objects contained in Cassiopeia. 
http://www.space.com/29132-cassiopeia-the-banished-queen-of-constellations.html
http://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/cassiopeia-constellation/

Saturday, November 7, 2015

This is a picture of Jupiter. Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. Jupiter's atmosphere is very similar to that of the sun's atmosphere. Jupiter's physical characteristics consist of dark and light belts. The reason these bands exist is because the winds speeds on Jupiter get to such a high speed. There are also white clouds in this area are made up of crystals of frozen ammonia. Jupiter is also known for having a "Great Red Spot." The "Great Red Spot" came about almost 300 years ago due to a hurricane-like storm. The Greeks named Jupiter after the Greek king Zeus. Zeus was known for being the king of the Greek pantheon. In 1610, Galileo discovered Jupiter's four major moons. The four major moons are lo, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
http://nineplanets.org/jupiter.html

Thursday, November 5, 2015

This constellation is known as Ursa Minor or it may also be called the "Little Dipper." The stars that make up this constellation are known as the "Little Dipper." This can also be translated as "Little Bear." When talking about its position in the sky, it can be best seen in June. Ursa Minor visibility is best between 90 and -10 degrees. Ursa Minor contains 7 total stars. The best known star in Ursa Minor is Polaris. This star is the closet to the North Pole. The latitude of this constellation made it very easy to navigate the sea because of its positioning. The first discovery of Ursa Minor was from a Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus in 6th century BC.
http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/constellations/constellations/Ursa_Minor.html

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

The moon is at the third quarter position in this picture. This phase of the moon comes around three weeks after the last new moon, When the moon orbits around the Earth, it does this in a way where there are quarter sections. Once this quarter has passed the moon will slowly get closer to the sun. This quarter can be a good guide to see to see the Earth's direction of motion with the sun. This phase will rise around midnight and set around noon the next day.

Work Cited:
http://earthsky.org/moon-phases/understandingmoonphases