Image at top via Wikimedia Commons
In our March 5 post, we spoke of the Winter Circle, a large asterism – noticeable pattern of stars – consisting of bright stars from several different constellations. The Winter Circle is so big, it dwarfs even the mighty constellation Orion the Hunter. And, in fact, Orion makes up the southwestern part of the Winter Circle. But there is also a pattern within the Winter Circle that many notice. It’s in the southeastern part of the humongous Winter Circle, and it’s called the Winter Triangle.
As darkness falls on the night of March 6, 2017, look for the three bright stars that form the Winter Triangle to the south of the moon.
Here is the moon’s position – as seen from North America – on March 6, 2017. From other parts of the world, the view will be generally the same (although from the Southern Hemisphere, you’ll need to turn this chart upside-down).
In their order of brilliance, these stars are Sirius, Procyon and Betelgeuse.
If you live at northerly latitudes, the Winter Triangle appears below the moon in the southern sky; from temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere, the Winter Triangle appears above the moon in the northern sky.
Bottom line: Once you find the Winter Triangle – consisting of the stars Sirius, Procyon and Betelgeuse – you can go from there to locate the larger Winter Circle pattern. Both of these patterns are asterisms – not official constellations. They’re just noticeable patterns on the sky’s dome.
EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order today from the EarthSky store
Donate: Your support means the world to us
from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1Rkis3Z
Image at top via Wikimedia Commons
In our March 5 post, we spoke of the Winter Circle, a large asterism – noticeable pattern of stars – consisting of bright stars from several different constellations. The Winter Circle is so big, it dwarfs even the mighty constellation Orion the Hunter. And, in fact, Orion makes up the southwestern part of the Winter Circle. But there is also a pattern within the Winter Circle that many notice. It’s in the southeastern part of the humongous Winter Circle, and it’s called the Winter Triangle.
As darkness falls on the night of March 6, 2017, look for the three bright stars that form the Winter Triangle to the south of the moon.
Here is the moon’s position – as seen from North America – on March 6, 2017. From other parts of the world, the view will be generally the same (although from the Southern Hemisphere, you’ll need to turn this chart upside-down).
In their order of brilliance, these stars are Sirius, Procyon and Betelgeuse.
If you live at northerly latitudes, the Winter Triangle appears below the moon in the southern sky; from temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere, the Winter Triangle appears above the moon in the northern sky.
Bottom line: Once you find the Winter Triangle – consisting of the stars Sirius, Procyon and Betelgeuse – you can go from there to locate the larger Winter Circle pattern. Both of these patterns are asterisms – not official constellations. They’re just noticeable patterns on the sky’s dome.
EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order today from the EarthSky store
Donate: Your support means the world to us
from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1Rkis3Z
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