Starting in astronomy
beginner’s guide to stargazing
By Mike Barrett
top 10 must see list for backyard astronomers
It is very difficult to draw up a Top 10 list in any
subject, in astronomy it is even more difficult due the
the huge number of prospective candidates for the list.
I have made it somewhat easier by restricting the list
to things that beginners may view with relatively basic
equipment.
My list is based on my own thoughts and as a result
of a (sometimes heated) discussion betweem fellow
astronomers in my local astronomy club. As you
progress in the hobby your list will change dramatically
as your abilities improve and you learn more about
our Universe. However the following are good
representative examples of the astronomical objects
readily available to beginners:
9. coathanger asterisms
10.
The coathanger cluster, or to give it its proper name
Brocchi’s cluster, is an asterism in the constellation
Vulpecula. This is not readily visible without binoculars
but when you spot it you will immediately understand its
common name as it looks exactly like an upside-down
coathanger. It consists of yellow, orange and blue
stars and can be found by following a line up from the
bright star Altair to Vega. Once you have found it you
will have no difficulty finding it again. The Coathanger
is best viewed in binoculars or a small telescope at low
magnification as the asterism is quite large.
9.
Photo: Richard Yandrick/cosmicimage.com
10. albireo double star
Albireo is the star at the head of the swan in the
constellation of Cygnus. Only it is not ‘the’ star, but
a pair of stars! Albireo is probably the easiest double
star to view in the sky, it is certainly one of the most
impressive. Seen with the naked eye it appears to be a
single star, indeed with a pair binoculars you would be
hard pressed to split them, but a telescope of medium
power will allow you to see both stars easily. The primary
star of the pair is a bright orange, whilst the secondary
is an electric blue.
asterism
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Photo: Mike Barrett
An asterism is a group of stars that form a pattern in the night sky. These are normally confined to a
constellation, but some can span constellations. Each constellation has a main asterism defining the
constellation, and some have asterisms within asterisms for example Ursa Major, The Great Bear has
within it The Plough. The Summer Triangle is composed of stars from 3 different constellations.
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