This is a long-term observational project. As the semester progresses you will have the opportunity to identify and become familiar with stars, asterisms, and constellations visible in the fall and winter sky. As you identify each of the designated asterisms or constellations you should sketch its appearance as you observe it in the sky. SKETCH WHAT YOU SEE! Your sketches should include the following:

1. Locate all requested objects as well as any other prominent objects such as the moon, a planet, a meteor, or an artificial satellite.
2. Identify several stars in each sketch by name.
3. Include on each sketch the date, time, and location or place of observation.
4. Include on each sketch an arrow showing the direction to the north celestial pole (or the location of the NCP).
5. Include on each sketch an arrow showing the direction to the nearest horizon (or show the location of the horizon itself).

You should identify the following objects... Asterisms

An asterism is usually a prominent group of stars which is not a formal constellation. Asterisms are useful aides for identifying the associated constellation or constellations.

Big Dipper (part of Ursa Major); identify Dubhe, Merak, Mizar, Alcor

Little Dipper (part of Ursa Minor); identify celestial pole, Polaris, Kochab

Keystone of Hercules (part of Hercules); identify location of M13

Summer Triangle (brightest stars in Lyra, Cygnus, and Aquila); identify Vega, beta Lyrae, Deneb, Alberio, Altair

Great Square (three stars in Pegasus and one in Andromeda); identify location of M31, Alpheratz, Almach

Pleiades (cluster in Taurus near border between Taurus and Perseus)

Winter Triangle (two stars in Orion, one in Canis Major); identify Betelgeuse, Rigel, Sirius, belt of Orion, M42

Constellations

The preceding asterisms involve constellations which include Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Hercules, Lyra, Cygnus, Aquila, Pegasus, Andromeda, Orion, and Canis Major. In addition to these constellations you should seek out the ones which follow.

Cassiopeia -- locate gamma Cas, delta Cas (Ruchbah)
Cepheus -- locate delta Cep, epsilon Cep, zeta Cep
Bootes -- locate Arcturus
Sagittarius -- locate Nunki, Kaus Australis, location of M8
Perseus -- locate Mirfak, Algol
Taurus -- locate Aldebaran, zeta Tau
Auriga -- locate Capella, Elnath, the Kids (an asterism)
Gemini -- locate Castor and Pollux

Compare and describe the brightness and the colors of the stars Sirius, Rigel, and Betelgeuse.

Compare the brightness of Sirius to the other bright stars of the winter sky. What can you conclude?

Compare the brightness of Castor and Pollux. Which is brighter? Look up the Bayer designations for these stars and compare the designations to their observed brightness. What can you conclude?

By the end of this course, as a result of this long-term project, you will have learned to identify 18 constellations, 8 asterisms, at least 32 stars, as well as the location of at least 3 deep sky objects. This is quite an acomplishment! I hope that you will agree with me when this course is over that that this acomplishment is more than worth any discomfort due to cold and dampness and any frustration due to clouds, storms, and excessive moonlight.

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