FAQs
What are Star Magnitudes?
In astronomy, the magnitude of a star refers to its measure of brightness, and while absolute magnitude relates to the star’s intrinsic brightness, apparent magnitude, on the other hand, is a way of measuring how …
Stargazing
Astronomy History
How were the Planets of our Solar System Discovered?
In ancient times, astronomers were able to distinguish between those stars which seemed to maintain a fixed position relative to one another, and the so-called wandering stars which changed their positions in the sky slightly …
Star Constellations
Seasonal Asterisms of The Night Sky
Astronomers are fond of organizing the stars into recognizable patterns in order to better navigate their way around the night sky. While the International Astronomical Union (IAU) recognizes 88 modern constellations depicting animals (42), inanimate …
Star Constellations
The Winter Triangle: A Heavenly Sight For Stargazers
Just as the Summer Triangle is a useful heavenly landmark for locating stars, constellations and objects of interest in the summer night sky, so too is its winter equivalent, known as the Winter Triangle. One …
Star Constellations
Star Constellations & Brightest Stars
The night sky’s twenty-two brightest 1st magnitude stars are shown above, while the following table provides information on the 88 recognized constellations, together with details on their location, size, and brightest star.
Astronomy Lists
Top 10 Desktop Apps For Stargazing in 2024
While computers and specialized software are not strictly required for stargazing at the amateur level, there is no doubt that the stargazing hobby can be greatly enhanced with the use of computers and user-friendly software. …
Astronomy Lists
Top 10 Free Smartphone Apps For Stargazing in 2024
Not so long ago, the only way to find out where a celestial object was in the night sky was by using a bulky star atlas, but no more. The advent of smartphones has changed …
FAQs
Which Constellations Can Be Seen Along The Milky Way?
When describing those constellations that can be seen along the Milky Way, it is important to realize that we are referring to those constellations that can be seen by Earthbound observers looking in the direction …
Astronomy Lists
Top 10 Night Sky Objects for Amateur Astronomers
Although there are thousands of astronomical objects worth observing in the night sky, all astronomers, both amateur and professional alike, will tell you that they have their own personal favorites. These might include lingering early …
Astronomy Lists
5 Largest Star Constellations in the Sky
Even professional astronomers sometimes admit to having difficulty recognizing all of the 88 modern constellations, as most constellations are marked out by some stars that are not that visible to the naked eye, except under …