lumpy darkness

Observation notes (with equipment details), photos, sketches, reviews, random thoughts, from my amateur astronomy sessions.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

notable stars

Some certificates require that an amateur astronomer know some key stars in constellations or know a number of the brightest stars. I've picked up a handful over the years. And I'm learning more in chasing doubles. Again, the following list itemises stars that I can pick out of the sky or if someone asks, "Hey, where's such-n-such?," I can likely point to the correct object.

 

  1. Albireo - Cygnus
  2. Aldebaran - Taurus
  3. Algieba - Leo
  4. Algol - Perseus
  5. Alphecca - Corona Borealis
  6. Alpheratz - Andromeda
  7. Altair - Aquila
  8. Antares - Scorpius
  9. Arcturus - Boötes
  10. Bellatrix - Orion
  11. Betelgeuse - Orion
  12. Capella - Auriga
  13. Castor - Gemini
  14. Cor Caroli - Canes Venatici
  15. Deneb - Cygnus
  16. Denebola - Leo
  17. Dubhe - Ursa Major
  18. Fomalhaut - Pisces Austrinus
  19. Izar - Boötes
  20. Meissa - Orion
  21. Mizar & Alcor - Ursa Major
  22. Polaris - Ursa Minor
  23. Pollux - Gemini
  24. Procyon - Canis Minor
  25. Regulus / Cor Leonis - Leo Major
  26. Rigel - Orion
  27. Sirius - Canis Major
  28. Spica - Virgo
  29. Vega - Lyra

 

It's funny. It occurred to me as I created this list (in December 2006) that I knew a couple of other stars by the constellation (e.g. Betelgeuse is in Orion) but I couldn't tell you either where the asterism is or where these stars are inside the constellation! And I knew a couple of other stars (e.g. Capella) from various references but I didn't knew where they are at all...

I've since learned how to pronounce Zubenelgenubi in Libra!

 

 

links

    lumpy darkness sites:
    blog proper
    lists home
   
    telescopes:
    my cat
    Mom's newt
    accessories
   
    life lists:
    planets, moons, etc.
    constellations
(*)   notable stars
    double stars
    Messier objects
    other deep sky objects
  eclipses
  occultations
   
    other lists:
    Greek alphabet in HTML
    judging angular size
    atlases, books, software
    what's up for the year
    meteor showers
    with just your eyes
   
    web site links:
    magazines
    sky conditions
    science and research
    double stars sites
    retail stores
    clubs and associations
    DIY observatories
    miscellaneous