The Night Sky Month by Month - Gater, Will.,Sparrow, Giles

Includes content previously
published in Universe
NIGHT SKY
THE
MONTH BY MONTH
Capella
Castor
Pollux GEMINI TAURUS

Pleiades
14 ARIES
13
Arcturus LEO 15 Aldebaran

Hyades PISCES
12
12
Regulus CANCER Betelgeuse
Procyon Bellatrix
16 19 AQUARIUS
11 11
OPHIUCHUS VIRGO Mira 17
14
17 17
Rigel
12 14
Spica 15
16 13
13
14
14 11 18 12 15 15
15
13 16 16 18
11 19
19 18 17 19
18
17 Antares
LIBRA Fomalhaut CAPRICORNUS
TTARIUS SCORPIUS
Shaula
NIGHT SKY
THE
MONTH BY MONTH
WILL GATER with GILES SPARROW
Content previously published in UNIVERSE

LONDON, NEW YORK, MELBOURNE,
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First American edition, 2011
Published in the United States by

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CONTENTS
LOOKING UP July
Overviews 68
Looking into Space 8 Highlights 70
Northern Latitudes 72
Looking at Stars 10 Southern Latitudes 74
The Changing Sky 12 August

Overviews 76
Getting Started 14 Highlights 78
Southern Latitudes 82
MONTHLY SKY GUIDES
September
Using the Sky Guides 18 Overviews 84
Highlights 86
January Northern Latitudes 88
Overviews 20 Southern Latitudes 90
Highlights 22
Northern Latitudes 24 October
Southern Latitudes 26 Overviews 92
Highlights 94
February Northern Latitudes 96
Highlights 30
Northern Latitudes 32 November
Highlights 102
March Northern Latitudes 104
Highlights 38
Northern Latitudes 40 December
Highlights 110
April Northern Latitudes 112
Highlights 46
Southern Latitudes 50 ALMANAC
May 2011–2012 116
Overviews 52
Highlights 54 2013–2014 118
Southern Latitudes 58 2015–2016 120
June 2017–2018 122

Overviews 60
Highlights 62 2019 124
Southern Latitudes 66 Glossary 125
Index 126
Acknowledgments 128
CONTRIBUTORS
Will Gater is an astronomy journalist and author. He has written Giles Sparrow is a writer specializing in astronomy and space science.
for several of the UK’s top astronomy and science magazines and He has degrees in astronomy and science communication, and has
promotes both these subjects with frequent appearances on television worked for 15 years as an editor and author. An avid follower of the
and radio. His blog and website can be found at www.willgater.com. unfolding story of space exploration, he has written on space technology
Will is also the author of The Practical Astronomer, published by and the history of spaceflight in a wide range of books, including DK
DK Publishing. Publishing’s bestselling Universe.
LOOKING UP
By watching the night skies and observing
stars, planets, nebulae, and galaxies,
stargazers can start to understand the
vast Universe and all it encompasses.
Astronomers picture the night sky as
a starry sphere around Earth—“the
celestial sphere”—which allows them
to find their way around it and track
the movements of night-sky objects
as the Earth rotates.
Leonid meteor shower

Shooting stars, here seen over Joshua Tree National Park in the
USA, light up the sky. Eagerly anticipated every year, the Leonid
meteor shower originates in the constellation Leo and annually
peaks around November 17.
8 L OOK ING U P
NGC 147
LOOKING INTO SPACE The Andromeda Galaxy lies

2.5 million light-years away
from Earth, in the Milky Way
NGC 185
The Earth is a part of a much greater Universe than Andromeda I

The stellar neighborhood
our eyes alone reveal to us. Knowing our place within lies in the Orion Arm of the
Andromeda II
Andromeda III
it helps us understand what we are seeing. Milky Way, around 26,000
light-years from its center Triangulum Galaxy
THE SCALE OF THE UNIVERSE Galactic

nucleus
The Universe we live in is immense,
extending far beyond the farthest edge of our
Solar System. On a clear night, many stars are
visible to the naked eye, and sometimes the
faint glowing band of the Milky Way galaxy
can be seen. From a very dark site, the
Andromeda Galaxy, a staggering 2.5 million
light-years away, is also visible. It is one of
the most distant deep-sky objects that is
visible to the naked eye. A telescope or a pair
of binoculars allows us to see objects that are
even farther away, such as other galaxies,
nebulae, or star clusters in our galaxy, the
Milky Way. However, there is much more to
Alpha
be seen, and amateur astronomers can see Centauri
only a small fraction of it.
Sun
Sirius
5,000 light-years
THE MILKY WAY

The Milky Way galaxy is a disk
Orbit of Neptune of gas, dust, and stars with a
bulging nucleus. It can be seen
as a faint band of light stretching
Asteroid belt across the sky on a clear night.
The Sun is just one of the 200–
400 billion stars that the Milky
Sun Way contains.
Earth
5 light-years
THE STELLAR NEIGHBOURHOOD

Earth Beyond the edge of the Solar System, we leave the sphere of
the Sun’s influence and move out into the stellar neighborhood.
There are 106 stars within 20 light-years of the Sun, of which the
closest is Proxima Centauri. A member of the Alpha (α) Centauri
1 light-hour star system in the constellation Centaurus, Proxima Centauri sits
4.2 light-years away.
THE SOLAR SYSTEM

The planets, moons, dwarf planets, comets, and
asteroids that orbit the Sun are known as the
The Moon 0.5 light-seconds Solar System. The most distant planet from the
moves around
Earth in a slightly Sun is the gas giant Neptune, located an average
THE EARTH AND MOON of 2,794 million miles (4,497 million km) away
elliptical orbit
The Moon is the nearest celestial body to Earth, from the Sun.
sitting 238,900 miles (384,400km) away. Light
takes just over a second to reach Earth from
the Moon.
L OOK IN G IN T O S P A C E 9
THE LOCAL GROUP OF GALAXIES THE LOCAL SUPERCLUSTER

The Milky Way is a part of a much larger gathering of The Local Group is itself a part of a larger group, formed
around 40 galaxies that exist in the nearby Universe. by thousands of galaxies. Known as the Virgo Supercluster,
These are known collectively as the Local Group. Some this swarm of galaxies is 100 million light-years wide. This
of the Local Group galaxies can be seen easily in the supercluster nestles in vast interconnected filaments of
night sky, such as the Andromeda Galaxy, M31, and other superclusters, which stretch across the Universe.
the Triangulum Galaxy, M33.
Ursa Minor dwarf galaxy
The Milky Way
250,000 light-years
Leo A
10 million light-years
MEASURING DISTANCE
Because the Universe is such a large place, light takes a long time to travel across space.
the units of distance we use in everyday life, When we see the light from an object like a
such as miles or kilometers, are not very star, it may have taken decades, centuries, or
helpful in communicating the vast distances millions of years to reach us. Essentially, we
between stars and galaxies. Instead, are peering back in time because we see the
astronomers use units called light-years to object as it was when that light left it, not
mark the vast distances between the stars what it looks like “now.” So for an object like
and galaxies. One light-year is equal to the the Andromeda Galaxy, which is 2.5 million
distance that a ray of light travels over the light-years away, we are seeing it as it was
Peering into the depths
course of one year. The speed of light is an 2.5 million years ago. In contrast, the Sun’s
The objects we see in the night sky are not all at the same
incredible 186,000 miles (300,000km) per light takes just 8.5 minutes to reach earth. In distance from us. We can see everything from meteors shooting
second, so one light-year is a huge distance. the chart below, the first division represents through our atmosphere to distant stars in our own galaxy.
As the distances (see below) between the 6,200 miles (10,000km). Each further division
galaxies and even nearby stars are so great, marks a 10x increase in scale.
DISTANCE FROM THE CENTER OF EARTH
Earth:
Moon: Venus: Sun: Saturn: Kuiper Belt: Oort Nearest star 1,000-light- Center of the Andromeda Virgo Nearest Edge of the
radius
238,900 26 million 93 million 745 million approx 5.5 Cloud: (Proxima year sphere: Milky Way: Galaxy: Cluster: quasar: visible Universe:
3,963 miles
miles miles miles (149.6 miles (1.2 billion miles approx 1 Centauri): 90% of naked-eye 28,000 2.5 million 52 million 1 billion 47 billion light-years
(6,378 km)
(384,400 km) (42 million km) million km) billion km) (9 billion km) light-year 4.2 light-years stars are within light-years light-years light-years light-years 276 billion trillion
1,000 light- miles (445 billion
years of Earth trillion km)
0 6,200 miles 620,000 miles 62 million miles 6.2 billion miles 6.2 x 1011 miles 62 trillion miles 6.2 x 1015 miles 6.2 x 1017 miles 6.2 x 1019 miles 6.2 x 1021 miles
(10,000 km) (106 km) (108 km) (1010 km) (1012 km) (1014 km) (1016 km) (1018 km) (1020 km) (1022 km)
10 L OOK ING U P
LOOKING AT STARS
When we look at the sky on a clear night we are greeted OUR VIEW OF THE CELESTIAL SPHERE
by countless stars. Stargazers use several methods to Your view of the night sky depends on where you
navigate their way around the magnificent night sky. are on Earth’s surface. If you are located in the
Southern Hemisphere, you see a different portion
of the celestial sphere to someone who is
observing the night sky in the Northern Hemisphere.
THE CELESTIAL SPHERE
However, from the equator you can view the
The coordinate system of latitude and meridian,” and the equator, known as the entire celestial sphere over the course of a year.
longitude helps us locate an object on the “celestial equator.” Instead of latitude,
Limited view
Earth’s surface. This system is based around astronomers use declination, which is Your location on Earth
a simple imaginary grid, where latitude—the measured in degrees and minutes, while determines the part of
horizontal lines on the grid—is measured longitude becomes right ascension, or RA, the celestial sphere that
north or south from the equator. Longitude, and is measured in hours and minutes. you can see.
the vertical grid lines, is measured east or These coordinates help astronomers to
west from a point known as the prime locate celestial objects in space.
meridian—a circle running through the North
and South Poles and Greenwich in England.
Earth’s axis
Similarly, astronomers project an imaginary of spin
sphere, also known as the celestial sphere, Earth’s axis is Line perpendicular to ecliptic plane
tilted at 23.5° (plane of Earth’s orbit around the Sun)
onto the sky. It has its own grid lines: the
prime meridian, known as the “celestial Celestial sphere
North Celestial Pole lies directly

above Earth’s North Pole Stars appear to be fixed
on the sphere, which
moves in the opposite
direction to Earth’s spin
Earth’s spin
Autumnal equinox
(first point of Libra)
Earth’s North Pole
Earth’s equator
The Sun and planets are not
fixed on the celestial sphere, Earth
but move around on, or close
to, the circular path known
as the ecliptic
Celestial equator—a circle on

the celestial sphere concentric
with Earth’s equator
Vernal or spring equinox
(first point of Aries), one
of the two points of
intersection between
celestial and ecliptic
Defining positions
To create a coordinate system where objects can
be located on the night sky, astronomers imagine
that Earth is embedded in an imaginary South Celestial Pole lies
“celestial” sphere (as shown here). Sun’s motion below Earth’s South Pole
L OOK IN G A T S T A R S 11
MEASURING SIZES
When observing the night sky for the first time across, while the width of an outstretched
it can be tricky to gauge how big a constellation hand is roughly 22º across. Distances between ANGULAR DISTANCES
or an object is by just looking at a star chart. objects on the night sky are measured in units OBJECT OR DISTANCE APPROXIMATE
However, there are some easy ways to called degrees. For example, the Andromeda ANGULAR SIZE
measure apparent sizes on the sky. Held at Galaxy, or M31, appears roughly 3° across on
Distance from the pointers in the Big Dipper 28º
arm’s length against the background of the sky, the sky. A degree can be broken down into to Polaris
the hands and fingers can act as convenient 60 arcminutes (with the symbol ‘), and
measuring scales. For example, an index finger each arcminute can be broken down into Distance between the Crux pointers 6º
covers the Moon, which is only half a degree 60 arcseconds (with the symbol “). These Distance between pointers in the Big Dipper 5º
units are sometimes written
in slightly different ways Your little finger at arm’s length 1º
and you might see them
The Moon (average size) 31’
as minutes of arc, arcmin,
seconds of arc, or arsec. The Sun (average size) 32’
These smaller units are
Distance between Jupiter and Ganymede 6’
often encountered when (the brightest of its main moons)
Handspan Finger joints Finger width 1 degree dealing with the separation
A fully outstretched A side-on fingertip One finger at arm’s 90 degrees between double stars or the Resolution of the naked eye (this means the 3’ 25”
hand held at arm’s is about 3° wide; length will cover ability of your eye to split two objects that
length spans about the second joint is the Moon, which is 360 degrees size of a nebula or cluster. are as close together as this)
22° of the sky. 4°, the third joint 6°. less than 1° across.
STARHOPPING UNDERSTANDING CELESTIAL

To navigate around the night sky using a recognize and can easily locate. Once you COORDINATES
star chart, you can use a method known find one recognizable star, you can then To understand right ascension and declination
as starhopping. This is a technique used by hop to another, possibly fainter star nearby, you need to know the reference points from
experts and beginners alike, and can come continuing to other stars until you eventually which they are measured. The “zero” point
in handy when you are trying to find faint find your target. This is a great way to learn for declination lies on a line on the celestial
telescopic targets that may not be visible to your way around the night sky, and is also sphere called the celestial equator. You can
the naked eye. The basic method is to first handy when you use a pair of binoculars or think of it simply as Earth’s equator projected
check a star chart (see pp.16-114) that shows a telescope. A more detailed printed chart onto the imaginary celestial sphere. Objects
the object you are trying to find, as well as from planetarium software will help you above the celestial equator, toward the North
any bright stars nearby. Then, start by finding find objects when you are starhopping using Celestial Pole, have a positive declination, and
a star or pattern of stars in the sky that you a telescope, such as faint galaxies. those below, toward the South Celestial Pole
have negative declination. For right ascension,
the zero mark is a line called the “celestial
meridian” marked at the moment where
URSA MINOR the Sun crosses the celestial equator.
Pherkad
Polaris (The
Kochab Celestial meridian,
North Star)
the line of 0° right
North ascension
Celestial Pole
Star position
START AT URSA MAJOR (THE BIG DIPPER)
Alkaid Mizar
1
Alioth
Megrez 45°
Celestial
Dubhe equator
Phad Stellar signposts Declination angle Angle of right
Arguably the most well-known 45° above celestial ascension
“starhop” is the one that helps you equator (1 hour)
Merak find the “pole star” Polaris, which
sits in Ursa Minor. Use the pointer
stars of the Big Dipper asterism,
Merak and Dubhe, in Ursa Major. A star's position
To find an object on the celestial sphere we need to know
its RA and declination (see left). The star in the diagram above
has a right ascension of 1 hour and a declination of +45°.
12 L OOK ING U P
THE CHANGING SKY

North
The night sky changes over time, revealing a panorama celestial
Motion at the
north pole
pole
of celestial objects. Understanding the sky’s movement At the north pole,
the stars circle in
helps us predict what will be visible and when. a counterclockwise
motion around a point
w
above you. At the south
pole, they move in the
DAILY SKY MOVEMENTS opposite direction.
S N
The stars seem to move across the sky as the shorter than a solar day, at 23 hours 56 minutes E
night progresses. This is caused by Earth’s and 4 seconds. This means a star will rise Circumpolar area Motion at
rotation on its axis. Once every 24 hours, four minutes earlier each night. The difference mid-latitudes
Earth completes one rotation on its axis relative between solar and sidereal days occurs If you are observing
to the Sun. This is known as a mean solar day. because Earth has moved a little in its orbit from mid-latitudes, you
will see the stars rise in
Astronomers also measure the time taken for around the Sun. The motion of the stars across w the east and set in the
one rotation of Earth relative to the stars. This the sky, over the course of an evening, depends west. Stars that never
is known as a sidereal day, and is slightly on your location on Earth’s surface (see right). set are known as
S N “circumpolar.”
E
Motion at the
Moving constellation equator
Because of a 4-minute If you are standing at
difference between the length the equator, the stars
of a sidereal and a solar day, w
will rise straight up
the constellations move from the east, pass
westward a little from overhead, and then
one night to the next. S N
E move straight down
APRIL 1, 8PM APRIL 8, 8PM APRIL 15, 8PM to set in the west.
YEARLY SKY MOVEMENTS

Not only do the stars move across the sky Direction of the Point of the Northern
during the course of a single night, they Virgo Sun’s movement Hemisphere’s autumnal equinox
Sun
also shift slowly around the sky over the Scorpius
Libra Earth’s rotation on its axis
course of a year. This means that at one Ophiuchus
time of the year, a constellation or a region
of the sky may be visible when it is dark,
say at midnight, while at another time it Leo
is hidden behind the Sun. This is because
Earth moves around the Sun, so it
Cancer
appears as if the Sun moves against
Gemini
the background night sky.
Earth’s
Earth at Northern equator
Hemisphere’s winter
solstice (December 21/22) Sun
Aries
Earth at
Northern Taurus
Hemisphere’s
summer Celestial
solstice equator
(June 21)
Hemisphere
visible from
equator at Earth’s
midnight on axis
the winter
solstice Capricornus Ecliptic
Sagittarius Point of the Northern
Hemisphere visible Aquarius Hemisphere’s vernal equinox Pisces
Earth’s orbit from equator at
midnight on the
summer solstice
June and December skies Zodiac
If you were on the equator at midnight in June you would As the Sun appears to move against the background stars
see exactly the opposite half of the celestial sphere over the year it passes through several constellations.
from the one you would see at midnight in December. This band of constellations is known as the zodiac.
T H E C H A N G IN G S K Y 13
ECLIPSES
As the Moon orbits Earth, it occasionally obscured by the Moon’s disk. If the Moon
blocks the Sun’s light. The Moon’s shadow is too far away it cannot completely cover
is cast onto Earth and anyone within the the Sun and an annular solar eclipse is seen
shadow will see a solar eclipse. Standing from Earth. Similarly, if the Moon’s orbit
in the darker part of the Moon’s shadow, the takes it into the shadow cast into space Total lunar eclipse
umbra, you will see a total solar eclipse with by Earth, a lunar eclipse occurs. Eclipses During a total lunar eclipse,
the Sun completely covered by the Moon. require certain precise alignments of the the Moon can often be tinted
a wonderful copper-red colou.
If you are in the outer, lighter shadow, known Sun, Earth, and Moon, which is why an
This is the highlight of one of
as the penumbra, you will see a partial solar eclipse does not occur every time there the greatest spectacles that
eclipse with only a portion of the Sun is a full Moon or a new Moon. can be seen in the night sky.
A slight darkening of
Penumbra Penumbra (outer, the moon occurs in the
Moon (outer, lighter Area of Earth lighter shadow) light outer shadow
Earth
shadow) totality
Sunlight Sunlight
The Moon is
Umbra (inner, Area of partial Umbra (inner, darkest within Full Moon
darker shadow) eclipse darker shadow) the umbra
Solar eclipse Lunar eclipse
Observers in the Moon’s umbral shadow see the Sun totally covered by During a lunar eclipse, the Moon enters the Earth’s lighter shadow, the
the Moon. Those in the penumbra region only see a partial eclipse— penumbra. It then enters the darker region, or umbra, where it typically
where the Moon partly obscures the Sun’s disk. goes deep red. Finally, it moves out into the penumbra again.
PLANETARY MOTIONS
Most of the planets can be seen “superior planets.” They can stray Superior
conjunction
in the night sky with nothing more far from the Sun in the sky and can
than the naked eye. The planets be seen late at night. As most of
Mercury and Venus are termed the the planets orbit in roughly the same
“inferior planets” because they go plane as they go around the Sun Planet
around the Sun in orbits that are closer they can all be found relatively close
to the Sun than Earth’s orbit. Because of to the line of the ecliptic (the path Sun
Greatest western
their proximity to the Sun, they are of the Sun on the sky). For more on elongation
Greatest eastern
typically seen low in the sky before their locations in the night sky, see the elongation Inferior conjunction
sunrise and after sunset. Mars and planet locator charts in the Monthly Sky
the planets beyond it are called Guides section of this book (pp.20–115). Angle of elongation
Earth
INFERIOR ORBIT
Conjunction
Sun
Earth
Opposition
(closest to Earth) Planet
SUPERIOR ORBIT
Mercury and Venus Planetary positions

Many of the planets can be seen very easily with the naked eye. These diagrams show several key positions in the orbits of the planets.
In this photograph, the planets Mercury and Venus sit near each Inferior planets are best seen near greatest elongation, while superior
other in the sky after sunset—a striking sight. planets are generally best viewed around opposition.
14 L OOK ING U P
GETTING STARTED
Many of the night sky’s finest sights can be seen with the
naked eye, but telescopes and binoculars allow us to see
farther and explore celestial objects in more detail.
PLANNING AHEAD
Preparation is the key to an enjoyable night’s using equipment that requires batteries, make
CHECKLIST
astronomy under the stars. Start by thinking sure they are charged and ready. Additionally,
what you want to look at and the equipment take a good star chart with you (see pp.16–114), t8BSNDMPUIFT
you will need to see it. For example, if you are so that you know the location of the objects t(MPWFT
you want to observe. Also, think about what t3FEMJHIUGMBTIMJHIU
to wear when observing. The clearest nights t/PUFQBEBOEQFO
can often be the coldest, so it is crucial to wear t"OZFRVJQNFOU UFMFTDPQFT CJOPDVMBST FUD

warm clothes such as a windproof jacket as well t$PNQBTT
as waterproof trousers, a warm hat, and stout t4UBSDIBSU
shoes. If you are traveling out to a remote t8BSNESJOL
location, make sure to tell someone where you t#MBOLFUPSGPMEBCMFDIBJS
are going. Remembering these basic things will
Red light torch
ensure your observing goes smoothly. To preserve your night vision, a
red light torch is crucial. This
Viewing location can be bought or easily made by
The location from which you observe is as important covering a regular flashlight with a
as the equipment you use. Ideally, head toward red candy wrapper, secured by
a dark sky site, away from sources of light pollution, an elastic band.
such as streetlamps and houses.
BINOCULARS
Loved by beginners and experts alike, sizes and are defined by two numbers
binoculars are a simple, generally inexpensive that can often be found marked on their
way to explore the night sky. A good pair sides. The first number is the number of
of binoculars is capable of showing a huge times the binoculars can magnify a view,
variety of objects on any given night. With and the second number is the size of the
even a small pair the rich star fields of the main (or objective) lens in millimeters. For
Milky Way, glittering open star clusters, and example, binoculars that magnify 10x with
the Moon’s rugged surface are all wonderful 50mm diameter lenses are said to be a
sights. Binoculars come in many different “ten by fifty” pair of binoculars.
Focus wheel Eyepiece
Eyepiece
Light path
Prism
Prism
Light
path
Objective
Objective lens
lens
Compact binoculars Standard binoculars Large binoculars

These “roof-prism” binoculars use a design “Porro-prism” binoculars with a folded light path Large binoculars can provide stunning views
where light passes through a group of close are popular with astronomers because their of celestial objects; however, they require
prisms, making them more compact. typically larger lenses result in brighter images. tripods because they can be hard to hold steady.
G E T T IN G S T A R T E D 15
TELESCOPES RECORDING WHAT YOU SEE

Designed to collect light from celestial objects, held on different types of mounts. These must There are many ways to record the things
telescopes also magnify the view and allow us be sturdy enough to provide a firm, stable you observe when studying the night sky.
to see objects in more detail. A telescope’s platform for the optics and allow the telecope The simplest is to make a sketch of what you
crucial specification is its aperture—the size to aim accurately. Equatorial mounts are capable see with the naked eye or through the eyepiece
of its main mirror or lens—which is usually of aligning to the rotation axis of the night sky for of a telescope or binoculars. Make sure to
measured in millimeters or inches. The larger simplified tracking. More compact in comparison use a good quality pencil and an artist’s sketch
the main mirror or lens, the more light it will be to equatorial mounts, altitude-azimuth mounts pad. To sketch clusters, nebulae, and other
able to gather. A typical small telescope has an work by moving around 360° (in azimuth) and deep-sky objects, the best way to begin is
aperture of 4–6 in (10–15 cm). Telescopes can be up and down (in altitude). to draw the brighter stars first.
Another popular method, although a little
Finderscope
more tricky to master, is astrophotography.
Eyepiece This involves connecting a camera to your
Eyepiece
telescope to take pictures. However you record
your observations, be sure to note down the
observing conditions, the time and date, your
name and location, details of the equipment
Telescope tube used, and the name of the object observed.
Equatorial assembly Altitude-azimuth Telescope tube
mount mount assembly
Slow motion
control
Main mirror
Tripod located inside
tube
Newtonian reflector Dobsonian

This simple design, consisting of a tube on a The Dobsonian reflector uses a simple altitude-azimuth
mount and tripod, is ideal for a beginner. The mount. Tending to have larger apertures for their price,
eyepiece is located at the top of the tube and Dobsonians are excellent deep-sky telescopes.
extends from the side.
OBSERVING WITH THE NAKED EYE

Focus adjustment
An astro image of the North America Nebula
knob There is a wealth of things to see in the night
Astrophotographers create stunning images of the night sky, with
sky using nothing more than the naked eye.
Eyepiece the help of sensitive cameras mounted on telescopes. They stack
For example, meteor showers are best seen by together many individual exposures to create a final detailed image.
Telescope tube sitting back on a chair and just watching the sky.
assembly Similarly, no equipment is needed to marvel at
the great expanse of the Milky Way galaxy, or
the many stars within it, from a dark sky site. Focus and zoom
Altitude-azimuth To get the most spectacular naked-eye views adjustment
mount of the night sky you must head away from
light-polluted towns and cities.
Tripod with Camera body
eyepiece
holder Camera lens
Mount Tripod head

adjustment
handle
Adjustment
handle
What you can see

Refractor Many celestial objects are visible to the naked eye, Digital SLR
Refractor telescopes have a classic telescope design, their including the Milky Way, the Andromeda Galaxy, meteors, These cameras are used by astroimagers because they can be
lenses collect light and produce an image in the eyepiece. noctilucent clouds, and the aurorae (shown above). attached to telescopes and their shutters can be left open
They are good for observing a range of celestial objects. to gather the faint light from celestial objects.
MONTHLY
SKY GUIDES
During the course of a year, our view of the
night sky changes from month to month as
Earth orbits the Sun. Some constellations
are always in the sky, while others appear
and disappear over different regions. The
following monthly sky guides help you
recognize patterns and track changes in
the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
The aurorae
The Northern and Southern lights, or the aurorae, occur in high
latitudes of both hemispheres, such as Wapusk National Park in
Canada, as seen here. They cause spectacular displays that often
last for hours and end with a ribbonlike rippling effect.
18 MO NT H LY S KY GUID ES
USING THE SKY GUIDES

This month-by-month guide features charts that show the whole
night sky as it appears from different locations. These pages
explain how to get the most from the information in the charts.
MONTHLY OVERVIEWS
For each month of the year, a double-page These pages also feature planet-locator 19
18
Uranus and Neptune
spread outlines the different celestial charts, which show the band of sky that 17
16
15
The magnified insets of the main
14
13 chart show Uranus and Neptune,
phenomena in the sky. These include bright lies on either side of the ecliptic, where the 12
11
the two outermost planets, as
stars, constellations, deep-sky objects, and planets appear. These charts should be used AQUARIUS they move relatively slowly
meteor showers. The constellation box on in conjunction with the information supplied in through our sky.
these pages discusses a key constellation the following highlights pages, whole-sky
in detail, pointing out its bright stars. charts, and the Almanac.
20 M O NTH LY S K Y G U IDE S : OV E R V IE WS J AN U ARY 21
MIDNIGHT 9 PM The time of night
Each month SOUTHERN LATITUDES
(local time) when
JANUARY this area of sky lies
has its own In January skies, all eyes are firmly fixed on A U RI G A
THE STARS
If you are observing the skies from
Auriga is low in the north on clear
January evenings and the rich
sparkling stars, you will find the
Tarantula Nebula, which appears
and its star fields and clusters can
be seen with binoculars or a small
overview
the striking constellation Orion, the Hunter. The
Milky Way is another spectacular sight to
Size ranking
21
Brightest star
Alpha (α) Aurigae,
Genitive
Aurigae
Abbreviation
Aur
Highest in sky at 10 pm
December–February
southern latitudes this month, you
will find the bright star Canopus in
the constellation Carina sitting high
Milky Way star fields of Carina and
Centaurus, which are home to many
interesting celestial sights, are
to the naked eye as a glowing patch
the size of the full Moon. Do not
forget the Small Magellanic Cloud
telescope. If you are located around
latitude 20°S the star cluster M41,
near Sirius, will be directly above
on the meridian (an
pages
behold this month. If you are in the Southern
Hemisphere, look high in the sky for the
or Capella, 0.1
The constellation Auriga, the

Charioteer, can easily be spotted LYNX
7h
6h
in the sky, while Sirius is almost
overhead. Orion’s brightest stars,
Rigel and Betelgeuse, are also high
sitting low in the southeast.
SIGHTS OF INTEREST
in Tucana either—it lies to the
southwestern horizon this month,
you. Under good conditions M41
can be seen with the naked eye.
Capella —50° imaginary line that
Large Magellanic Cloud. within the band of the Milky Way
between the constellations
Perseus and Gemini. Its brightest
50º
ψ 1
δ
ξ
AURIGA
9
PERSEUS
up. Aldebaran, the brightest star in
the constellation Taurus, shines with
a red-orange tint lower in the north.
It is not just observers in the
northern latitudes who enjoy a good
view of the constellation Orion. The
CANIS MAJOR
Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 pm
runs north to south)
star is the magnitude 0.1
NORTHERN LATITUDES Capella. There are several π
Capella
α
ε NGC
The star Capella in the constellation Orion Nebula is ideally placed high
43 Alpha (α) Canis Majoris, Canis Majoris
or Sirius, -1.4
CMa January–February
β 1664
interesting open ψ7 ψ
2 in the sky, even if you are observing 6h
Declination
7h
0º η ζ
THE STARS
When viewing in January, you will
south of the chain of three stars that
makes up Orion’s belt. This nebula is
clusters in Auriga
that make ideal
63
NGC 2281
UU
θ
ν τ
υ
λ
μ 4
from southern latitudes. The Large
Magellanic Cloud in the constellation
Sitting at the heels of Orion, Canis
Major, the Greater Dog, is home to
–10º MONOCEROS
θ ORION
—40°
immediately notice the brightest easily visible through binoculars from
targets for M36
M38
NGC 1907
AE IC 405
2
ι Dorado can be seen with binoculars

the brightest star of the entire night
CANIS
MAJOR μ Castor
coordinates
binoculars or a
astor
GEMINI χ 16 sky—Sirius, Alpha (α) Canis Majoris. NGC γ α Sirius
2360 ι β
star in the sky, Sirius, in the northern latitudes and can be seen small telescope. RT
κ
M37 on January evenings. Among its Sirius is a brilliant white star with ν3 2
Pollux Alnath –20º π LEPUS
constellation Canis Major. Visible with the naked eye as a hazy patch. β Tau a magnitude of -1.4. Canis Major 15
M41
from mid-northern latitudes, Sirius The open star clusters M36, M37, represents one of the two UW NGC
ο2 ο1 ξ
2
ξ
1
TAURUS
τ
GEMINI P
2362
The Milky Way hunting dogs of Orion, the δ
twinkles above the southern horizon.
Directly above you is the yellowish
and M38 in Auriga are also worth
a look with binoculars. named. At the peak of the shower, the trails of meteors appear to come,
This view of the Milky Way shows the regions Hunter, which sits nearby.
27
η
ω
σ
ε
Adhara Pollux TAURUS
star Capella in Auriga. you may be able to spot as many is quite low in the northeastern
toward the constellations Crux, the Southern
Cross, and Carina, the Keel.
It is home to two fine open
clusters, NGC 2362 and M41.
–30º
κ λ
ζ
14 —30°
Ecliptic
COLUMBA
Meanwhile, in the northeast lies METEOR SHOWERS as 100 meteors an hour, but they sky, even at midnight. PUPPIS
The text a familiar asterism, the Big Dipper. In

the northwest, look for the faint band
of the Milky Way passing through
The Quadrantid meteor shower kicks
off around January 3–4 every year.
These meteors seem to originate
appear relatively faint. The meteor
shower is best observed from
rural or light pollution-free areas.
MIDNIGHT
MIDNIGHT 9 PM
URANUS
13
highlights into Perseus and Cassiopeia. from a point near the handle of
the Big Dipper in the constellation
The peak lasts only a few hours
and their radiant, the point in
3 AM
6 PM
19
18
PISCES NEPTUNE
Aldebaran
Celestial equator
SIGHTS OF INTEREST Ursa Major. This area was once the sky from which
Capella 17
16
19 Hyades —20°
the most
15
18
If you are exploring the constellation occupied by the now-obsolete 14
13
17
16
12 15
Orion, you will see the Orion Nebula, constellation Quadrans, after 11
14
13
12
M42, a bright deep-sky object lying which the meteor shower is 11
Betelgeuse
prominent 6 AM Castor 3 PM

Pleiades
CETUS AQUARIUS
Procyon Bellatrix
The time when an
stars,
14 ARIES
NOON 9 AM
13
—10° area of the sky is
deep-sky
Hyades PISCES
10°
12
16
Regulus CANCER
Procyon
Betelgeuse
Bellatrix
12 10°
visible: evening sky
objects, and
19 AQUARIUS
0°
OPHIUCHUS VIRGO 11
14
Mira
11
17
17
0°
Rigel
— 0° (from sunset to
meteor
17 Rigel
midnight) or
12
–10° 14 –10°
Spica 15
16 13
13
14
14 11 18 12 15 15
showers –20°
18
19
13
18
11
17
16
19 16
19
15
18
E V E N I N G S K Y
11
–20°
morning sky (from
E V E N I N G
18 POSITIONS OF THE PLANETS
17 Antares
CAPRICORNUS
S K Y — -10°
–30°
SAGITTARIUS SCORPIUS
Shaula
LIBRA
Y
This chart shows the positions of the planets
in January from 2011 to 2019. The planets are
represented by colored dots, while the number
except Mercury, the dot indicates the planet’s
position on January 15. Mercury is shown
when it is at greatest elongation (see p.125).
Fomalhaut –30°
midnight to sunrise)
K inside each dot denotes the year. For all planets For specific dates, refer to the Almanac.
–40° –40°
S
G Mercury Mars Saturn Neptune
I N
–50°
M
O
R
N Venus
EXAMPLES
11 Mars’s position on
Jupiter
11
Uranus
Saturn’s position on January 15, 2011. The arrow indicates

–50°
Key to The inner planets (above)

The main body of the
January 15, 2011 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125)
planet-locator chart
planet-locator chart shows the
Earth’s axis six planets closest to the Sun.
Planet-locator charts (right) of rotation Castor
Capella
The bands along the top and

These charts show the position of the planets Arcturus LEO 15
Pollux
14
GEMINI
Aldebaran
TAURUS
13
Pleiades
ARIES
bottom of the chart indicate
at 10pm local standard time on the 15th day in local time when that area
Hyades PISCES
Ecliptic
12
Celestial equator
12
Procyon
16 Bellatrix 19 AQUARIUS
11 11
VIRGO Mira 17
of the month. Each planet is represented by of sky is highest in the sky.

14
17 17
Rigel
12 14
Position of a
Spica 15
16 13
13
Celestial
14
18 12 15 15
15
18 11
19
a colored dot, and the number inside each ntares

LIBRA Fomalhaut CAPRICORNUS
planet shown by However, the local sunset

equator
dot refers to a particular year. Each chart The planet-locator chart shows colored dot and sunrise times will affect
shows the planets’ positions in relation Celestial a portion of the celestial sphere the darkness of the sky and the
to the 13 constellations along the ecliptic. sphere on either side of the ecliptic visibility of the planets.
MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS 22 MO N TH L Y SKY G U ID ES: H IG H L IG H TS JAN U AR Y 23
JANUARY OBSERVATION TIMES STAR MAGNITUDES

JANUARY
The monthly highlights pages detail a NORTHERN LATITUDES
Date
December 15
Standard
time
Midnight
Daylight-saving
time
1 am
-1 0 1 2 3 and above
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
Northern and
selection of the best objects to look for LOOKING NORTH
January 1
January 15
February 1
11 pm
10 pm
9 pm
Midnight
11 pm
10 pm LOOKING NORTH
southern latitudes
The pair of star clusters NGC 884 and NGC
February 15 8 pm 9 pm
The bright star Castor, Alpha (α) Geminorum, are covered
in the night sky, such as galaxies, clusters, 869 are known together as the Double Cluster.
They lie in Perseus, in the northwest in
January skies, and are a truly wonderful sight
Zenith
20°N
Zenith
40°S
in Gemini, is an interesting target if observed
through a telescope. Appearing as a single star
to the naked eye, Castor is actually a multiple separately
through binoculars or a small telescope. TAURUS
AURIGA star system composed of six stars, three
and double stars. Each month has four charts, GEMINI ERIDANUS CANIS
The constellation Ursa Minor, the Little Bear, 40ºN Ecl
ipt
20ºS MAJOR of which can be observed with a small
ic
is well placed for observation in January. In the Castor telescope. Also on show are the open clusters
Text highlights the

east, the double star of Alcor and Mizar in Ursa Pollux Rigel Sirius M36, M37, and M38 in Auriga, the Charioteer.
Capella PUPPIS
PERSEUS
Major, the Great Bear, can be spotted through In the west, the prominent “V” shape of
which show the skies looking north and south

60ºN MONOCEROS
ORION 0º
a small telescope. Capella, in the constellation ARIES the Hyades star cluster in Taurus is a fine
CANCER Betelgeuse
Auriga, is almost overhead. sight to the naked eye or through binoculars.
PISCES CETUS
TAURUS Aldebaran Procyon HYDRA
most prominent
from both northern and southern latitudes ANDROMEDA
CEPHEUS
CASSIOPEIA
Polaris
URSA
MINOR Big Dipper
URSA
MAJOR
Regulus
LEO ARIES AURIGA

GEMINI
CANCER
Pollux Ecl
i pt
ic
celestial objects
Castor
(see p.19). The colored lines indicate the PEGASUS

Alcor Mizar
PISCES
Capella Horizon 4 0ºS Regulus
Photographs show
Ho riz
o n 20 PERSEUS
DRACO ºN
Deneb LEO
region of the sky that is visible from the given

BOÖTES Horizon 40ºN Horizon 20ºS
The Double Cluster The Hyades
Both NGC 884 and NGC 869 can be seen through binoculars or
a small telescope as two fuzzy patches made of many stars,
sparkling against the rich star fields of the Milky Way galaxy.
W
ES
T CYGNUS Vega
HERCULES
Horiz
on 6
0ºN
EA
ST
W
ES
T ANDROMEDA
CASSIOPEIA
Big Dipper
URSA
MAJOR
EA
ST
The “V” of the Hyades star cluster is an unmistakable sight; its
members form the head of Taurus, the Bull. The bright orange-red
star nearby, Aldebaran, is not actually a part of the cluster.
some of the most
Horiz on 0º
latitude. The text discusses objects that are LOOKING SOUTH LOOKING SOUTH interesting
The constellation Orion, the Hunter, is a The constellations Vela, Carina, and the long and
features to
well placed for observation in the region of magnificent sight to behold with the naked
eye. Particularly striking is the color difference
Zenith
60°N
Zenith
0°
winding Eridanus are all on show at this time
of the year. The planetary nebula NGC 3132
between Orion’s two brightest stars, the
orange-red Alpha (α) Orionis, Betelgeuse,
Capella
ORION
Rigel
in Vela is an interesting object when seen
through a telescope. While you are observing observe
sky shown on the chart. There are also tips and the blue-white Beta (β) Orionis, Rigel. 40ºN Sirius 20ºS the eastern part of the sky, be sure to look for
MONOCEROS
A telescope or a pair of binoculars will reveal AURIGA PERSEUS
CANIS
the globular cluster NGC 3201. The open star
the stunning Orion Nebula, M42, which sits in Castor MAJOR cluster NGC 2547, also in Vela, is a good target
Orion’s sword. The variable star Mira in Cetus Pollux Propus for binoculars. Use a small telescope to bring
GEMINI TAURUS 40ºS
on how to locate the objects, some of which

20ºN ERIDANUS
and the open cluster M35 in Gemini are also into focus the scattered open cluster M47
well placed for observation.
LEO
CANCER
ORION Aldebaran
ARIES
PUPPIS
Regor
Canopus
in the constellation Puppis, the Stern.
Sky charts show
Betelgeuse
are illustrated with photographs. To hone in

pt
ic Procyon PICTOR
positions of the
li
PISCES
Ec
MONOCEROS
CETUS
Rigel VELA Achernar
Sirius
stars looking
CARINA
Regulus Mira
HYDRA PHOENIX CETUS
CANIS ERIDANUS
on objects in the sky, you can cross-reference

PUPPIS HYDRA
MAJOR
CENTAURUS
Horiz
on 60 ºN
Hor
izon
0º CRUX
β Centauri
OCTANS
TUCANA
GRUS Fomalhaut
AQUARIUS
north and south
these charts with the detailed sky charts on
Horizon 40ºN Horizon 20ºS
M35 in Gemini Hor NGC 2547
Canopus izon
The open cluster M35 sits near the star Propus in Gemini. While EA EA 40º α Centauri The gorgeous magnitude 4.7 star cluster NGC 2547 sits very
T S S PAVO ST
a small telescope will show the cluster clearly, a larger telescope ST Horiz CARINA PHOENIX ES T WE close to the star Regor, Gamma (γ) Velorum, in the constellation
on 20 VELA PICTOR W
will also show the fainter cluster NGC 2158 sitting nearby. ºN Vela. It is a fine sight through binoculars or a small telescope.
ARA
the following pages.

USING THE SKY GUIDES 19
THE WHOLE-SKY CHARTS

In addition to the monthly highlights and overviews pages, North North
there are two whole-sky charts for every month. These
charts show the position of the stars at 10pm local time
on the 15th day of the month, for both the Northern and
Southern Hemispheres. They project the half of the celestial
sphere that would be visible to you without any obstruction
on the horizon. To use the whole-sky charts, first use the
world map (bottom right) to find the colored latitude line
that is closest to your observing location. Then turn to the South South
NORTHERN SOUTHERN
chart for the month you are observing in. Next, look for LATITUDES LATITUDES
the horizon line that is colored the same as the latitude line
that is closest to your location. The sky plotted within the Star-motion diagrams Orientation
These diagrams show the direction in which the stars To view the northern sky, turn northward and
horizon’s boundaries is visible from your location during hold the map flat with the label NORTH closest
appear to move in the sky as the night progresses. Stars
that month for the times shown. Now turn to the appropriate near the celestial equator appear to move from east to to you. The colored northern horizon line on the
month and position yourself and the chart (see right). west, while circumpolar stars circle around the celestial chart corresponds to the horizon in front of you. To
poles without setting. view the south, turn yourself and the map around.
Asterism Constellation
Horizon
25
Zenith nebula nebula cluster cluster Galaxy star

name name
JANUARY NO RT HERN L AT IT U DES
Ecliptic 20°N 40°N 60°N Zeniths Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Planetary Diffuse Open Globular Variable 5 4 3 2 1 0 -1
POINTS OF REFERENCE DEEP -SKY OBJECTS STAR MAGNITUDES
R
M I LE O
JANUARY | NORTHERN LATITUDES X
NO
South
N
LY
Zenith SA R
UR J O
SO UT H I N G
LOO K
A
M
SOUTH
SUNRISE AND SUNSET ON 15TH JANUARY

LMC
North RET I M81

CUL
M U
STAR MOTION DO RA DO PI C T O R CAR INA
SO Canopus er
ipp
HO
RO ST
C
Star name
U
EA
gD
TH LO G
IUM
TH Bi
Horizon
LA
V
W
CAELUM
U
VE
ES
SO
T
C O LU M B A PI S
PH PU P
EN O
IX
Adhara
Viewer RN
FO
L E PU S
PY
X IS
ar M5
1 Deep-sky
AX Miz
object name
M41
E RI JO R
MA I S
IA
DA N M93
C AN
TL
US
AN
Celestial sphere
Sirius 7
or number
M4
Rigel 46
M M101
SCU
LP
M42
Each whole-sky chart shows an area greater than half a celestial M50
CE
T OR
TU 48
Main features
S
OS
sphere because it combines three different projections of the

ER C R
NO NO
Mir
Bellatr
Besides showing the band of the Milky Way

I
O
ix
M
a
IS
geuse A
EAST
Betel
DR
AN
night sky, as seen from three different latitudes. Each month

WEST
TA OR I O N
HY
C
on
UR
cy
US
galaxy, the whole-sky charts also highlight

Hyad
Pro
Aldeba
S
es
N
ran
PI S
TA
the sky charts show the sky as it appears from 60°–20°N on the
C ES
S EX
CER
67
many stars, constellations, deep-sky objects,

M
M1
CA N
northern latitudes chart and from 0°–40°S on the southern

45
(P M35
lus
I
leia
IN
I GA
L EO
A RI E S
Regu
AU R
asterisms, and the path of the Sun—also
de
M
M44
s) M37 ic
GE
PE R S M36 Eclipt
EU S
latitudes chart.
M38
x
Pollu
stor
known as the ecliptic.

Ca
OBSERVATION TIMES
PI S C E S
T RI A
Horizons and zeniths

M33
Cape
lla
LE O
N GU
M34
A U RI G A
Date Standard Daylight-saving
LU
The stars shown near the M5

M
time
PE
MI LEO
NX time
NO
2
R
LY
SE
US
center of each chart are close SA R December 15 Midnight 1 am

M87
U R A JO
WEST
AN
NG
EAST
C 86
31
M
to the point directly overhead,
NG 9
DR
CA C 88
SS 4
O
January 1 11 pm Midnight
P EG
IO
M
P C AM
ED
E IA E LOP
AS U
M10 A RDA LIS

A
known as the zenith, while

3
S
M81
RE A
CE
S
B E CO M
January 15 10 pm 11 pm
NI
M64
S
C EP r NE I C
I
pe
stars near the chart’s edge HEU LA

CE
M52
Polaris Big
Dip CA N AT
VE February 1 9 pm 10 pm
M53
RT
S A
appear close to the horizon. C EP

HE U
U RS A
MIN OR February 15 8 pm 9 pm
3
S
M
Color-coded lines and crosses M

39
Miz
ar M51
are used to identify the Den

M101
Observation times
horizon and zenith for CY
GN
eb
US ÖT
ES Each chart shows the sky as it appears at 10pm
BO
ST
local standard time mid month. However, this

M29 D RACO
N
each of the three latitude

EA
O
R
H TH
T
W R
ES O
projections on each monthly

T
LYR
A
Vega
M92
NA
RO IS
C O R E AL
BO
N
view can also be seen at other times of the
whole-sky chart. HERC UL ES
M13
month, as well as one hour later when local
M ONT HL Y S KY GU I D E S: SK Y GUI DE S
M57
OBSERVATION TIMES
Date Standard
time
Daylight-saving
time
daylight saving time is in use. These times range
NORTH
December 15
January 1
Midnight
11 pm
1 am
Midnight
from midnight in the middle of the previous
LO OK
N O RTH
STAR MAGNITUDES
I N G January 15
February 1
February 15
10 pm
9 pm
8 pm
11 pm
10 pm
9 pm
month to 8pm in the middle of the next month.
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable
star JANUARY | NORTHERN LATITUDES
STAR MAGNITUDES DEEP-SKY OBJECTS POINTS OF REFERENCE
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
Star magnitude -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
star Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
60°N
24
This panel shows the approximate magnitudes of the

40°N
stars plotted on the whole-sky chart. In astronomy, 20°N
the brighter a star the lower its “magnitude” value; 0°
bright objects may even have a negative value. 20°S
40°S
DEEP-SKY OBJECTS POINTS OF REFERENCE
Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic Lines of latitude
cluster cluster nebula nebula
Use this map to find the colored latitude line
Deep-sky objects Points of reference that is closest to your location. This is the color
This panel displays the symbols for deep-sky objects, To help you remember which horizon line or zenith marker of the line you need to find on the sky charts (see
including galaxies, clusters, and nebulae shown on the applies to your location, this bar shows the different colors above). Note that a 10° difference in latitude
whole-sky charts. that correspond to the different latitudes. has little effect on the stars that can be seen.
20 MO NT H LY S KY GUID ES: OVERVIEW S
JANUARY
In January skies, all eyes are firmly fixed on A U RI G A
the striking constellation Orion, the Hunter. The Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 pm
Milky Way is another spectacular sight to 21 Alpha (α) Aurigae, Aurigae Aur December–February
or Capella, 0.1
behold this month. If you are in the Southern
The constellation Auriga, the
Hemisphere, look high in the sky for the Charioteer, can easily be spotted LYNX
7h
6h
within the band of the Milky Way ξ

Large Magellanic Cloud. between the constellations
δ PERSEUS
50º 9
Perseus and Gemini. Its brightest

ψ1 AURIGA
star is the magnitude 0.1
NORTHERN LATITUDES Capella. There are several π
Capella
α
ε NGC
β 1664
interesting open ψ7 ψ
2
η
0º
ζ
clusters in Auriga λ
THE STARS south of the chain of three stars that 63
NGC 2281
ν τ μ
When viewing in January, you will makes up Orion’s belt. This nebula is that make ideal UU
υ
4
θ M38 2
targets for NGC 1907
immediately notice the brightest easily visible through binoculars from astor
M36 AE IC 405
ι
binoculars or a GEMINI χ 16
star in the sky, Sirius, in the northern latitudes and can be seen small telescope. RT
κ
M37
Alnath
Pollux
constellation Canis Major. Visible with the naked eye as a hazy patch. βTau
from mid-northern latitudes, Sirius The open star clusters M36, M37, TAURUS
twinkles above the southern horizon. and M38 in Auriga are also worth
Directly above you is the yellowish a look with binoculars. named. At the peak of the shower, the trails of meteors appear to come,
star Capella in Auriga. you may be able to spot as many is quite low in the northeastern
Meanwhile, in the northeast lies METEOR SHOWERS as 100 meteors an hour, but they sky, even at midnight.
a familiar asterism, the Big Dipper. In The Quadrantid meteor shower kicks appear relatively faint. The meteor
MIDNIGHT
the northwest, look for the faint band off around January 3–4 every year. shower is best observed from
of the Milky Way passing through These meteors seem to originate rural or light pollution-free areas.
into Perseus and Cassiopeia. from a point near the handle of The peak lasts only a few hours
3 AM
the Big Dipper in the constellation and their radiant, the point in
SIGHTS OF INTEREST Ursa Major. This area was once the sky from which
If you are exploring the constellation occupied by the now-obsolete
Orion, you will see the Orion Nebula, constellation Quadrans, after
M42, a bright deep-sky object lying which the meteor shower is
6 AM
NOON 9 AM
Arcturus LEO 15
10°
12
Regulus CANCER
16
0°
OPHIUCHUS VIRGO 11
14
17
12
–10°
16 Spica
13
14
14 11 18
15
–20° 16 16
18 13 11 19 18
19 18 17 19
18
17 Antares
–30° LIBRA
SAGITTARIUS SCORPIUS
Shaula Y
–40°
K
S
G
I N
N
–50° R
O
M
JANUARY 21
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
THE STARS Auriga is low in the north on clear sparkling stars, you will find the and its star fields and clusters can
If you are observing the skies from January evenings and the rich Tarantula Nebula, which appears be seen with binoculars or a small
southern latitudes this month, you Milky Way star fields of Carina and to the naked eye as a glowing patch telescope. If you are located around
will find the bright star Canopus in Centaurus, which are home to many the size of the full Moon. Do not latitude 20°S the star cluster M41,
the constellation Carina sitting high interesting celestial sights, are forget the Small Magellanic Cloud near Sirius, will be directly above
in the sky, while Sirius is almost sitting low in the southeast. in Tucana either—it lies to the you. Under good conditions M41
overhead. Orion’s brightest stars, southwestern horizon this month, can be seen with the naked eye.
Rigel and Betelgeuse, are also high SIGHTS OF INTEREST
up. Aldebaran, the brightest star in It is not just observers in the CANIS MAJOR
the constellation Taurus, shines with northern latitudes who enjoy a good
a red-orange tint lower in the north. view of the constellation Orion. The
43 Alpha (α) Canis Majoris, Canis Majoris CMa January–February
The star Capella in the constellation Orion Nebula is ideally placed high or Sirius, -1.4
in the sky, even if you are observing 7h 6h
from southern latitudes. The Large Sitting at the heels of Orion, Canis –10º MONOCEROS
Magellanic Cloud in the constellation Major, the Greater Dog, is home to θ ORION
CANIS
the brightest star of the entire night MAJOR μ
Dorado can be seen with binoculars γ α
sky—Sirius, Alpha (α) Canis Majoris. NGC
2360 ι
Sirius
on January evenings. Among its ν3 β

Sirius is a brilliant white star with –20º π
2
LEPUS
15
a magnitude of -1.4. Canis Major M41
represents one of the two UW NGC

ο 2
ο1
ξ
2
ξ
1
The Milky Way τ 2362

hunting dogs of Orion, the δ
27
ω
This view of the Milky Way shows the regions Hunter, which sits nearby. σ Adhara
η ε
toward the constellations Crux, the Southern It is home to two fine open
–30º
ζ
Cross, and Carina, the Keel. κ λ
clusters, NGC 2362 and M41. COLUMBA
PUPPIS
MIDNIGHT 9 PM
URANUS
6 PM
19 PISCES NEPTUNE
18
Capella 17
16
15 19
14 18
17
13 16
12 15
11
14
13
12
11
Castor 3 PM
CETUS AQUARIUS
Pleiades
14 ARIES
13
Aldebaran
Hyades PISCES
12 10°
Betelgeuse
Procyon Bellatrix 19 AQUARIUS
0°
11
Mira 17
17
Rigel
14 –10°
15
13
12 15 15
E V E N I N G S K Y –20°
11
POSITIONS OF THE PLANETS

Fomalhaut CAPRICORNUS –30°
This chart shows the positions of the planets except Mercury, the dot indicates the planet’s
in January from 2011 to 2019. The planets are position on January 15. Mercury is shown
represented by colored dots, while the number when it is at greatest elongation (see p.125).
inside each dot denotes the year. For all planets For specific dates, refer to the Almanac.
–40°
Mercury Mars Saturn Neptune
Venus Jupiter Uranus –50°

EXAMPLES
11 Mars’s position on 11 Saturn’s position on January 15, 2011. The arrow indicates
January 15, 2011 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125)
22 MONT HLY SKY GUID ES: HIGHLIGHTS
JANUARY OBSERVATION TIMES

time time
NORTHERN LATITUDES December 15

January 1
Midnight
11 pm
1 am
Midnight
LOOKING NORTH February 1 9 pm 10 pm
The pair of star clusters NGC 884 and NGC
Zenith
869 are known together as the Double Cluster. 20°N
They lie in Perseus, in the northwest in
January skies, and are a truly wonderful sight
through binoculars or a small telescope. TAURUS
AURIGA
The constellation Ursa Minor, the Little Bear, 40ºN GEMINI

Ecl
ipt
ic
is well placed for observation in January. In the Castor
east, the double star of Alcor and Mizar in Ursa Pollux
Capella
PERSEUS
Major, the Great Bear, can be spotted through
60ºN
a small telescope. Capella, in the constellation ARIES
CANCER
Auriga, is almost overhead.
PISCES
CASSIOPEIA URSA
Polaris MAJOR
ANDROMEDA
URSA Regulus
MINOR Big Dipper
LEO
CEPHEUS
Alcor Mizar
PEGASUS
Horiz
o n 20
DRACO ºN
Deneb
BOÖTES Horizon 40ºN
The Double Cluster
Both NGC 884 and NGC 869 can be seen through binoculars or W
ES ºN ST
a small telescope as two fuzzy patches made of many stars, T CYGNUS o n 60 EA
Vega Horiz
sparkling against the rich star fields of the Milky Way galaxy.
HERCULES
LOOKING SOUTH
The constellation Orion, the Hunter, is a
magnificent sight to behold with the naked Zenith
60°N
eye. Particularly striking is the color difference
between Orion’s two brightest stars, the
Capella
orange-red Alpha (α) Orionis, Betelgeuse,
and the blue-white Beta (β) Orionis, Rigel. 40ºN
A telescope or a pair of binoculars will reveal AURIGA PERSEUS
the stunning Orion Nebula, M42, which sits in Castor

Orion’s sword. The variable star Mira in Cetus Propus
Pollux GEMINI 20ºN TAURUS
and the open cluster M35 in Gemini are also
well placed for observation. ORION Aldebaran
ARIES
LEO
CANCER
Betelgeuse
tic Procyon
ip
l
PISCES
Ec
MONOCEROS
CETUS
Sirius Rigel
Regulus Mira
HYDRA
CANIS ERIDANUS
PUPPIS
MAJOR
on 60ºN
Horiz
Horizon 40ºN
M35 in Gemini
The open cluster M35 sits near the star Propus in Gemini. While Canopus
EA T
a small telescope will show the cluster clearly, a larger telescope ST Horiz CARINA PHOENIX ES
on 20 VELA PICTOR W
will also show the fainter cluster NGC 2158 sitting nearby. ºN
JANUARY 23
STAR MAGNITUDES
JANUARY
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
LOOKING NORTH
The bright star Castor, Alpha (α) Geminorum,
Zenith
40°S
in Gemini, is an interesting target if observed
through a telescope. Appearing as a single star
to the naked eye, Castor is actually a multiple
star system composed of six stars, three
ERIDANUS CANIS
20ºS MAJOR of which can be observed with a small
telescope. Also on show are the open clusters
Rigel Sirius M36, M37, and M38 in Auriga, the Charioteer.
PUPPIS
In the west, the prominent “V” shape of
MONOCEROS
ORION 0º
the Hyades star cluster in Taurus is a fine
Betelgeuse
sight to the naked eye or through binoculars.
TAURUS Aldebaran Procyon

CETUS HYDRA
CANCER
GEMINI
Pollux Ecl
ARIES AURIGA ipt
ic
Castor
Capella Horizon 40ºS Regulus

PISCES
PERSEUS
LEO
Horizon 20ºS The Hyades
W URSA The “V” of the Hyades star cluster is an unmistakable sight; its
ES CASSIOPEIA MAJOR ST members form the head of Taurus, the Bull. The bright orange-red
T ANDROMEDA EA
star nearby, Aldebaran, is not actually a part of the cluster.
Big Dipper
Horizon 0º
LOOKING SOUTH
The constellations Vela, Carina, and the long and
Zenith winding Eridanus are all on show at this time
0°
of the year. The planetary nebula NGC 3132
ORION
in Vela is an interesting object when seen
Rigel through a telescope. While you are observing
Sirius the eastern part of the sky, be sure to look for
20ºS
MONOCEROS
CANIS
the globular cluster NGC 3201. The open star
MAJOR cluster NGC 2547, also in Vela, is a good target
for binoculars. Use a small telescope to bring
40ºS ERIDANUS into focus the scattered open cluster M47
PUPPIS in the constellation Puppis, the Stern.
Canopus
Regor
PICTOR
VELA Achernar
CARINA
PHOENIX CETUS
HYDRA
CENTAURUS
TUCANA
OCTANS AQUARIUS
0º CRUX
izon
Hor β Centauri GRUS Fomalhaut
Horizon 20ºS
Hor NGC 2547
izon
EA 40º α Centauri The gorgeous magnitude 4.7 star cluster NGC 2547 sits very
S T
S PAVO ST close to the star Regor, Gamma (γ) Velorum, in the constellation
WE
Vela. It is a fine sight through binoculars or a small telescope.
ARA
P I SC E S
TR I A
M33
Capel
la
LEO
NGU
M3
AU R I G A
4
LU
M
R
PE
M I LE O
X
NO
N
RS
US LY
E
SA R
M87
U R JO
WEST
AN
NG
EAST
C8 A
31
N 69 M
DR
C AS
GC
8 84
OM
S
PE G
IO CA
P MEL
ED
EIA OPARDALIS
ASU
M1
A
03
S
M81
RE A
CE
S
BE COM
NI
4
S
M6
er NE IC
I
pp CA NAT
M5 Di
L Bi
g
VE
AC 2
Polaris
3
E
M5
RT
A
U R SA
MINO R
C EP H
EU
3
S
M
ar 1
M Miz M5
39
M101
De
neb
CY E S
G NU ÖT
S BO
ST
M2 D R A CO
N
A
O
E
R
H TH
T
W R
ES O
T N
NA
LYR RO I S
A M92 CO REAL
Vega BO
M13
H E RC U L E S
MO NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES
M5
7
OBSERVATION TIMES
time time
NORTH
December 15 Midnight 1 am
LOOK
I N G N ORTH January 15 10 pm 11 pm
JANUARY | NORTHERN LATITUDES
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
24
Cast
Pol
or
xlu
M38
EUS
M36 P ERS
GE
Eclipt
ic M37 )
es
M44
M
AU R
Regu
ARIES
ad
LEO
IGA
IN
lei
us
M3 (P
5 45
C
M
M1
M
ANC
S
67
ER
CES
EXT
PI S
ran
AN
Pr
Aldeba des
S
Hya S
oc
RU
yo
U
HY
O R ION TA
WEST
AN
DR
EAST
A Bete
I
lgeus
e
M
ra
SM
O
rix
I
Bellat
Mi
NO NO
R CE
RO
S
M
S
48
OR
TU
M5
0 CE
M42
LPT
SCU
M Rigel
46
M4
7 Sirius
AN
US
TL
CAN
M9
3 D AN
IA
MA I S
J OR ERI X
M41
R NA
PY
X IS FO
L E PU S
Adhara
X
E NI
PU P P HO
PI S COLUMBA
T
SO
ES
VE
U
CAELUM
W
T LA
H IU M
EA LOG TH
O RO U
ST
Canopus H SO
CARINA P I C TO R DO RA D O STAR MOTION

CU LU M
R ET I North
LMC
SUNRISE AND SUNSET ON 15TH JANUARY
SOUTH
LO OK
I N G S OUT H
South
JANUARY | NORTHERN LATITUDES
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary

J A NUA R Y N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
25
M46
s
L EP Siriu 47
U S M
8
C ANIS
M4
RA
Rige MAJ O R
C ET U
S
AN
HY D
Mi
ER
M42 0
M5
XT
DA
ra
I
S
SE
NU
S
n
cyo
Pro
P IS
TA
Ecl UR Bellatrix 67
C ES
EAST
M
WEST
ipt U lus
ic S Betelgeuse R gu
I NO
O
PE G
C A NI S M Re
LE
Hyade
s C ER
AS U
OR ION CAN
S
AR
I ES Aldebaran
M44
M1
M45 (
Pleiad
T RI es) M35 u x
Poll
R
AN
NO
M
33 G UL M37 tor
MI
UM Cas
NI
G E MI
O
LE
M38 M36
PE
RSE
US
AN
DR AU RI G A
OM
M
E M3
31
DA 4
X
Capella LYN
OR
AJ
M
CA NG SA
SS
IO
C8
69
NG
C8
84
UR
ST
PE
N
IA M10
EA
O
3
R
H TH
T
W R
ES O
T N
C AM E L
OPARDALIS
1
M8
DRACO
OBSERVATION TIMES
NORTH time time
December 15 Midnight 1 am
LOOK
I N G N ORTH January 15 10 pm 11 pm
JANUARY | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
26
M
41
L EPUS
M9
3
CA
NI S
S
MA J O R
HY
X
TU
Adh U
BA
DR
CE
ara AN
NA
D
A
COLUM
R
E RI
FO
CRA
S
PY
PU
XI
PP
TE R
M
RIU
IS
A
C A ELU
AN
QU
T
A
LI
A
WEST
CO
Canopus
EAST
R
NG
C
VU
31
S
32 NG O
R
VE C DOR AD
25
TO
LA 47
aut
LP
CA
U
alh
R IN
NG A SC
C
Fom
32
01 P I C TO R X
G IU M NI
OLO OE
LMC RETICULUM HOR ar PH
ern
I
Ach
US
R IN S
VO L
S T IS C
ANS US
H YD R
AU P
MENSA 4
C 10
NG
Gac C RU SMC
NG rux X
C US
51 C HA M A E L E O N
39 GR
Acru M US
x CA ANA
CE Becr TU C
NT ux
AU
M
R US OCTANS IU
β Ce OP
ntau
ri O SC
ST
CR
SO
E
AP U S MI
U
W
αC
TH ent
auri
EA LU
P S TH
US U U
ST IN D SO
C I RC
I NU S PAVO
T R IA N G
U LU M STAR MOTION
AU S T R A L
E
North
A RA
SOUTH
LO OK
I N G S OUT H
South
JANUARY | SOUTHERN LATITUDES

J A NUA R Y S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
star Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
27
FEBRUARY
To get your bearings this month, look out GEMINI
for the bright stars Castor and Pollux in Size ranking Brightest stars Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 pm
Gemini from northern latitudes. If you are 30 Beta (β) Geminorum, 1.15 Geminorum Gem January–February
Alpha (α) Geminorum, 1.6
observing from the Southern Hemisphere, LYNX
8h
6h
You can find the 7h
the constellations Carina, Puppis, and constellation Gemini,

the Twins, by looking ο
Vela can be seen high in the sky. for its two brightest Castor
αρ
θ
30º
τ
stars, Beta (β) and χ σ
β ι AURIGA
Alpha (α)
NORTHERN LATITUDES
Pollux
φ υ
Geminorum, GEMINI ε M35
κ
known to δ μ η 1
Ecliptic
20º ζ
THE STARS constellations Taurus, Auriga, astronomers as Castor NGC 2392 ν TAURUS
If you are observing the sky from Perseus, and the W-shaped and Pollux. Castor is an 81
ORION
h γ
interesting multiple star. Alhena
mid-northern latitudes, you will find Cassiopeia are also on show
You will also find the 38 ξ 30
the constellation Gemini almost this month. In the eastern sky open cluster M35 near 10º
CANCER
overhead. South of Gemini lies the the constellation Leo, the Lion, the feet of the twins. Betelgeuse
CANIS
sparkling Winter Triangle formed is visible, while the familiar shape Procyon MINOR
by the bright stars Sirius in Canis of the Big Dipper asterism sits MONOCEROS
Major, Betelgeuse in Orion, and nearby in the northeast.

Procyon in Canis Minor. The four The wonderful Beehive Cluster, also of binoculars, look out for the star
SIGHTS OF INTEREST known as M44 or Praesepe, is a cluster NGC 2244. It is also an
Close to the feet of Gemini, the great sight through a small telescope. interesting target for a small
Twins, you will find M35, a large It lies in the nearby constellation telescope, and sits between the
open star cluster that can be easily Cancer and appears wider than stars Betelgeuse and Procyon.
spotted with a pair of binoculars. the full Moon. Meanwhile, you will
find the Milky Way running through
The Winter Triangle the constellation Monoceros, home
In the northern winter night sky, look out for the
to many open star clusters. If you 3AM
stars of the Winter Triangle asterism—Sirius
(center bottom), the orange-red Betelgeuse (top), are observing with a pair
and Procyon (top left).
NOON
20° 6AM
9AM
Arcturus
LEO
Regulus
10° 12
Altair
16
0°
OPHIUCHUS VIRGO 14 11
17
12
–10° CAPRICORNUS
16 13 Spica
11 14
13 14
15 11
–20° 15
16 16 16 18
19 18
18 17 19
19
Antares
–30° LIBRA
SAGITTARIUS Shaula
–40° Y
K
S
SCORPIUS G
I N
N
R
O
M
FEBRUARY 29
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
THE STARS Magellanic Clouds. Meanwhile
PUPPIS
If you are observing from southern Leo, the Lion, is steadily rising
latitudes you will find two stellar in the northeast. Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 pm
beacons shining away high in the 20 Zeta (ζ) Puppis, Puppis Pup January–February
sky. These are the two brightest SIGHTS OF INTEREST or Naos, 2.2
9h 7h
stars in the night sky—Sirius and The regions in and around the The constellation Puppis, the MONOCEROS
–10º
Canopus. Two stunning constellations, Milky Way should be explored as Stern, is home to the open ORION
19
M47
Crux, the Southern Cross, and they contain many star clusters, star clusters M46 and M47, 20
Sirius
M46
CANIS
Centaurus, the Centaur, are also such as M46, M47, NGC 2451, which can be seen with a pair MAJOR
16
visible. A little way above them, and NGC 2477, which can be found of binoculars. Puppis sits –20º LEPUS
in the night sky just north of 11
you will find the deceptive False in Puppis. Also seek out the star the bright star Canopus and ξ
M93
ο
Cross, sometimes mistaken for clusters IC 2391 and IC 2395 in is wedged between the NGC 1 Adhara
PYXIS 2571 3
the true Southern Cross. The Vela and NGC 2516 in Carina. constellations Vela, Carina, -30º
6h
k
False Cross is formed by four and Canis Major. NGC 2439
stars in Vela and Carina. π

NGC 2451
At this time of the year, the two NGC

2546 NGC 2477 COLUMBA
–40º
main stars of Gemini, Castor and Naos PUPPIS
σ
The South Celestial Pole L2 ν
Pollux, can be found sitting in the L1
Find the South Celestial Pole by intersecting
north. The constellations Orion and VELA
two imaginary lines: one, an extension of the V
Taurus are also visible. In the south long axis of Crux, and the other at right angles –50º
PICTOR
you will still find the Large and Small to the line joining Alpha and Beta Centauri.
CARINA Canopus
9PM
6PM
MIDNIGHT URANUS
19 PISCES
18
Capella 17
16
3PM 15
14
13
12
11
Castor CETUS
Pollux
GEMINI Pleiades
14
13 ARIES
20°
Aldebaran
15 TAURUS
Hyades 12 19 PISCES
10°
CANCER Betelgeuse
Procyon 17
Bellatrix 17
12 AQUARIUS
11 19 0°
15
Mira 15 13
13
Rigel
–10°
18
E V E N I N G S K Y –20°

Fomalhaut –30°
This chart shows the positions of the planets in except Mercury, the dot indicates the planet’s 19
February from 2011 to 2019. The planets are position on February 15. Mercury is shown 18
17
represented by colored dots, while the number when it is at greatest elongation (see p.125). 16
15
14
13 –40°
12
11
AQUARIUS
–50°
Venus Jupiter Uranus
EXAMPLES
11 Mars’s position on 11 Saturn’s position on February 15, 2011. The arrow indicates
February 15, 2011 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125)
NEPTUNE
FEBRUARY OBSERVATION TIMES

time time
NORTHERN LATITUDES January 15

February 1
Midnight
11 pm
1 am
Midnight
LOOKING NORTH March 1 9 pm 10 pm
March 15 8 pm 9 pm
In February, the three prominent open clusters in
Zenith
the northwest M36, M37, and M38 in Auriga 20°N
are a must-see. Through a telescope, each
cluster appears like grains of sugar scattered GEMINI Pollux
against the black sky; a pair of binoculars show Castor
the clusters as gray smudges. 40ºN
Other objects to be spotted with binoculars
are the galaxy M81 in Ursa Major, the Great
AURIGA
Bear, and the line of stars known as Kemble’s
Aldebaran 60ºN LEO
Cascade in Camelopardalis, the Giraffe, which Capella
lies close to Cassiopeia and Perseus.
TAURUS
PERSEUS
tic
Big Dipper
Eclip
URSA
MAJOR
URSA
CETUS MINOR
CASSIOPEIA
ARIES ANDROMEDA γ
CEPHEUS
DRACO BOÖTES
PISCES Horiz
on 20
ºN
Horizon 40ºN
Arcturus
Kemble’s Cascade
Sitting close to the halfway point between the bright star W PEGASUS
Deneb
Capella, in Auriga, and Gamma (γ) Cassiopeiae, Kemble’s ES 0ºN ST
T CYGNUS Vega on 6 EA
Cascade is best observed with a pair of binoculars. Horiz
HERCULES
LOOKING SOUTH
The open cluster M41 lies just south of the
bright star Sirius in Canis Major, the Greater Dog. Zenith
60°N
It is worth a look if you are enjoying the more
obvious sights of Orion nearby. M41 is clearly
visible through binoculars or a small telescope. URSA
MAJOR Capella
To the east, the cluster NGC 2244 in 40ºN
AURIGA
Monoceros, the Unicorn, is good through
binoculars and small telescopes. Also worth Castor
Pollux
finding is M1 in Taurus in the west. A large GEMINI
telescope reveals its elliptical shape, while the 20ºN
biggest telescopes reveal even more details. CANCER
LEO
Aldebaran
Procyon
TAURUS
Regulus Betelgeuse
ic ORION
t
lip
Ec
MONOCEROS
HYDRA
Sirius
CANIS
Rigel
MAJOR
VIRGO
ERIDANUS
Horizon 60ºN
CETUS
PUPPIS
Horizon 40ºN
M1 in Taurus
Also called the Crab Nebula, M1 is a supernova remnant that was VELA
EA Canopus T
formed by the explosion of a massive star. About 6,500 light-years ST ES
W
from Earth, it appears as a faintly glowing patch in the sky. PICTOR
CARINA
Horizon 20ºN
FEBRUARY 31
STAR MAGNITUDES
FEBRUARY
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
LOOKING NORTH
In the constellation Cancer, the Crab, look out
Zenith
40°S
for the wonderful star cluster M44, also known
as the Beehive Cluster or Praesepe. Easy
PUPPIS to locate, it sits at the very center of the
constellation, close to the stars Gamma (γ) and
CANIS
MAJOR 20ºS Delta (δ) Cancri. M44 appears as a misty patch
to the naked eye from a dark sky location. Also
Sirius on show, and best seen with a telescope, are
MONOCEROS the interesting spiral galaxies M65 and M66
0º
Rigel HYDRA in Leo, the Lion. These galaxies appear as
Procyon elliptical smudges through a telescope.
ERIDANUS Betelgeuse CANCER
ORION 𝛅
𝛄 Regulus Eclip
GEMINI t ic
Aldebaran Pollux
Castor
TAURUS LEO
AURIGA
VIRGO
CETUS Horiz
Capella on 40
ºS
PERSEUS
ARIES Horizon 20ºS
M44 in Cancer
Big Dipper URSA Appearing as a glittering collection of stars, the magnitude 3.7
W
ES MAJOR ST open cluster M44 is a beautiful sight through binoculars. It is
T o n 0º EA
Horiz an ideal target for amateur deep-sky astrophotographers.
Polaris
LOOKING SOUTH
This is a good time to observe and admire
Zenith the rich star fields of the Milky Way stretching
0°
across the southern skies. To scan these stars,
MONOCEROS
you only need your eyes or a pair of binoculars.
Look out for the Milky Way running through the
20ºS Sirius ORION constellations Crux, Centaurus, Musca, and
CANIS
Carina in the east. Be sure to observe the
MAJOR Coalsack Nebula, a distinctive dark patch close
PUPPIS Rigel
to the stars of Crux, the Southern Cross. This
40ºS
dark nebula is a cloud of dust and gas about
600 light-years away.
HYDRA
VELA Canopus
PICTOR ERIDANUS
CARINA
CENTAURUS
CRUX
Achernar Horizo CETUS

VIRGO β Centauri n 0º
Spica OCTANS
α Centauri PHOENIX
TUCANA
Horizon 20ºS IC 2602
Ecl
PAVO
EA This magnitude 1.9 open cluster lying in the constellation Carina
ipt
ST LUPUS ST
ic
S WE is known to astronomers as the Southern Pleiades. It is visible

n 40º
ARA GRUS Horizo to the naked eye, but binoculars show it twinkling away.
M
45
M38
R
MI EO
(P
NO
l
P IS CE S
eia
ES
L
de
IC
BEROMA
) s
EN
AR I E S
M53
M6
C
X
Ca AU LYN
pe RI
lla GA
I
V E NE S
TIC
NA
CA
A
S
U R JO
R
A
TR
M3
M
IA
34
EAST
WEST
NG
UL Big
Dip
PE
UM per
SE
R
us
US
ES
M 1
M8
tur
33
ÖT
51
Arc
M
BO
r
CA
iza
NGC ME
M
884 LO PARD
NG
C
A L IS
869
1
M 103 10
M3 Polaris OR M
MI N
1
U R SA
CA
SS
AN
I OP
EIA
DR
AL A
OM
IS
RE ON
CO
D RA
R
ED
A M52
CO O
CEPH E B
US
PE
GA
S US
LA 13
C ER 2 M
TA M9
ST
N
A
O
ES
E
UL
R
TH
H M39
RC
T
W HE R
ES Deneb
O
T N
LYRA
C YG N U S a
Veg
M29
OBSERVATION TIMES
NORTH time time
January 15 Midnight 1 am
February 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
I N G N ORTH February 15 10 pm 11 pm
March 1 9 pm 10 pm
March 15 8 pm 9 pm
FEBRUARY | NORTHERN LATITUDES
32
M
6
M3
37
M
M8
7
Castor
US
IGA
R
AU R
AU
VIR
Pollux 5 T
M3
S
M1
GO
TU
INI s
Mira
G EM ran ade
M eba
CE
44 Ald Hy
LEO
Ecliptic
Re
g ulu CA
s NC rix
ER lat
M6
7 e Bel
N
M1
eus
WEST
elg
EAST
O R IO
04
Bet
4
Procyon 224
O R NGC
SE CAN I S MIN
CR
XT
US
A
TE AN
S RO S 2
R HY MO N O C E
AN
DR M4 l
ge
ID
A Ri
ER
CO
M48
R
M50
VU
S
s US
M47 Siriu LEP
X
M46
NA
R
FO
M41 R
M93 AJO
C A N ISa M
r
Adha A
AN MB
TLI
A COLU
PY X I S P UP P I S
M
E LU
CA
EST
SO
U
W
T
H
EA TH
U
s
anopu O
ST SO
C
V E LA OR R AD
P I CT DO
CA R INA STAR MOTION
North
VO L A N S
SUNRISE AND SUNSET ON 15TH FEBRUARY
SOUTH
LO OK
I N G S OUT H
South
FEBRUARY | NORTHERN LATITUDES

F E BRUA R Y N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
33
Mira
LE Sirius
PU ic
S M46 pt
li
Ri
M47 Ec
CET
ge
l
ER
ID
US
O
AN 48
S
M50
M
AN
RG
P IS CE
42
U M
S XT
VI
SE
S
RA
Be
YD
MO
7
lla
M8
tri
x NO CE n
H
ROS Proc
yo
NGC 22
44
EAST
M53
O Bete
WEST
RI lgeus M65
O e 7
H N R M6 M66
ya
de CA NI S M I NO
TA
UR
AR I
s s
4
ulu
M6
CE R
US g
Re O
A
C AN LE
ES
lde
S
NI A
ba
CE
RE M
ran
BE CO
M M1
45 M44
(P
TR
lei
a de
IAN
s) M35
GU
Pollux R
GE M I NO
LU
Castor
NI MI
M
M37
L EO
N A NE S
M3
CI
6
TI
M3
A
8 C
AU LYNX VE
R I GA
Cap
M
ella
34
ER
OR
P
SE
U AJ
S AM
URS
r
per iza
ST
N
CA Dip M
Big
EA
O
ME
LO P
R
H TH
T
W A RD
ES A L IS R
M81 O
T N
D R A CO
OBSERVATION TIMES
NORTH time time
January 15 Midnight 1 am
February 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
I N G N ORTH February 15 10 pm 11 pm
March 1 9 pm 10 pm
March 15 8 pm 9 pm
FEBRUARY | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
34
M93 M41
HY
S
OR
AN
PU
AJ IS
DR
C
A
M LE
M1
CRA
Adhara
04
PY
VIR
X
Sp
TER
IS
GO
S
ica
AN
TU
CO
T
R
US
LI
CE
V
BA
A
AN
M
US
LU
X
CO ID
ER
NA
PIS R
P UP U M FO
WEST
pus EL
EAST
VELA Cano CA
M
83 CA R IN A
R
TO DO
PIC D ORA
NG VO LA N S LUM
C5
139 Ga RE T IC U
CE cr ux
NT IC
26
AU 02 LMC
RU CR
UX
R
S Bec
M
TO
rux
P
Coa Acru IU
LOG
UL
Ne lsack x
M E NSA H O RO r
SC
rna
bul MU S
a CA US he
HY DR Ac
IX
β Ce
αC ntau N
en
tau ri C HAM
A E LEON OE
ri PH
T RIA
NG SMC
A U S U LU M
TRAL
E 104
LU
CIR
PU CIN NGC
S US OCTANS
A PU S
T
NO
RM A
SO
AN
ES
U
TU C US
W
T GR
H
EA TH
ST U
SO
PAVO
STAR MOTION
S
A RA IN DU
North
SOUTH
LO OK
I N G S OUT H
South
FEBRUARY | SOUTHERN LATITUDES

F E BRUA R Y S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
35
MARCH
As the nights grow shorter in the Northern CANCER
Hemisphere, the bright winter constellations Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 pm
move toward the west. In the Southern 31 Beta (β) Cancri, 3.5 Cancri Cnc February–March
Hemisphere, however, the nights are 10h

9h 8h
You will notice that there

getting longer, bringing many fine celestial are no very bright stars
LYNX
Castor
objects into view. located in the constellation
Cancer, the Crab. However,
ι Pollux
that does not mean you
GEMINI
should not pay attention
NORTHERN LATITUDES to it. At its heart is one of CANCER
20º γ M44
the finest open clusters
δ
THE STARS Sextans, Crater, and Hydra. The in the whole of the night
Eclipti
c
ζ
Look north on March evenings and most notable star in this part of sky, M44, which is also Regulus
you will see the “Sickle” asterism, the sky is Alphard, lying in the known as Praesepe as well α
M67
10º LEO
as the Beehive Cluster.
which makes up the head of Leo, constellation Hydra. Appropriately, β CANIS
MINOR
the Lion. To its right is the less Alphard means “the solitary one.” Procyon
conspicuous constellation Cancer. Sitting high in the northeast is HYDRA

0º
Below this region are the rather the reassuringly familiar shape out for the bright star Sirius SEXTANS MONOCEROS
faint and sparse constellations of the Big Dipper asterism, with shining in the constellation
its handle arching down toward the Canis Major near the from streetlights and other sources
bright star Arcturus in Boötes. southwestern horizon. of light pollution M81 can be
A little way away and closer to the spotted through a pair of binoculars.
horizon lies the star Spica in SIGHTS OF INTEREST Further south, look out for the
the constellation Virgo. Also look If you are observing with a small well-placed Beehive Cluster, or
telescope this month, be sure to M44, in the constellation Cancer.
look out for the magnificent spiral
The Sickle of Leo
galaxy M81 in the northern part
The asterism known as the “Sickle”, made from
the stars of the head of Leo, is a useful celestial of the constellation Ursa Major. MIDNIGHT
signpost for navigating March’s night skies. On a clear March evening away
3 AM
9 AM
20°
6 AM Arcturus
10°
Altair
AQUARIUS
0°
OPHIUCHUS VIRGO 11
13
11 17
13 12
–10°
16 14
14 19 13
14 Spica
14 16
11
SAGITTARIUS 15
–20° 17 18
19 16
18 19
CAPRICORNUS Antares
Fomalhaut 18
–30°
LIBRA
19 SCORPIUS
18
17 Shaula
16
15
14
13
12
11
Y
K
AQUARIUS S
G
I N
N
R
O
NEPTUNE M
MA R C H 37
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
THE STARS Orion is gradually sinking out of IC 2602. Its brightest member, degrees north of the Southern
If you are observing the night sky view, so make the most of it before the star Theta (θ) Carinae, can Pleiades is a glowing region
from southern latitudes, your eyes it disappears. Leo is very much still actually be seen with the naked eye. NGC 3372, visible to the naked eye.
will undoubtedly be drawn to visible and can be found sitting high If you focus your binoculars on the Also known as the Carina Nebula,
the constellations sitting in the in the northern part of the sky. Not cluster, you can see about 24 it is beautiful when observed
southeast, centered around Crux far away from Leo, a little lower in other sparkling stars. Around four through a small telescope.
and Centaurus. From mid-latitudes, the northwest, are the brightest
you can see Alphard, the brightest stars of the constellation Gemini,
VELA
star in the constellation Hydra, sitting Castor and Pollux.
almost right above you. Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 pm
Meanwhile Spica, the brightest SIGHTS OF INTEREST 32 Gamma Velorum, 1.8 Velorum Vel February–April
star in Virgo, twinkles away in the You can see a great deal with a
east, with the blazing Canopus in good pair of binoculars this month, The constellation Vela, the ANTLIA PYXIS
Carina taking center stage in the including a lovely open cluster Sails, was once part of a
southwest sky. The constellation known as the Southern Pleiades, larger constellation called Argo
NGC 3132 ψ
Navis, the Ship. Vela can be –40º
λ
The False Cross found in the night sky near NGC 3201 VELA
PUPPIS
Formed by four stars in the constellations Carina the other parts of the ship, γ
and Vela, the False Cross asterism resembles notably the constellations μ IC 2395
the constellation Crux, the Southern Cross, Carina, the Keel, and –50º
NGC 3228
ο
NGC 2547
but is somewhat larger. Puppis, the Stern. CENTAURUS φ κ IC 2391
δ
IC 2488
8h
CRUX
9h PICTOR
6 PM CARINA
VOLANS
10h
9 PM Acrux 11h
3 PM
MIDNIGHT
Capella
NOON
GEMINI
Castor
30°
Pollux
Pleiades
14
13 ARIES
20°
LEO 15 19 12
Aldebaran TAURUS PISCES
Hyades 12
12 CANCER 17
15
17
11 10°
Regulus
16 Betelgeuse 15 18
Bellatrix 12
Procyon 11 18
13 0°
Mira
Rigel
–10°
E N I N G S K Y
E V –20°

–30°
This chart shows the positions of the planets in except Mercury, the dot indicates the planet’s
19
March from 2011 to 2019. The planets are position on March 15. Mercury is shown when 18 PISCES
17
represented by colored dots, while the number it is at greatest elongation (see p.125). For 16
inside each dot denotes the year. For all planets specific dates, refer to the Almanac. 15
14
13
12
Mercury Mars Saturn Neptune 11

EXAMPLES CETUS
11 Mars’s position on 11 Saturn’s position on March 15, 2011 The arrow indicates
March 15, 2011 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125)
URANUS
MARCH OBSERVATION TIMES

time time
NORTHERN LATITUDES February 15

March 1
Midnight
11 pm
1 am
Midnight
March 15 10 pm 11 pm
LOOKING NORTH April 1 9 pm 10 pm
April 15 8 pm 9 pm
This month, look out for three beautiful star
Zenith
clusters in Taurus in the southwest: the 20°N
Pleiades, M45, and the Hyades (see p.23).
The Pleiades is arguably the finest open LEO
cluster in the northern skies. Although visible

GEMINI
to the naked eye, it looks wonderful through 40ºN
Pollux
all sorts of equipment—from binoculars to
Castor
small, high-quality refractor telescopes. Other
objects to spot in the vicinity are the open URSA
60ºN MAJOR
clusters NGC 1664 and NGC 1857 in Auriga,
Big
which are worth a look with a small telescope. AURIGA Dipper
Capella
Ecliptic
URSA Arcturus
MINOR BOÖTES
Polaris
Aldebaran PERSEUS
CEPHEUS DRACO
TAURUS HERCULES SERPENS
N
on 20º CAPUT
Horiz
CASSIOPEIA
ARIES
Horizon 40ºN Vega
The Pleiades
Also known as the Seven Sisters, the Pleiades is a beautiful star W Deneb
cluster visible to the naked eye. It is a much-loved target of both ES CYGNUS ST
T Hori
zo n 60º
ANDROMEDA EA
astrophotographers and astronomers observing with binoculars. N
LOOKING SOUTH
Coma Berenices, Berenice‘s Hair, is a
constellation located between Leo and Boötes Zenith
60°N
in the west, and binoculars or a small telescope
will reveal the scattered open star cluster known
URSA
as Melotte 111, which lies within it. With a MAJOR
magnitude of 2.7, Melotte 111 is visible to 40ºN
the naked eye from a dark sky site.
Other objects to look out for from northern
Castor
skies include the three galaxies in Leo: M65, Pollux
M66, and NGC 3628, as well as the double Algieba 20ºN GEMINI
Ecliptic
star Algieba, Gamma (γ) Leonis. LEO
CANCER
Regulus
BOÖTES
Procyon
MONOCEROS
Arcturus
Aldebaran
HYDRA Betelgeuse
ORION
VIRGO Horizon 60ºN Sirius
Spica
PUPPIS CANIS Rigel

MAJOR
VELA Horizon 40ºN ERIDANUS

Melotte 111
Also known as the Coma Star Cluster, Melotte 111 is an open LIBRA CENTAURUS
EA T
cluster containing around 45 separate stars. It is a fine sight ST
Canopus ES
CRUX W
through a small refractor telescope or a pair of binoculars. 20ºN
CARINA Horizon
MA R C H 39
STAR MAGNITUDES
MARCH
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
LOOKING NORTH
The galaxy M104 is an interesting target for
Zenith
40°S
deep-sky observers using a telescope. It sits
in Virgo, the Virgin, which lies to the east in the
southern skies. Also known as the Sombrero
Galaxy, M104 is famous for a distinctive lane of
PUPPIS 20ºS dust that sits across its faintly glowing form. A
relatively large telescope can show the dark
lane clearly, but even a modest telescope
CANIS HYDRA
MAJOR reveals the galaxy’s elliptical shape. Also in
0º
Sirius Virgo is the spiral galaxy M61; however, its
low magnitude (9.7) makes it difficult to spot.
MONOCEROS Procyon Regulus Ecliptic
LEO Spica
VIRGO
Rigel CANCER
Betelgeuse
Pollux
GEMINI
Castor
ORION URSA
Horizon 40ºS MAJOR
Arcturus
Aldebaran
AURIGA Big BOÖTES
Dipper
Horizon 20ºS
The Sombrero Galaxy
Capella M104 is a good target if you have a large-aperture telescope.
W
ES TAURUS ST This stunning image from the Hubble Space Telescope shows
T DRACO EA
the prominent dust lane in great detail.
Horizon 0º
LOOKING SOUTH
The globular cluster Omega (ω) Centauri is
Zenith a must-see object for astronomers. A large
0°
telescope shows many of its stars, while
binoculars show the cluster as a bright patch of
light. In the west, the open cluster NGC 4755,
20ºS the Jewel Box, in Crux, is a nice target for small
telescopes and binoculars. Another western
HYDRA
MONOCEROS
target is NGC 3372, or the Eta (η) Carinae
Nebula, a little farther in Carina. NGC 3372 is
40ºS PUPPIS
Sirius
visible to the naked eye against the Milky Way,
CANIS
with a dark lane of dust running through it.
VELA
MAJOR
Spica CENTAURUS ORION
VIRGO CARINA
Canopus
CRUX Rigel
PICTOR
Ecliptic
β Centauri
LIBRA α Centauri
LUPUS
Horizon 0º
ERIDANUS
OCTANS
ARA
SCORPIUS Horizon 20ºS Achernar Omega (ω) Centauri
EA Antares PAVO Lying 17,000 light-years away, Omega (ω) Centauri or NGC 5139
ST ST is the largest globular cluster in the Milky Way. At magnitude 3.7,
WE
TUCANA PHOENIX it is visible to the naked eye in the constellation Centaurus.
Horizon 40ºS
M1
Ald
T IC I
eba
us
ran
tur
M3
NA
M3
Hy
Arc
7
VE
TAU
ad
UT
M RSA
M3
ES
es
6
ES
OR
AP
RU
ÖT
M3
AN
U
8 LY
AJ
SC
N C
BO
S
N X
AU
GC
EN
51
18
M
RI G
RP
57 Big Dipper
SE
M
A
45
r
iza
Ca
(P
N pe
M
GC
lei
lla
ad
16
EAST
1
WEST
64 10
es
)
R E NA
IS
M81
B O O RO
AL
PE
R
C
SE
U CA
S ME
AR
L OP
AR
I ES
DA L
IS
TR
R
INO
IA
NG O
UR SA M
M3
U 4 AC
LU NG DR M
13
M C8 Polaris
8 4
ES
NG 2
C M9
UL
86
9
PIS
RC
M103
M
HE
CE
33
S
CAS M52
S IO P E ga
M3 IA Ve
1
AN M
57
DR CEPHE U S A
ST
LYR
N
OM
A
O
ED
E
R
H A TH
T
W R
ES L AC E O
T RTA S N
M39 Dene
b NU
CYG
9
M2
OBSERVATION TIMES
NORTH time time
February 15 Midnight 1 am
March 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
I N G N ORTH March 15 10 pm 11 pm
April 1 9 pm 10 pm
April 15 8 pm 9 pm
MARCH | NORTHERN LATITUDES
40
M1
M5
Me
r
M35
lo
LE sto
E
O Ca
tte
M
A
SA
111
MI
x
B E R 64
UR JO
CO NIC
R
M5
llu
NO
3
R
N
Po
MA E S
tri
lla
IO
Be
OR
M44
I NI u se
M8
GE M lge
7
L EO
US
NGC te
3628 M65 Be
AN
Reg
u lus R
M66 C A N CE
ID
VI
R
ER
GO
n 42
M67 yo M
WEST
Proc OR
EAST
l
N
ge
Ecliptic IS MI
Ri
CA N
OS
L IBR
ER
A
Sp C
ica M O NO
S
50
M
PU
M SEXTA
10 NS
LE
4
M48
ius
CR 7 Sir
ATE M4
R
M46 1
M4 R
H Y D RA A JO
M
CO SM
83 R VU NI
S 3
M9
CA a
r
ha
Ad
P Y X IS
BA
M
LU
ANT LIA
CO
IS
NG P UP P
C
51
T
39
CE
SO
ES
NT
U
AU
W
s
TH RU S
pu TH
EA V EL A no
Ca U
ST
SO
Ga
cru
x C RU STAR MOTION
X I NA
C AR
North
VO L A N S
SOUTH
LO OK
I N G S OUT H
South
MARCH | NORTHERN LATITUDES

M A RC H N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
41
Spica
ER
Rigel
R
M42
I DA
E
M46
M47
04
AT
M5
M1
NU
CR
M50
S
GO
VI R
M4 S
Bell
8 ic
AN
MO
ipt
XT Ecl
atri
SE
NO
x
H YD RA
CE
1
OS M6
R
Hy
Be
ad
tel
es
Ald
ge
Pr
eb
TAU
EAST
us
C
oc
WEST
87
M AN
ara
e
OR
yo
lus
M
u
n
IN I S Reg
n
R
IO
OR
US
M67
53
C ANC
M
ER
us
LEO
ur
S
ct
RE MA
M
CE
Ar
M4
NI
M44
CO
4
5(
M6
Ple
M3
BE
3
5
M
GE
ia
M
des
IN I Pollux
)
M
36 M3 R
L EO MINO
7 Cas
tor
AU
PE
ES
RI 38
RS
GA
ÖT
IC I
EU
S AT
BO
EN
SV
NE
LYNX CA 51
M
Ca
pe
lla
J OR
U R S A MA iza
r
M 01
M1
er
Dipp
Big
ST
N
A
O
CA
E
R
M
H TH
T
W E LOP R
ES AR M81 CO O
T DA DR A N
LI S
OBSERVATION TIMES
NORTH time time
February 15 Midnight 1 am
March 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
I N G N ORTH March 15 10 pm 11 pm
April 1 9 pm 10 pm
April 15 8 pm 9 pm
MARCH | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
42
VIR
COR
V
Sirius
M93
GO
US
M41
PYXIS
S
PU
OR
AN
AJ
LE
M
TLIA
ra
ha
S
Ad
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DRA
CA
US
AN
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83
ERI
LIB
EN
BA
WEST
TA
RA
V ELA P IS
EAST
U RU PU P M
S LU
CO
NG s
C opu
51 NGC 3372 Can UM
39 Ga
A
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x C A RIN
LU
CA
M8
PU
0
S Be
M4
cru
X
x O
R
Ant
TO
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NGC
PI C R AD
R
are
4755
s
CRU DO
FO
X Acru
x
αC βC
en ent MU S C A
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LU
NO VO L A N S LMC ICU
CIR RET
M6
SC
RM CI N U
2
A S
O
UM
RP
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US
APU S MEN R OL
Sh
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AU GULUM he
ST R Ac
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PAVO C 10 X
O CTANS NG
TH
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EA HO
TH
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ST TE SO
LE A
SC
OP T U CA N
I UM STAR MOTION
North
I ND US
SOUTH
LO OK
I N G S OUT H
South
MARCH | SOUTHERN LATITUDES

M A RC H S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
43
APRIL
Although the nights in the Northern LEO
Hemisphere are getting shorter, there is still Size ranking Brightest stars Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 pm
plenty of time to do some serious sky gazing. 12 Alpha (α) Leonis 1.4, Leonis Leo March–April
Beta (β) Leonis 2.2
In the Southern Hemisphere there is plenty 10h
The constellation Leo, the NES VENATICI 11h
to see, including the magnificent arc of the Lion, lies between Cancer
LYNX
Milky Way sweeping across the sky. and Virgo. It is familiar to
deep-sky observers because 30˚ URSA MAJOR LEO MINOR
it is home to many
μ κ
interesting galaxies. These
NORTHERN LATITUDES include the galaxies M66, 72 54 ζ ε λ
M65, and M96, which are 20˚ 93 δ 60 Algieba γ THE SICKLE NGC 2903
THE STARS come across the bright star Spica in excellent targets for an 40
amateur telescope. The η
The magnitude -0.1 star Arcturus in Virgo. Not far away from Virgo is Leo, θ LEO
β tic
constellation’s brightest M65 NGC Eclip
Boötes sits in the west this month, and below these two constellations Denebola
M66 3628 M105 α Regulus
star is Regulus, Alpha (α) 10˚ M96 R ξ
ι M95
ο
and should be one of your first is a relatively empty patch of sky Leonis, which sits at ρ
31
χ∴ π
signposts. Find it by following the containing the long constellation the bottom of the σ 59
10
curve of Ursa Major’s handle, away Hydra, the Water Snake. famous backward- 58 HYDRA
τ
from its “bowl.” Along this curve, question-mark-like 0 NGC 3521
˚ υ
“Sickle” asterism. VIRGO
past Arcturus, you will eventually SIGHTS OF INTEREST 87
φ
61 SEXTANS
If you are using binoculars

the Coma Star Cluster in the -10
˚
constellation Coma Berenices is a galaxy M81 in Ursa Major CRATER
beautiful object to observe on a clear with a small telescope. With

April night. Look out for the spiral a large telescope you can seek out
the Virgo Cluster, which contains
The Big Dipper many faint but interesting galaxies. star Vega, in Lyra, is highest in the
The famous asterism known as the “Big Dipper”
sky. Although this shower does not
sits high in the sky this month. It is part of the
constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear, and METEOR SHOWER create many meteors, they can be
40°
is sometimes referred to as the Plough. The Lyrid meteor shower is best quite bright and fast; you can
seen from northern latitudes expect to see around 10 meteors
and reaches its peak around over the course of an hour.
30° 9 AM
April 21–22. The best time to view
it is around dawn, when the bright MIDNIGHT
20°
6 AM 3 AM
Arcturus
PISCES
10° 13
11 Altair
11 16
18 17
0°
12 AQUARIUS OPHIUCHUS VIRGO
19
11
19 14 12
–10°
CAPRICORNUS 13
14
–20° 15
16 18
19
18 18 17 19
16 LIBRA
Antares
19 Fomalhaut 19
18 PISCES 18
17 17
16 SCORPIUS
16 15
14
SAGITTARIUS
15 13 Shaula
14 12
13 11
12
11
AQUARIUS
CETUS
Y
K
S
URANUS NEPTUNE G
N I N
M O R
A P R IL 45
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
THE STARS There is relatively little going on but binoculars or a small telescope NGC 3372, the Carina Nebula.
As the skies get dark you will notice in the sky overhead—this area is will reveal its individual stars. If The real star of the show is the
that the constellations scattered along dominated by the long and winding you are observing with binoculars, stunning globular cluster NGC
the arc of the Milky Way come into constellation Hydra. However, you make sure you do not miss two 5139, Omega (ω) Centauri, in the
view. In the Southern skies, Crux, will find the bright star Spica in marvelous sights in the nearby constellation Centaurus. A small
also known as the Southern Cross, Virgo high in the east. constellation Carina—IC 2602, telescope reveals many of its
and Centaurus, with the bright stars or the Southern Pleiades, and millions of stars.
Rigil Kentaurus and Hadar, or Alpha (α) SIGHTS OF INTEREST
and Beta (β) Centauri, are visible. This time of year is perfect for
In the southeast, do not miss observing the dark nebula known C RU X
the bright star Antares in Scorpius. as the Coalsack. You will find it Size ranking Brightest stars Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 pm
On the opposite side of the sky, nestled within the rich, bright star 88 Acrux 0.8, Becrux, Crucis Cru April–May
you will see Canopus in Carina. fields of the Milky Way. It is easily or Mimosa, 1.3
visible to the naked eye, sitting right
Of all the constellations Crux, the
next to Crux, or the Southern Cross. Southern Cross, is the smallest. VELA
–50º
The Coalsack appears dark because The whole constellation should fit CENTAURUS
it stops the light from the stars behind your outstretched hand at μ γ CRUX
behind it from getting to our eyes. arm’s length. You can use two of λβ δ
the bright stars that make up Crux –60º NGC ι ε
Not far from the Coalsack you will β Centauri 4755 Coal- α
θ1,2
to trace a line in the approximate Acrux ζ
sack
find the wonderful open cluster NGC direction of the South Celestial Pole. η CARINA
4755, the Jewel Box Cluster. It looks

MUSCA
like a hazy star to the naked eye, –70º
The Coalsack 14h

13h 12h
11h
This dark nebula can be seen near Crux,

the Southern Cross, with the naked eye. It 6 PM 3 PM
is a vast dust cloud that blocks the light from
the stars behind it.
NOON
9 PM
Capella
40°
MIDNIGHT
Castor
GEMINI 30°
Pollux
12 Pleiades
14 13 19 ARIES
15 16
20°
17 18
LEO 15 Aldebaran
TAURUS 15
12 Hyades 12 17
13 10°
16
Procyon
Bellatrix
0°
14 11
Mira
17 Rigel
–10°
Spica
–20°
Y in April from 2011 to 2019. The planets are position on April 15. Mercury is shown only
K represented by colored dots, while the number when it is at greatest elongation (see p.125).
S inside each dot denotes the year. For all planets For the specific dates, refer to the Almanac.
G
I N Mercury Mars Saturn Neptune
N
E
V Venus Jupiter Uranus
E
EXAMPLES
11 Mars’s position on 11 Saturn’s position on April 15, 2011. The arrow indicates
April 15, 2011 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125)
APRIL OBSERVATION TIMES

time time
NORTHERN LATITUDES March 15

April 1
Midnight
11 pm
1 am
Midnight
April 15 10 pm 11 pm
LOOKING NORTH May 1 9 pm 10 pm
May 15 8 pm 9 pm
Northern skies in April contain the open
Zenith
cluster NGC 188 in the constellation Cepheus. 20°N
This cluster sits just south of the bright star
Polaris, Alpha (α) Ursae Minoris, and is a nice
Regulus
target for a large telescope.
For observers using binoculars, the open 40ºN
clusters M36, M37, and M38 in the constellation LEO
Auriga are still on show, as is the Double URSA Arcturus
Cluster (see p.22) and the double star Mizar MAJOR
60ºN Alcor
and Alcor. Also look out for the spiral galaxy CANCER
BOÖTES
Big Dipper Mizar
M81 in the constellation Ursa Major.
Ecliptic Pollux
Castor
URSA
MINOR
HERCULES
Polaris
GEMINI DRACO
CEPHEUS
Capella
AURIGA
Horizon 20ºN
ORION Vega
OPHIUCHUS
Betelgeuse
PERSEUS Deneb
CASSIOPEIA
Aldebaran Horizon 40ºN
M36 in Auriga
CYGNUS
The open cluster M36 is a truly wonderful sight when seen W
through a small telescope. It sits in the middle of Messier’s ES TAURUS ST
T EA
three famous open clusters in Auriga.
ANDROMEDA Horizon 60ºN
LOOKING SOUTH
There is a lot to see in April for deep-sky
and galaxy enthusiasts looking south. Virgo has Zenith
60°N
galaxies that can be seen through a telescope,
such as M84, M86, and M87. The globular cluster URSA
MAJOR
M3 in Canes Venatici, the Hunting Dogs, makes
a good small-telescope target. Canes Venatici 40ºN
can be located between Ursa Major and Boötes BOÖTES
high in the northeast of the April skies. A small
telescope will help show the lovely open cluster
20ºN
M48 in Hydra, the Water Snake. M48 is a loose
LEO
collection of 80 stars southwest of Hydra‘s head. CANCER Castor
Arcturus Pollux
Eclipt
i c
Regulus
VIRGO
GEMINI
HYDRA
SERPENS Spica Procyon
CAPUT
MONOCEROS
LIBRA
Horiz
OPHIUCHUS o n 60
CENTAURUS ºN
CANIS
PUPPIS MAJOR
Horizon 40ºN Sirius
The Virgo Galaxy Cluster
LUPUS
Lying in the constellation Virgo, this cluster is thought to EA Antares CRUX VELA
ºN T
consist of an incredible 2,000 individual galaxies. Several of its ST zon
20 ES
SCORPIUS
β Centauri Hori W
brightest members can be observed using amateur equipment.
α Centauri CARINA
A P R IL 47
STAR MAGNITUDES
APRIL
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
LOOKING NORTH
In the west, Leo plays host to many interesting
Zenith
40°S
galaxies that can be seen with relatively modest
amateur equipment. The spiral galaxies M65
and M66 can be spotted with a small telescope,
while M96, M95, and M105 are excellent
20ºS targets for large-aperture telescopes. They are
found clustered around a region at roughly the
HYDRA halfway point between the stars Chertan,
Spica Eclipti
or Theta (θ) Leonis, and Regulus, or Alpha (α)
0º c
PUPPIS
Leonis. M65 and M66 appear as gray smudges
VIRGO
of light through a small telescope.
Regulus Chertan LIBRA
LEO
Procyon Arcturus
CANCER URSA
SERPENS
MAJOR
BOÖTES CAPUT
MONOCEROS Pollux 40ºS
Horizon
OPHIUCHUS
Castor
Big Dipper
Betelgeuse HERCULES
GEMINI Horizon 20ºS
M66 in Leo
ORION
W DRACO The magnitude 8.9 spiral galaxy M66 appears in the bottom
ES ST right of this image as part of the famous trio of galaxies known
T AURIGA EA
URSA as the Leo Triplet, which also includes M65 and NGC 3628.
Horizon 0 MINOR
º
LOOKING SOUTH
By far the most impressive sight from
Zenith southern latitudes is the great arc of the
0°
Milky Way galaxy. It stretches all the way
from the magnificent region in the east around
the constellations Scorpius and Sagittarius,
20ºS through Crux, Carina, and Vela down to Puppis
VIRGO Spica
HYDRA
and Canis Major. The bright, magnitude 0.8 star
Acrux, or Alpha (α) Crucis, in Crux is a multiple
𝛄 star that can be resolved by a small telescope.
c
40ºS
pti
The galaxy M83 in Hydra is an excellent

Ecli
CENTAURUS large-aperture telescope object.

θ Centauri
LIBRA
CRUX VELA
Acrux PUPPIS
β Centauri
LUPUS MONOCEROS
α Centauri CARINA
CANIS
SCORPIUS Sirius
ARA MAJOR
OPHIUCHUS Horizon 0º
Canopus
OCTANS PICTOR
PAVO
Horizon 20ºS ORION

M83 in Hydra
SAGITTARIUS The spiral galaxy M83 sits in the constellation Hydra. It
EA ERIDANUS Rigel
ST ST can be found in the night sky sitting between the stars
Achernar WE
TUCANA Menkent, or Theta (θ) Centauri, and Gamma (γ) Hydrae.
Horizon 40
ºS
Pollux
GEM
IS
OR I O
NE I
CI
EAL
Bet
CA AT
IN I
N
elge
N
VE
OR
51
M
Ca
use
AB
st
ES
Be
or
llat
ES
UL
ON
ÖT
ar
rix
US
iz
RC
OR
BO
M
1
10
UR S A C
CH
HE
M3
MA J O
5
per
HIU
M1
R Dip
Big
OP
LYN 13
M
Alde
EAST
M
WEST
37
Hya
bara
des
n
A UR M81
O
M
I AC
36
GA
DR
92
M
M
38
Ca
pe
lla
TA
OR
MI N
U RU
URSA
57
ga
S
LA
CA Ve
ME
CU
L OP Polaris
A
PE
A RD R
M4
A LY
UL
LI S
5(
er
NG V
C 18
ng
Ple
PE 8
ha
ia
RS
at
des
o
EU
re
Co
bi
)
Al
US
GN
NGC
884 CY
TR
M10
3 CA SS I O CEPHE US
M3
4
NGC P EI A 29
IA 869 M
N GU b
L ne
UM De
M52
ST
N
A
O
M39
E
R
H TH
T
W R
ES O
T A N D RO M N
M3
EDA
3
M31
TA
L AC E R
OBSERVATION TIMES
NORTH time time
March 15 Midnight 1 am
April 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
I N G N ORTH April 15 10 pm 11 pm
May 1 9 pm 10 pm
May 15 8 pm 9 pm
APRIL | NORTHERN LATITUDES
48
I
R
IN
U
NO
MA R S A I
GE
M
M
JOR
SERP
3
O
BO
LE
EN
44
S
ÖT
OP HI
M
ES
ER
Ar
M1
OR
CA
C
ct
M10
UC2H
ur
IN
M
CO AN
PU
M
U
53
us
C
BE
T
M
S
64 RE MA
yo
oc
NI
NI
u lus
Pr
CE g
S
S LEO
CA
Re 67
M
RO
M
0
5
M5
OC
M86
ON
WEST
EAST
M
M87
M84
us
Siri
48
RA M
D
HY 47
M
1
VI
RG
S
M4
O
OR
AN 46
M
Ant
S EX T
AJ
are
s
Ecliptic
SM
SC
M8
NI
0
a
Spic
a
OR
CA
M104
93
har
M4
LI
PI
M
Ad
BR
US
A R
CRATE
S
PI
P
M8 CORVU I S PU
3 S YX
P
A
L
UP A N TL I
US
ST
SO
E
C EN
VE L A
U
TAU
W
TH RU S
EA NGC
5139 TH
ST U
SO
Gacrux STAR MOTION
Becrux A
β Ce
C RU X CA RIN North
ntau
ri
Acrux
SOUTH
LO OK
I N G S OUT H
South
APRIL | NORTHERN LATITUDES

A PR IL N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
49
tic
a
S lip
Spic
2
VU Ec
M1
CR
M48
AT
E COR
R
MO
4
10
S
HYD
HU
M
Bete
UC
SE
OC
RA
I
lgeu
XT
PH
ER
Pr NS
A
O
se
oc
GO
OS
M5
y
OR I O
on
VI R
CA
NI
SM
T
N
PU
IN
CA
EAST
WEST
OR
M6
S
CA 7 M96
EN
NC M95 M66
RP
ER Regu M65
628
M105 NGC 3
SE
lus 7
M8
ES
53
LEO
UL
M
rus
M4
RC
4
ctu
M3
EM Ar
HE
G
5
IN M6
4
I Po
llu
x
S
L EO ICE M3 NA S
MIN ER EN
Ca OR COMA B ES RO LI
st
or ÖT CO R E A
13
BO BO
M
AU
T I CI
VE N A
R
C A NE S
IG
A
M51
LY
N X UR SA M
A JO R
r 01
Big Dipper Miza M1
ST
N
A
O
E
R
H TH
T
W R
ES O
T DRACO
N
U R S A M I NO R
OBSERVATION TIMES
NORTH time time
March 15 Midnight 1 am
April 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
I N G N ORTH April 15 10 pm 11 pm
May 1 9 pm 10 pm
May 15 8 pm 9 pm
APRIL | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
50
7
C
M4
M50
M1
OR
0
6
VU
M4
S
ius
Sir
LIB
OP
M9
RA
M8
3
H IU
IA
IS
HY D
C
RA TL
ION
YX
AN
41
HU
P
OR
OR
S
CE
AJ
80
NT
M
AU
M
RU S
IS
4
N
M9
An
L
M
ra CA
ar
UP
19
ha
es
US NG Ad
M2
C5
WEST
IS
EAST
139
S
V EL A PP
PU
PU
M24
M
M2
1
LE
62 SC Gacrux
OR
M
8
PI
US
Becrux
M2
M
A
8
Sh αC
6
au ent Acrux B
la aur
i
C RU X M
β Cen
NO NA LU
M2
M
tauri
2
7
RM C A RI CO
A CIR
MU S C A NS s
pu
CI N U
S VOLA OR no
P I CT Ca M
M6
LU
9
TRI E
ANG CA
M5
4
AU
ULU
R
AR
M AU AP US O
CO STR
A S TR A
LE R AD
A
DO
ON ALI
S TE C H AMA E L E O N A
LE MENS LMC
SC
SA
G
OP
M N US
IU
M LU
ITT
RE T I CU I DA
OCTANS
AR
PAV ER
IU
O
S
UM
O GI
US OL
T
HY DR R
HO
SO
ES
U
W
T SMC
H
EA TH
IN
DU NGC 104 U
r
ST
S rna SO
he
Ac
TU CA NA STAR MOTION
IX
PHO E N
North
SOUTH
LO OK
I N G S OUT H
South
APRIL | SOUTHERN LATITUDES

A PR IL S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
51
MAY
In the Southern Hemisphere you will be C O M A B E RE N I C E S
treated to the richness of the constellations Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 pm
Centaurus, Scorpius, and Sagittarius. If you 42 Beta (β) Comae Comae Com April–May
Berenices 4.2 Berenices
are observing from the Northern Hemisphere, 13h 12h
The constellation Coma

you will see more subdued constellations, Berenices, the Hair of Berenices, 14h
such as Hercules and Virgo. is not very prominent in the night 37
sky. However, it does contain a β γ MELOTTE

41 31 16 14 111
wonderful binocular target, the NGC 4565 12
magnitude 2.7 open cluster 7
NORTHERN LATITUDES
FS
M64 23
Melotte 111 (also known as 20º BOÖTES 35
the Coma Star Cluster), as well Arcturus

COMA
M53
α M85 11 LEO
36
THE STARS curving handle to find your way to as the interesting galaxy M64, BERENICES
M91
M88
M100
M98
If you have a small telescope, point Arcturus in the constellation Boötes. or the “Black Eye” Galaxy. M99
10º
it at the middle star in the “handle” To its south, you will see the bright VIRGO
of the Big Dipper asterism in Ursa star Spica in Virgo. This month the
Major. This is the star Mizar, which
has a companion star, Alcor, that bright blue-white star Vega rises in SIGHTS OF INTEREST
can be glimpsed with the naked the east in the constellation Lyra, the For galaxy enthusiasts, the May
eye. A closer inspection of Mizar Lyre—a celestial sign that summer night sky offers two relatively
with a telescope shows that it is is on its way. If you are observing bright targets. The first is the
made up of a pair of stars. Once the night sky from lower northerly Whirlpool Galaxy, or M51, in Canes
again, follow the Big Dipper’s latitudes, you can also glimpse the Venatici. The second is the spiral
NOON constellation Scorpius, the Scorpion, galaxy M101, which sits to the
peeking over the southeastern north of the Big Dipper’s handle.
50°
horizon, led by the bright orange-red
star Antares. METEOR SHOWER
The annual Eta Aquarid meteor
Finding the Pole star shower peaks this month. Because
40° You can use the stars Alpha (α) and
the radiant of the shower lies near
Beta (β) Ursae Majoris (right) in the
Big Dipper asterism to find the location the celestial equator, it is not a great
of the pole star, Polaris (center top). sight from far northerly latitudes.
30°
6 AM
ARIES
20° MIDNIGHT
16 3 AM
12
11 11 PISCES
10°
11 Altair
17 19
11
13 17
14 AQUARIUS
0°
OPHIUCHUS
Mira
–10°
15
18 19 16 16
18 17
URANUS 19 Antares
CAPRICORNUS
19 19
18
18
17 PISCES 17
16
SCORPIUS
16 15 SAGITTARIUS Shaula
15 14
13
14 12
13 11
12
11
AQUARIUS
CETUS
NEPTUNE
Y
M O R N I N G S K
MA Y 53
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
THE STARS eye, whereas a telescope reveals
C E N T A U RU S
Sitting high in the southern sky is many of its millions of stars in a tight
the prominent constellation Crux, the ball. If you have a large-aperture Size ranking Brightest stars Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 pm
Southern Cross. If you have a small telescope, turn it toward the fine 9 Alpha (α) Centauri -0.3, Centauri Cen April–June
telescope, be sure to point it at spiral galaxy M83 that sits in the Beta (β) Centauri 0.6
Crux’s brightest star Acrux, Alpha (α) constellation Hydra. The large constellation LIBRA
14h 13h 12h
11h
Crucis, which is actually a double Centaurus, the HYDRA

CORVUS
star made of two blue-white stars. METEOR SHOWER Centaur, sits within the
–30º 4
The Milky Way rises high in the Caused by the dust left over rich star fields of the 3
1
2
south this month, with Sagittarius from Comet Halley entering our Milky Way. It is home θ
ANTLIA
to what is arguably the ψ

CENTAURUS
and Scorpius sitting in the east— atmosphere and vaporizing, the finest globular cluster in –40º χ φ ν
a clue that winter is on its way in Eta (η) Aquarid meteor shower η μ
the whole night sky—the υ1 NGC
5128
the Southern Hemisphere. peaks every year around May 5–6. magnificent Omega (ω) υ2
LUPUS ζ NGC NGC
τ
You can expect to see roughly Centauri, or NGC 5139. 5139
ω 4945 1
σ
2 ξ γ
The constellation’s two ξ
NGC
VELA
SIGHTS OF INTEREST 30 meteors an hour. The meteors 5460
δ
brighest stars are Alpha (α) ρ
ε
Whether you are observing with appear to be coming from a point and Beta (β) Centauri, known π
the naked eye or a telescope, it near the star Eta (η) Aquarii, in more familiarly to astronomers CRUX
NGC
3918
is the globular cluster NGC 5139, Aquarius, and tend to be quite as Rigil Kentaurus and Hadar. CIRCINUS (β) centauri
ο1,2
R
Omega (ω) Centauri, you will want fast moving. The farther south The constellation is fully visible (α) centauri
NGC
3766
Acrux
between the latitudes of λ
to focus on this month. You can see you are, the better view of the
25°N and 90°S. MUSCA
it easily as a hazy star with the naked shower you will get. TRIANGULUM CARINA
AUSTRALE
Spectacular star fields

Looking into the southern night sky in May,
3 PM
you cannot miss the bright stars Alpha (α)
and Beta (β) Centauri (left). Nearby you NOON
will find the constellation Crux (right) 6 PM
and the Coalsack Nebula.
50°
Capella
9 PM 40°
Castor
12 30°
14 Pleiades
MIDNIGHT 19 18
15 15
14 13 17
CANCER 13
15 20°

Hyades
12 Regulus 10°
16 Betelgeuse
Procyon Bellatrix
11 0°
14
VIRGO 17
12 Rigel
–10°
13 Spica
14
18
LIBRA
in May from 2011 to 2019. The planets are position on May 15. Mercury is shown only
Y
K
S Mercury Mars Saturn Neptune
G
I N Venus Jupiter Uranus
N EXAMPLES
E
V 11 Mars’s position on 11 Saturn’s position on May 15, 2011. The arrow indicates
E May 15, 2011 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125)
MAY OBSERVATION TIMES

time time
NORTHERN LATITUDES April 15

May 1
Midnight
11 pm
1 am
Midnight
May 15 10 pm 11 pm
LOOKING NORTH June 1 9 pm 10 pm
June 15 8 pm 9 pm
The globular cluster M13 in Hercules is a
Zenith
prominent feature in May. It is located roughly 20°N
a third of the way along a line between the
stars Eta (η) and Zeta (ζ) Herculis. Although
M13 can be seen with binoculars, a telescope
shows it more clearly. Larger aperture 40ºN BOÖTES
telescopes can show a multitude of
the cluster’s stars.
URSA
Another object to look out for is the planetary MAJOR ζ
LEO 60ºN
nebula NGC 6543 in Draco, which is best HERCULES
η
suited to larger telescopes. Big Dipper
DRACO
URSA
Ecliptic
MINOR ψ Draconis
Vega
CANCER
Pollux CYGNUS
Castor CEPHEUS
Deneb
GEMINI Horiz AQUILA
AURIGA CASSIOPEIA on 2
0ºN
Procyon Capella
Altair
Horizon 40ºN
NGC 6543
This magnitude 8.1 nebula, also known as the Cat’s Eye Nebula, W ANDROMEDA N
is best suited for larger telescopes and appears as a bluish disk. ES
zon
60º ST
T Hori EA
It is 3,600 light-years away from Earth. PERSEUS PEGASUS
LOOKING SOUTH
There are several notable globular clusters worth
observing in May’s night sky. M10 in the east, Zenith
60°N
at the heart of the constellation Ophiuchus, is
visible with binoculars. Just northwest of M10 κ URSA
but also in Ophiuchus lies another cluster, M12, MAJOR
which is a fine sight through a small telescope. 40ºN

Moving up a little, the globular cluster M5
appears over the border in the southern part BOÖTES
of Serpens Caput, the Snake’s Head. Kappa (κ)

20ºN
Boötis is a double star in Boötes, visible Arcturus
through a small telescope. HERCULES
LEO
SERPENS
CAPUT
Ecliptic CANCER
VIRGO
Regulus
Spica
OPHIUCHUS
LIBRA
HYDRA
SERPENS
CAUDA Horiz
Antares on 60ºN
LUPUS
CENTAURUS
Horizon 40ºN
M10 in Ophiuchus
SCORPIUS
The magnitude 6.6 globular cluster M10 lies 14,000 light-years EA SAGITTARIUS CRUX
β Centauri T
from Earth, and is a little over 80 light-years in diameter. It is ST
o n 20
ºN ES
α Centauri VELA Horiz W
a wonderful target for a small amateur telescope. ARA
MA Y 55
STAR MAGNITUDES
MAY
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
LOOKING NORTH
In the east, several star clusters are on view in
Zenith
40°S
the constellation Ophiuchus this month.
Besides the globular clusters M10 and M12,
CENTAURUS there is the magnitude 4.6 open cluster
NGC 6633, roughly the same size as the full
HYDRA 20ºS Moon on the sky. Composed of 30 stars, this
SCORPIUS open cluster is a wonderful sight through a small
Spica telescope. Northwest of NGC 6633 is another
Antares large and scattered open cluster, IC 4665,
0º LIBRA
which lies close to the star Cebalrai, or Beta (β)
VIRGO
Ophiuchi, and is easily visible with binoculars.
OPHIUCHUS
SERPENS
Arcturus CAPUT
LEO SERPENS
CAUDA
BOÖTES
Regulus Cebalrai
HERCULES
tic
Eclip
n 40ºS
Horizo
URSA
CANCER MAJOR
Big Dipper
Horizon 20ºS DRACO
M12 in Ophiuchus
W Vega Discovered in 1764 by Charles Messier, M12 is a prime target
ES Pollux ST for a small telescope. It is estimated to be between 16,000
T URSA EA
Horizo MINOR and 18,000 light-years away from Earth.
n0 º
LOOKING SOUTH
The beautiful section of the Milky Way around
Zenith Crux, the Southern Cross, including the dark
0°
nebula known as the Coalsack, takes center
VIRGO stage in the south in May. There are several fine
Spica open clusters on view in Carina, many nestled
20ºS among the rich star fields of the Milky Way.
NGC 3532 can be seen with the naked eye, but
LIBRA
binoculars reveal its many twinkling stars well.
The magnitude 4.2 cluster NGC 3114 is an
40ºS
interesting target for a small telescope, while
CENTAURUS HYDRA NGC 2516 is a good target for binoculars.
Antares
ic
ipt
OPHIUCHUS LUPUS
Ecl
SCORPIUS β Centauri
α Centauri
CRUX
VELA
SERPENS ARA
CARINA
CAUDA
SAGITTARIUS
Avior
Horizon 0º
PAVO PUPPIS
OCTANS
PICTOR
Horizon 20ºS Canopus CANIS NGC 2516
MAJOR
EA TUCANA The magnitude 3.8 open cluster NGC 2516 sits roughly 3.5 degrees
ST ST away from the star Avior, Epsilon (ε) Carinae. It contains roughly
GRUS
Sirius WE
Achernar 100 stars and can be viewed with just a pair of binoculars.
PHOENIX Horizon 40ºS
C
VE A N E
Procyon
ES
ES
CAN IS M
N AT S
ILA
ÖT
CA NC
UL
M13
LE
I CI
BO
RC
AQ U
O
M
HE
M
Altair
M51
ER
I
44
OR
A
I NO R
UL
Mizar
92
EC
U RS
M
M101
TA
LP
AM
A r
VU
GIT
J OR
er
pe
ng
ip
57
a
gD
ha
M
SA
Ve
Bi
at
Po
CO
Co
l lu
DRA
eo
x
EAST
bir
WEST
Al
S
GE
I NU
R
M
LY
Ca
7
IN
M2
st
LP H
or
I
DE
US
NGC 6543
M81
LY GN
R
NX
NO
CY
MI
29
M
SA
UR
M
35
b
ne
Polaris De
M1
M
37
CA M
UR ELOP M3
9
A R DA L
A
M
IS EUS
36
I GA
M Cap CE P H
38 ella
TA
ER
LAC
2
M5
PE R
SEU C A SS I O P E I A
S NGC 88 NGC 8
4 69
ST
N
M103
A
O
E
R
S
H TH
T
W SU
ES GA O
R
T PE N
M34
A N D R O M E DA M31
T R I A N G U LU M
OBSERVATION TIMES
NORTH time time
April 15 Midnight 1 am
May 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
I N G N ORTH May 15 10 pm 11 pm
June 1 9 pm 10 pm
June 15 8 pm 9 pm
MAY | NORTHERN LATITUDES
56
M67
ulus
Reg
8
O
M3
BO
COMA S
HE
LE
CE
M4
SERPE
N
BO
CO RE
A BE R EN I
RC
N
RO A L
ÖT
U
Arcturus
E
IS
OP
S
M1
LE
1
M64
HI
S CA
U
SE
RA
CH
R
M53
U DA
PE D
M2
US
6
NS HY
M
CA M87
14
PU
WEST
EAST
M
12
S
M
M1
6
10
M1
M5 AN
M2
7
5
M
XT
18
SE
M2
M2
2
4
VIRGO
M
M
9
21
M
23
M2
XIS
8
LI B R
M
A
8
PY
M104
Ecliptic Spica
M1 An
9 tar
es M8
0 TER
CRA
M4
M
A
7
M
62 I
6
U S TL
CORV
Sh SC M83
AN
au OR
la PI
US
LU P
US LA
T
VE
SO
ES
NO
U
W
RM
TH AR A CENTAURUS
EA A TH
ST U
SO
x STAR MOTION
Gacru
C IR Becrux North
C IN
US β Centauri
α Centauri x
C RU X Acru
SUNRISE AND SUNSET ON 15TH MAY
SOUTH
LO OK
I N G S OUT H
South
MAY | NORTHERN LATITUDES

M AY N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
57
CO
R
UD N S
CR
VU
LA
HY
M1
S Spica
CA RPE
AT
A
M1
UI
SE
DR
RA
SE
AQ
XT
M104
A
AN
LI B
S
2
VI R G O
S
M1
HU
33
UC
66
65
C
HI
NG
46
IC
OP
Re
M5
g
ul
M6
us
EAST
7
WEST
T
A PU
S C
c
Eclipti
LE P EN
SE R
O M87
M4
CA
4
NC
M53 S
M64
LI S LE
ER
rus U
Arctu REA RC
BO HE
Pol
COMA BERENICES NA
CORO
xlu
LE
7
O
M5
MI M3
N OR
A
CA NE S
BOÖTE
R
S VENATIC
LY
I
3
M1
LY
N
92
X
g a
Ve
UR M51
SA
M A JO
R
Mizar
Big Dip
per CO
ST
D RA
N
A
O
E
R
H TH
T
W R
E ST O
OR N
M8
URS A MI N NGC 6543
1
OBSERVATION TIMES
NORTH time time
April 15 Midnight 1 am
May 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
I N G N ORTH May 15 10 pm 11 pm
June 1 9 pm 10 pm
June 15 8 pm 9 pm
MAY | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
58
E R
US
M11
M48
AT
M1
M2
6
RV
AQ U
OS
6
CR
M9
M8
CO
ILA
M1
CER
M83
M2
SCU
3
O
M4
M1
8
An
M2
M1
ON
TUM
9
7
tar
M2
A M
4
es
M4
DR
OP
M2
5
HY
HI
6
M8
M2
62
8
A
M4
M
M
CH
TLI
6
R
SC
22
AN
US
3
OR
LU
S
AJ O
M9
PI
M
PU NGC 5139
XI
S
69
Sh
US
WEST
PY
EAST
au
7
IS M
la
S
M
RU
CA N
54
NO CENTAU
AU
SA
RM x
RO
N
G
A Gacru
1
CO STR
Becrux
IT
AL A α Ce
TA ntau
M4
R IS ri LA
M
IU β Centauri VE
55
S C RU X
ra
ha
AR CI R Coalsack Acrux NGC 3532 NGC 3114

TE
Ad
LE A CIN Nebula
SC US
OP
IUM A INA
MUS C CAR
S
T RI A N
GULU M P PI
AU S T R NGC 2516 PU
AL E
BA
PAV
M
O
LU
ANS
M
APUS
VO L
IC
CO
IN
DU
RO
S
S
CO C H A MAE L E O N s
PI pu
no
Ca
UM
OCTANS
H YD RU S
T
A LMC
ME NS
SO
ES
U
W
TH U LU DO
SMC
R E TIC RA
EA GR
US NGC 10 DO TH
ST
TUC
A NA 4 U
SO
STAR MOTION
M
P HO E N I X O GI U North
Achernar H O RO L
SOUTH
LO OK
I N G S OUT H
South
MAY | SOUTHERN LATITUDES

M AY S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
59
JUNE
It is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, HERCULES
and with lighter evenings the time for Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 pm
observation is reduced. For observers in 5 Beta (β) Herculis, or Herculis Her June–August
Kornephoros, 2.8
the Southern Hemisphere, the dark skies 16h
5
Hercules’ waist is formed by 18h 17h
offer a plethora of celestial sights to look for, four stars that make the 50º
DRACO
CYGNUS
including the constellations in the Milky Way. asterism known to 42
τ υ
astronomers as the ι 52
φ
“Keystone.” The stunning σ
LYRA χ
globular star cluster
NORTHERN LATITUDES
30
40º M92
M13 lies one-third of Vega η

ρ 69
the way south along M13 BOÖTES
θ π KEY-
THE STARS Scorpius. Look out for the an imaginary line STONE
68
between the stars 30º ζ CORONA
Looking north Ursa Minor, the Little unmistakable bright star Alpha (α) 104
ν ε BOREALIS
Eta (η) Herculis and ο ξ
Bear, is clearly visible with Draco, Scorpii, Antares, shining with μ
Zeta (ζ) Herculis. λ
δ
the Dragon, wrapped around it. The an orange-red tint. M13 contains 100
113
109 NGC 6210 β
tip of the bear’s tail is marked by roughly 250,000 20º
106
95 HERCULES
110 γ
the pole star, Polaris. SIGHTS OF INTEREST stars and can be 111
102
CLUSTER
κ
93
If observing from a site with If you have a small telescope, train easily seen with a ABELL 2151
Rasalgethi
α ω
pair of binoculars. 60
a clear southern horizon, you will it on M13, the finest globular cluster 29
A small telescope 10º
be able to spot the constellation in the northern skies this month. It shows it very well. AQUILA
lies in Hercules, which is high in
NOON SERPENS
the sky at this time. Also look for OPHIUCHUS CAPUT
another globular cluster M5, which

sits in the head of the constellation
9 AM
Serpens, the Snake. These star observer, use a telescope to reveal
50°
clusters are roughly magnitude 6 two well-known spiral galaxies,
and can be seen through binoculars. M51 and M101, sitting near the
If you are an enthusiastic galaxy handle of the “Big Dipper.”
40°
6 AM
30°
15 Pleiades
13
19
ARIES
20° 12 12 3 AM
15 11 11 MIDNIGHT
Aldebaran 16 14
Hyades 17
11 PISCES
10°
Altair
Bellatrix AQUARIUS
TAURUS
0°
Mira
Rigel
–10°
18
19 18 17
URANUS CAPRICORNUS
Fomalhaut
19 19
18 18
17 PISCES 17
16 SAGITTARIUS
16 15 Shaula
15 14
14 13
12
13 11
12
11
AQUARIUS
CETUS
M
O
R N
NEPTUNE I N
G
S K
Y
JUNE 61
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
THE STARS SIGHTS OF INTEREST
S C O RP I U S
June is a wonderful time for There is no shortage of interesting
night-sky observers in the Southern objects to view from southern Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 pm
Hemisphere. The rich star fields of latitudes this month. A good place 33 Alpha (α) Scorpii, or Scorpii Sco June–July
the Milky Way galaxy stretch right to start is the constellation Scorpius, Antares, 1.0
across the sky from the southwest which contains the stunning open
You cannot fail to spot the
to the northeast. Scattered among clusters M6 and M7, both of which constellation Scorpius, which has –10º ψ
ξ
them are the sparkling constellations can be viewed with the naked eye. one of the most recognizable
Sco X-1
Centaurus, the Centaur; Crux, the They sit not far from the Scorpion’s patterns in the night sky. It is home
SERPENS
Southern Cross; as well as Scorpius, tail and a pair of binoculars shows to many excellent targets for an CAUDA OPHIUCHUS ν β
–20
amateur telescope. However, to Ecliptic
the Scorpion; Carina, the Keel; them very clearly. There is also see the entire constellation in ο
M80 δ
σ 2
and Sagittarius, the Archer. the open star cluster NGC 6231 the night sky your location should SAGITTARIUS Antares
22
M4 π LIBRA
τ α 1
High in the south you will see nearby, lying close to the star Zeta (ζ) be to the south of latitude 13
ρ
the constellation Lupus, while the Scorpii. The magnificent globular 40 degrees north. Scorpius’ M6 RR
SCORPIUS
LUPUS
NGC
ε
distinctive shape of Scorpius will cluster Omega (ω) Centauri in brightest star is the orange-red M7 6383
Shaula
Antares, Alpha (α) Scorpii. It is κ λ
υ μ2 μ1
help you get your bearings. Its the constellation Centaurus is still a supergiant star with a NGC
–40º
brightest star is the orange-red on show. It is breathtaking when ι 2 NGC 6322 NGC
6124
diameter about 800 times that 6231

θ η ζ
Antares. Be sure to scan your seen with a large telescope. of our own star, the Sun. NGC 6388
NGC
6178
NORMA
eyes across the beautiful star Also in the south, not far away TELESCOPIUM
fields in the constellation Sagittarius, from Centaurus, in the constellation –50º ARA
17h 16h
18h
especially if you are observing Crux, you can find the dark Coalsack
from a dark sky site. Looking north Nebula. You can also view the
the constellations Boötes, Hercules, spectacular Jewel Box Cluster
and Ophiuchus are visible. and M83, a spiral galaxy in Hydra. NOON
3 PM
Sparkling Scorpius
The distinctive constellation Scorpius is rich
in deep-sky objects to observe, including the
marvelous open clusters M6 and M7, found 50°
near its tail (top left).
6 PM
40°
Castor
GEMINI 30°
Pollux
9 PM 16
13
19 13 17 13
19 14
15 18
MIDNIGHT 20°
Arcturus
LEO
15
CANCER
Regulus 10°
Betelgeuse
16 Procyon
12
11 0°
OPHIUCHUS VIRGO 17
12
14
–10°
13
Spica
14
15 18
16 16
19 LIBRA
Antares POSITIONS OF THE PLANETS
SCORPIUS in June from 2011 to 2019. The planets are position on June 15. Mercury is shown only
inside each dot denotes the year. For all planets For the specific dates, refer to the Almanac.

EXAMPLES
Y Mars’s position on Saturn’s position on June 15, 2011. The arrow indicates
K 11 11
S June 15, 2011 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125)
N G
E N I
E V
JUNE OBSERVATION TIMES

time time
NORTHERN LATITUDES 15 May

1 June
Midnight
11 pm
1 am
Midnight
15 June 10 pm 11 pm
LOOKING NORTH 1 July 9 pm 10 pm
15 July 8 pm 9 pm
One of the finest double stars of the northern
Zenith
skies is on show in the east at this time of 20°N
the year. Albireo, or Beta (β) Cygni, in Cygnus
is a must-see for any beginner due to the ease
with which the stars can be separated. It can Arcturus
HERCULES
be seen through a small telescope, with one BOÖTES 40ºN

of its stars shining gold and the other with a
blue hue. The open cluster M39, also in Cygnus,
is another good small-telescope target, as is the
60ºN
variable star Delta (δ) Cephei that varies between Vega
magnitude 3.5 and 4.4 every 5 days and 9 hours. DRACO
Albireo
Big Dipper
URSA CYGNUS
URSA
MINOR
MAJOR
Deneb
LEO
Polaris
CEPHEUS
δ
Horizon 20ºN
Regulus
Ec
CASSIOPEIA
li
pt
ic
CANCER AURIGA PERSEUS ANDROMEDA

Castor Capella Horizon 40ºN
Albireo
Pollux PEGASUS
A small telescope shows the striking colour difference of the two W
stars, set against the star fields of the Milky Way in Cygnus. The ES ST
T GEMINI EA
magnitude 3.1 and 5.1 stars lie 380 light-years away from Earth.
Horizon 60ºN
LOOKING SOUTH
The constellation Boötes, the Herdsman, is high
in the sky in June. Its brightest star Arcturus, Zenith
60°N
with a magnitude -0.04, is a red giant star that
is an incredible 25 times larger than our Sun.
Also still on view, to the east of Boötes, is DRACO URSA
MAJOR
the globular cluster M13 in Hercules. Low down 40ºN
on the horizon is Scorpius, which contains some Vega
BOÖTES
interesting objects, such as two open clusters,
HERCULES
M6 and M7, and a globular cluster M4. Both M6
and M7 are visible to the naked eye and their 20ºN Arcturus
individual stars can be seen through binoculars.
SERPENS
CAPUT
OPHIUCHUS
SERPENS VIRGO
Altair CAUDA
LEO
LIBRA Spica
Antares
AQUILA
SAGITTARIUS Regulus
Horizo
n 60ºN
SCORPIUS
t ic
lip
Ec LUPUS
Horizon 40ºN
M6 in Scorpius
A magnitude 4.2 open cluster, M6 can be found sitting not HYDRA
EA CAPRICORNUS CENTAURUS
α Centauri T
far from the “sting” in the tail of Scorpius, just north of M7. ST ARA ES
W
It is also known as the Butterfly Cluster. β Centauri n 20º
N
Horizo
CRUX
JUNE 63
STAR MAGNITUDES
JUNE
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
LOOKING NORTH
While there may be more impressive sights
Zenith
40°S
in the southern part of the June sky, there is
also much to see when looking north, such
LUPUS
as the globular clusters M13 and M92 in the
SCORPIUS constellation Hercules. There are also plenty
Antares
20ºS of interesting clusters to look at in Ophiuchus.
Besides the two globular clusters M10 and
LIBRA SAGITTARIUS M12, and the open cluster NGC 6633, be sure
ic
ipt
HYDRA Ecl
to look out for the magnitude 4.2 open cluster
0º OPHIUCHUS
Spica IC 4665. It is composed of a group of 30 stars
SERPENS and is a lovely sight through binoculars.
SERPENS CAUDA
CAPUT
VIRGO
Arcturus
HERCULES
AQUILA
BOÖTES
Altair
Vega
LEO Horiz
on 4
URSA CYGNUS 0 ºS
MAJOR DRACO
Regulus Horizon 20ºS
M13 in Hercules
Big Dipper The globular cluster M13 in Hercules is a spectacular sight in a
W Deneb
ES º ST large-aperture telescope. A large Dobsonian telescope, for
T on 0 EA
URSA Horiz
MINOR CEPHEUS example, will show it as a ball of thousands of stars.
LOOKING SOUTH
If you are looking south in the southern
Zenith hemisphere, you will be met with a rich
0°
variety of objects visible with just the naked
eye, or with binoculars or a small telescope.
LIBRA M22 in the constellation Sagittarius is an
OPHIUCHUS
20ºS impressive magnitude 5.1 globular cluster,
VIRGO while the emission nebula, M8, is a fine
Antares target for binoculars. Meanwhile, Omega (ω)
SERPENS SCORPIUS Spica Centauri, arguably the finest globular cluster
tic
CAUDA lip 40ºS
Ec in the night sky, sits at the heart of Centaurus,
the Centaur.
LUPUS
ARA
α Centauri
SAGITTARIUS HYDRA
AQUILA β Centauri
CRUX CENTAURUS
PAVO
OCTANS
CAPRICORNUS
Horiz
CARINA VELA on 0
º
TUCANA
GRUS Horizon 20ºS M8 in Sagittarius

EA Fomalhaut PICTOR Also called the Lagoon Nebula, M8 can be seen through binoculars
ST ST as a glowing patch. The view through a large telescope is
PHOENIX
Achernar PUPPIS on 40
ºS WE
Canopus Horiz mesmerizing, with several stars nestled in and around the nebula.
ERIDANUS
S
BO
H IN U
M27
ÖT E
ES
S
M57
US
Albireo
CAN
LA
UL
Regu
DEL P
2
ULE
E CU
M9
RC
Vega
ES
us l
HE
EQU
LP
M51
A
VE
VU
LEO
NA
5
US
LY
M1
M1
GN
TI C
01
CY
I
M
iza
r
LE
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TR I A
OBSERVATION TIMES
NORTH time time
May 15 Midnight 1 am
June 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
I N G N ORTH June 15 10 pm 11 pm
July 1 9 pm 10 pm
July 15 8 pm 9 pm
JUNE | NORTHERN LATITUDES
64
VUL
O
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JUNE | NORTHERN LATITUDES

J UN E N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
65
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OBSERVATION TIMES
time time
NORTH
May 15 Midnight 1 am
June 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
I N G N ORTH June 15 10 pm 11 pm
July 1 9 pm 10 pm
July 15 8 pm 9 pm
JUNE | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
66
M9
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South
JUNE | SOUTHERN LATITUDES

J UN E S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
67
JULY
The northern night skies will continue to LYRA
entice stargazers through the summer. Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 pm
High in the sky is Hercules, home to the 52 Alpha (α) Lyrae, or Lyrae Lyr July–August
Vega, 0.0
magnificent M13. In the southern latitudes, 19h 18h
You can easily find the relatively small
the spectacular constellations Scorpius and constellation Lyra, the Lyre, by locating
CYGNUS
its brightest star Alpha (a) Lyrae, or

Sagittarius are visible. Vega. Vega is one of the three stars of
R LYRA
RR
the famous Summer Triangle asterism. 40º
ε 1,2
η Vega
The planetary nebula M57, or the
NORTHERN LATITUDES Ring Nebula, is also in Lyra and is
θ δ1,2 α
κ
γ ζ1
a much-loved target for amateurs. β
λ M57
THE STARS you can find the Summer Triangle Larger aperture telescopes will show 30º
M56
The constellation Hercules is high asterism, while the constellation the nebula as a small smoky, gray ring.
in the sky this month and it is a Ophiuchus sits in the south. Look for HERCULES
good time to observe its celestial Boötes in the west, with the bright VULPECULA
treasures, such as the globular star Arcturus at its base. Below is

cluster M13. Below M13 lies Virgo and its brightest star Spica. SIGHTS OF INTEREST interesting globular clusters, such
the winding constellation Draco, the This is also an ideal time to The globular cluster M13 in as M10 and M12. These clusters
Dragon. Toward the east observe the rich region of the sky Hercules is a must-see object are visible with binoculars, while
covered by Scorpius and Sagittarius. this month, as is another globular a telescope will resolve many of
cluster, M5, which can be found their individual stars. If you have
NOON
9 AM
in the nearby constellation Serpens. a pair of binoculars, look for
Ophiuchus also has some the open clusters IC 4665 and
NGC 6633, also in Ophiuchus.
URANUS
50° 6 AM
19
18
17 PISCES
Capella 16
15
14
40° 13
12
11
Castor
30° GEMINI 3 AM
15 TAURUS CETUS
Pleiades
13 13 14
11 11 MIDNIGHT
19 14 12 ARIES
20° 17
13 12
Aldebaran
Hyades
11
10° PISCES
Altair
Betelgeuse
Bellatrix
0°
Mira
Rigel
–10°
AQUARIUS
18
Fomalhaut
CAPRICORNUS
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11 SAGITTARIUS
M
O
AQUARIUS R
Noctilucent clouds N
Look out for these ethereal high-altitude clouds I N
after sunset and before sunrise in June and July. G
They can take on many beautiful forms. NEPTUNE S
K
Y
JULY 69
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
THE STARS SIGHTS OF INTEREST
S A G I TT A RI U S
Sitting high in the southern skies, At this time of the year, the
Scorpius is easy to spot this month. constellation Sagittarius offers Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 pm
Nearby are the constellations some exceptional deep-sky objects. 15 Epsilon (ε) Sagittarii, Sagittarii Sgr July–August
Sagittarius and the slightly less The striking globular cluster M22 1.8
20h 19h 18h
AQUARIUS OPHIUCHUS
prominent Libra. Sagittarius is is visible to the naked eye if you The constellation
famous for the “Teapot” asterism have good observing conditions. Sagittarius, the Archer,
CAPRICORNUS
NGC 6818
SERPENS
SCUTUM CAUDA
formed by some of its brightest The Lagoon Nebula, or M8, lying is nestled within a NGC 6822 υ M17
stars, and at this time it sits very above the spout of the “Teapot”, mesmerizingly detailed ρ1 43
NGC
6716
M18
M24 M23
56 M25 Y
part of the Milky Way. π μ
high in the sky. When you look is a glowing cloud of gas and a ο ξ1,21,2 21
–20º M75 ECLIPTIC ν M21
You can find it by first 11 M20
toward Sagittarius and Scorpius, stunning sight through binoculars. ψ M22 λ M28
4
locating the “Teapot” 60
ω
52 Nunki
M8
φ
you are peering toward the center It appears as a misty patch with asterism, which forms the 62 59 τ ζ σ X
TEAPOT W
RR
of the Milky Way galaxy. This whole the star cluster NGC 6530 constellation’s hub, close M55
MILK
DIPPER M54
M69
δ γ Sgr A*
–30º
region is full of rich and beautiful nestled within it. to a notably bright swathe SAGITTARIUS M70 Kaus
ε Australis
of the Milky Way. A scan of θ1
star fields, which are a joy to Other famous deep-sky objects NGC 6723 η SCORPIUS
Sagittarius with binoculars Shaula
explore using binoculars. in Sagittarius are visible through or a small telescope will
CORONA
AUSTRALIS
α
A little lower in the sky are the a telescope, including the Trifid reveal many rich star clusters –40º
ι β1
bright stars Alpha (α) and Beta Nebula, or M20. However, you can and bright nebulae, such as
β 2
TELESCOPIUM
(β) Centauri, also known as Rigil see one particularly bright patch the beautiful Lagoon Nebula.
INDUS
Kentaurus and Hadar respectively. of the Milky Way—M24—with just ARA
NORMA
Very close to them you will spot the naked eye. Beside Sagittarius, –50º
the smallest constellation in the night Scorpius contains the bright open METEOR SHOWER
sky—Crux, or the Southern Cross. clusters M6 and M7, which remain When observing in late July, look
high in the sky this month. To the out for the Delta Aquarid meteor
north in the constellation Serpens shower, which peaks on July 29. NOON
Cauda, the Tail of the Serpent, lies If observing from a dark sky site
the open cluster M16 in the much you should be able to spot around
fainter Eagle Nebula. 20 meteors every hour. 3 PM 50°
The galactic hub

If you look toward the constellations Sagittarius
and Scorpius on a clear night in the Southern 40°
Hemisphere, then you are looking in the direction
of the very heart of our galaxy.
6 PM
30°
Pollux
17
16 14
MIDNIGHT
Arcturus
19 20°
9 PM
LEO
13 18 12
Regulus 15
11
18 15 10°
17 CANCER
16
Procyon
0°
VIRGO 11 12
OPHIUCHUS
17
12
13 14 –10°
18 Spica
14
15
16 16
17
19 18 19 LIBRA POSITIONS OF THE PLANETS
Antares
in July from 2011 to 2019. The planets are position on July 15. Mercury is shown only
SCORPIUS represented by colored dots, while the number when it is at greatest elongation (see p.125).
Shaula

EXAMPLES
11 Mars’s position on 11 Saturn’s position on July 15, 2011. The arrow indicates
July 15, 2011 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125)
Y
E V E N I N G S K
JULY OBSERVATION TIMES

time time
NORTHERN LATITUDES June 15

July 1
Midnight
11 pm
1 am
Midnight
July 15 10 pm 11 pm
LOOKING NORTH August 1 9 pm 10 pm
August 15 8 pm 9 pm
Ursa Major, the Great Bear, is home to several
Zenith
galaxies that can be seen with amateur 20°N
equipment. M81, or Bode’s Galaxy, appears as
a fuzzy, gray blob through binoculars or a small
telescope. The double star Alcor and Mizar is HERCULES
also worth a look while enjoying the sights of 40ºN

Ursa Major. In the east Cygnus, the Swan, looks Vega
magnificent at this time of the year. The more
BOÖTES CYGNUS
adventurous deep-sky observers should try to
60ºN
hunt down NGC 7000, the North America
Nebula, just southeast of the star Deneb. Arcturus DRACO
Deneb
CEPHEUS
Mizar Alcor
URSA
URSA
MINOR
MAJOR
Big Dipper Polaris
CASSIOPEIA
Horizon 20ºN ANDROMEDA
PEGASUS
PERSEUS
LEO
Horizon 40ºN
Alcor and Mizar
The double star system of Alcor and Mizar is visible to the naked Capella
W
eye. You can find it in the handle of the famous Big Dipper ES PISCES ST
T GEMINI EA
(Plough) asterism in the constellation Ursa Major. AURIGA
Castor
Pollux
Horizon 60ºN
LOOKING SOUTH
One prominent marker of the night sky in the
northern summer is the asterism known as Zenith
60°N
the Summer Triangle. The corners of this large
isosceles triangle are formed by the three DRACO
bright stars Altair, Vega, and Deneb.

Epsilon (ε)
Another interesting sight is the multiple Lyrae 40ºN
Deneb
star system, the “Double-Double” (see p.86)
Vega
or Epsilon (ε) Lyrae, in Lyra. Viewing it with HERCULES
binoculars shows a pair of stars, but, closer CYGNUS BOÖTES
20ºN
inspection with a telescope reveals that each
of these stars is a pair of stars itself.
SERPENS
AQUILA CAPUT Arcturus
Altair
OPHIUCHUS
SERPENS
CAUDA LIBRA
PEGASUS
c Antares
Eclipti
VIRGO
AQUARIUS Horizon
60ºN
SAGITTARIUS Spica
CAPRICORNUS
SCORPIUS
Horizon 40ºN CENTAURUS
The Summer Triangle
This asterism is a useful navigational aid when finding your ARA HYDRA
EA LUPUS T
way around the summer night sky. Look for dark lanes in the ST Horiz
on 2 0 ES
ºN W
Milky Way that cut across the triangle through Cygnus and beyond. GRUS α
PAVO
JULY 71
STAR MAGNITUDES
JULY
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
LOOKING NORTH
The wonderful globular cluster M5 is high
Zenith
40°S
in the sky at this time. It is roughly 25,000
light-years away from Earth, toward the
constellation Serpens Caput. A small telescope
SCORPIUS SAGITTARIUS
brings many of its outer stars into focus. A
Antares 20ºS short hop east over Ophiuchus into Serpens
Cauda you will find the open cluster M16
Ecl
LIBRA SERPENS ipt
ic
surrounded by the much fainter Eagle Nebula.
CAUDA
This cluster can be observed with a pair of
0º
OPHIUCHUS binoculars. Also look out for Alpha (α) Librae, a
Zubenelgenubi
CAPRICORNUS double star in the constellation Libra, the Scales.
SERPENS AQUILA
CAPUT Altair
Spica
HERCULES
AQUARIUS
Arcturus
BOÖTES Vega CYGNUS
VIRGO
40ºS Deneb
izon
Hor
DRACO
PEGASUS
Horizon 20ºS
Alpha (α) Librae
W The second brightest star in Libra is called Zubenelgenubi
ES Ho r i URSA ST (Arabic for “the Southern claw”). It is a binary star system, and
T zon
0º MAJOR EA
URSA CEPHEUS a pair of binoculars easily shows its two stars.
MINOR
LOOKING SOUTH
The “Teapot” asterism, made of eight stars,
Zenith lies among the stars of the Milky Way in the
0°
constellation Sagittarius. Its stubby spout is
marked by the stars Gamma (γ), Epsilon (ε),
SERPENS OPHIUCHUS and Delta (δ) Sagittarii, while Phi (ϕ), Sigma (σ),
CAUDA
AQUILA 20ºS Zeta (ζ), and Tau (τ) make its handle.
Scattered around the Teapot are some
δ γ Antares interesting binocular and small-telescope
σ φ
tic τ ζ ε SCORPIUS targets, including the bright Lagoon Nebula
lip 40ºS
Ec LIBRA M8, the magnitude 4.6 open cluster M25,
SAGITTARIUS
and the globular cluster M22.
ARA LUPUS
VIRGO
CAPRICORNUS
α Centauri Spica
PAVO
AQUARIUS GRUS β Centauri HYDRA

OCTANS CRUX
CENTAURUS
TUCANA
Fomalhaut Horizon
0º
PHOENIX
Achernar
CARINA
Horizon 20ºS
M22 in Sagittarius
EA VELA A small telescope shows many of M22’s brightest stars. It is the
ST PICTOR ST third-brightest globular cluster in the sky and can be seen with
n 40
ºS WE
ERIDANUS Canopus Horizo just the naked eye in particularly dark and clear skies.
M8
7
S
M 92
P E G A SU
A
M3
R
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M2
64
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P EI
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N
A
O
E
R
H SEU TH
T
W GE PE R R
ES MI O
T Cas NI N
tor
Capella
AURIGA
M38
OBSERVATION TIMES
NORTH time time
June 15 Midnight 1 am
July 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
I N G N ORTH July 15 10 pm 11 pm
August 1 9 pm 10 pm
August 15 8 pm 9 pm
JULY | NORTHERN LATITUDES
72
Ve
S
ag
CY
13
M
G
CE
PE
M
NI
NU
E
C
LY
57
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S
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Al
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AS
us
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N
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M15
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S
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BO
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NU
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2
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PU
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M10
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WEST
EAST
EN
A
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US
US
QU
Sp
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M5
RV
A
CO
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C AU E N S
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M10
M1 M14
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SCUM26 D
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SC U
83
M18
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M24 M9 RA
PR
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NU M22 M80
S M28 M19 res US
S AG M21 Anta M4
ITTA UR
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M55
M54
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M7 M6 M62 S
M69
M PU
IC LU
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T
OP
IU
SO
ES
M COR
U
W
T AU S O N A
H TRAL
EA IN IS TH
DU U
ST S T EL ES C SO
O P IUM
A RA MA
N OR
STAR MOTION
PAVO
North
SOUTH
LO OK
I N G S OUT H
South
JULY | NORTHERN LATITUDES

J UL Y N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
73
18 4
5
M M2
M2
S
3
M2
M
R IU
17
9
UM
VIR
M
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16
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UT
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12
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M8
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EQ
PH I
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M1
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WEST
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PU T UI Al
GA
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M92 De RT
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A
O
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R
DRA
H TH
T
W CO
R
ES EUS O
T C EP H M
52 N
UR SA
MI NOR
OBSERVATION TIMES
NORTH time time
June 15 Midnight 1 am
July 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
I N G N ORTH July 15 10 pm 11 pm
August 1 9 pm 10 pm
August 15 8 pm 9 pm
JULY | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
74
M21
Ecliptic
es
4
M2
Spica
RG
M8
2
tar
M8
VI
M2
M10
An
M1
8
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62
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55
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AU S T α Ce AU
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SC
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US i NT
UL
aur CE
P
ent
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TO
PAVO x
R
cru
GR
US NUS rux Ga
CIR C I Bec
IA
CA X
TL
AP U S MUS C RU
TUC ux
AN
A NA Acr
OCTANS
PH
OE
NI
X NGC
104 LA
VE
SMC
Ach
ern
ar
EO N
ST
HYD RU
S MEN SA C H AM A E L NS
SO
E
HO VO L A I NA
U
W
T RO L CAR
H OG I U
M
EA TH
U
ST ER
ID SO
AN LMC
US
P I CTO R
STAR MOTION
D OR AD O
RE TI
CULUM North
s
C anopu
SOUTH
LO OK
I N G S OUT H
South
JULY | SOUTHERN LATITUDES

J U L Y S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
75
AUGUST CYGNUS
16 Alpha (α) Cygni, or Cygni Cyg August–September
On a warm August evening the most Deneb 1.3
19h
prominent feature from northern latitudes
60
22h
21h 20h
˚
The constellation Cygnus, the 60º
is the large Summer Triangle asterism. Swan, is easy to recognize

due to its large “cross” shape. CEPHEUS
From the Southern Hemisphere, the Its brightest star Deneb, has
LACERTA
33
κ
magnitude 1.3, and marks the ψ
magnificent center of the Milky Way is swan’s tail. The swan’s head is
50º
π1
CYGNUS
NGC 6826 ι
π2 θ
marked by the gorgeous
still sitting high in the sky. double star Albireo,
M39 63
59
55
ω1
α ο1
ο2
W ρ 57 Deneb
30
δ
Beta (β) Cygni. A small 40º ξ
NGC 7000
ν γ
telescope reveals the
NORTHERN LATITUDES
Cyg A
Vega
σ 61 22 LYRA
two stars—one gold, 72
τ
M29
P 15
λ
the other tinted blue. υ 47 29 28 η 8
ε Cyg X-1 17
THE STARS SIGHTS OF INTEREST Binoculars are perfect for 30º NGC 6992 39 χ
ζ 52 φ
Directly overhead is the bright star When observing Cygnus, look exploring Cygnus’s beautiful μ1
41
β2
star fields and clusters. Albireo
Vega in Lyra, as well as Deneb, which out for the Cygnus Rift. This dark VULPECULA
marks the tail of the constellation lane of dust sits in front of the
Cygnus. The shape of Cygnus means background stars and appears
it is often called the Northern Cross. to split the Milky Way into two.
In the south, the rich regions around Also look out for the Wild Duck METEOR SHOWER opportunity to lie back, take in the
Scutum, Scorpius, and Sagittarius Cluster, M11, in Scutum. It is One of the finest meteor showers night sky, and hopefully see some
are sinking away. clearly visible through binoculars. of the year, the Perseids peak meteors too—you should be able
around August 12. This is a great to spot one every minute or so. The
9 AM meteors appear to come from
6 AM the northern parts of Perseus.
NOON They are typically quite bright
and are best seen after midnight.
Capella
NEPTUNE
3 AM
50° 19
18
17
16
15
14
13
Castor 12
11
40° GEMINI
Pollux
TAURUS Pleiades
AQUARIUS
15 13 13 11
11 14 17 12
30° 14 19 12
18
15 12 Aldebaran
Hyades 11
17
20° PISCES
CANCER Betelgeuse
Procyon Bellatrix
AQUARIUS
0°
Mira
Rigel
–10°
19
18 Fomalhaut
17 PISCES
16
15
14
13
M
12 O
11 R
N
I N
G
Perseid meteors CETUS S
The warm nights in August are a great time to K
Y
sit back and watch the Perseid meteor shower
unfold in the night sky above you. URANUS
AUGUST 77
SOUTHERN LATITUDES SCUTUM

THE STARS Austrinus. Between Fomalhaut
84 Alpha (α) Scuti, 3.8 Scuti Sct July–August
When observing from southern and the stars of Scorpius are the
latitudes you can find Sagittarius, stars of the constellations Grus,
19h 18h
the Archer, lying almost overhead; Tucana, Pavo, and Ara. With clear The constellation Scutum, the Shield,
to its southwest lies Scorpius, the skies you should have little trouble is relatively small—the fifth smallest of
88 constellations. It is located between AQUILA OPHIUCHUS
Scorpion. Low on the southwest seeing the Small Magellanic Cloud
the stars of Aquila and Sagittarius, close
the bright stars Alpha (α) and sitting to the west of the star ηβ
to the constellation Serpens Cauda, the R
α ζ
M11
ε
Beta (β) Centauri, also known Achernar in Eridanus. Snake’s Tail, in a wonderfully rich and –10º δ
M26
as Rigil Kentaurus and Hadar, are interesting part of the Milky Way. The Polish SERPENS
astronomer Johannes Hevelius originally γ CAUDA
sinking below the horizon, taking SIGHTS OF INTEREST SCUTUM
named it “Sobieski's Shield” in 1684,
Centaurus with them. With the rich regions of Sagittarius
in honor of John Sobieski, the king of –20º
SAGITTARIUS
Low on the horizon between and Scutum visible high in the sky, Poland at that time.
the stars of Centaurus and Scorpius you can take your pick from a superb
is the constellation Lupus, the Wolf. selection of binocular and telescope
In the east the bright star Fomalhaut targets this month. To experience
lies in the constellation Piscis a real space-walking feel, pick up a pair of binoculars and “wander” visible to the naked eye. The star
along the Milky Way, from Scutum field M24 in Sagittarius makes a
to Centaurus. great binocular target. Looking
If you have a telescope, the northward, you will find the planetary
Lagoon Nebula makes a wonderful nebula M57, or the Ring Nebula.
target in Sagittarius, and with a It is an interesting target
wide enough field of view you for a small telescope, as is the
can also glimpse the Trifid Nebula, larger planetary nebula M27, or
M20. Two interesting open clusters the Dumbbell Nebula, in the
M6 and M7 are nestled among rich constellation Vulpecula, the Fox.
star fields in Scorpius, and both are
NOON
The Lagoon Nebula in Sagittarius
M8, or the Lagoon Nebula (bottom right), can
be seen with just the naked eye and makes
an excellent target for a small telescope. It
appears nestled among the rich star fields 40°
of our galaxy, the Milky Way. 3 PM
30°
MIDNIGHT
6 PM
20°
9 PM Arcturus LEO 19
19
15
Regulus 10°
Altair 16
13 16 16
0°
OPHIUCHUS VIRGO 11
18
12 17
CAPRICORNUS 12 –10°
13
14 Spica
18 14
15
16 LIBRA
19 18 17 19 16
18 POSITIONS OF THE PLANETS
Antares
in August from 2011 to 2019. The planets are position on August 15. Mercury is shown when
SAGITTARIUS represented by colored dots, while the number it is at greatest elongation (see p.125). For
inside each dot denotes the year. For all planets specific dates, refer to the Almanac.
Shaula
SCORPIUS Venus Jupiter Uranus
EXAMPLES
11 Mars’s position on 11 Saturn’s position on August 15, 2011. The arrow indicates
August 15, 2011 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125)
E V
E N
I N G
S K Y
AUGUST OBSERVATION TIMES

time time
NORTHERN LATITUDES July 15

August 1
Midnight
11 pm
1 am
Midnight
August 15 10 pm 11 pm
LOOKING NORTH September 1 9 pm 10 pm
September 15 8 pm 9 pm
Northern summer nights are the perfect time
Zenith
to admire the galaxy we live in. In August the 20°N
Milky Way rises up from Auriga and Perseus in
the northeast, stretching all the way across the
sky into Scutum, Scorpius, and Sagittarius in CYGNUS
the southwest. There are many objects nestled 40ºN
in and around the Milky Way that can be spotted
Vega
with binoculars. In addition to the Double
Deneb
Cluster (see p.22), be sure to look out for HERCULES
60ºN
the globular clusters M13 and M92. A large
PEGASUS
telescope will reveal the galaxies M81 and M51. SERPENS
CAPUT DRACO
CEPHEUS
BOÖTES URSA ANDROMEDA

MINOR Polaris
CASSIOPEIA
Arcturus URSA Big

Dipper PISCES
MAJOR
PERSEUS
20ºN
zon
Hori
Capella ARIES it c
lip
Horizon 40ºN Ec
The Milky Way
Binoculars are the ideal way to explore the star fields of the Milky W H or
Way. The glow of the Milky Way on a dark night is the collective ES izon AURIGA ST
T 60ºN EA
light of billions of the galaxy’s stars. Castor
LOOKING SOUTH
There are two must-see objects if you are
looking south in the Northern Hemisphere: Zenith
60°N
M27, or the Dumbbell Nebula, east of Pegasus,
and M57, or the Ring Nebula, south of Cygnus. DRACO
Both these planetary nebulae are enormous
Deneb
shells of gas ejected by Sun-like stars as they 40ºN
die. The Ring Nebula is so named because it
CYGNUS Vega
looks like a smoky gray ring when it is viewed
through a telescope. The Dumbbell Nebula
20ºN
appears as a faint gray bow-tie shape through a
HERCULES
large-aperture telescope.
PEGASUS Altair AQUILA
AQUARIUS
PISCES
SERPENS
CAPRICORNUS CAUDA OPHIUCHUS
SERPENS
tic
Eclip CAPUT
0 ºN
Horizon 6 SAGITTARIUS
VIRGO
Antares
Fomalhaut
CETUS LIBRA
Horizon 40ºN
The Dumbbell Nebula
Lying east of Pegasus, the Dumbbell Nebula can be seen as a EA ARA
SCORPIUS
T
fuzzy patch through a small telescope or a pair of binoculars. ST GRUS LUPUS ES
Horiz
on PAVO
W
A large telescope reveals its intriguing shape more clearly. 20ºN
AUGUST 79
STAR MAGNITUDES
AUGUST
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
LOOKING NORTH
The constellation Cygnus, the Swan, is home
Zenith
40°S
to two open clusters that make good,
small-telescope targets. M29 sits very
close to the star Sadr, Gamma (γ) Cygni.
SAGITTARIUS The magnitude 4.6 cluster M39 can be seen
20ºS sparkling against the stars of the Milky Way. It
CAPRICORNUS
has about 30 stars. Higher in the sky you will
β
find Capricornus, the Sea Goat, which is home
Antares
SERPENS
CAUDA
to the globular cluster M30 and Beta (β)
0º
SCORPIUS AQUARIUS
Capricorni—a double star of magnitude
3.1 that can be seen with binoculars.
OPHIUCHUS AQUILA Altair
LIBRA
Ecli
ptic
SERPENS CYGNUS
CAPUT HERCULES
Sadr
Vega PEGASUS
Deneb
Horizon 40
ºS
VIRGO
CEPHEUS
DRACO ANDROMEDA
Arcturus BOÖTES Horizon 20ºS
M39 in Cygnus
W PISCES The open cluster M39 covers an area of similar size to the full
ES URSA ST Moon and lies 825 light-years away. It is a nice target for
T EA
MINOR
0º binoculars or a small telescope on a clear night.
CASSIOPEIA Horizon
LOOKING SOUTH
Sagittarius, the Archer, is now sitting high
Zenith in the south, providing a feast of objects
0°
to observe. M17, the Omega Nebula, is
AQUILA
a good target for a small telescope. It is a
glowing cloud of hydrogen gas that resembles
SERPENS
20ºS CAUDA the Greek capital letter Omega (ω). The open
cluster M23 and the Sagittarius Star Cloud
c
ipti M24 are also ideal binocular objects.
Ecl
CAPRICORNUS SAGITTARIUS OPHIUCHUS

A large telescope is needed to clearly
40ºS
see the magnitude 9 M20, also known
as theTrifid Nebula.
AQUARIUS GRUS Antares
ARA SCORPIUS
Fomalhaut
PAVO
LUPUS
PHOENIX TUCANA
OCTANS α Centauri LIBRA
Achernar β Centauri
CETUS º CRUX
zon 0
Hori VIRGO
Horizon 20ºS CENTAURUS

The Trifid Nebula
Spica The Trifid Nebula is an enormous cloud of gas 7,600 light-years
EA ERIDANUS CARINA HYDRA
ST PICTOR ST from Earth. It lies in the constellation Sagittarius, and at its heart
WE
Canopus is a young cluster of stars that are causing the nebula to glow.
Horizon 4 VELA
0 ºS
Vega
CO REAL
LY b
BO
US ne
S
RA De
RO I S
AS U
GN
M1
HE
CY
NA
M9
RC
P EG
2
UL
9
M3
ES
Ar
A
ct
ur
RT
BO
us
ES
CE
ÖT
SC
LA
E
ED A
S
PI
DR
M
OM
53
ACO
31
EAST
M3
M
WEST
DR
M3
AN
CO
52
M
IES
M
AB
M6
AR
4
ER
UM
URS A
EI
M
EN
VE CAN P
101
UL
M IN O R IO
IC E
N ES
A M5 SS NG
TI 1
US CA IA
S
Miz
CI ar HE 3 86
9
TR
CE P M
10
NG
C
S 34
EU M
4 RS
UR Polaris LI
S
C
88 PE
SA DA NG
es)
MA R
PA
ad
JO R ELO
i
Ple
C AM
5(
Big
Dip
M4
pe r
S
RU
M81
U
TA
L EO
M
IN lla
OR pe
Ca
ST
N
A
O
E
R
H TH
T
W IGA M3
8 R
ES AUR O
T 6 N
M3
LYN
X M3
7
OBSERVATION TIMES
NORTH time time
July 15 Midnight 1 am
August 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
I N G N ORTH August 15 10 pm 11 pm
AUGUST | NORTHERN LATITUDES
80
M2
A
9
R
LY
CY
57
GN
M
US GO
U LE
VIR
ireo
RC
P
Alb LA
IS
PE
EC U
HE
M2
7 VU LP
CE
GA
S
S
M5
DE
US
LP
M HIN
15 US
SAG I T U T
TA
AP
CE T
C
WEST
Altair
US
EAST
NS
E
EQ AQ U I L A US
CH 12
UU RP
LE U M
M US HI SE
OP
A
2 EN S
S ERP DA M14 10 BR
U M LI
AQ CA
UA
RI M11
US
CA
PR M26
ICO
RN U M16
S S C U T UM M17
M18 M23 M9 80
Fo M24 M
SC
m PI Eclip
al
UL
ha SC tic
ar es
9
PT
OR ut IS M25 M21 M1 Ant
AU M30
M4
US
STR M8 S
P
INU M22 M28 62 IU

S M P
LU
OR
SC
M6
P
M69
M55
HO
M54 M7 ula
E
Sha
NI
X
SAGITTARIUS
A
CORONLIS
T
M IC A US T R A R MA
SO
ES
RO S NO
U
COP P IU M
W
TH IU M TELESCO
EA GR TH
ST
US U
SO
ARA
I NDU S
STAR MOTION
North
PAVO
SUNRISE AND SUNSET ON 15TH AUGUST
SOUTH
LO OK
I N G S OUT H
South
AUGUST | NORTHERN LATITUDES

A UGU S T N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
81
18
M23
M24
M2
5
M17
S
NU
M1
SE R
VIR OR
6
RIC
M
GO
26
C AP
PE
M5
M1
US
NS
2
RI
M
14
10
CA
UA
UD M
SC
UT 11
AQ
A UM
ES
M2
P
O
HI
SC
S
U U
C LE
PI
HU
SE
S AQ UU
Arc
EQ
RP
U IL
EAST
A Altair
WEST
tur
EN
us
S
CA
UT
15
P
S
SAGITTA US SU
HIN GA
VU
LP D E LP PE
CO EC UL
RO A M27
NA
B OR Albireo
E AL
BO
HE
IS RC UL E M57
ÖT
S
ES
M1 A
3
M29
ED
OM
Vega DR
M9
CYGNUS AN
2 LYRA eb
Den
31
M
M39
TA
ER
L AC
IA
DR PE
IO
ST
ACO SS
N
CA
A
O
2
US M5
C EP H E
E
R
H TH
T
W R
ES O
T N
URS
A MIN
OR
OBSERVATION TIMES
time time
NORTH
July 15 Midnight 1 am
August 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
I N G N ORTH August 15 10 pm 11 pm
AUGUST | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
82
M1
M21
2
M9
M20
M2
AU
CA
8
AQ
30
SC
M2
PR
M8
GO
IC
UA
4
PI TRIN
OR
M5
RI
IS U
Ecliptic
VIR
M4
S
M19
NU
M55
2
M80
S
US
M6
RI US
CE
9
s
RA
SAG ITTA
M6
M6
M7
TU
are
Fo
S
LI B
m
CO R O N A
Ant
la
alh
IS
Spica
au
AU S T R AL
au
M
t
Sh
IC
RO
S
S CO U
PI UM PI
SC
U
OR
WEST
SC
EAST
LP
T
OR I UM A
IND
US TE LESCOP RM
AR A NO
83
M
GR
US
D RA
S
HY
PH PU
PAVO S
FO
OE NU LU
NI C I RC I
RN
X TU C i
aur
AX
ANA
ent
αC
ER
ID
139
A
NGC
Ach
ern 104 C5
S
NG
NU
ar UM i
S
GUL aur RU
SMC ent
T R I A N RA L E βC AU
A PUS AU ST x NT
ru x CE
O CTAN S Bec cru
Ga
HYD ux UX
RU S A Acr CR
C
MU S
ME N S A
T
R ET
SO
IC U
ES
HO LU M
U
W
RO C H AMA E L E O N
TH
LO LMC
EA G IU LA TH
ST M DO VE U
RA SO
DO
VO LA N S
PICTOR STAR MOTION
North
Cano
p us
C AR I N A
SOUTH
LO OK
I N G S OUT H
South
AUGUST | SOUTHERN LATITUDES

A UGU S T S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
83
SEPTEMBER PEGASUS
7 Epsilon (ε) Pegasi, Pegasi Peg September–October
The nights are darker now in the Northern or Enif, 2.4
Hemisphere, making it a good time to admire You can easily spot the LACERTA 22h
23h
the constellations along the Milky Way. In the constellation Pegasus,

the Winged Horse, especially
ANDROMEDA
0h NGC 7331 π CYGNUS
Southern Hemisphere, the region around in late summer and fall in 78

72
β
η
the Northern Hemisphere. ο 32
the Milky Way’s center moves to the west. Its main body is made up of ψ
Scheat
μ
κ
υ τ 56
λ ι
the large asterism known GREAT
SQUARE OF
2
20º
as the Great Square of PEGASUS 51
1
NORTHERN LATITUDES Pegasus. This square helps

locate the constellation
Algenib
α PEGASUS
9
γ Markab
Andromeda, where you 70
ξ 31 M15
ζ ε
THE STARS the east. The roughly triangular can find the magnificent 10º
Enif
Looking high up in the sky, you constellation Capricornus, the spiral galaxy M31, the θ
will spot the constellation Cepheus, Sea Goat, lies in the south. Andromeda Galaxy. 35
ν EQUULEUS
representing King Cepheus. Delta (δ) 0º
Cephei, a variable star in Cepheus, SIGHTS OF INTEREST AQUARIUS
is a popular target for amateur If you are up for a real challenge this the star Deneb in Cygnus.
astronomers. Its brightness varies month, try hunting down the North If you want to marvel at binoculars. It can be
between magnitude 3.5 and 4.4 America Nebula, NGC 7000. It is one of the jewels of the seen near the star Enif, or
every 5 days and 9 hours. hard to detect from light-polluted night sky, look for the beautiful Epsilon (ε) Pegasi. The open
Toward the west, the stars of skies, but with binoculars it can be globular cluster M15 using star cluster M39 in Cygnus is
the Summer Triangle are still visible, seen from dark skies, sitting near another deep-sky object worth
while the constellations Cassiopeia 6 AM observing through binoculars or
and Andromeda are visible in 9 AM a small telescope.
3 AM
Capella
NOON MIDNIGHT
Castor
30° GEMINI
Pollux
Pleiades
TAURUS
13 ARIES
11 12
20° 13
LEO 15 14 12
17 Aldebaran
17 11
11
CANCER Hyades PISCES
10° 19
17 15
Regulus
Betelgeuse
14 15 Procyon
16 Bellatrix
0°
Mira
Rigel
–10°
M O R N I N
–20° G
S K
Y
This chart shows the positions of the planets in except Mercury, the dot indicates the planet’s 19
–30° September from 2011 to 2019. The planets are position on September 15. Mercury is shown 18
PISCES
17
represented by colored dots, while the number when it is at greatest elongation (see p.125). For 16
inside each dot denotes the year. For all planets the specific dates, refer to the Almanac. 15
14
13
12
Mercury Mars Saturn Neptune 11

EXAMPLES CETUS
11 Mars’s position on 11 Saturn’s position on September 15, 2011. The arrow indicates
September 15, 2011 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125)
URANUS
S E P T E MB E R 85
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
THE STARS constellations, including Pisces, globular cluster M22. The relatively large telescope to
If you are observing from the the Fishes; Cetus, the Whale; and constellation Aquarius, the Water view this nebula. There are two
Southern Hemisphere this month, Eridanus, the River. Carrier, sits almost overhead. You interesting binocular targets in
be sure to enjoy the rich regions can see several deep-sky objects the sky at the moment—the
of Scorpius and Ophiuchus before SIGHTS OF INTEREST there, including the interesting globular cluster M2 in Aquarius,
they sink below the western horizon. This month be sure to enjoy the planetary nebula NGC 7293, also near the star Beta Aquarii,
Just above them lies a rich region sights of Scorpius, Sagittarius, known as the Helix Nebula. You and another globular cluster
around the heart of the Milky Way and Scutum before they disappear will need dark skies and a M15, in Pegasus.
galaxy, brimming with star clusters below the horizon. The most
and bright nebulae. spectacular objects to look P I S C I S A U S T RI N U S
In contrast, the eastern half for in these constellations include
of the sky is relatively empty, M8, the Lagoon Nebula; the open
60 Alpha (α) Piscis Austrini, Piscis PsA September–October
though you can still find several clusters M6 and M7; and the or Fomalhaut, 1.2 Austrini
Also known as the Southern 22h

23h
Fish, Piscis Austrinus is one of the
smaller constellations in the night AQUARIUS
sky and lacks any prominent CAPRICORNUS
deep-sky objects. You can find it ε PISCIS AUSTRINUS
λ
nestled between the constellations α
–30º
Fomalhaut
Grus, Aquarius, Capricornus, and β τ
δ
Sculptor. Its brightest star is the γ μ
ι
υ
blue-white colored Fomalhaut,
which sits at the mouth of the –40º
GRUS MICROSCOPIUM
fish. Fomalhaut lies at a distance
of 25 light-years from Earth.
The Small Magellanic Cloud

Lying in the constellation Tucana in the Southern
Hemisphere, the Small Magellanic Cloud can
be found close to the beautiful globular cluster NOON
47 Tucanae, also known as NGC 104.
30°
3 PM
9 PM
20°
6 PM Arcturus
10°
Altair
AQUARIUS 11
0°
11 16
OPHIUCHUS VIRGO 15 19
16
12 17
CAPRICORNUS –10°
14
14 13 13
18
15 12
16
18 –20°
14
18 19 18 17 19
Antares
16
LIBRA –30°
19
18
17
16 SAGITTARIUS Shaula
15
14
13
12
11
AQUARIUS SCORPIUS
NEPTUNE
Y
E V E N I N G S K
SEPTEMBER OBSERVATION TIMES

time time
NORTHERN LATITUDES August 15

September 1
Midnight
11 pm
1 am
Midnight
LOOKING NORTH October 1 9 pm 10 pm
October 15 8 pm 9 pm
In the northern skies, trace the constellation
Zenith
Draco, the Dragon, weaving between the 20°N
constellations Ursa Minor, Cepheus, and
Hercules. At the tip of the dragon’s tongue
PEGASUS
lies the double star 16 and 17 Draconis, which
can be spotted with just a pair of binoculars. 40ºN
CYGNUS
Nu (ν) Draconis in the dragon’s head is also
an interesting double star in binoculars. Deneb
Sitting a little way above the bright star Vega,

Epsilon (ε) Lyrae 60ºN
the multiple star system Epsilon (ε) Lyrae, ANDROMEDA PISCES
is an excellent target for a telescope. Vega
DRACO CEPHEUS
ν
CASSIOPEIA
16,17
Draconis Polaris ARIES
URSA
HERCULES MINOR
PERSEUS
Horizon 20ºN CETUS

Capella
SERPENS Big
CAPUT Dipper
URSA AURIGA TAURUS
BOÖTES MAJOR
Horizon 40ºN
Epsilon (ε) Lyrae
Also known as the “Double-Double”, with binoculars this W
Arcturus itc Aldebaran
ES lip ST
quadruple star appears as a pair, while a small telescope Ec
T GEMINI EA
shows the two stars’ twin components. Castor
Horizon 60ºN Pollux
LOOKING SOUTH
In the south the impressive Andromeda Galaxy,
M31, sits in the heart of Andromeda. It is easily Zenith
60°N
visible to the naked eye from a dark sky site.
Binoculars reveal it as a fuzzy ellipse, while a
small telescope shows it more clearly. Deneb
The Coathanger asterism, or Brocchi’s Cluster, ANDROMEDA
40ºN
lies between Cygnus and Aquila in the east, and CYGNUS
is easily visible through binoculars. The double

star Gamma (γ) Equulei, west of the Vega
20ºN
constellation Aquila, sits near the star Enif in
Pegasus and is also a good binocular target.
PEGASUS Enif
Gamma Altair
(γ) Equulei AQUILA HERCULES
ARIES
Ecliptic
AQUARIUS
PISCES
SERPENS
CAPRICORNUS CAUDA
CETUS 0 ºN
Horizon 6
Fomalhaut
OPHIUCHUS
GRUS SAGITTARIUS
Horizon 40ºN
The Coathanger
Ten stars make up the famous shape of the Coathanger, south ERIDANUS
EA PHOENIX
SCORPIUS Antares T
of Cygnus. The stars of this open cluster are not near each ST ES
Horiz W
other in space; the shape is a chance alignment. on 20º
N PAVO
TUCANA
S E P T E MB E R 87
STAR MAGNITUDES
SEPTEMBER
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
LOOKING NORTH
The globular cluster M15 sits southwest of the
Zenith
40°S
star Enif, Epsilon (ε) Pegasi, in Pegasus. This
dense cluster can be picked out with binoculars,
and a small telescope shows it clearly. M15 is
CAPRICORNUS thought to be 13.2 billion years old. Several
20ºS Fomalhaut deep-sky objects lie in the northeast, in the
constellation Aquarius. The globular cluster
M2 appears as a fuzzy star through binoculars,
AQUARIUS
and the planetary nebula NGC 7293,
SAGITTARIUS 0º
Ec the Helix Nebula, appears as a faint
li pt
ic fuzzy disc through a small telescope.
AQUILA Enif
SERPENS CETUS
Altair
CAUDA
PEGASUS
CYGNUS
PISCES
OPHIUCHUS Deneb ANDROMEDA
HERCULES
Vega
40 ºS CEPHEUS
izon CASSIOPEIA
Hor ARIES
Horizon 20ºS
M15 in Pegasus
W DRACO The globular cluster M15 is roughly 175 light-years in
ES Hori PERSEUS ST diameter and 30,000 light-years from Earth. A 150mm
T zon 0º EA
(6in) telescope reveals many of the cluster’s sparkling stars.
Polaris
LOOKING SOUTH
The globular cluster 47 Tucanae is a must-see
Zenith target in the September southern skies, lying
0°
to the south of the constellation Tucana. It is
visible to the naked eye as a hazy star, while
Ecliptic a small telescope shows its bright center
20ºS and many of its glittering stars. This cluster is
AQUILA 15,000 light-years away. Other visible targets
AQUARIUS CAPRICORNUS
include the globular clusters M22, NGC 6397,
and M4, in Sagittarius, Ara, and Scorpius
Fomalhaut 40ºS
respectively. The open clusters M6 and M7
GRUS SAGITTARIUS SERPENS in Scorpius are also visible.
CAUDA
CETUS
PHOENIX
TUCANA
PAVO ARA
Achernar OPHIUCHUS
SCORPIUS
OCTANS Antares
Horizon 0º
ERIDANUS
α Centauri
β Centauri LUPUS
Horizon 20ºS PICTOR CRUX LIBRA

M4 in Scorpius
EA Hori Canopus CARINA
The globular cluster M4 is a beautiful sight in the constellation
ST zo ST Scorpius. Sitting close to the star Antares, Alpha (α) Scorpii,
n 40
ºS WE
it is a lovely target for binoculars or a small telescope.
PUPPIS CENTAURUS
VELA
M57
SERP
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M33
n
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eb
A
Vega
RC
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LYR
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LYNX
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A
O
U RS M
E
R
H A MA
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T
W R
ES r O
T sto N
Ca
LEO
M IN O
R
OBSERVATION TIMES
NORTH time time
August 15 Midnight 1 am
September 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
I N G N ORTH September 15 10 pm 11 pm
SEPTEMBER | NORTHERN LATITUDES
88
M57
M29
ireo
ES
Alb
UL
A
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ER
CYGNUS
C
H
r
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ge
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an
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at
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9
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M2 11
16
M
M
M
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26
are
AN U
M 17
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M 8 23
9
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1 M
M 24
M1
A Q UA R I U S
M
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M
2
M2
M6
8
M
2 28
M2 M
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6
M
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PIS C 54 la
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OR
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U
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W
TH OE M I C RO S C O P I U M
NI
X IU M TH
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S COP U
ST TEL E SO
I NDUS
STAR MOTION
T U C A NA
North
PAVO
SOUTH
LO OK
I N G S OUT H
South
SEPTEMBER | NORTHERN LATITUDES

S E PTE M BE R N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
89
6
NGC
7293
CA
S
RI U
M2
PR
M1
SC
a
Mir
UA
0
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M1
UT
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V UL LP H
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P INUS
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Albi
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M57
33
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M39
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69
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R
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T
W AC C E P H EU S 03 NG
O M1 R
E ST O
IA N
PE
SIO
C AS
OBSERVATION TIMES
NORTH time time
August 15 Midnight 1 am
September 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
I N G N ORTH September 15 10 pm 11 pm
SEPTEMBER | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
90
M16
AQ
Fo M30
UA
RI m
M25
alh US
M24 M17
HU
US au RN
t
C
O
M21 M18
3
P R IC
IU
CA
M22
CE
M2
M9
H
TU
5
S
OP
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M2
M5
M8
IU
4
SC
AR
M5
AU P I S C I
TT
UL
I
9
P
S TR S
G
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M6
R SA
M19
tar
M7
An
PIUM
M6
80
F
MICROSCO
M
OR
la
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M4
N
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WEST
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EAST
S RO L I
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97 SC
63
PH
ER C
NG
OE RA
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Ach
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PAVO LU
NGC R MA
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N GUL L E
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OR TR A
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MUS C ent
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W
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H PP pu
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EA IS Gac TH
U
ST VO L A N
S X SO
CRU
STAR MOTION
CARI N A
North
VE L A
SOUTH
LO OK
I N G S OUT H
South
SEPTEMBER | SOUTHERN LATITUDES

S E PTE M BE R S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
91
OCTOBER PERSEUS
24 Alpha (α) Persei, Persei Per November–December
In the Northern Hemisphere, the main or Mirphak, 1.8
attractions this month are Pegasus and Perseus, the Hero, sits among the 5h
2h
4h
Andromeda. In the Southern Hemisphere, beautiful star fields of the Milky

Way Galaxy between Andromeda
CAMELOPARDALIS
3h
η
NGC
869
NGC 884
these constellations sit in the north, while and Auriga. It is an interesting

50º NGC 1528
γ
4
M76
constellation that contains λ τ φ

the Small Magellanic Cloud lies in the south. some wonderful deep-sky Capella
μ
MELOTTE 20
34
δ
Mirphak
α ι θ
objects to observe with AURIGA 53 48 ψ σ
a small telescope or a κ ANDROMEDA
32
NORTHERN LATITUDES
58 M34
pair of binoculars, 40º ν
52
ε Per A
β Algol
including the open PERSEUS ωρ π 12
cluster M34 and the 54 ξ

NGC 1342 16
TRIANGULUM
THE STARS Double Cluster, NGC
NGC
1499
ζ
40
24
17
ο
Standing under the cold, crisp Lyra can be found very easily by 884 and NGC 869. 30º
October night sky, you can see locating its brightest star, the TAURUS ARIES
the Great Square of Pegasus high magnitude 0.0 Vega.

up in the sky. You can easily spot
the constellation Andromeda sitting SIGHTS OF INTEREST METEOR SHOWER the direction of the patch of
next to it, while a loop of stars If you have a small telescope or a pair The Orionid meteor shower reaches sky between Orion’s head and
known as the Circlet is visible of binoculars the Andromeda Galaxy, its peak around October 21. Under Gemini’s feet. The best time to
directly beneath the asterism. The or M31, in Andromeda is a wonderful good conditions during the peak look is after midnight, when this
constellations Aquarius, Pisces, target to look at. M31 is visible to you can expect to see around 25 region of sky has risen higher
and Cetus can be located nearby. the naked eye from dark skies. meteors every hour, shooting from above the horizon.
Turn around and look toward Binoculars show the open cluster
6 AM
the north to find the constellations M52 in Cassiopeia. 3 AM
Cepheus, Cassiopeia, and Perseus.
MIDNIGHT
Cygnus, the Swan, and Lyra, the
Lyre, are visible toward the west. 9 AM
Although a small constellation, Capella
NOON
Castor
Pollux
TAURUS Pleiades
GEMINI
13 12 ARIES
20° LEO
11
Aldebaran
13 14
Hyades 11
10°
12 Regulus CANCER
15 15 Betelgeuse
VIRGO Procyon Bellatrix
17 17 15
0°
19
11
15
14 Mira
16
Rigel
–10°
M O R N I
–20° N G
POSITIONS OF THE PLANETS S K
Y
–30° in October from 2011 to 2019. The planets are position on October 15. Mercury is shown when
represented by colored dots, while the number it is at greatest elongation (see p.125). For
inside each dot denotes the year. For all planets specific dates, refer to the Almanac.
–40° Mercury Mars Saturn Neptune

EXAMPLES
11 Mars’s position on 11 Saturn’s position on October 15, 2011. The arrow indicates
October 15, 2011 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125)
OC T OB E R 93
SOUTHERN LATITUDES E RI D A N U S
THE STARS 1.2 star Fomalhaut, almost directly
After the wonderfully rich views above you in the constellation Piscis 6 Alpha (α) Eridani, or Eridani Eri November–January
Achernar, 0.5
of the southern winter, October Austrinus. A little lower down in 4h
PISCES
5h 3h
night skies look rather empty. the south at one end of Eridanus Eridanus, the River, winds 45
ν 32
However, this does not mean there shines Achernar, or Alpha (α) Eridani, its way across the night μ 17
CETUS
sky, starting near the feet β ω ο1

is nothing to see. Looking south, while the bright star Altair, in Aquila, ψ ε ζ η
of Orion. It then meanders ο2 δ
you can locate the constellations twinkles away in the west. Aquarius λ
across the sky toward –10º
64
39
π
Phoenix, Grus, Tucana, Pavo, and is high up in the northern part of the Cetus before passing NGC 1535
γ
53
the long and winding Eridanus. The sky. Pegasus is also on view with its the constellations ERIDANUS
τ1
constellation Sagittarius, the Archer, famous square practically due north. Horologium, the Clock, 54 NGC 1300
τ5 τ4 τ2
lies low in the west. and Caelum, the Chisel. τ 6
15 τ 3
τ9
Its brightest star, Achernar,
There are several bright stars to SIGHTS OF INTEREST τ8
Alpha (α) Eridani, has a
help you navigate the sky. In the In the Southern Hemisphere magnitude 0.5, and marks υ1 FORNAX
–30º
υ2
south, look out for the magnitude the night sky offers several the end of this celestial river.
υ4
objects that make good targets Eridanus has few clusters or υ3

for even modest amateur nebulae within it but contains
some interesting double
equipment. Look south to find stars, such as 32 Eridani and –40º
θ1
ι
the constellation Tucana, the Theta (θ) Eridani. CAELUM
Toucan. Within the boundaries
κ
of this constellation you can
see 47 Tucanae, or NGC 104, –50
φ
˚ HOROLOGIUM
χ
one of the best globular clusters telescope or a pair of binoculars, DORADO
in the night sky. With the naked and can also be seen with the PICTOR
eye it appears as a slightly fuzzy naked eye.

Achernar
α
The Circlet star. Near 47 Tucanae lies the A hop over the constellation
This asterism is formed by a ring of seven stars galaxy known as the Small Hydrus, or the Little Water Snake, Galaxy, M31, in the constellation
that make up the head of one of the fish in the
constellation Pisces.
Magellanic Cloud, or SMC, takes you to the constellations Andromeda, as well as the
which is a great target for a small Dorado and Mensa, where you spiral galaxy M33, visible through
will find the Large Magellanic binoculars or a small telescope in
MIDNIGHT NEPTUNE
Cloud, or LMC. It can be seen the constellation Triangulum. The
19
18
with the naked eye and is a fine Andromeda Galaxy is the closest
17
16
15
sight through a telescope. Turning major galaxy to the Milky Way,
14
13
12
your attention to the northern sky, and twice as large.
9 PM 11
you can find the Andromeda NOON
AQUARIUS
3 PM 20°
6 PM
Arcturus
PISCES 10°
Altair
AQUARIUS
0°
OPHIUCHUS VIRGO
12
–10°
11 17
13 19
18 14
15 13
17
16 –20°
18 19 16 18
12 19
19 18 13 12
CAPRICORNUS 16 14 Antares
19 LIBRA
18 PISCES –30°
17
16
15 SAGITTARIUS
14 Shaula
13
12
11 –40°
SCORPIUS
CETUS
E
V
URANUS E
N
I N
G
S K Y
OCTOBER OBSERVATION TIMES

time time
NORTHERN LATITUDES September 15

October 1
Midnight
11 pm
1 am
Midnight
LOOKING NORTH November 1 9 pm 10 pm
November 15 8 pm 9 pm
As the Summer Triangle (Vega, Deneb, and
Zenith
Altair) moves to the west, the Milky Way arches 20°N
overhead and some winter constellations start
peeking over the horizon. Look out for the PEGASUS
Double Cluster in Perseus (see p.22) and
the open clusters M36, M37, and M38 in Auriga, 40ºN
PISCES
rising in the east. The Hyades and Pleiades star
ANDROMEDA
clusters in Taurus start coming back into view
and the open clusters M52, NGC 457, and M103 ARIES
60ºN
high in the sky in Cassiopeia are also worth Deneb
finding. These are all good binocular targets. CYGNUS
Ecliptic
CASSIOPEIA
AQUILA CEPHEUS PERSEUS

TAURUS
Vega
Polaris
URSA Capella
HERCULES
DRACO MINOR
AURIGA Aldebaran
Horizon 20ºN
OPHIUCHUS ORION
Big Dipper
GEMINI Betelgeuse
Horizon 40ºN Castor
The Auriga Clusters
Use binoculars to look out for the open clusters M36, M37, Pollux
W
and M38. A telescope also shows the loose open cluster ES ST
T BOÖTES URSA EA
NGC 2281 nearby, which contains around 30 stars. MAJOR
Horizon 60ºN
LOOKING SOUTH
While the beautiful Andromeda Galaxy, M31,
is still on show this month, do not overlook Zenith
60°N
another interesting galaxy close by. M33,
or the Triangulum Galaxy is just above the CASSIOPEIA
constellation Aries, and can be glimpsed with
the naked eye from a very dark sky site. A pair ANDROMEDA 40ºN
Deneb
of binoculars or a small telescope will show this
beautiful spiral galaxy’s misty, oval form. If you CYGNUS
are observing with a telescope, make sure to PERSEUS
20ºN
spot the lovely double star Gamma (γ) Arietis
in the nearby constellation Aries. ARIES γ PEGASUS
TAURUS PISCES
Eclip
tic
AQUARIUS
Altair
CETUS
Aldebaran
CAPRICORNUS
0 ºN AQUILA
ORION Horizon 6
Fomalhaut
GRUS
PHOENIX
Horizon 40ºN SERPENS
The Andromeda Galaxy
Rigel ERIDANUS CAUDA
Through a small telescope M31, in the constellation Andromeda, EA
SAGITTARIUS
T
appears as a fuzzy gray ellipse with a brighter core. Larger ST ES
Achernar W
apertures will help discern the galaxy’s dark, dusty lanes. Horizon
20ºN
TUCANA
OC T OB E R 95
STAR MAGNITUDES
OCTOBER
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
LOOKING NORTH
The double star Almach, Gamma (γ)
Zenith
40°S
Andromedae in the constellation Andromeda,
is a lovely target for a small telescope when
looking north. One of the stars has an orange
Fomalhaut tint, while the other is a beautiful blue. In the
20ºS same constellation, quite close to Almach, is
CAPRICORNUS
the magnitude 5.5 open cluster NGC 752.
Binoculars or small telescopes reveal it
covering an area larger than the full Moon.
0º
AQUARIUS Finally, be sure to track down M31 in
CETUS
Andromeda and M33 just above Aries.
PISCES ERIDANUS
PEGASUS Ec
lip
t ic
Altair
ANDROMEDA
ARIES TAURUS
AQUILA
Horizon 40ºS
CYGNUS Almach
CASSIOPEIA
Deneb
OPHIUCHUS ORION
Aldebaran
Horizon 20ºS PERSEUS
NGC 752
CEPHEUS
W
HERCULES
Vega Composed of around 70 stars, the loose open star cluster NGC 752
ES ST is a fine sight in a small telescope using a low magnification.
T
AURIGA EA
DRACO Capella It can be found north of Andromeda’s star Almach in the east.
Polaris Horizon 0º
LOOKING SOUTH
Two of the celestial showpieces of the
Zenith southern skies can be seen this month:
0°
the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. These
galaxies lie relatively close in space to the
Milky Way. The Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC)
AQUARIUS
20ºS
Ec
in Tucana can be seen with the naked eye, as
li
can the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), which
pt
ic
is a magnificent sight on the Dorado–Mensa

Fomalhaut
CETUS border. Binoculars or small telescopes reveal
40ºS
many star clusters and patches of nebulosity
CAPRICORNUS
PHOENIX within the LMC.
GRUS
AQUILA
Achernar
ERIDANUS TUCANA
SAGITTARIUS
PAVO
OCTANS
Horizon 0º ARA
PICTOR
Rigel
Canopus
SCORPIUS
Horizon 20ºS PUPPIS CARINA CENTAURUS OPHIUCHUS
Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC)
ORION α Centauri
EA CANIS The irregular galaxy known to astronomers as the SMC sits in the
ST MAJOR β Centauri Antares ST constellation Tucana. Visible to the naked eye, it stretches roughly
WE
VELA
LUPUS
seven times the Moon’s apparent diameter across the sky.
CRUX
Horizon 40ºS
V U LP E C
n
UM
bara
US
)
1
leiades
M3
ix
s
UL
Alde
Hyade
latr
R
M29
Albir
NG
TAU
ANDROMEDA
OPH
Bel
ULA
M45 ( P
IA
eo
C YG
TR
M3
LA
IUC
CE
S
9
34
NU
EU
RT
ION
e
De
M57
HU
A 7
eus
M
45
ne
RS
S
elg
S
OR
b
NG
PE
9
LYR
Bet
86
C
NG
M1
A
M52 4
03 88
CE P M1 C
EAST
Ve
NG
WEST
H
g
E US 36
a
IA M
PE S
SIO LI 38 37
HE
CAS
M
DA
35
M
lla
M
R
RC
PA Ca
pe
LO
UL
ME
ES
CA
A
G
M
13 M9 RI
2 AU
I
IN
DR
M
AC
O
GE
Polaris
81
22
CO
C
NG
R
ON
r
sto
A
Ca
BO
UR SA MI
RE
NOR X
x
LYN
AL
l lu
Po
M81
IS
B OÖ
TE
S
M10
1
Mizar
ST
N
Big Dipper
A
O
A JOR
E
R
M51
H U R SA M TH
T
W R
ES O
T CAN N
ES VE NA
TI C I
OR
MI N
L EO
OBSERVATION TIMES
NORTH time time
September 15 Midnight 1 am
October 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
I N G N ORTH October 15 10 pm 11 pm
OCTOBER | NORTHERN LATITUDES
96
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OCTOBER | NORTHERN LATITUDES

O C TO BE R N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
97
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OBSERVATION TIMES
NORTH time time
September 15 Midnight 1 am
October 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
I N G N ORTH October 15 10 pm 11 pm
OCTOBER | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
98
TUM
ut
S
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SUNRISE AND SUNSET ON 15TH OCTOBER
SOUTH
LO OK
I N G S OUT H
South
OCTOBER | SOUTHERN LATITUDES

O C TO BE R S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
99
NOVEMBER
We are now deep into the wonderful dark T A U RU S
nights of fall in the Northern Hemisphere, Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10pm
where the constellations Orion, Taurus, 17 Alpha (α) Tauri, or Tauri Tau December–January
Aldebaran, 0.85
Auriga, and Gemini are visible. In the 5h 4h
The stars of Taurus, the Bull, are
Southern Hemisphere, Cetus, Eridanus, easy to locate in the night sky 30º
6h
AURIGA PERSEUS
and Aquarius are high in the sky. because they are anchored
around the bright “V” shape of 136 βAlnath φ
GEMINI Pleiades
139
TAURUS
the Hyades star cluster and the 132
τ
M45
NGC 1746 υ 37
bright star Aldebaran. Both κ ARIES
NORTHERN LATITUDES
M1
ι
20º ζ 114 109
NGC 1647 ω Ecliptic
the Hyades and Pleiades star 119
ε T
clusters can be seen with the 126 α Hyades
Aldebaran
THE STARS targets. A small telescope shows naked eye. Another remarkable 134 5
Two interesting constellations, the glittering pair of clusters in deep-sky object in Taurus is ORION 90 λ
10º
ξ
M1, the Crab Nebula. 88 μ 47
ο CETUS
Perseus and Cassiopeia, are almost Perseus listed as NGC 869 and Betelgeuse
ν
overhead this month. Looking south, NGC 884, collectively known
the constellations Pegasus and as the Double Cluster. There are 0º 10
Andromeda are sitting high in also several fine open clusters ERIDANUS
the sky. In the east, the grand visible in Auriga. a point south of M45. Another
constellations Orion, Taurus, meteor shower, the Leonids,
and Auriga are also visible. METEOR SHOWERS peaks around November 17. At
Look for the peak of the Taurid its peak you can observe up to
SIGHTS OF INTEREST meteor shower during the first 10 meteors an hour, shooting
In the Northern Hemisphere week of November. If the skies from the direction of Leo’s head. 3 AM
MIDNIGHT
November’s skies contain the are clear and dark you may see
lingering sights of summer, 10 meteors an hour, coming from 6 AM
including M31 and M33, as well
as some new objects. The open
clusters NGC 457 and NGC 663 Capella
in the “W” shaped constellation
Cassiopeia make excellent binocular 9 AM
Castor
Pollux
GEMINI
Pleiades
NOON
CANCER 13 12
Arcturus LEO Aldebaran TAURUS

14
11 Hyades
10° Regulus
13 Betelgeuse
Procyon Bellatrix
15
0° 15
15
12 17
VIRGO
11 14 16 Rigel
–10° 17 12
19 18
19
17 13
13
20° POSITIONS OF THE PLANETS
LIBRA
November from 2011 to 2019. The planets are position on November 15. Mercury is shown
30° represented by colored dots, while the number when it is at greatest elongation (see p.125).

40°
EXAMPLES
Mars’s position on Saturn’s position on November 15, 2011. The arrow indicates
50° 11
November 15, 2011
11
that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125)
N OV E MB E R 101
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
THE STARS Orion and Taurus. It is easy to
CETUS
The constellations Eridanus and identify Orion, as it contains the
Cetus sit right above you this bright stars Betelgeuse, Alpha (α) Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 pm
month. Eridanus, the River, is Orionis, and Rigel, Beta (β) Orionis. 4 Beta (β) Ceti 2.0 Ceti Cet October–December
naturally long and winding and its Look north to find the constellations
end is marked by the bright star Andromeda, Pisces, and Aries.
Cetus, the Sea 10º 3h
2h PISCES
Achernar, which can be seen high Monster or Whale, λ μ ξ2 ξ1
in the sky almost due south. The SIGHTS OF INTEREST can be found in the ν Ecli
κ α Menkar
ptic
constellation Phoenix sits close to Because Cetus is high in the sky, night sky positioned
γ
Eridanus and below it, toward the a large telescope will show you the between Pisces and 0º M77 δ 0h
Eridanus. The 20
direction of the south celestial pole, interesting spiral galaxy M77, sitting brightest star in this ο
Mira
are the constellations Reticulum, very close to the star Delta (δ) Ceti. constellation, Beta CETUS
ERIDANUS θ
the Net; Hydrus, the Little Water The beautiful Magellanic Clouds (β) Ceti, is called –10º
ι
ζ η φ
Snake; Tucana, the Toucan; and should be your next target. The Diphda and has a ε ρ
3
2.0 magnitude. The π NGC 246
Octans, the Octant. Large Magellanic Cloud, or the LMC, σ 46

“back” of Cetus is marked τ 6
In the east you can locate Canis sits across the border between the by the famous variable star
β
2
–20º Diphda 7
Major, which is hard to miss as it is constellations Dorado, the Goldfish υ
Mira. Cetus is also home to 56
home to the blazing star Sirius. Also (or Swordfish), and Mensa, the Table the spiral galaxy M77, the
coming into view in the east are Mountain. A small telescope is all brightest Seyfert galaxy.
you need to explore the sparkling
star clusters as well as the Tarantula
Nebula, or NGC 2070, nestled within
the LMC. Meanwhile, a short Tucana, you can see the Small Looking toward the northeast,
distance away in the constellation Magellanic Cloud and the globular the Hyades and Pleiades open star
cluster NGC 104, or 47 Tucanae. clusters make excellent binocular
The variable star Mira
These are wonderful binocular or targets. Also look for the stunning
Omicron (ο) Ceti, more popularly known as
Mira, is a variable star in the constellation small telescope targets. Both the spiral galaxy M33 and the glowing
Cetus. Its brightness changes over time Large and Small Magellanic Cloud ellipse of Andromeda Galaxy, or
as it pulsates. can be seen with the naked eye. M31, through a telescope.
URANUS NEPTUNE
9 PM
19
18 PISCES 19
18
17 17
16 16
15 15
14 14
13
13 12
12 11
11
6 PM
AQUARIUS
ARIES
CETUS
3 PM
11 PISCES
10°
Altair
AQUARIUS
0°
Mira OPHIUCHUS
CAPRICORNUS –10°
18
14
16 18
16 17 15 14 –20°
19 18 11 19
14 12 18
13 16
19 17 11 Antares
E –30°
V Fomalhaut
E SAGITTARIUS
N Shaula
I N
G –40°
S SCORPIUS
K
Y
–50°
10 2 MONT HLY SKY GUID ES: HIGHLIGHTS
NOVEMBER OBSERVATION TIMES

time time
NORTHERN LATITUDES October 15

November 1
Midnight
11 pm
1 am
Midnight
LOOKING NORTH December 1 9 pm 10 pm
December 15 8 pm 9 pm
Be sure to savor the sights of Cygnus, the
Zenith
Swan, before the constellation starts to sink 20°N
below the horizon. A small telescope will show
its beautiful double stars Omicron-1 (ο1) Cygni, ARIES
PISCES
61 Cygni, and Albireo (see p.62), which marks
the bill of the swan. A pair of binoculars will 40ºN
show the open clusters M29 and M39.
Also look out for the magnitude 7.3 ANDROMEDA TAURUS
PERSEUS
open cluster M52, sitting high in the sky in Aldebaran
60ºN
Cassiopeia; the open clusters M36, M37, and
PEGASUS
M38 in Auriga (see p.46); and M35 in Gemini. CASSIOPEIA
Capella AURIGA
CEPHEUS
61 Cygni ORION
Deneb
Polaris
Sadr ο¹ Cygni
URSA GEMINI
MINOR
CYGNUS
Castor
Vega Pollux
Eclipti
Albireo Horizo
Altair DRACO n 20º
N
Big Dipper
c
URSA Procyon
MAJOR
Horizon 40ºN
M29 in Cygnus
This open cluster can be found sitting against the background W BOÖTES
star fields of the Milky Way. Located a little way from the star ES HERCULES LEO CANCER ST
T EA
Sadr, it is best observed with a small telescope. 0ºN
Horizon 6
LOOKING SOUTH
The Hyades (see p.23) and Pleiades (see p.38)
star clusters in the constellation Taurus make Zenith
60°N
a welcome return to winter skies in the east. A
pair of binoculars is all you will need to explore
these two open clusters. Both the Pleiades PERSEUS
and Hyades are clearly visible to the naked eye, 40ºN ANDROMEDA
but binoculars will reveal the many glittering

stars within them.
Other objects of interest to look out for ARIES
AURIGA 20ºN
include the Andromeda Galaxy, M31, and the
PEGASUS
Triangulum Galaxy, M33, sitting high in the sky.
PISCES
Aldebaran TAURUS E cl
ipt
ic
ORION CETUS
Betelgeuse
Horizon 60ºN
AQUARIUS
MONOCEROS ERIDANUS Fomalhaut

θ PHOENIX
Sirius Horizon 40ºN
The Orion Nebula
CANIS CAPRICORNUS
Also known as M42, this is one of the finest nebulae in the night EA MAJOR Achernar GRUS T
sky. A wonderful sight in all types of equipment, a small telescope ST ES
W
shows its glowing cavernous gas clouds and embedded stars. Horizo
n 20ºN
TUCANA
N OV E MB E R 103
STAR MAGNITUDES
NOVEMBER
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
LOOKING NORTH
Look out for the globular cluster M79 lying
Zenith
40°S
under the feet of Orion, the Hunter, in the
east. This cluster is visible through a small
telescope. In the constellation Eridanus,
above Orion, you will find an interesting
20ºS multiple star system, Omicron-2 (ο2) Eridani,
ERIDANUS with three components, and a double star
Fomalhaut CETUS
Theta (θ) Eridani. Both are visible with small
AQUARIUS telescopes. Deep-sky observers with dark skies
0º
will be able to spot the galaxy NGC 1300 in the
²
Ecliptic ο Eridani same constellation using large telescopes.
PISCES
TAURUS
Rigel
ARIES
PEGASUS ORION
Aldebaran MONOCEROS
Betelgeuse
ANDROMEDA
40ºS
zon CASSIOPEIA
Hori PERSEUS Capella
AQUILA
AURIGA GEMINI
Horizon 20ºS
NGC 1300
Altair Procyon
W CYGNUS Deneb The barred spiral galaxy NGC 1300 is located about
ES Hori
zon ST 69 million light-years from Earth. It is particularly faint
T 0º EA
Castor
CEPHEUS but can be seen with a very large amateur telescope.
Polaris
LOOKING SOUTH
There is a lot to see in the southern skies this
Zenith month with just the naked eye. Start off by
0°
looking for the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC),
west of the constellation Pictor, and the Small
Magellanic Cloud (SMC), in Tucana. These are
CETUS
20ºS both irregular galaxies close to the Milky Way.
The globular cluster 47 Tucanae can be seen
Ec
li
pti
with the naked eye as a hazy star very close to

c
the Small Magellanic Cloud. The open clusters

40ºS
NGC 2362 and M41 in Canis Major in the east
ERIDANUS PHOENIX
also make for good small-telescope targets.
Fomalhaut
Rigel
Achernar GRUS AQUARIUS
ORION
TUCANA
CANIS CAPRICORNUS
Canopus
MAJOR PICTOR OCTANS PAVO
Sirius
CARINA
MONOCEROS
PUPPIS Hor
SAGITTARIUS iz on 0
º
ARA Horizon 20ºS
47 Tucanae
S
VELA 40º This globular cluster in Tucana is a wonderful sight through
EA zon
ST α Centauri Hori ES
T
a small telescope. A large-aperture telescope shows
W
CRUX β Centauri its countless stars packed together in a dense ball.
CENTAURUS SCORPIUS
D EL P
Alta
4
M31
AQU I
M3
ir
HI N
SAG
M35
LA
on
OR
S
EU
AN
cy
US
D RO RS
ITTA
MIN
Pro
A
PE M36
M37
MED
RI G
8
M3
A
LA
69
M2
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7
4
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LP
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M52
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UL
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Mizar
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T
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ES O
T N
BO Ö TIC I
TE S V E NA
C ANES
M51
OBSERVATION TIMES
NORTH time time
October 15 Midnight 1 am
November 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
I N G N ORTH November 15 10 pm 11 pm
NOVEMBER | NORTHERN LATITUDES
104
M1
A
Be
UIL
TR
M4
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IA
5(
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M15
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Mira S
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TO R CI S U S
SC UL P
FO R N P I S RI N
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CA DA N AU
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UM
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W
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EA RA US TH
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ANA STAR MOTION

RET T UC
ICU
LUM Achernar
North
H O R O LO G I
UM
SUNRISE AND SUNSET ON 15TH NOVEMBER
SOUTH
LO OK
I N G S OUT H
South
NOVEMBER | NORTHERN LATITUDES

NO V E M BE R N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
105
S
M42
el
Rig
OS
CE R
AQ
US
UIL
AN
NO
EQ
ID
ER
A
MO
UU
M
2 C E TU S
IO N
LE
Alt
AQ
US
OR
Mira
air
Ec l
DE
UA ipt
R ic
LP
IU
use
HI
x
S
tri
NU
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lla
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Be
tel
EAST
S
WEST
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Be
S AG
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15
ar
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ad de
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A SU
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M2
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ia des U RU M
35
5(
Ple TA
M33 M4
6
M3 37
M
T R I A N G U LU M
CY
M2
8
A ND M3
9
GN
R OM
S ED
U
A GA
LA M31 RI
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A
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M3
9 S
SEU
9
PER
NGC 86
884 X
NGC N
LY
ST
N
M103
A
M52
O
CA SSI O
E
R
PEIA
H TH
T
W CE R
E PHE IS O
ST US AL N
D
PAR
ELO
C AM
OBSERVATION TIMES
NORTH time time
October 15 Midnight 1 am
November 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
I N G N ORTH November 15 10 pm 11 pm
NOVEMBER | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
106
S
IU
NGC 1300
R
CE
UA
TU
MO
S
AQ
50
S
S
IS
S
t
NU
NOC
NU
au
iriu
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s
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FO
alh
30
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m
M
R
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S
ICO
Fo
AU P I S C
M
AX
TO
79
P
PR
UL
CA
M4
7
SC
M
M
41
ER
NI
S
ID
M4
6
C A AJO R
AN
US
X
NG
C
M
CA
WEST
NI
EAST
E
93
M
23
EL
6 2
HO HO
IU
UM
Ad
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LU IUM
M US O SC
55
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2
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TA
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54
PP opu
M
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AG
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T IC AN S
ULU 4 T UC
69
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M
SMC
H YD R
IS
PI C US
TO R
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LMC
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ST O N
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AP U S ULUM
T R I AN G A L E
A US T R
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LEO N
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W
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EA MU SC A MA TH
R U
ST NO SO
S
C I R CI N U
Acrux STAR MOTION
C RU X
β Centauri
Becrux ta uri
Gacrux α Cen North
CENTAURUS
SOUTH
LO OK
I N G S OUT H
South
NOVEMBER | SOUTHERN LATITUDES

NO V E M BE R S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
107
DECEMBER
As we round off the year, the northern skies O RI O N
contain the spectacular constellations Orion, Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 pm
Taurus, Gemini, and Auriga. These can also 26 Beta (β) Orionis, Orionis Ori December–January
or Rigel, 0.2
be glimpsed from the Southern Hemisphere, 6h
Orion, the Hunter, is one of the
along with Vela and Carina. greatest constellations in the whole
GEMINI
NGC 2175
χ2 χ1
U 5h
night sky. You can find it by spotting 69

TAURUS Aldebaran
NORTHERN LATITUDES the prominent line of three stars ξ ν 15

11
ο2
ο1
that form the hunter’s “belt”, as ORION
10º
λ φ1 π1 2
well as its distinctly colored stars, μ π
THE STARS Gemini in the east. The Winter α φ2 γ
Rigel and Betelgeuse. Orion also Betelgeuse
32 π3
Looking north, the constellations Triangle formed by Betelgeuse, contains one of the ω
Bellatrix
π4
MONOCEROS ψ 23 2
Perseus, Auriga, and Andromeda Sirius, and Procyon is easy to most stunning 56
51 ψ1 ρ π6π5
nebulae in the sky, 0º δ
can be found sitting high in the sky. locate in the southeast.
M78
ε 31
22
NGC 2024 ζ
M42, also known as IC 434
σ η
In the southeast, it is impossible
the Orion Nebula.
to ignore the magnificent sight SIGHTS OF INTEREST M 42 τ
29 β ERIDANUS
κ
of Orion, the Hunter. Orion leads Observers in the Northern –10º Rigel
the winter constellations, which Hemisphere are spoiled for choice

include Taurus in the south and this month. In Orion lies the beautiful METEOR SHOWER Sirius
CANIS LEPUS
MAJOR
nebula M42, which is a superb target The Geminid meteor shower
–20º
for a small telescope or binoculars. peaks around December 13–14.
In Taurus, the Bull, you can locate At its peak you can expect to see MIDNIGHT
two striking star clusters. The around one meteor per minute 3 AM
Hyades is a large cluster outlining streaking across the sky from the
the bull’s face and the Pleiades is direction of Gemini.
possibly the finest open cluster in
the sky. Auriga too has several 6 AM
stunning open clusters to look for.
The Geminids
If you are observing the Geminids, you
might spot a very bright meteor. These Castor
“fireballs” add to the excitement of
watching these celestial fireworks. Pollux
GEMINI
9 AM
13
NOON
Arcturus
LEO
Regulus 14
10°
11 CANCER Betelgeuse
15
13 Procyon
0°
OPHIUCHUS VIRGO
15
12 11 16
–10°
15 18 17
13 Spica
12 17
11 18 14 19
–20°
16 17 18 12
15
Antares POSITIONS OF THE PLANETS
–30° LIBRA
December from 2011 to 2019. The planets are position on December 15. Mercury is shown
–40° inside each dot denotes the year. For all planets For specific dates, refer to the Almanac.
SCORPIUS
–50° Venus Jupiter Uranus

EXAMPLES
11 Mars’ position on 11 Saturn’s position on December 15, 2011. The arrow indicates
December 15, 2011 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125)
DE C E MB E R 109
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
THE STARS north. Auriga can be found by Goldfish, and Mensa, the Taurus, you have a great
The constellations Taurus, Gemini, locating the bright star Capella, Table Mountain. Look for the opportunity to observe two open
Orion, and Auriga are visible from which is low in the sky this month. Tarantula Nebula, or NGC 2070, star clusters, the Hyades and the
the Southern Hemisphere this If you look roughly northeast Gemini in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Pleiades. The Pleiades star cluster,
month. Looking toward the north is also on show, sitting low in the High in the northeast lies the or M45, can be seen with the
you can spot the distinct “V” shape sky near the horizon. Meanwhile fantastic nebula M42, in Orion. naked eye and is a wonderful
of the Hyades star cluster, which Canis Major, Vela, and Carina can be In the nearby constellation sight in a small telescope.
marks the head of the constellation located in the southeast. December
Taurus. Just next to it toward the is also a great time to look out for LEPUS
northeast is Orion, a magnificent the Magellanic Clouds in the south.
sight with its bright stars Rigel and
51 Alpha (α) Leporis, Leporis Lep January
Betelgeuse. Emerging from the foot SIGHTS OF INTEREST or Arneb, 2.6
of Orion, Eridanus meanders high The Magellanic Clouds can be seen
across the sky. Look out for Perseus sitting in the southern part of the The constellation Lepus, the Hare, ORION
and Auriga below Taurus in the night sky this month. The Small sits right under the feet of the MONOCEROS Rigel –10º
magnificent Orion, between Canis ι
Magellanic Cloud sits in Tucana, η λ
RX
κ
Major and Eridanus. Unlike its θ ζ
while the Large Magellanic neighbors, Canis Major and Orion, Sirius R
17
NGC 2017 α μ ERIDANUS
Cloud hovers on the border of Lepus contains few bright stars. Arneb
β –20º
the constellations Dorado, the Even so, it does have a handful δ γ
Nihal
ε
of targets to observe. These
M79
CANIS
The Large Magellanic Cloud include M79, a magnitude 8 MAJOR
LEPUS
You can see the Large Magellanic Cloud globular cluster, and a small group Adhara
with the naked eye. A small telescope of stars catalogued as NGC 2017, –30º
reveals the Tarantula Nebula, NGC 2070, both of which can be seen with a
embedded within it. small telescope.
6h COLUMBA 5h
CAELUM
9 PM
Capella
NEPTUNE
19
18
6 PM 17
16
15
14
13
12
11
TAURUS Pleiades
AQUARIUS
12 ARIES 3 PM
Aldebaran
Hyades PISCES
11 10°
Altair
ellatrix
AQUARIUS
0°
Mira
18
Rigel
CAPRICORNUS –10°
16
14
13
12 –20°
19
16 15 18 17
16 19
11 19 14
E –30°
V Fomalhaut
E
19 N SAGITTARIUS Shaula
18 PISCES I N
17
16 G –40°
15
14 S
13 K
12 Y
11
–50°
CETUS
URANUS
11 0 MONT HLY SKY GUID ES: HIGHLIGHTS
DECEMBER OBSERVATION TIMES

time time
NORTHERN LATITUDES November 15

December 1
Midnight
11 pm
1 am
Midnight
LOOKING NORTH January 1 9 pm 10 pm
There are several interesting sights to be seen
Zenith
in the constellation Gemini, the Twins, in the 20°N
east. Castor, Gemini’s second brightest star,
is an interesting multiple star, while the open ARIES
cluster M35, sitting close to the feet of one TAURUS
of the twins, is a great target for binoculars 40ºN
or a small telescope. PISCES
Other December treats include the Double PERSEUS AURIGA
Cluster (see p.22) in Perseus; the Andromeda Capella GEMINI
60ºN
Galaxy (see p.94), which is still high in the sky;
ANDROMEDA
and the Milky Way rising up through Cygnus.
CASSIOPEIA Castor
Eclip
tic
Pollux
Polaris URSA
MAJOR
CEPHEUS URSA
MINOR CANCER
PEGASUS
Deneb
Big Dipper
DRACO
LEO
20ºN
izon CYGNUS
Hor Regulus
Horizon 40ºN
Castor
A multiple star system, Castor, or Alpha (α) Geminorum, Hor
W izon Vega
can be seen with a small telescope. The two main stars ES 60º BOÖTES ST
T N EA
orbit each other roughly once about every 468 years. HERCULES
LOOKING SOUTH
The Orion Nebula is undoubtedly the prime
target in this part of the northern skies (see Zenith
60°N
p.102). It can be found in Orion’s Sword, which
drops down from the middle of the “belt”
PERSEUS
stars. Through a small telescope, you should Capella
be able to see the nebula, resembling a 40ºN ANDROMEDA
celestial cave, with stars embedded in its heart. AURIGA
Larger apertures reveal the nebula’s swirls of

gas, which make this one of the finest deep-sky TAURUS
ARIES
20ºN
objects in the sky. Also on show are the Hyades
GEMINI
and Pleiades—two star clusters in Taurus. Castor Aldebaran
Pollux ORION
PEGASUS
Betelgeuse PISCES
CANCER
CETUS
Rigel
Ec
ERIDANUS
lip
Procyon
ti c
MONOCEROS
Sirius
HYDRA N
60º CANIS
izon AQUARIUS
Hor MAJOR
Horizon 40ºN
Orion
Hor
The constellation Orion, the Hunter, is a magnificent sight in the EA izon PUPPIS
20ºN PHOENIX Fomalhaut T
winter night sky. The star Betelgeuse marks the shoulder ST ES
Achernar W
of the Hunter, while Rigel marks his foot. Canopus
CARINA
DE C E MB E R 111
STAR MAGNITUDES
DECEMBER
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
LOOKING NORTH
The constellation Orion has many interesting
Zenith
40°S
objects in and around it to entice observers in
the Southern Hemisphere. Sky gazers should
look out for the Orion Nebula (see p.102),
which is a good target for binoculars or a small
20ºS telescope. The Pleiades and Hyades star
clusters can be enjoyed with the naked eye.
ERIDANUS
Meanwhile, in the nearby constellations Auriga,
CETUS Rigel CANIS
MAJOR
Monoceros, and Puppis, there are several open
0º
ORION
clusters to be seen, such as M36, M37, M38,
Sirius M50, M46, and M47.
AQUARIUS Betelgeuse
Ecliptic
TAURUS Aldebaran
PISCES ARIES
MONOCEROS
PERSEUS
Procyon
GEMINI
AURIGA
PEGASUS
Capella
Castor HYDRA
0 ºS Pollux
iz on 4 ANDROMEDA
Hor
Horizon 20ºS CANCER

M38 in Auriga
CASSIOPEIA The magnitude 6.4 open cluster M38 is the most scattered
W
ES URSA ST of the three famous Messier clusters in Auriga in the north
T MAJOR LEO EA
Horiz
on 0º at the moment. It lies 4,200 light-years from Earth.
CEPHEUS Polaris
LOOKING SOUTH
If you are observing with binoculars, there is a
Zenith great deal to see looking south. NGC 3114 and
0°
NGC 2516 are both prominent open clusters
worth observing in Carina in the southeast.
The Eta (ε) Carinae Nebula, or NGC 3372, is a
20ºS bright diffuse nebula visible through binoculars
Rigel
ORION CETUS
or a small telescope. The bright open cluster
IC 2602, or the Southern Pleiades, is a great
ERIDANUS
binocular object. Also look out for the Small
40ºS
CANIS Magellanic Cloud in Tucana and the
MAJOR
Sirius
Large Magellanic Cloud, just west of Pictor.
MONOCEROS PHOENIX
Ecliptic
Canopus AQUARIUS
Achernar
PICTOR
PUPPIS
TUCANA GRUS Fomalhaut

CARINA
VELA OCTANS
º
zon 0
HYDRA Hori
PAVO
Horizon 20ºS CAPRICORNUS
The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC)
SAGITTARIUS
EA β Centauri A conspicuous naked-eye object, the LMC sits on the border of
ST Hori CRUX ST the constellations Mensa and Dorado. A small telescope will
z on 4
0ºS
CENTAURUS
ARA WE
α Centauri show star clusters and bright patches of nebulosity within it.
M67
PE G
M3
NI
EQ U
C ER
ASU
PE
AN
G E MI
RS
Pollux
U LE
M44
DR
CA N
or
S
EU
lla
Cast
A
OM
pe
US
IG
Ca
31
ED
R
AU
A
M1
NG NG
C8
5
C 84
86
9
lus
DEL
C M1
u
AS
EAST
03
Reg
X
WEST
O
S
N
PH
I OP LY
LE
EIA
I NU
LA CAMELOPARDALIS
S
C ER
TA M52
OR
IN
M
M3
EO
9
S AG
Y L
C
GN
ITT
U S
M
A
Polaris
29
De C EP
neb H EU S M81
M2
R
7
U RSA JO
MINOR MA
SA
UR
er
Dipp
Big
Al
bi
VU
re
o
I
LP
LY IC
AT
EC
R A EN
UL
SV
ES
A
NE
IC
M zar CA N
57 DRACO Mi RE
Ve
ga BE
A
M51 M
ST
CO
N
1
M10
A
O
E
R
H TH
T
W R
E ST M92 O
N
HE
RC U
LES B O ÖT E S
M13
OBSERVATION TIMES
NORTH time time
November 15 Midnight 1 am
December 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
I N G N ORTH December 15 10 pm 11 pm
DECEMBER | NORTHERN LATITUDES
112
M33
M38
M36
M37
US
A
AS
CAN
ED
UM
M35
G
AU
UL
OM
RI P E RS E U S NG
PE
CER
R
HYDRA
CA
EM
GA
TRIA
Pr
D
IN
NI
oc
I
M45 (Pleiades)
S
AN
yo
1
n
M
Al S
IN
de A RIE
OR ba
ra
n
C ES
Be
te Hya S
lge des PI
us Ec l ipt ic
M4
OR
e
8
IO
N
S
IU
WEST
EAST
R
TAUR
Bel U S
M
lat
UA
rix
ON
AQ
O
CE
S
M
50
ira
RO
S M
M
IN U
46
47
TR
S
S
M4 TU
2
CE
AU
Sir
ius Rigel
CI S
M
93
P IS
M
41
t
au
alh
CA
m
NI
PU
Fo
Ad SM
ha LE P OR
PP
US T
I
S ra AJO
R LP
U
SC
CO X
LU FO R N A
M BA
E R I DA N U S
ST
SO
E
C A E LU
U
M
W
T IX
H EN
EA P IC O TH
ST
TOR PH U
SO
Can D OR
opu
s A DO
STAR MOTION
r
erna
R E T I C U LU M Ach
North
G IU M
HOROLO
SOUTH
LO OK
I N G S OUT H
South
DECEMBER | NORTHERN LATITUDES

D E C E M BE R N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
113
S
M48
PU
M50
LE
A
AQ
DR
E R I DA N U S
l
ge
UA
Ri
HY
CE
42
R IU
M
TU
on
S
OS
S
cy
ER
Pro
OR
M
OC
e
ira
us
IN
ON
ge
SM
tel
M
N Be
IO
NI
ER
67
OR
M
PE
CA
NC
EAST
x
WEST
PI tri
GA
lla
CA
SC TAURUS Be
SU
ES
E cli
S
p tic des ran

Hya
4
eba
M4
Ald
AR M1
I ES
NI
TR M3
5
MI
IAN M45 (Pleiades) GE x
G U LU llu
Po
M
A ND M3 or
3 st
RO M3
7 Ca
M 8
M3 6
ED M3
A
LA
M34
CE
RT
M3 lla
1 Cape
A
PER SE
US
IGA
AU R
C AS S X
IO P EI A LYN
NGC 8 OR
AJ
84
NGC
ST
M
N
869
SA
EA
O
M103
UR
R
TH
M5
H
T
2
W R
ES O
T C EP N
HE US
CAMELOPARDALIS
OBSERVATION TIMES
NORTH time time
November 15 Midnight 1 am
December 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
I N G N ORTH December 15 10 pm 11 pm
DECEMBER | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
114
S
Siri
TU
LE
IUS
M4
7
CAN
CE
M4
PU
6
S
IS
UA R
us M41
M
AQ
AJ
O
ER FO RN A X
HYD
ID
AN
RA
S
Ad
US
ha
ra
t
IN U
R
au
CA TR IS
CO
TO
alh
S
P
PU E LU
LU
PP M M
UL
0
Fo
A U P I SC
P
IS BA
SC
M3
YX
WEST
IS
EAST
DO
S
Ca RA
IX
no DO
N
NU
pu
s
R
OE
ar PH
I CO
ern
Ach
PR
CA
M
CA
RETICULUM GIU
RI OLO
HOR
AN
NA PI C
UM
T S
TL
I
OR RU US
P
IA
VE
HYD GR
CO
LA NG LMC
C2
OS
S
516
SMC 4 R
C 10
IU
NG A NA IC
TUC M
AR
TT
ME N S
A
GI
VOL
SA
A NS
NGC 3114
US
I ND
3372
NGC
IC 2602
OCTANS
C HA
MA E L
EO N AP US
T
Acr
ux
SO
ES
Gac PAVO
U
W
rux
TH MU S M
CA TRIANGULUM IU TH
EA Becr OP U
CE C RU ux AU S TR AL E SC
ST NT
AU X T EL E SO
RU C I RC I N U S
S β Centauri
A RA STAR MOTION
α Centauri North
SOUTH
LO OK
I N G S OUT H
South
DECEMBER | SOUTHERN LATITUDES

D E C E M BE R S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S
115
116 A LM ANAC
ALMANAC
This section contains astronomical calendars listing major celestial
events for the years 2011–2019. These calendars show the phases
2011
This year sees an unusually large
number of eclipses—four partial
of the Moon, eclipses of the Sun and the Moon, and motions of solar eclipses and two total lunar
the planets. The latter include the greatest western and eastern eclipses. Other highlights include
a close conjunction of Jupiter and
elongations (the angle between the Sun and a planet) of Mercury Uranus, which began in 2010
and Venus. Also shown are the oppositions of Mars, Jupiter, and and continues through January 2011.
A conjunction is a close alignment
Saturn, when these planets are on the opposite side of Earth from of two bodies in the sky and occurs
the Sun and visible in the sky through the night. when both planets lie in the same
line of sight as viewed from Earth.
Total eclipse Partial eclipse Partial eclipse Annular eclipse Total eclipse
KEY Full Moon New Moon
of the Moon of the Moon of the Sun of the Sun of the Sun
JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
1
2
3 July 1
4 April 4 Partial eclipse of the Sun
visible from the south
5 January 4 Saturn at opposition,
Indian Ocean
magnitude 0.4 September 3 December 10
6 Partial eclipse of the Sun
Mercury at greatest Total eclipse of the Moon
visible from North Africa,
7 morning elongation visible from Asia, Australasia,
eastern Europe, Saudi
and northwest North America
8 Arabia, and western Asia
June 1
visible from the Arctic,
10 January 8 northeast Asia, and
11 Venus at greatest northern Canada
May 7
morning elongation
12 Mercury at greatest
morning elongation
13
14 January 9
morning elongation
16 November 14
evening elongation
18
19 June 15
20 Total eclipse of the Moon
visible from Australia, Asia,
21 Africa, and Europe December 23
22 July 20 October 29 Mercury at greatest
morning elongation
23 Mercury at greatest Jupiter at opposition,
evening elongation magnitude -2.9
24
25 March 23
evening elongation
27 November 25
visible from Antarctica
29
30
31
2011–2012 117
1
2 March 3 December 3
Mars at opposition, March 5 Jupiter at opposition,
3
magnitude -1.2 Mercury at greatest magnitude -2.8
4 evening elongation July 1
evening elongation
6 December 4
morning elongation
8 June 4 June 5–6
9 Partial eclipse of the Moon Transit of Venus visible from
visible from western regions east Asia, Australasia, and
10 of North and South America, northwestern North America
11 Pacific Ocean, Australasia,
and east Asia
12
13 April 15
14 Saturn at opposition, August 15
magnitude 0.2
15 Venus at greatest
morning elongation
16
17 April 18
18 Mercury at greatest November 13–14
morning elongation
19 Total eclipse of the Sun
visible from south Pacific
20 Ocean. Partial eclipse visible
21 from eastern Australia and
August 16
New Zealand
morning elongation
23 May 20–21
24 Annular eclipse of the Sun
visible from Japan and north
25 Pacific Ocean. Partial eclipse October 26
26 March 27 visible from east Asia and Mercury at greatest
western North America evening elongation
evening elongation
28
29
30
31
2012
Annular eclipse
In May the Moon will lie near its farthest
point from Earth as it eclipses the Sun.
Even when perfectly aligned, a thin ring
of sunlight will remain visible.
In addition to a partial eclipse

of the Moon, this year sees a
total and an annular eclipse of
the Sun. However, the highlight
of 2012 is the rare transit of Venus.
The next such event will not occur
until the year 2117.
Transit of Venus
On June 5–6 Venus will pass across the face
of the Sun in a rare transit event that reveals
Earth’s neighboring planet in silhouette.
118 A LM ANAC
2013
Two annular eclipses of the Sun
are visible this year, of which one
appears total from some locations.
A partial lunar eclipse is widely
visible, and there is a rare
conjunction of the inferior
planets Mercury and Venus.
Widespread eclipse Mercury and Venus

Partial eclipses of the Sun can be seen over In June Mercury and Venus will make a rare
wider areas than total eclipses. The November close approach in evening skies, tracing paths
2013 eclipse will be visible from many regions. similar to those seen in this time-lapse image.
1 November 1
2 May 9–10 Venus at greatest
evening elongation
3 Annular eclipse of the Sun
visible from northeastern
4 Australia and south Pacific
5 Ocean. Partial eclipse visible
from eastern Australia, northern
6 New Zealand, and Hawaii November 3
7 Annular-total eclipse of the
Sun visible from north Atlantic
8 October 9 Ocean and central Africa.
9 Mercury at greatest Partial eclipse visible from
evening elongation northeastern South America,
10 southern Europe, and Africa
11
12
13
14 June 12
evening elongation
16
17
18 February 16
19 Mercury at greatest April 25
evening elongation
20 Partial eclipse of the Moon November 18
visible from Europe, Africa,
Asia, and Australia
morning elongation
22
23
24
25
26 July 30
April 28
morning elongation
28 March 31 Saturn at opposition,
magnitude 0.1
morning elongation
30
31
2013–2014 119
1
2 November 1
morning elongation
4 January 5 April 8
5 Jupiter at opposition, Mars at opposition,
magnitude -2.7 magnitude -1.5
6
7
8 May 10
9 Saturn at opposition,
magnitude 0.1
10 March 14 October 8
11 Mercury at greatest Total eclipse of the Moon
morning elongation visible from North America,
12 Australasia, and east Asia
13
14
15 12 July
morning elongation
17 April 15 September 21
18 Total eclipse of the Moon Mercury at greatest
visible from North America, evening elongation
19 South America, and New Zealand
20 March 22
morning elongation
22 May 25
evening elongation
24 April 29
25 Partial eclipse of
the Sun visible from
26 west Australia
January 31
27 October 28
Mercury at greatest
28 Partial eclipse of the
evening elongation
Sun visible from
29 western North America
30
31
2014
The Moon and Saturn
Between March and May 2014 the Moon
will pass in front of the ringed planet Saturn
no fewer than three times.
In addition to a pair of partial solar

eclipses and two total lunar eclipses,
this year sees rare celestial events
such as a brief occultation (see p.125)
of a bright star by an asteroid and
occultations of Saturn by the Moon.
Occultation in Leo
On March 20, 2014 Leo’s brightest star
Regulus (bottom right) vanishes briefly
from North American skies as the asteroid
163 Erigone passes in front of it.
120 A LM ANAC
2015
This year sees two eclipses of
the Sun, one of which is partial
and the other total (though only
from Arctic northern latitudes).
There is also a more widely
visible pair of total lunar eclipses,
one in spring and one in fall.
Lunar eclipse Venus at its best

When the full Moon passes into Earth’s shadow Our nearest planetary neighbor, Venus, will be
on September 28, the eclipse will be widely a prominent evening “star” in mid-2015 and an
visible on either side of the Atlantic Ocean. equally brilliant morning object later in the year.
1
2
3
4
5 June 6
6 Venus at greatest September 4
evening elongation
7 April 4 Mercury at greatest
evening elongation
8 February 6 Total eclipse of the Moon
visible from western North
9 Jupiter at opposition, America, Australasia, and May 7
magnitude -2.6 east Asia
evening elongation
11
12
13 January 14
October 16
evening elongation
15 September 13 Mercury at greatest
Partial eclipse of the Sun morning elongation
16
visible from southeast Africa
17 and Antarctica
18
19
20 June 24 December 29
21 Mercury at greatest September 28 Mercury at greatest
morning elongation evening elongation
22 March 20 Total eclipse of the Moon
visible from Europe, Africa,
North America, and
visible from the Arctic. Partial
24 South America
eclipse of the Sun visible
25 from Europe, North Africa,
May 23
and northwest Asia
26 February 24 Saturn at opposition,
magnitude 0.0
morning elongation
28 October 26
morning elongation
30
31
2015–2016 121
1
2 June 3
3 February 7 Saturn at opposition, September 1
magnitude -0.3
4 Mercury at greatest Annular eclipse of the Sun
morning elongation visible from Atlantic Ocean,
5 Central Africa, Madagascar,
6 and Indian Ocean. Partial
eclipse of the Sun visible
7 June 5 from Africa and Indian Ocean
morning elongation
9
10 December 11
11 March 9 March 8 Mercury at greatest
evening elongation
12 Total eclipse of the Sun visible Jupiter at opposition, May 9
from Sumatra, Borneo, and magnitude -2.5
13 Transit of Mercury visible
Sulawesi in Indonesia and Pacific
from North America, South
14 Ocean. Partial eclipse of the Sun
America, Europe, Africa, and
visible from east Asia, Australia,
15 Central Asia
and Pacific Ocean
16
17 April 18
18 Mercury at greatest August 16
evening elongation Mercury at greatest
19
evening elongation
20
21
22
23
24 May 22 September 28
25 Mars at opposition, Mercury at greatest
magnitude -2.1 morning elongation
26
27
28
29
30
31
2016
Transit of Mercury
On May 9, 2016 the innermost planet Mercury
will speed across the face of the Sun in a
rare “transit” alignment.
Along with two eclipses of the

Sun, this year’s most interesting
astronomical highlight is a transit
of Mercury. A similar event will
take place in November 2019—
the last transit event until 2032.
Planetary conjunction
The bright planets Jupiter (right) and Saturn
(left) are close to each other throughout the
year. In January and August Venus joins
them to make a rare “triple conjunction.”
122 A LM ANAC
2017
This year sees both total and
annular eclipses of the Sun, as
well as a widely visible partial lunar
eclipse. Another interesting celestial
event is an exceptionally close
conjunction of Venus and Jupiter
during November.
Total solar eclipse Saturn’s open rings

A spectacular total eclipse will be visible across Due to the changing alignment of the planets,
the USA on August 21, 2017. It will last for Saturn’s brilliant rings will appear “wide open”
more than two minutes in many places. when seen from Earth throughout 2017.
1
2 April 1 June 3
3 Mercury at greatest Venus at greatest
evening elongation morning elongation
4
5
6 April 7
Jupiter at opposition,
7 January 12
magnitude -2.5 August 7
8 Venus at greatest Partial eclipse of the Moon
evening elongation visible from North America,
9 South America, Europe,
10 Africa, and Asia
11 June 15
magnitude -0.3
13
September 12
14 January 19 Mercury at greatest
15 Mercury at greatest morning elongation
morning elongation
16 May 17
morning elongation
18 February 26
19 Annular eclipse of the Sun visible
from Pacific Ocean, Chile, Argentina,
20 Atlantic Ocean, and Africa. Partial
21 eclipse of the Sun visible from
southern South America, Atlantic
22 Ocean, Africa, and Antarctica
23 August 21
visible from North Pacific,
25 the USA, and South Atlantic. November 23
26 Partial eclipse of the Sun Mercury at greatest
visible from North America evening elongation
27 and northern South America
28 July 30
evening elongation
30
31
2017–2018 123
1
2 November 6
evening elongation
4 January 1 May 9 August 11
5 Mercury at greatest Jupiter at opposition, Partial eclipse of the
morning elongation magnitude -2.5 Sun visible from
6 northern Europe and
7 July 12 northeast Asia
evening elongation
9
10
11 March 15
evening elongation
13 August 17
December 15
evening elongation
15 July 13 Mercury at greatest
Partial eclipse of the morning elongation
16
Sun visible from
17 southern Australia
18
19 February 15
20 Partial eclipse of the Sun August 26
visible from Antarctica and
southern South America
morning elongation
22 June 27
magnitude -0.3
24 April 29
25 January 31 Mercury at greatest July 27
morning elongation
26 Total eclipse of the Moon Mars at opposition,
visible from Europe, Africa, magnitude -2.8
27 Asia, and Australia
28 Total eclipse of the Moon
visible from Asia, Australia,
29 Pacific Ocean, and western
North America
30
31
2018
Close approach of Mars
In July 2018 Mars will come within 36 million
miles (58 million km) of Earth, making it
exceptionally bright and large in our skies.
None of this year’s three solar

eclipses are total. However, there
is a total lunar eclipse in July, an
exceptionally close approach of
Mars to Earth around the same time,
and a close conjunction of Mars and
Jupiter in early January.
Blue moons
January and March 2018 will both see rare
“blue moons”—events where two full moons
occur in the same calendar month.
124 A LM ANAC
2019
This year sees total, annular,
and partial eclipses of the Sun,
as well as partial and total eclipses
of the Moon. Other highlights
include a rare transit of Mercury
and an unusual disappearing act
by Jupiter’s satellites.
Saturn’s great white spot Lonely Jupiter

During 2019 Saturn reaches its northern On November 9, 2019 Jupiter briefly appears
midsummer, when enormous “white spot” moonless, with all four of its bright satellites
storms appear, such as this one seen in 1994. simultaneously hidden behind the giant planet.
1 July 2
2 Total eclipse of the Sun visible
from south Pacific, Chile, and
3 Argentina. Partial eclipse of
4 the Sun visible from south
Pacific and South America
5 July 9
magnitude -0.3
7
June 10
8 January 6 November 11
Jupiter at opposition,
9 Venus at greatest magnitude -2.6 Transit of Mercury visible
morning elongation from North America,
10 South America, Europe,
11 Partial eclipse of the Sun Africa, and central Asia
visible from northeast August 9
12 Asia and north Pacific Mercury at greatest
morning elongation
13 April 11
morning elongation
15 October 20
evening elongation
17
18
19 July 16 December 26
20 Partial eclipse of the Moon Annular eclipse of the Sun
visible from North America, visible from Saudi Arabia,
21 South America, central Pacific, India, Sumatra, and Borneo.
22 Europe, and Africa Partial eclipse visible from
Asia and Australia
23 January 21
24 Total eclipse of the Moon visible November 28
from South America, Europe,
25 Africa, Asia, and Australia June 23 Mercury at greatest
morning elongation
evening elongation
27
28
February 27
29
Mercury at greatest
30 evening elongation
31
G L OS S A R Y 125
GLOSSARY
Aperture The diameter of the Deep-sky object Any celestial Local group A small cluster of over Planetary nebula A glowing shell of
main mirror or lens in a telescope object lying beyond the Solar 30 galaxies; it includes our own dust and gas ejected by a dying star
or binoculars. A large-aperture System, excluding stars. galaxy, the Milky Way. that appears as a luminous planet.
telescope can collect more light and
detect fainter objects than a small- Double star Two stars not Magnitude The brightness of a Radiant The point in the sky from
aperture telescope. physically associated with each celestial object, measured on which the tracks of meteors that
other, but appearing close together a numerical scale, where brighter are members of a particular meteor
Asterism A recognizable pattern of when viewed from Earth. objects are given small or negative shower appear to originate.
stars, where the stars are either a part numbers, and fainter objects are
of a constellation or are members of Eclipse An alignment of a planet given larger numbers. Retrograde motion The rotation
several constellations. An example is or moon with the Sun, which casts of a planet or moon in the opposite
the Big Dipper in Ursa Major. a shadow on another celestial body. Meteor shower A substantial direction to its orbit. All the planets
During a lunar eclipse the Earth’s number of meteors that appear orbit the Sun in the direction of the
Astrophotography The photography shadow is cast on the Moon, and to originate from a common point Sun’s rotation: counterclockwise
of celestial objects in the night sky, during a solar eclipse, the Moon’s in the sky. when viewed from above the Sun’s
including photography of the Sun shadow is cast on Earth. north pole. Most planets also rotate
and of eclipses. Multiple stars A system of (spin) counterclockwise. Venus and
Ecliptic The plane of Earth’s orbit stars that are bound together Uranus have retrograde motion:
Binary star Two stars in a around the Sun, or the projection of gravitationally and are in mutual clockwise compared with their
mutual orbit around a common that plane onto the celestial sphere. orbits. Multiple stars have at counterclockwise orbits.
center of mass and bound least three stars and may contain
together gravitationally. Elliptical galaxy A galaxy that up to a dozen stars. Right ascension (RA) The celestial
appears as an ellipse. These equivalent of longitude on Earth. It is
Celestial equator The celestial contain very little gas and dust Nebula A cloud of dust and gas measured in hours from the position
equivalent of Earth’s equator. The and are usually devoid of in space, usually made visible by where the ecliptic intersects the
celestial equator marks a line where star formations. the light of the neighboring stars. celestial equator in spring.
the plane of Earth’s equator meets
the celestial sphere. Elongation The angular separation Open cluster A loose group of up Solar system The family of eight
between the Sun and an inferior to a few hundred stars, bound by recognized planets and several other
Celestial poles The two points planet as viewed from Earth. gravity and found in the arms of celestial bodies such as moons that
at which the line of Earth’s axis, Also used at the time of a galaxy. orbit the Sun.
extended outward, meets the maximum angular separation
celestial sphere and around which (greatest elongation) between Occultation The passage of one Spiral galaxy A galaxy that has a
the stars appear to revolve. the inner planets, Mercury or celestial body of a larger apparent distinct set of spiral arms composed
Venus, and the Sun. size over another body of a smaller of bright young stars. Spiral galaxies
Celestial sphere The imaginary apparent size, which results in the are rich in gas and dust, and offer
sphere that surrounds Earth, and Equinox The time when the Sun more distant body being entirely or prime conditions for star formation.
upon which all celestial objects is vertically overhead Earth’s partially hidden. For example, when
appear to lie. equator, and days and nights the Moon passes over a distant star, Star A huge sphere of glowing
are of equal length. it hides the star from our view. plasma that emits heat and light
Conjunction An alignment of by means of nuclear reactions at
objects in the night sky, with Galaxy A huge mass of stars, Opposition The time when an its center.
one passing in front of the other, gas, and dust linked by gravity. outer planet lies on the exact
particularly when a planet lines up Galaxies may vary from thousands opposite side of Earth from the Superior planets Planets whose
with the Sun as viewed from Earth. to hundreds of thousands of Sun. The planet is at its closest orbit around the Sun are outside
light-years in range. to Earth and therefore appears the orbit of Earth. Mars, Jupiter,
Constellation A named area brightest at this time. Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and
of stars or a designated area of Globular cluster A sphere of Pluto are the superior planets.
sky around a star pattern. There thousands of stars linked by gravity. Orbit The path followed by a planet
are currently 88 officially or other celestial body around the Variable star A star whose
recognized constellations. Inferior planets Planets whose orbit Sun, or by a moon around its magnitude varies over time,
around the Sun falls inside Earth’s parent planet. brought about by intrinsic or
Declination A coordinate used in orbit. The two inferior planets are extrinsic changes, such as being
the equatorial coordinate system; it Mercury and Venus. Planet A celestial body that has eclipsed by another star.
is the celestial equivalent of latitude cleared away any planetary debris
on Earth. It is measured in degrees Light-year The distance traveled from its orbit around the Sun and is Zodiac A band on either side of
above or below the celestial equator, by light in one year— 5,878 billion of a roughly round shape due to its the ecliptic, through which the Sun,
which has a declination of 0º. miles (9,460 billion km). own gravity. Moon, and planets appear to travel.
126 I NDEX
INDEX
Carina 21, 23, 37, 109, 111 Epsilon Lyrae (“Double-
IC 2602 cluster 31, 37, Double” star system) L M42 (Orion Nebula) 20–2,
102, 108–11
45, 111 70, 86 Lagoon Nebula 63, 69, 71, M44 (Beehive Cluster) 28,
NGC 2516 cluster 55, 111 equator 77, 85 31, 36
Carina Nebula 37, 39, 45, celestial sphere 10, 11 Large Magellanic Cloud M45 (Pleiades) 37–8, 45,
Note: Months occurring as (LMC) 21, 93, 95, 101,
111 movement at equator 12 94, 100–2, 108–11
subentries are arranged in 103, 109, 111
Cassiopeia 84, 92, 94, 100, Eridanus 85, 93, 101, 103, M47 star cluster 23, 29
month order. latitude lines, finding
102 109 M48 star cluster 46
Castor 23, 28–9, 110 Eta Aquarid meteor shower latitude lines 19 M51 (Whirlpool Galaxy)
16-17 Draconis 86 Leo 28–9, 31, 37–8, 44, 47
Cat’s Eye Nebula 54 52–3 52, 60
47 Tucanae 85, 87, 93, 101, occultations 119
celestial sphere 7, 10–11, M52 star cluster 92, 94, 102
103 Sickle of 36, 44
18–19
Centaurus 21, 29, 37, 45,
F Leonid meteor shower
M57 (Ring Nebula) 68,
77–8
A 53, 77
False Cross 29, 37
February skies 28–35
17, 100
Lepus 109
M61 spiral galaxy 39
Achernar 93, 101 Omega Centauri 39, 45, M66 spiral galaxy 47
flashlights 14 Libra 69, 71
Acrux 47, 53 53, 61, 63 M77 spiral galaxy 101
Fomalhaut 77, 85, 93 light-years 9
Albireo 62, 76, 102 Cepheus 84 M79 star cluster 103, 109
Cetus 85, 101 Little Bear (Ursa Minor) 22,
Alcor 52, 70 M81 (Bode’s Galaxy) 36,
Aldebaran 100 Circlet asterism 92, 93 G 60
LMC see Large Magellanic
44, 46, 70
Algieba 38 Coalsack Nebula 31, 45, galactic hub 69 M83 (Jewel Box) 39, 45, 47,
55, 61 Cloud
Almach 95 galaxies 8–9 53, 61
Local Group 8–9
almanac 116–24 Coathanger asterism 86 see also stars M92 star cluster 63, 78
Coma Berenices 38, 44, 52 lunar eclipses 13, 116–24
Alpha Centauri 53 Gamma Arietis 94 M95-96 star clusters 47
conjunctions of planets Lupus 61, 77
Alpha Librae 71 Gamma Equulei 86 M104 (Sombrero Galaxy)
116, 118, 121–3 Lyra 68, 70, 76, 86, 92
Alphard 36, 37 Gemini 22, 28–9, 102, 39
constellation movements Lyrid meteor shower 44
Altair 70, 93 108–10 M105 star cluster 47
Andromeda Galaxy 8–9, 12 Geminid meteor shower Magellanic Clouds see
84, 86, 92–5, coordinate system 10–11 108 M Large Magellanic
100–2, 110 Crab Nebula 30, 100 Great Bear see Ursa Major M1 (Crab Nebula) 30, 100 Cloud; Small
angular distances 11 Crux 29, 37, 45, 47, 53, 69 Great Square of Pegasus M2 star cluster 85, 87 Magellanic Cloud
annular eclipses 117–18 Coalsack Nebula 31, 45, 84, 92 M3 star cluster 46 magnitude of stars 19
Antares 60, 61 55, 61 M4 star cluster 87 March skies 36–43
April skies 44–51
Aquarid meteor
NGC 4755 cluster 39, 45
Cygnus 62, 70, 76, 79, 84, H M5 star cluster 60, 68, 71
M6-7 star clusters 61–2, 69,
Mars
close approach 123
102 Hadar 69, 77 conjunctions 123
showers 52–3, 69 77, 85, 87
Aquarius 85, 87, 93 Cygnus Rift 76 Helix Nebula 85, 87 oppositions 116–24
M8 (Lagoon Nebula) 63,
Arcturus 36, 44, 52, Hercules 54, 60, 62–3, 68 May skies 52–9
69, 71, 77, 85
highlights pages, using the
62, 68
Aries 94–5
D sky guides 18
M10 star cluster 54, 68
M11 (Wild Duck Cluster) 76
measuring
distance 9, 11
daily movements 12 horizons 19
astrophotography 15 M12 star cluster 54–5, 68 size 11
December skies 12, Hyades 23, 38, 94, 100–2,
August skies 76–83 M13 star cluster 54, 60, Melotte 111 38, 52
108–15 108–11
Auriga 20–3, 30, 46, 62–3, 68, 78 Mensa 93, 101, 109
declination 10, 11 Hydra 44, 46
94, 108–9, 111 M15 star cluster 84, Mercury
deep-sky objects 19 Alphard 36, 37
Auroras 7, 15 85, 87 close approach 118
Delta Aquarid meteor M83 spiral galaxy 47,
M16 star cluster 69, 71 conjunctions 118
shower 69 53, 61
B Delta Cephei 84 Hydrus 93, 101
M17 (Omega Nebula) 79
M20 (Trifid Nebula) 69,
elongations 21, 116–24
naked-eye observations
Beehive Cluster 28, Deneb 70, 76
77, 79 13
31, 36 digital cameras 15
Beta Capricorni 79 Diphda 101
I M22 star cluster 63, 69, 71, Transit of 121, 124
IC 2602 (Southern Pleiades) 85, 87 Messier clusters see
Beta Centauri 53 distance measurements 9,
31, 37, 45, 111 M23 star cluster 79 M36-38 star clusters
Betelgeuse 21–2, 101, 11
IC 4665 star cluster 63, 68 M24 star cluster 69, meteor showers
108–9, 110 Dobsonian reflector 15
inferior planets 13, 116–24 77, 79 January skies 20
Big Dipper 36, 44, 52 Dorado 93, 101, 109
see also Mercury; Venus M27 (Dumbbell Nebula) April skies 44
binoculars 14 Double Cluster 22, 78, 92,
inner planets, locating 18 77–8 May skies 52–3
“blue moons” 123 94, 100, 110
M29 star cluster 79, 102 July skies 69
Bode’s Galaxy (M81) 36, “Double-Double” star
44, 46, 70 system 70, 86 J M30 star cluster 79
M31 (Andromeda Galaxy)
August skies 76
October skies 92
Boötes 36, 44, 52, 62, 68 Draco 60, 68, 86 January skies 20–7
8–9, 84, 86, 92–5, November skies 17,
Brocchi’s Cluster 86 Dumbbell Nebula 77–8 Jewel Box (M83 spiral
100–2, 110 100
galaxy) 39, 45, 47,
M33 (Triangulum Galaxy) December skies 108
C E 53, 61
July skies 68–75
93–5, 100–2 Milky Way 8
Camelopardalis 30 Eagle Nebula 69, 71 M34 star cluster 92 January skies 20–1
June skies 12, 60–7
cameras 15 Earth M35 star cluster 22, 28, February skies 28–9, 31
Jupiter
Cancer 28, 31, 36 celestial sphere 10–11 102, 110 April skies 45, 47
conjunctions 116, 121–3
Canes Venatici 46 changing sky 12–13 M36-38 star clusters 30, 46, May skies 55
oppositions 116–24
Canis Major 21, 36, 101, Moon and Earth 8 94, 102, 111 June skies 61
satellites 124
103, 109 eclipses 13, 116–24 M39 star cluster 62, 79, July skies 69
Canopus 21, 29, 37 elongations of planets 21, 84, 102 August skies 78
Capella 20, 21–2, 109 116–24 K M41 star cluster 21, December skies 110
Capricornus 77, 79, 84 Enif 84, 86–7 Kemble’s Cascade 30 30, 103 Mira 101
IN DE X 127
Mizar 52, 70 NGC 6543 (Cat’s Eye January skies 21 September skies 85 total eclipses 122
Monoceros 28, 30 Nebula) 54 February skies 29 October skies 93, 95 see also eclipses
monthly sky guides NGC 6633 star cluster 55 March skies 36, 37 November skies 101, 103 Transit
16–19 NGC 7000 (North America April skies 44–5 December skies 109, 111
of Mercury 121, 124
January 20–7 Nebula) 15, 70, 84 May skies 52–3 solar days 12
solar eclipses 13, 116–24 of Venus 117
February 28–35 NGC 7293 (Helix Nebula) June skies 60–1
March 36–43 85, 87 July skies 68–9 Solar System 8 Triangulum Galaxy (M33)
April 44–51 noctilucent clouds 68 August skies 76–7 Sombrero Galaxy 39 93–5, 100–2
May 52–9 North America Nebula 15, September skies 84–5 South Celestial Pole 29 Trifid Nebula 69, 77, 79
June 12, 60–7 70, 84 October skies 92–3 Southern Cross see Crux Tucana 85, 87, 93, 95,
July 68–75 Northern Cross see November skies 100–1 southern latitudes 101, 103
August 76–83 Cygnus December skies 108–9 January 21, 23, 26–7
see also Small
September 84–91 northern latitudes movements 13, 116–24 February 29, 31, 34–5
January 20, 22, 24–5 see also Earth March 37, 39, 42–3 Magellanic Cloud
October 92–9
November 100–7 February 28, 30, 32–3 Pleiades 37–8, 45, 94, April 45, 47, 50–1
December 12, 108–15
Moon
March 36, 38, 40–1
April 44, 46, 48–9
100–2, 108–11
Polaris (Pole Star) 11,
May 55, 58–9
June 61, 63, 66–7
U
May 52, 54, 56–7 52, 60 July 69, 71, 74–5 Universe, size of Universe
“blue moons” 123
Earth and Moon 8 June 60, 62, 64–5 poles, movement at poles August 77, 79, 82–3 8
eclipses 13, 116–24 July 68, 70, 72–3 12 September 85, 87, 90–1 Uranus 18
phases 116–24 August 76, 78, 80–1 Pollux 28–9 October 93, 95, 98–9 January skies 21
movement of objects September 84, 86, 88–9 Praesepe 28, 31, 36 November 101, 103, February skies 29
12–13, 19, 116–24 October 92, 94, 96–7 Procyon 108 106–7 March skies 37
November 100, 102, Puppis 29, 37 December 109, 111,
104–5 April skies 44
114–15
N December 108, 110, Q Southern Pleiades (IC2602) May skies 52
naked-eye observations 112–13 31, 37, 45, June skies 60
Quadrantid meteor shower
13, 15 November skies 100–7 111 July skies 68
20
Neptune 18 Nu Draconis 86 Spica 36, 37, 44–5, 52, 68 August skies 76
January skies 21 starhopping method 11
February skies 29 R September skies 84
March skies 36 O RA (right ascension) 10–11
stars 10–11
January skies 20–7
October skies 93
April skies 44 observation times for recording observations 15 November skies 101
charts 19 February skies 28–35
May skies 52 red light flashlights 14 December skies 109
occultations 119 March skies 36–43
June skies 60 refractor telescopes 15
April skies 44–51 conjunctions 116
July skies 68 October skies 92–9 Regulus 44, 47
Omega Centauri 39, 45, Rigel 21–2, 101, 108–9, 110 May skies 52–9 Ursa Major 22, 30, 70
August skies 76 June skies 60–7
September skies 85 53, 61, 63 right ascension (RA) 10–11 Big Dipper 36, 44, 52
Omega Nebula 79 Rigil Kentaurus 69, 77 July skies 68–75 M81 spiral galaxy 36, 44,
October skies 93 August skies 76–83
November skies 101 Omicron-2 Eridani 103 Ring Nebula 68, 77–8 46
Ophiuchus 54–5, 63, rings of Saturn 122 September skies 84–91
December skies 109 October skies 92–9 Ursa Minor 22, 60
Newtonian reflector 15 68, 85 Rosette Nebula 28
oppositions of planets November skies 100–7
NGC 104 star cluster (47
Tucanae) 85, 87, 93, 116–24
Orion 21–2, 37, 101, 103, S December skies 108–15
magnitude 19
V
101, 103 Sagittarius 61, 63, 69, 71, movement diagrams 19 Vega 68, 70, 76, 92
NGC 188 star cluster 46 108–11
77, 79, 85 see also galaxies; Sun Vela 23, 37, 109
NGC 457 star cluster 100 Orion Nebula 20–2, 102,
108–11 satellites 124 stellar neighborhood 8 Venus 13, 120
NGC 663 star cluster 100 see also Moon
Orionid meteor shower 92 Summer Triangle asterism close approach 118
NGC 752 star cluster 95 Saturn
outer planets 18 68, 70, 84 conjunctions 118, 122
NGC 869/884 (Double conjunctions 121
Cluster) 22, 78, 92, 94, see also Neptune; Sun 8 elongations 116–24
Uranus Moon passes 119 see also solar
100, 110 open rings 122 Transit of 117
overview pages, using the superclusters 9
NGC 1300 spiral galaxy 103 oppositions 116–24 viewing locations 14
sky guides 18 superior planets 13, 116–24
NGC 2017 star cluster 109 “white spot” 124 see also Jupiter; Mars; Virgo 36–7, 39, 44–5, 52,
NGC 2070 (Tarantula Scorpius 52–3, 60–2, 69, Neptune; Saturn; 68
Nebula) 21, 101, 109 P 77, 85, 87 Uranus Virgo Supercluster 9, 44, 46
NGC 2244 star cluster partial eclipses 118, 124 Scutum 76, 77, 85
28, 30 see also eclipses September skies 84–91 Vulpecula 77–8
NGC 2516 star cluster Pegasus 84–5, 86–7, Serpens 60, 68 T
Tarantula Nebula 21,
55, 111
NGC 2547 star cluster 23
92–3, 100
Perseid meteors 76
Serpens Cauda 69, 71
Sickle of Leo 36, 44 101, 109 W XY Z
NGC 3114 star cluster 111 Perseus 92, 100, 109 sidereal days 12 Taurid meteor shower 100 Whirlpool Galaxy 52, 60
NGC 3132 star cluster 23 see also Double Cluster Sirius 21, 29, 36, 101, Taurus 100, 101, 108–9 “white spot,” Saturn 124
NGC 3372 (Carina Nebula) Phoenix 93, 101 108 Hyades cluster 23, whole-sky charts, using
37, 39, 45, 111 photography 15 size measurements 11 38, 102 whole sky charts 19
NGC 4755 see Jewel Box Pisces Austrinus 77, sky guides see monthly Pleiades 37–8, 45, 94, Wild Duck Cluster 76
NGC 5139 (Omega 85, 93 sky guides 100–2, 108–11
Winter Triangle 108
Centauri) 39, 45, 53, planet locator charts, using Small Magellanic Cloud “Teapot” asterism 69, 71
61, 63 planet locator charts (SMC) telescopes 15 yearly movements 12
NGC 6231 star cluster 61 18 January skies 21 Theta Carinae 37 zeniths 19
NGC 6530 star cluster 69 planets 18 August skies 77 Theta Eridani 103 zodiac 12
128 A CK NOWLEDGMEN TS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Will Gater Publisher’s acknowledgments
I’d like to thank my family for their continual support, especially DK Publishing would like to thank the following people for
Rose, as well as Martha and the team at DK Publishing for all their help in the preparation of this book: Giles Sparrow for
their hard work. editorial and illustration guidance and Almanac text; Paul
Drislane for initial design work; additional design help from
Fiona McDonald. Indexing Specialists for preparing the index;
Lizzie Munsey for proofreading. Additional production help
from Sophie Argyris and Luca Frassinetti. DK images:
Claire Bowers, Martin Copeland, and Lucy Claxton.
PICTURE CREDITS
The publisher would like to thank the following for their kind permission to reproduce their photographs:
(Key: a-above; b-below/bottom; c-center; Takashi (cl). 62 Will Gater: (cl). NOAO / AURA / NSF: (bl).
f-far; l-left; r-right; t-top) 63 Getty Images: Image Bank/LWA (cr); Visuals Unlimited, Inc./
Robert Gendler (br). 68 Will Gater: (bl). 69 Corbis: Reuters/Ho
2-3 Corbis: Gabe Palmer. 4 Corbis: Visuals Unlimited. 6-7 (cl). 70 European Southern Observatory (ESO): Digitized Sky
Corbis: Science Faction/Tony Hallas. 9 Corbis: Myron Jay Dorf Survey 2 (cl). NASA: (bl). 71 Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope:
(b/Milky Way); NASA/JPL-Caltech (b/Quasar); Science Faction/ Jean-Charles Cuillandre (br). Galaxy Picture Library: Jeremy
Tony Hallas (crb); Stocktrek Images (b/Andromeda Galaxy). Perez (cr). 76 Corbis: Reuters/Ali Jarekji (bl). 77 Corbis: Visuals
European Southern Observatory (ESO): Digitized Sky Survey 2 Unlimited (cl). 78 Corbis: Scott Stulberg (cl). Getty Images:
(b/Virgo Cluster). 10 Corbis: Roger Ressmeyer (cra). 13 Corbis: Stocktrek Images (bl). 79 Will Gater: (cr). NOAO / AURA / NSF:
EPA/Dean Lewins (tr). Will Gater: (bl). 14 Corbis: Gabe Palmer (br). 85 Corbis: Stocktrek Images (cl). 86 Frank Barrett: (bl).
(cla). 15 Corbis: Frank Lukasseck (bc); Visuals Unlimited (cr). Galaxy Picture Library: Damian Peach (cl). 87 NASA: (cr). NOAO
16-17 Corbis: Frank Lukasseck. 21 Corbis: Roger Ressmeyer / AURA / NSF: (br). 93 Alamy Images: Galaxy Picture Library
(cla). 22 Corbis: Visuals Unlimited (cl) (bl). 23 Robert Gendler: (cl). 94 Corbis: Roger Ressmeyer (bl). Galaxy Picture Library:
(br). Alson Wong: (cr). 28 NOAO / AURA / NSF: (cl). 29 Science Robin Scagell (cl). 95 Anthony Ayiomamitis/perseus.gr: (cr).
Photo Library: Eckhard Slawik (ca). 30 Getty Images: Visuals Corbis: Dennis di Cicco (br). 101 Science Photo Library: John
Unlimited, Inc./Robert Gendler (bl). Walter MacDonald: (cl). Chumack (cl). 102 2MASS: (cl). NOAO / AURA / NSF: (bl). 103
31 Corbis: Visuals Unlimited (cr). Science Photo Library: Corbis: Stocktrek Images (br). NOAO / AURA / NSF: (cr). 108
Celestial Image Co. (br). 36 Corbis: Roger Ressmeyer (cl). Getty Images: Barcroft Media/Wally Pacholka (cl). 109 Corbis:
37 Galaxy Picture Library: Gordon Garradd (cl). 38 Corbis: Roger Roger Ressmeyer (cl). 110 Corbis: Roger Ressmeyer (bl).
Ressmeyer (bl); Stocktrek Images (cl). 39 European Southern Galaxy Picture Library: Damian Peach (cl). 111 Getty Images:
Observatory (ESO): (br). NASA and The Hubble Heritage Team Stocktrek Images (br). NOAO / AURA / NSF: (cr). 117 Corbis:
(AURA/STScl): (cr). 44 Getty Images: David McNew (cl). 45 Yuri Richard Cummins (br); Reuters/Tim Wimborne (bc). 118 Corbis:
Beletsky: (cl). 46 Corbis: Stocktrek Images (bl). NOAO / AURA / Reuters/Bea Wiharta (tc). Pete Lawrence: (tr). 119 Alamy
NSF: (cl). 47 NASA and The Hubble Heritage Team (AURA/ Images: Galaxy Picture Library (bc). Getty Images: SSPL/Jamie
STScl): (br). Hunter Wilson: (cr). 52 Corbis: Roger Ressmeyer Cooper (br). 120 Corbis: Reuters/Doug Murray (tc). Jimmy
(c). 53 Yuri Beletsky: (cl). 54 NASA and The Hubble Heritage Westlake: (tr). 121 Science Photo Library: John Sanford (bc).
Team (AURA/STScl): (cl). NOAO / AURA / NSF: (bl). 55 Mila Zinkova: (br). 122 Corbis: EPA/John Sun (tc); Roger
NOAO / AURA / NSF: (cr). Télescopes à Action Rapide pour Ressmeyer (tr). 123 Corbis: Gary Carter (bc); NASA/Bryan
les Objets Transitoires: (br). 61 Corbis: Amanaimages/Katahira Allen (br). 124 Corbis: (tc). NASA: JPL-Caltech (tr).

The Night Sky Month by Month - Gater, Will.,Sparrow, Giles

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The Night Sky Month by Month - Gater, Will.,Sparrow, Giles

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Includes content previously

Pollux GEMINI TAURUS

Arcturus LEO 15 Aldebaran

Content previously published in UNIVERSE

First American edition, 2011

Published in the United States by

The Changing Sky 12 August

June 2017–2018 122

Leonid meteor shower

LOOKING INTO SPACE The Andromeda Galaxy lies

The Earth is a part of a much greater Universe than Andromeda I

THE SCALE OF THE UNIVERSE Galactic

THE MILKY WAY

THE STELLAR NEIGHBOURHOOD

THE SOLAR SYSTEM

THE LOCAL GROUP OF GALAXIES THE LOCAL SUPERCLUSTER

Ursa Minor dwarf galaxy

The Milky Way

DISTANCE FROM THE CENTER OF EARTH

North Celestial Pole lies directly

Earth’s North Pole

Celestial equator—a circle on

STARHOPPING UNDERSTANDING CELESTIAL

THE CHANGING SKY

YEARLY SKY MOVEMENTS

Mercury and Venus Planetary positions

Compact binoculars Standard binoculars Large binoculars

TELESCOPES RECORDING WHAT YOU SEE

Newtonian reﬂector Dobsonian

OBSERVING WITH THE NAKED EYE

Mount Tripod head

What you can see

USING THE SKY GUIDES

The constellation Auriga, the

ι Dorado can be seen with binoculars

The text a familiar asterism, the Big Dipper. In

Pollux GEMINI TAURUS

Saturn’s position on January 15, 2011. The arrow indicates

Key to The inner planets (above)

The bands along the top and

of the month. Each planet is represented by of sky is highest in the sky.

a colored dot, and the number inside each ntares

planet shown by However, the local sunset

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS 22 MO N TH L Y SKY G U ID ES: H IG H L IG H TS JAN U AR Y 23

JANUARY OBSERVATION TIMES STAR MAGNITUDES

Text highlights the

which show the skies looking north and south

LEO ARIES AURIGA

(see p.19). The colored lines indicate the PEGASUS

region of the sky that is visible from the given

on how to locate the objects, some of which

are illustrated with photographs. To hone in

on objects in the sky, you can cross-reference

the following pages.

THE WHOLE-SKY CHARTS

Zenith nebula nebula cluster cluster Galaxy star

POINTS OF REFERENCE DEEP -SKY OBJECTS STAR MAGNITUDES

SUNRISE AND SUNSET ON 15TH JANUARY

North RET I M81

sphere because it combines three different projections of the

Besides showing the band of the Milky Way

night sky, as seen from three different latitudes. Each month

galaxy, the whole-sky charts also highlight

many stars, constellations, deep-sky objects,