December, 2009
Here’s your December map of fun objects to check out with your Galileoscope. This map will be useful near a latitude of445 N from about 8-10pm. This map is designed to be held over your head, with the N toward north (toward Polaris, which can be found using the pointer stars of the big dipper; see the map). The circle will then show the approximate sky above your horizon, with a few easy-to-spot constellations and the location of great things to view with your Galileoscope.
Greats things to view in December with your Galileoscope!
Brand new in the sky this month is the bright, yellowish point of light in the southeast, Mars: The 4th planet from the sun, Mars has polar ice caps, volcanoes and canyons. The geologic activity appears to have ceased millions of years ago, leaving the solar system’s largest volcano, Olympus Mons.
We return to Orion this month, but this time, we’ll focus on his belt. If you face south, so that his sword appears to hang down from his belt, the right-most star in the belt is Delta Orionis, or Mintaka. The left-most star in the belt is Zeta Orionis, or Alnitak. Both of these naked-eye stars are multiple star systems, when viewed through your Galileoscope! Delta Orionis (the right-most) is a quadruple star system while Zeta Orionis (the left-most) is a triple star system, with a blue supergiant as the primary star. Through your Galileoscope, you will probably see only two stars in each system, but large, research-grade telescopes have discovered the fainter additional companions.
The moon: Don’t forget the moon! Looking at the craters and maria on the moon is a truly spectacular sight. A good lunar calendar is available at http://stardate.org/nightsky/moon/.
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