Astronomy Notes – Unit 3e – Summer Constellations
q (1) using a Planisphere – the circular star chart
o move dial to the date and time
o face South and look up
o remember that East and West are swapped on a star chart
q (2) Lyra
o also called the ______________ (or harp).
o Vega (magnitude 0) - 3rd on our list of Brightest Stars.
§ First star to be photographed in 1850.
q (3) Cygnus
o also called the ______________ .
o Deneb (magnitude 1.25) – would be 14th on our list of Brightest Stars.
§ 67,000 times as bright as the Sun, but 1,600 light years away
o Cygnus is also known as the “Northern Cross”
o NCG 7000 – North American Nebula
q (4)
o also called the ______________ .
o Altair (magnitude 0.77) – 8th on our list of Brightest Stars.
o M16 – the Eagle Nebula (famous Hubble Telescope image)
q (5) Summer Triangle – Vega – Deneb - Altair