thingsetr.blogg.se - Northern hemisphere star chart

#NORTHERN HEMISPHERE STAR CHART HOW TO#
#NORTHERN HEMISPHERE STAR CHART UPDATE#
#NORTHERN HEMISPHERE STAR CHART FREE#

Because the planets move against the stars over the course of the year, the positions shown for them is only exactly right for the ‘mid-month’ date.This is also true for the naked eye planets, however, Uranus and Neptune are shown out of scale since they are too faint to see without binoculars or a telescope. The size of the stars on the charts indicates the approximate brightness of each star.By checking all the charts you can follow the motions of the planets against the stars over the year. The planets are always found along the ecliptic and are marked on the charts. This marks the annual path of the Sun over the year and it is also the plane of the Solar System. The thin blue line stretching across the charts is called the ‘ecliptic’.

The Southern Cross never sets anywhere in Aotearoa so is perpetually in our skies, even though in the very north of the country it nearly touches the southern horizon. (From say, Invercargill, the SCP will appear nearly 10° higher in the south so more of the southern sky will be circumpolar from there). These charts are made for Auckland's latitude (37° south).

The elevation of the SCP above your horizon measures your latitude.

The whole sky seems to rotate around this point so objects close to the SCP will never set – they are called ‘circumpolar’. The other key marker is labelled ‘SCP’ – the South Celestial Pole.

Locate the ‘OVERHEAD’ marker for each chart - this will help orientate your view of the sky.

Also, because of city lights and the absorbing effect of Earth’s atmosphere, objects nearer the horizon will generally appear fainter and redder – an effect we've all seen when watching the Sun or Moon set. Be aware that hills, trees and buildings might block your view of objects near the horizon.

To match the chart to the western sky, hold the western chart with the ‘WEST’ label aligned with west on your horizon.

A small piece of the northern and southern sky is not shown so that we can show you a better scale for the charts.Įach chart will match the sky at the times given in the table on each page. One view shows the western sky and the other shows the eastern sky. The star charts show two views of the night sky for each month.

#NORTHERN HEMISPHERE STAR CHART HOW TO#

Star chart September 2022 Star chart October 2022 Star chart November 2022 HOW TO USE THE STAR CHARTS

Only the most prominent constellations are shown.

#NORTHERN HEMISPHERE STAR CHART UPDATE#

There's also the monthly Sky Spotter update (below) which tells you what's visible for the current month, and the Sky Guide for a three-month overview of the planets and their positions.Ĭlick the month to download the pair of star charts – one looking east, the other west. These charts help beginners recognise the major landmarks of the night sky and follow the motions of the bright planets.

#NORTHERN HEMISPHERE STAR CHART FREE#

STAR CHARTS & SKY SPOTTER, Stardome Observatory and Planetarium STAR CHARTS & SKY SPOTTERĬheck the Stardome website each month to download free star charts for night sky exploring.