Astronomy Hacks: Hack 14 - Identify Stars by Name

[powerwindows1985]

This chapter describes the importance of learning the common names of stars. It gives a nice chart of common names, the constellations they are in, and the correct proununciation.

I know several of these star names, but still have many to learn. I still find myself saying "that bright one over there straight up from the water tower" or things of that nature.

Next Hack: Identify Stars By Catalog Designations.

[Michael Steen]

I do the same thing when trying to point out things to my wife. "No, honey, just over the maple tree--that one. No not that one, the one to the left of it, next to the reddish one. What do you mean it's not reddish? Of course it is. Oh, never mind. Here, look at the moon."

[powerwindows1985]

I am so glad that I am not the only one that has gone through that (not only with wife but oldest son). Finally gave in and bought a laser pointer (its a cheapy though, and doesn't work when it is cold, and only works about half the time when it's warm).

[Vinnie]

Its a common problem, guys.

I can't use a laser here from home due to the proximity of the local airport, and although I do travel a fair bit away to "the bush", even so, because of recent Aus regulations, the laser is not necessarily a good idea.

I had a mate's two teenage sons over last Saturday night for a look through some scopes, and I tried this.

I set up a little 80mm refractor with a reflex sight (RDF if you like) and just got the RDF on target, then got them to look through at the red dot, then also at the target it was on "over the top", then got them to focus in with a wide EP (in this case a 30mm 2" giving only 20x).

Seemed to work OK as they were soon finding the same things in an 8" Cat set up nearby, and remembering what the names were.

Of course time will tell, they are coming back next Sat night so we will see what they remembered.......