 | Martin Ratcliffe
is President, International Planetarium Society (2001-2002) and Director of Theatres and Media Services at Exploration Place and has been involved in all aspects of program development for the Boeing Cyberdome Theater and the Simulation Center. The CyberDome theater continues development of fully interactive shows in immersive domed theatres. Prior to moving to Wichita, he directed the Buhl Planetarium at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA from 1991 to 1997. Martin co-developed the world's first interactive Planetarium in Armagh, N. Ireland. Martin is also an accomplished writer and monthly columnist for the national magazine, "Astronomy". He also films total eclipses of the Sun for television, and enjoys astrophotography. He is a past Council member of the British Astronomical Association. He earned his Bachelor's of Science degree from University College London (England) in Astronomy. Martin is adjunct professor of Astronomy at Baker University in Wichita, Kansas. |
Astronomy
2005-04-01 10:50:00
How do you read the stars?
ANSWER: There are many ways to begin to find your way around the night sky. Some of the best are monthly charts available in a magazine such as "Astronomy" magazine (found in large city bookstores and large Dillon's stores). I prepare the monthly night sky column and an artist does a wonderful double page map of the night sky for each month. Alternatively you could buy a large planisphere. This device allows you to dial up the current date and time to show a representation of the night sky. Like most star charts they all represent the entire dome of the sky on a flat circular map. The horizon is representing by the outer circle and the point directly overhead lies in the center of the circle. Such displays take some getting used to.One of the finest web-based maps is at http://www.skymaps.com/. Their download section is updated each month with a star map and guide to the more familiar observer of what objects are visible each month, including double stars, nebulas and planets. The best way to begin learning your way around the sky using one of these charts is to identify some of the brighter groups first, like the Big Dipper or Orion. Both are visible in the winter time. Each makes excellent starting points. Start by looking at the brighter stars in each constellation, and then follow the star chart and "star hop" to each star in the group. The first time you do this it will be challenging, but very quickly the sky will become familiar to you in much the same way that the roads in a city you are vacationing in become familiar. Good sky watching.
