It’s a definite “mayday-mayday” when it comes to watching what’s left of the brilliant winter constellations in the western sky. They’re crashing in the west. During this past winter the bright constellation Orion and his surrounding posse of shining stars have been lighting up the cold evening skies but the times, they are a-changing.
As Earth continues its annual journey around the sun, we’re turning away from the direction of space occupied by Orion and company and are now pointing in the direction of the noticeably less brilliant constellations of springtime.
There’s still time to check out at least what’s left of the winter constellations in the west, but their nights are definitely numbered. When it finally gets dark enough, about 9:30 p.m. this time of year, Orion is already partially set in the west. You can still barely see the three bright stars in a row that outline the great hunter’s belt hovering above horizon. Above the belt is the bright star Betelgeuse, in the armpit of Orion.
The eastern half of the evening sky this month is occupied by the less-than-magnificent spring constellations, although leading the way is the distinctive backward question mark that outlines the chest and head of the constellation Leo the Lion. Just to the left of the question mark are three moderately bright stars that outline his hind quarters and tail. The king of the celestial beasts is shining prominently very high in the southern sky, close to the overhead zenith.
Just below Leo’s rear end is a fairly bright starlike object. That’s the planet Saturn, which is always a wonderful celestial treat. It reached its closest point to Earth in March when it was about 780 million miles away. Now it’s more than 825 million miles away, but it’s still wonderful target for any sized telescope.
In fact, it can be argued that May is even better than March for viewing Saturn early in the evening since it’s so high in the sky. There isn’t nearly as much of Earth’s blurring atmosphere in the way as there was a couple of months ago when Saturn was lower in the sky.
Unfortunately this week, the moon is nearing full stage and will really do a number whitewashing the sky, but it will help you find Saturn. Monday night, look just to the upper left of the moon and you’ll see Saturn.
The only disappointing thing about viewing Saturn through a telescope this year is that the 140,000-mile-diameter ring system is nearly on edge from our viewing vantage on Earth. Because of that, Saturn’s celestial calling card is nearly invisible. Believe it or not, the thickness of Saturn’s ring is only about 50 feet.
Later on this summer, the rings will be exactly on edge and will totally disappear. Even though most of Saturn’s ring system is hiding from us, the planet is still a wonderful telescope target. If it’s clear enough and your scope is strong enough you’ll see tiny stars swarming Saturn. Those are some of Saturn’s many moons, the brightest one being Titan, which is much larger than Earth’s lone moon.
If you face north and look nearly overhead this month, the Big Dipper will appear to be dumping out on top of you. The Big Dipper is always upside down in the evening this time of year and, according to old American folklore, that’s why we have so much rain in the spring.
Technically the Big Dipper is the rear end and tail of the constellation Ursa Major, the Big Bear, but it is the brightest part of the great beast.
Elsewhere in the northern sky is the Little Dipper, lying on its handle, with the North Star Polaris at the end of the handle. Cassiopeia the Queen, the one that looks like the big W, is very low in the northwestern sky.
Mike Lynch is an amateur astronomer and professional broadcast meteorologist for WCCO Radio in Minneapolis and is author of the book, “Washington Starwatch,” available at bookstores and at his Web site www.lynchandthestars.com.
The Everett Astronomical Society welcomes new members at www.everettastro.org.
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