Statesman

Issue date: 1/27/10 Section: Outdoors

Media Credit: Jim Schaff

Media Credit: Jim Schaff/SUBMITTED

In ancient times, the fields of astrology and astronomy were interwoven into one single science. But by modern standards there has been a split; astrology is now the study of how the cosmos provide information about one's personal affairs and astronomy is the study of celestial objects.

Astrology has eroded scientifically through the annals of time, but people of Earth have yet to take their eyes off the sky.

"You need a dark sky," UMD Professor of Geological Sciences and Instructor of Astronomy Howard Mooers said. "Locally, the sky over the lake is a great place to look if you are looking to the southeast, but to look north you're going to need to get about 20 miles out of town."

Once used by the ancients to remember which stars were which, constellations like Orion, the hunter, Cetu,s the sea monster and Pegasus, the winged horse, among others are all visible at this time of year in our region.

"On a clear night for just a couple of hours after dusk, if you have a pair of binoculars you can see Jupiter and all four of its moons," Mooers said. Jupiter, the third most brilliant object in the night sky when it's at its brightest (outshined only by Venus and the moon), can be seen if a stargazer cranes to Duluth's southwest horizon.

The red planet, Mars, will also be visible, but in the East at around 8 p.m., this time of year and will stay there for most of the night located within the constellation Cancer. Similarly, all the planets are located within one of the 12 astrological constellations at any point in time. In the pre-telescopic days of ancient culture the visible planets were known as "wandering stars" because their positions were always changing, uncharacteristic of what was normally thought of as a star.

One of the most spectacular and largest objects in our night sky is, of course, the Milky Way galaxy. The Milky Way contains many planets and celestial objects, but what many do not know is the reason for the galaxy's odd, somewhat linear shape in the night sky.

The objects contained within the Milky Way are suspended, similar to the solar system, on what is called the galactic plane. When you look up from the ground and see the long streak of stars arranged in a somewhat linear shape, what you see is the stars of our galaxy aligned on that plane.

When looking out at the stars, another cool thing to check out is the North Star, Polaris. The Earth's axis points to the star from our north, meaning that when we look at the star we are always looking north.

Interestingly enough, Polaris is the source point of Earth's latitude lines as well. "Duluth's location is approximately 47 degrees North latitude, which means that the North Star is 47 degrees above the horizon," Mooers said.

It's easy to find, too. The two stars at the end of the big dipper (the scooper part of the ladle) are known as the "pointer stars" and they point right to it. Or, if you are able to find the little dipper, Polaris is located at the end of the handle.

For smartphone users, astronomy apps like Starmap and GoSkyWatch Planetarium make stargazing and identification a synch. Another app, Google Sky, provides an overlay on the screen of the constellations that are in view when the phone is held up to the sky.

There will be a new moon on Feb. 14, just in time for Valentine's day. So guys, grab some coats and take her about 20 miles outside of town for a not-so-typical Valentine's date. Talk about the galactic plane. It'll probably save you a couple bucks and you won't have to go see the new Julia Roberts movie she's been dying to see.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools