Constellations

Mar 22 2021 3

Constellations Podcast artwork

I am a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and currently sit on the council. I presented a series of astronomy talks on YouTube called ‘The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Cosmos. I also present lectures on cruise ships all over the world, and to various clubs and societies at home. I have a monthly astronomy feature on BBC Radio York and my own weekly Astronomy Show on a community radio station called Drystone Radio, which can be heard on line. I also write a monthly ‘What’s in the night sky?’ feature for the Craven Herald newspaper which covers the Yorkshire Dales.

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Vulpecula the Fox

Mar 22 2021 3 mins

Introduced by the Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius in the 1680s this faint constellation was orginally called Vulpecula cum Anser, the Fox and Goose. Since then however the goose is no more!!

Volans the Flying Fish

Mar 22 2021 2 mins

This constellation on the bordres with Carina was introduced on the Uranometria star map by Johann Bayer in 1603.

Virgo the Virgin

Mar 21 2021 7 mins

The 2nd largest constellation in the sky. many myths are associated with this constellation, which has usually been seen as a beautiful and virtuous maiden.

Vela the Sails

Mar 20 2021 4 mins

Formerly a part of the ancient constellation of Argo Navis, representing the ship of Jason and the Argonauts, until that vessel was broken up by the French astronomer Lacaille in the 1750s.

Ursa Minor the Lesser Bear

Mar 19 2021 5 mins

Ursa Minor contains the present North Pole Star which lies within one degree of the North Celestial Pole, this star is called Polaris.

Ursa Major the Great Bear

Mar 19 2021 12 mins

The 3rd largest constellation in the sky. Its central feature is the seven stars that make up the shape variously called the Plough or Big Dipper, this is probably the best known of all the star patterns.

Tucana the Toucan

Mar 19 2021 4 mins

A constellation near the South Pole of the sky, introduced by Johann Bayer on his uranometria star chart of 1603.

Triangulum Australe the Southern Triangle

Mar 18 2021 2 mins

A small but readily distinguishable constellation introduced in 1603 by the German astronomer Johann Bayer as a southern equivalent of the northern triangle, Triangulum.

Triangulum the Triangle

Mar 18 2021 4 mins

A small but distictive constellation lying between Andromeda and Aries, consisiting of three main stars that form a thin delta shape; the Greek referred to it as Deltoton.

Telescopium the Telescope

Mar 18 2021 1 mins

A constellation invented by the Frenchman Lacaille to honour the most important of astronomical instruments. As with so many of Lacaille's constellations it is faint and contrived.