Pretty Skies, Family Ties

11/20/05 – 11/26/05

By C. Zaitz

This is the time of year when families and friends get together. It’s also the time of year when skies get dark early and the planets and stars are out at the same time we are. This year, I will be sharing Thanksgiving with family in a place with very dark skies, and I’m hoping to have some moments to look at the sky with them. If you have the opportunity to do the same thing, here are some things to look for. You don’t really need a telescope- but if you want to dust off a pair of the binoculars, it’s worth it.

It seems Mars has never looked so bright and red-faced and Venus looks like someone is shining a spotlight down to make sure we’re OK before it really gets dark. Both these objects are very noticeable to the naked eye, and you really don’t need anything other than confidence to point them out. Venus has been brilliant low in the western evening skies all month. Mars is the rusty-colored bright object that will be higher in the sky towards the east in early evening, but moving toward west as the night wears on.

One the prettiest things to see later in the evening, especially if you have the binoculars handy, is a little group of sparkly stars known as the Pleiades. Commonly known as the seven sisters, these stars are very far away from us, and the eye can usually only detect the six brightest. It is said that long ago seven sky sisters came to earth in a basket to dance and play, but would leave if anyone from earth saw them. One day a young man approached the shy sisters and they ran to their basket to return to the sky. But one sister had wandered off and didn’t hear the others calling for her, so she was left behind. That is why only six are visible to the naked eye. The seventh is still here on Earth- still wandering and looking for her sky sisters. The magic comes when you look through the binoculars. The other sisters dance into view. More than even seven can be visible- they remind me of a handful of the most brilliant diamonds against the velvet of the night sky. You can find the sisters huddled on the shoulder of Taurus the Bull toward the east around 9-10pm. The stars of Taurus rather look like the letter “v” to the right of the mighty Orion the Hunter. I try to find Orion first- he’s easy with his bold, bright stars and the famous trio of Orion’s Belt. He will be closest to the eastern horizon. Use the three stars of his belt to point you up to the bright eye of the bull- a star named Aldebaran. It is perched on the upper left part of the “v” and looks like an eye staring right at Orion. Further to the right of the “v” is that special little cluster of faint sister stars. It’s a beautiful little scene that will be with us all winter.

I hope we all get the opportunity during the holidays to enjoy delightful and inspirational night sky, and the warmth and connection of our loved ones.

Until next week, my friends, enjoy the view!