Watching the Winter Triangle

In summer there is the asterism of the Summer Triangle consisting of Altair in Aquila, Vega in Lyra, and Deneb in Cygnus, so there is an asterism of a Winter Triangle consisting of Sirius in Canis Major, Betelgeuse in Orion, and Procyon in Canis Minor.

Betelgeuse being the right shoulder of Orion, Procyon is the brightest star in Canis Minor, found by extending a line from the left shoulder to the right shoulder of Orion, and Sirius, the brightest star in the sky after the Sun, can be found by extending a line from right to left down the belt of Orion.

These are all bright stars and are easy to locate. There is an old joke about why the stars of winter are so bright, it is because you don't want to take too much time looking for them.

It is curious that what we call the Winter Triangle is the Summer Triangle for observers in the southern hemisphere as their seasons are reversed from ours. Right now they are in the middle of their summer. That is why they can enjoy Christmas Day on the beach in Australia.

There is another winter asterism that is also easy to find, it is the Winter Hexagon, or Circle.

This asterism includes stars from six constellations and can be found by starting at the base of the triangle, Procyon to Sirius. Then travel on to Rigel, the right knee of Orion, then up to Aldebaran, the Eye of the Bull in Taurus.

That is three sides, next go up to Capella, the brightest star in Auriga, the Charioteer, then left to Pollux in Gemini. You could use Castor in Gemini too. that would make it more circle-like, but not a hexagon.

To finish the hexagon travel down to where we started, Procyon.

Looking for and finding the triangle and the hexagon is a good exercise in finding your way around the winter night sky just as finding the stars of the Summer Triangle are a good exercise for the summer sky.

Triangle, hexagon, or circle, there are many patterns that can be found in the stars. In fact, as you are out observing why not make up your own, create your own constellations.

SKY WATCH: Third quarter Moon on Feb. 10. Saturn will be at opposition on February 10 which means it will be exactly opposite the Sun in the sky and will be at its brightest, and closest, for the entire year. It won't be this close again until the year 2029. Look for it in the east about two hours after sunset when it will be at its best for viewing. Use that new telescope you got for Christmas, it will be a sight worth looking at. The ringed-planet will be just above Regulus in Leo in the sky. On Tuesday, February 12, about an hour before sunrise look in the southeast for a fading crescent Moon below bright Jupiter and Antares. On that same evening about 45 minutes after sunset look in the southwest for Venus and Mercury. The tiny planet will be about eight degrees (a little more than your clenched fist held at arms length) below and right of its big sister Venus. However, if you do want to see Mercury start looking now. It will be at its highest above the horizon on February 10. If you have a telescope look for the planet Uranus just below and to the right of Venus. It will be about one degree (twice the width of your little finger held at arms length) away from the bright planet. It may be possible to see it in the same field of view with a good pair of binoculars.

Next time, the last winter constellation.