Dean Regas - 100 Things to See in the Southern Night Sky: From Planets and Satellites to Meteors and Constellations, Your Guide to Stargazing

Adams Media

An Imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

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Avon, Massachusetts 02322

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Copyright 2018 by Dean Regas.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Adams Media Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

First Adams Media trade paperback edition June 2018

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Interior design by Michelle Kelly

Interior images by Eric Andrews

Cover design by Frank Rivera

Cover images 123RF/Skarintut, Pavlo Vakhrushev; Shutterstock/Shooarts

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Regas, Dean, author.

100 things to see in the southern night sky / Dean Regas.

Avon, Massachusetts: Adams Media, 2018.

Series: 100 things to see.

Includes index.

LCCN 2018003624 (print) | LCCN 2018006728 (ebook) | ISBN 9781507207802 (pb) | ISBN 9781507207819 (ebook)

LCSH: Astronomy--Amateurs manuals. | Constellations--Amateurs manuals. | Southern sky (Astronomy)--Observers manuals. | Southern sky (Astronomy)--Amateurs manuals.

LCC QB63 (ebook) | LCC QB63 .R3625 2018 (print) | DDC 523--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018003624

ISBN 978-1-5072-0780-2

ISBN 978-1-5072-0781-9 (ebook)

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This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations

Contains material adapted from the following title published by Adams Media, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.: 100 Things to See in the Night Sky copyright 2017, by Dean Regas, ISBN 978-1-5072-0505-1.

Constellations. Stars. Planets. Nebulas. Satellites.

The universe is full of wonders beyond our imagination. And while much of whats out there in space can only be seen by powerful telescopes or theorized about by professional astronomers, there are many things you can see in the night sky just by walking out your door and looking up.

In 100 Things to See in the Southern Night Sky youll find 100 entries, each telling you about particular objects in the night sky that you can find with either your naked eye, binoculars, or a backyard telescope. Each entry tells you what type of heavenly object you are looking for (planet, star, etc.), how hard it is to find, what the item looks like and its mythology, and where and when to look for it. Youll also find a variety of star maps scattered throughout the entries that will show you exactly where to look when you turn your eyes toward the stars.

The tips, techniques, and informative bits that youll find in the book are the same ones that I used when I first started heading outside every clear night to let the sky become my classroom. Theyre the same tips that turned me into a starstruck astronomer. Hopefully theyll do the same for you, and help you fall in love with the heavens!

But what exactly will you find in this book? Well, first youll learn how to safely observe the Sun, take in sunsets and sunrises, chart the seasons, and observe sunspots. Then youll explore the phases and features of the Moon and uncover the hidden secrets of the five planets closest to Earth: elusive Mercury, dazzling Venus, ruby-red Mars, giant Jupiter, and spectacular Saturn.

Then you will delve into the heart of the book and study the art of stargazing. You will learn how to identify major stars and constellations throughout every season of the year. From beginner star patterns like Crux, the Southern Cross and Orions Belt to more challenging constellations like Delphinus, the Dolphin and Pavo, the Peacock, you will soon be able to recognize dozens of stars in the night sky and retell their ancient mythological stories.

Finally, youll discover the tricks to observing man-made satellites and supreme heavenly shows such as meteor showers and eclipses.

And, in case youre not sure exactly what you need to do, youll find a chapter packed with information on ideal stargazing locations and sky conditions, what type of equipment you need (in some instances, you just need to use your two eyes and bare hands), the best time to stargaze, and more. So, whether youre looking to learn about the night sky on your own or are looking to get your kids excited about what lies in the skies above, this book is for you. I challenge you to go outside and find every one of the night sky objects detailed here. When you do that, you may be converted to the stars like me, and you may find that youre an astronomer too!

The universe is yours to behold and this book can be your beginners guide. It will focus on 100 of the most amazing astronomical objects that you can see in the night sky. Youll find basic information and tips to locate each individual object, often with the help of accompanying charts and graphics. But some general rules and guidelines are necessary to start properly. Lets talk about viewing locations, breaking up the sky, various viewing conditions, and any equipment you may have or want to get.

This edition of this book is intended specifically for viewing audiences in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and South America. It is designed to help you view the night sky from the mid-southern latitudes, which means that if youre living or traveling between 15 degrees south and 45 degrees south latitude, this is the book for you. Your perspective on the heavens does not change much when you travel east and west, but it does change when you trek north or south. There will be some useful information in this book no matter where you live, but my observing tips and star charts are mainly geared for stargazers living in the mid-southern latitudes.

That said, no matter where you are on Earth, if you stargaze long enough you will notice that the stars, constellations, planets, and the Sun and Moon slowly move across the sky. Hour by hour, minute by minute, they shift as one body. Ancient astronomers pictured the dome of heaven circling around an unmoving Earth. It was as if the gods were manipulating a great wheel behind the scenes that made everything rise and set and circumnavigate the globe once a day.