Learning the constellations

[alan_g]

Hi All,

Before I purchase a telescope I'd like to learn as many of the constellations as possible. The last few nights I've been out for walks in the countryside armed with an iphone app & binos and I've identified like 7 constellations. There are a few others that I can't quite identify all the stars in but I can tell the region. It definitely adds to the magic when I know what I'm looking at.

Anyway does anyone have any tips to share on the best ways to learn the constellations - any books/software/apps/methods etc.?

BTW the iphone app i'm using is http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/planets/id305793334?mt=8 it's free and shows major constellations & planets

Thanks

Alan

[rowan46]

hello this will help if you're at home Stellarium some people would rather take these and a red light torch than carry a laptop at night Philip's Planisphere: Northern 51.5 Degrees - British Isles, Northern Europe Northern USA and Canada Philip's Astronomy: Amazon.co.uk: Books I hope this helps

[KenG]

Buy the current issue of "Astronomy Now" or "The Sky at Night" magazines. They have excellent monthly star maps which will give you all the information you need and lots more besides.

[carpman]

Imho I would say that Stellarium or sky walk are better than planets for your iphone ( even though i've still got it on mine ) , I'm new to this aswell

[Manok101]

star walk is probably my favorite, its one of the cheaper star map apps out there, just enter your city, point it up and itl tell you, no internet needed.

[onmehedson]

Main Menu

Nice web site giving a lot of info on the constellations...

There`s even a section on veiwing with binoculars, although i havent checked it out....

[brantuk]

Stellarium and the popular monthly magazine guides I totally agree with, and give yourself a full year to learn them gradually. Star Walk I don't know about so wont comment.

A good book is "Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders". Objects are explained by constellation along with 'how to find' info. With that and the mags you'll soon learn when things are coming round and how to find them

[peteuplink]

The way I learn the constellations is with a planisphere and Binos while sat in my back yard. Had some really good viewing sessions like this.

[starstalker]

try an app called pocket universe, its better than star walk imho even tells u when the ISS is due over and has a red torch built in

[astronymonkey]

I would agree that sitting in the garden with a warm cuppa and a planisphere is the simplest way to learn the sky, no need for binoculars, a scope, or computer. I would get the larger planisphere though as it has more detail.

I first did this when I got into astronomy 25 years ago and still use my planisphere now....in fact Ive just come back from showing a friend how to use his new scope and took my trusty old planisphere along.

Cheers,

Astro

[Manok101]

Star walk has added the NGC catalogue and a decent selection of satellites including the iss Some constellations can be hard to spot in urban areas, I've got a hard time seeing cancer

[Talitha]

The way I learn the constellations is with a planisphere and Binos while sat in my back yard. Had some really good viewing sessions like this.

I absolutely agree!!!

[Jimmy Stix]

The way I learn the constellations is with a planisphere and Binos while sat in my back yard. Had some really good viewing sessions like this.

I have to concur too. I have had so much fun from August last year with binoculars and a planisphere. I am amazed when I look back at how much I have learned in a few short months. I can now quite easily identify the larger/brighter constellations which I can then use to find the more difficult ones.

I have finally bit the bullet and got myself a scope but I shall always take the planisphere and bins out too.

Had many "wow" moments along the way too!