How Big is BIG - Antares

 

Antares, in the Constellation of Scorpius rising in the SE. (March 2012).[/caption]

We've seen Betelgeuse in 'How Big Is BIG?'.  The super-giant star Antares sits to the lower-left of M4 (NGC6121), the globular cluster in the Constellation of Scorpius.  They are mainly observed in young galactic structures such as open clusters, the arms of spiral galaxies, and in irregular galaxies.

Classed in the 'red' category, its other popular counterpart, Betelgeuse are called old stars and are much cooler that 'blue' stars.

It is about 550 light years away from Earth and its luminosity is measured at 65,000 times brighter than that of our Sun.  Notice the comparison between Arcturus and Antares in the diagram below.

Also known to ancient astronomers as one of four Royal Stars including, Aldebaran (East), Regulus (North) and Fomalhaut (South).

Antares in comparison to the other giant stars.

How Big is BIG - Arcturus

 

Arcturus, the giant star.

Arcturus, the third brightest star in our night sky after Sirius and Canopus, sits in the Constellation of Bootes, or also known as 'Bootes the Herdsman'. As of now in the month of April in conjunction with the early rise of Saturn (near Spica), just look left towards ENE, this hugh star presents itself without any hassle.

Distance to Earth is about 36.7 light years away.  Not completely a 'red' star but somewhere in between would prove just right - an orange giant star.  See 'How Big is BIG' for comparison between Arcturus and Betelguese - don't fall of your chair!   Next up, Antares! Feel free to share your comments. Clear skies.

Size comparison.

How Big is BIG - Betelgeuse

Defined by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), a light-year is the distance that light travels in a space in one year.   1 light year = 6 trillion miles (10 trillion km)

 

Betelgeuse, the red supergiant.

One of my 'favourite stars' to shoot when I was at sea long time ago - I will blog about it some other time!  And also one of the most popular stars in the skies.

Currently measured to be 640 lights years away from Earth, in the 'Red supergiant' class, Betelgeuse.

'Red', because its old (by astronomical standards) and cooler than 'Blue' stars, hence blue stars are hotter.

Comparison between Betelgeuse and our Sun.

Our Sun is only 1 pixel compared to Betelgeuse in the above illustration.  Look at the 'arrow' underneath Betelgeuse.

Its position in 'Orion'.

What is Big?

If Betelgeuse is as big as Wembley Stadium, then our Sun is just a 'small pebble' on the field!

If you fit Betelgeuse in the middle of our Solar system, then its diameter is as big as from the Sun all the way past the asteroid belt, possibly till Jupiter's orbit!

More Nights Like This.

 

When will it be like this again? Soon maybe?

Cowboys and Asteroids.

Yeee-hah!! Cowboys and Indians?  Nope.  This week’s thoughts are on cowboys chasing NEOs.
That’s right, ‘Near Earth Objects’ or NEO.  Looking into deep space is not the only thing you do with a telescope but another ‘rush’ amateur astronomers do is identifying objects that ‘pass near’ to Earth’s orbit.  Namely, asteroids, comets and minor planets. Scientist deduced that they are remnants from the time our planets were formed.

How to find them?  Fortunately, some people have done their ‘homework’ and plotted out the paths of these objects as they make their way around in space.

1.  Look-up the time-schedule of all these objects from a good prediction software online.   A good one is the IASC (International Astronomical Search Collaboration) website.  This is the Asteroid Observer’s Planner.

2.  Choose which asteroid, or any other published object you want to track from the Planner.  Time, magnitude, position in the sky.

3.   If you have a good filter for your lens, It’ll help make the object ‘stand-out’ in you view.

4.   Normally asteroids and comets appear as a ‘thin line’; unlike stars which appear as a ‘dot’.

5.   Take a few photographs within few hours apart to search for any object that has moved within your FOV (Field of vision)

6.   Make a sketch map of the search area. Note down all observations, put an entry into your journal for future records.

7.   Do not choose an object at your zenith (above your head).  Avoid angles from 80˚ - 90˚ of Declination.  Refer to RA (Right Ascension) and Declination from the planner.

Give it a try?  Why not!  Clear skies please.

Next up, Tracking orbiting satellites, space junk and ISS (International Space Station).  You’ll be notified when this happens.

Jupiter & Venus - Transit

Who says the number 13 is an unfortunate number.  March the 13th is the best of times because after an overcast and cloud-filled skies above me never seemed to open up.  But the sudden appearance of my 'two friends' suddenly said 'Hi' through my gloomy spell.

Both continue their journey westward, pulling away 1˚ each day now.

Jupiter (left), and Venus. 8:30pm

The close coincidence of Venus and Jupiter in conjunction, (or transit) the steep angle of the ecliptic and Venus’ greatest evening elongation keeps these worlds up for several hours after dark – and ensures  a beautiful gathering of worlds in the western evening sky this month. They are well worth getting outside to see.

Bottom line: Venus and Jupiter are in conjunction on March 13, 2012. This is the best evening Venus-Jupiter conjunction for years, as seen from different parts of the hemisphere.  Venus and Jupiter stay out for nearly four hours after sunset. Venus and Jupiter are close throughout the month of March 2012. They are like twin beacons – two very bright planets – near each other in the west as soon as the sun goes down. (Excerpt from EarthSky.org)

Other than Messier and Caldwell objects, running parallel to these are my quest for 'Near-Earth objects'.  Or a layman would say, asteroids and comets.  And not-so-distant away, the imminent hunt for orbiting satellites and other space junk would not be foreign as before.

So lookout for my posts, as they say, 'will arise from the East' and you know it's here!

Clear Skies Please.

I has been 'gloomy' since my last quest ended with that shot on Venus and 'The Three Friends'.

(Read my earlier blogs)  Seeing conditions are poor, as in cloudy and more towering nimbus clouds at times.  Or,..cold, whispy clouds of altostratus, cirrostratus dancing away high where some may call it beautiful.

For now, my gear is sitting on my table....checking, checking and re-checking, warming up for the next clear skies.  The conjuction of Venus and Jupiter will happen next week - 13th March.Clear skies pleeeeease!