{"id":26859,"date":"2023-04-29T19:00:59","date_gmt":"2023-04-29T17:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sciencefocus.com\/?p=141753"},"modified":"2023-04-29T19:37:12","modified_gmt":"2023-04-29T17:37:12","slug":"star-hopping-upgrade-your-astronomy-with-this-simple-trick","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/rss_feed\/star-hopping-upgrade-your-astronomy-with-this-simple-trick\/","title":{"rendered":"Star hopping: Upgrade your astronomy with this simple trick"},"content":{"rendered":"

Star hopping is a tried-and-trusted technique used to locate things in the night sky. Learn how with this nifty guide. <\/p>

By Pete Lawrence\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Saturday, 29 April 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Star hopping relies on identifying recognisable shapes formed in the stars and using those as directional guides to your final target.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s an excellent example high in the northeast as darkness falls during springtime. The pattern is the Plough<\/a> or if you prefer, the Saucepan. Formed from seven stars of medium brightness and is probably easier to recognise as a saucepan. As darkness falls, the Saucepan appears to balance precariously on the tip of its handle.<\/p>\n

The curved handle approximates a portion of a circle. Imagine where the centre of the circle would be \u2013 applying some artistic licence as the star we\u2019re looking for isn\u2019t precisely at the circle\u2019s centre \u2013 but is the brightest in the vicinity. The star is Cor Caroli, part of the small constellation of Canes Venatici, the Hunting Dogs.<\/p>\n

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Extend the line of the Plugh\u2019s handle to find Arcturus, then continue the curve to find Spica \u00a9 Pete Lawrence<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Return to the Saucepan, extending the handle\u2019s arc away from the pan, for a distance similar to the length of the Saucepan. This brings you to the orange-coloured Arcturus, the brightest star in Bo\u00f6tes<\/a>, the Herdsman.<\/p>\n

The Canes Venatici hunting dogs belong to Bo\u00f6tes, a constellation that resembles a giant kite, with Arcturus at the pointed end. The kite is as tall as the Saucepan is long. If you can identify it, look for the distinctive semi-circle of stars below it, representing Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Keep the Saucepan\u2019s handle arc going through Arcturus to eventually arrive at bright white Spica, the brightest star in Virgo, the Virgin; you may have to wait for Spica to rise to be able to see it.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a catchy saying to remember how to find Arcturus and Spica, which goes:<\/p>\n

Follow the arc to Arcturus and speed on to Spica. <\/blockquote> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>

Virgo isn\u2019t so easy to identify, but it does have one distinctive large pattern known as the Bowl<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n