Astronomy notes

[likethebeer]

In order to find the Andromeda galaxy, find the constellation Cassiopeia ( W ). At the base of the second V, look straight down, and a fuzzy patch will be Andromeda.

Here's another explanation, although they keep moving the constellations from top to bottom:
http://www.physics.ucla.edu/~huffman/m31.html
I guess that's ok, b/c it's the physics department at UCLA.

One of other things I want to remember was from last week: the Andromeda Galaxy is M31. "M" is for "Messier": Charles Messier. He began to categorize astronomical objects.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_object

I know I learned all of this 25 years ago when I was in a high school Astronomy (and Geology) course, but I'd long forgotten that the "M" stood for anything.

So, those are among the things I heard or remembered this evening. The night was too cloudy for stargazing.

Comments

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

My high school Astronomy and Geology teacher was a Michigan fan, so Cassiopeia was the great M in the sky. :-)

[likethebeer.livejournal.com]

hehee. It's one of maybe 4 constellations I can consistently find, and I always feel so good about it when I can! And I feel closer to John Cusack's character in The Sure Thing.

[sirreal13.livejournal.com]

and I thought Messier was a hockey player!

[likethebeer.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't doubt it.