Trying to study the major constellations

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In summary, the conversation discusses the difficulty of visualizing constellations in the sky and the desire for a downloadable or online interactive planetarium. The user recommends Stellarium as a program that meets these needs and the conversation also touches on the use of equatorial grids and units in astronomy.
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lifeonmercury
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I sometimes find it difficult to visualize the proper positions of constellations in the sky. It depends on so many factors, such as the time of year, the time of day, and the specific location on Earth.
With that said, I would really like to find a downloadable or online interactive planetarium that places the user in outer space right at the center of where the Earth would be, thus allowing the user to look in all directions in all three dimensions without having to worry about the Earth's position. Can anyone recommend a program like this?
 
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  • #2
Hi
welcome to PF :smile:

lifeonmercury said:
I sometimes find it difficult to visualize the proper positions of constellations in the sky. It depends on so many factors, such as the time of year, the time of day, and the specific location on Earth.
With that said, I would really like to find a downloadable or online interactive planetarium that places the user in outer space right at the center of where the Earth would be, thus allowing the user to look in all directions in all three dimensions without having to worry about the Earth's position. Can anyone recommend a program like this?

Stellarium is one that I and 1000's of others use

http://www.stellarium.org/cheers
Dave
 
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Great, thank you!
 
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Downloaded it today. This is absolutely awesome. Exactly what I was looking for. As a frame of reference, would it be better to use the ecliptic grids or the celestial equator-based grids? Do astronomers talk in terms of hours (right ascension) or degrees?
 
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lifeonmercury said:
Do astronomers talk in terms of hours (right ascension) or degrees?

for RA = Hrs Min Sec
for DEC = Deg Min Sec
 
  • #6
lifeonmercury said:
would it be better to use the ecliptic grids or the celestial equator-based grids?
You normally want the equatorial grid. Practically all stellar databases use it, and/because it is the natural choice for earth-based telescope observations.
 

What are constellations?

Constellations are groups of stars that are arranged in identifiable patterns in the night sky. They have been named and mapped by humans for thousands of years.

How many major constellations are there?

There are 88 officially recognized constellations in the night sky, with 48 of them being ancient constellations and 40 being modern constellations.

Which are the most well-known constellations?

The most well-known constellations are the 12 zodiac constellations, including Aries, Taurus, and Gemini.

How can I learn to identify the major constellations?

The best way to learn to identify constellations is to use a star map or a mobile app that can help you locate them in the night sky. You can also attend stargazing events or join a local astronomy club to learn from experienced astronomers.

What is the significance of studying major constellations?

Studying major constellations can help increase our understanding of the universe and our place in it. It can also help us navigate and keep track of time, as many ancient cultures used constellations for these purposes.

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