How to identify constellations
The knowledge and images simply obtained from books or horoscopes can't make us really understand the horoscopes. Every constellation must be seen again and again, and only by constant practice can we be familiar with the constellations in the sky. Eighty-eight constellations will appear in the sky in turn within a year, so you can't know the constellations overnight, but you need to observe them frequently all year round to remember them. Many books about constellations can find ways to know constellations, so I won't go into details here. Here are just a few tips that are easily overlooked. I hope they can help you.
First, choose a night with moonlight (light damage)
Beginners should choose the night when the weather is not the best, because the dark stars will be hidden by the moonlight on a clear night with moonlight or under thin clouds, and the rest are the brighter main stars in the constellation, that is, the stars to be recognized first when understanding the constellation. City lights or thin clouds can also achieve the effect of "fewer stars in the middle of the month", but too thick clouds or street lamps will block the starlight too much, which will hinder the learning of star recognition. Although Taipei is recognized as a city with serious light damage, it is the best place for beginners to recognize stars. As long as you are not standing under a mercury lamp, a clear and cloudless night is a good time to identify the stars.
Second, start from the northern sky.
We live in the northern hemisphere, so the constellations near the North Pole are on the horizon all year round, and they can almost be found after night, so it will be convenient to find other constellations according to the constellations in the northern sky. For example, the Big Dipper (belonging to Ursa Major) can be seen in spring and summer, and Cassiopeia can also be seen in autumn and winter. Knowing these two constellations first, you can easily find other constellations on any night suitable for stargazing, and then know them one by one. .
Third, be recognized by the big constellation.
Large constellations are usually constellations with bright stars, which are obvious features and can be used as indicators of constellations. In addition, large constellations usually have fairy tales for reference, which is helpful for shape recognition and memory. So these constellations are not easy to forget after recognition. Small constellations are mostly composed of dark stars, so it is difficult to find and confirm the position and shape, which will cause frustration and burnout of beginners and lose interest in learning.
4. Determine the position of the planets with reference to the astronomical calendar.
Planets are annoying celestial bodies for beginners, because they will keep moving on the celestial sphere, so the constellation diagram will not indicate the position of the planets; However, the brightness of planets is often higher than that of ordinary stars. If there is a planet in a constellation, this planet will often become an obvious celestial body in this constellation, and even become the brightest celestial body in the constellation. This often makes the image of the constellation can not be presented correctly, and it is difficult for novices to identify this constellation. Therefore, it is necessary to consult the astronomical almanac or astronomical almanac first to know whether there are planets in the constellation to be identified, so as to successfully identify this constellation.
Finally, I suggest that when you watch the stars for the first time, you can find a friend who knows the constellations to guide you, so that you can enter the beautiful starry world faster.