Stellar Rorschach

Every season has its share of interesting astronomical wonders for us to marvel at in the heavens. But whether you are using your naked-eye or a newly acquired telescope, can you navigate your way around the constellations to find a particular object? I'm sure everyone could locate the Moon, and some of you might get lucky and find a planet! However, if I told you there was a new comet in a certain constellation, would you know where to look in the sky so you could enjoy the view? If you answered no to the above question then this star pattern primer is for you.

On the next clear night take a close look at the stars in the sky. We all see the same stars, but does everyone really perceive the view the same? Not unless you're well-versed in sky lore! Though each star is just an apparently random diamond set in the blackness of space, the human mind tends to connect the dots into familiar patterns that can be recognized again and again. Our ancient ancestors played "connect the dots" with the stars and the constellations were born. The key is in knowing what stars make up what sky patterns.

Some of our present day constellations have a 6000 year history. Taurus the Bull, Leo the Lion, and Scorpius the Scorpion, are recorded in cuneiform texts from around 4000 B.C. The ancients honored these common animals by placing them in the sky for all to revere.

Though these sky pictures and associated stories were developed to explain the mysteries of the heavens, their regular rising and setting times came to be relied upon for the planting and harvesting of crops here on Earth. The motion of the sky became the first calendar. Because the lives of our ancestors depended upon their knowledge of this sky clock, they dutifully recorded all that transpired in the heavens. The science of astronomy arose from these early and diligent observations.

A good example of this knowledge was utilized by the ancient Egyptians. I'm sure many of you are aware that the Egyptians relied upon the annual flooding of the Nile for the success of their crops. How did they know when this was to occur? When Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, rose off the eastern horizon at dawn, the Nile would soon overflow its banks.

Throughout history new star patterns emerged as contact with other cultures occurred. Old and established constellations were replaced with new ones when conquering civilizations subjugated their enemies. The same grouping of stars could be a big bear or a ladle or dipper (Ursa Major or the Big Dipper). One could consider it a stellar Rorschach inkblot test. What each star pattern resembled merely depended upon the knowledge and experience of the viewer. Many non-traditional constellations were added when explorers traveled to the southern hemisphere and witnessed an entirely different vault of stars.

Since 1932, the constellations have well-defined boundaries and names. This standardization was done to avoid confusion in the astronomical community. Today there are 88 constellations, half of which were known to the ancients. Many of you are probably familiar with the 12 signs of the zodiac, so you're already acquainted with about 1/4 of the constellations that can be seen from our latitude here in New England. But can you find these star patterns in the sky?

I hope you can at least locate the star pattern that is your astrological sign. By the way, did you know we owe the creation of the zodiac to the Babylonians? The zodiac is the band of constellations that encircles the sky centered on the ecliptic, our sun's path across the sky during the course of a year. The term means "little animal cycle," since all of the patterns, except Libra, represent living creatures.

Many of the traditional star patterns are rich in mythology. Over the years in this column I have related mythological tales about Orion, Taurus, Aquarius, Hercules, Andromeda, Pegasus, and Scorpius, as well as pointed out some of the brighter telescopic sights in these constellations. For new readers of this column I will re-examine some of these sky pictures as well as introduce you to additional signposts in the sky in future months. Once you know the history behind the figures in the sky you won't observe them the same way again. The vault of the heavens is a giant pictograph from our ancient ancestors who have given us a time capsule from their day.

Learn the constellations, particularly if you own a telescope. If you don't own a scope, learn the star patterns first before you purchase one. The constellations are full of wondrous objects such as galaxies, clusters, and nebulae. If you can't even find the constellations in the sky, you'll never find the riches lying within them.

Many times in the past I have suggested that you purchase a star-wheel to aid in locating constellations. The Rhode Island Audubon Society store in Greenville at 12 Sanderson Road (Route 5) carries a supply of them. Some of the local bookstores have carried them in the past as well. They are inexpensive and quite easy to use. Also, you might want to purchase H.A. Rey's The Stars, A New Way to See Them. It is a classic book on constellation identification that has also been available at the local bookstores.

Once you've learned the traditional sky patterns, try making up your own. Some of the constellations don't appear to resemble the images they're suppose to depict. Why? The images are millennia old, hence we are unfamiliar with their once common and identifiable forms. For instance, Bootes is a herdsman in mythology. I certainly don't see the image of a herdsman among those stars. What I do see though is a kite. The red star Arcturus marks the end of the kite where the tail is attached. Drop me a postcard to this publication with your constellation interpretations. I promise I won't show them to any psychiatrists! I'll publish as many as I can in a future column. It could prove very entertaining.

Keep your eyes to the skies!