See the Stars and Planets in the Night Sky Using NASA Tools

The Internet and NASA allow you to see stars and planets in the night sky each evening using free Nasa Tools. My birthday is January 6th. Using the free NASA tools I found on this date in 2011, there will, as usual, be a large number of objects including well-known constellations and even planets visible in the night sky. looking directly overhead, the most prominent constellation will be Auriga. The brightest star in Auriga is Capella. Also, the constellation Cassiopeia will be in the sky. In the area directly around Cassiopeia there are many interesting objects that are visible both with the naked eye as well as with the aid of telescopes or binoculars. Some of the objects include several nebulas, as well as several interesting stars and clusters.

One of the most well known constellations, Ursa Major, will be visible closer to the horizon line to the North. The brightest stars of Ursa Major make up the big dipper, but Ursa Major has the shape of a bear. Ursa Major translates to “Larger Bear” in Latin.

Photograph of Stars and Planets in the Night Sky - Identify them Using NASA tools.

On the southern horizon line, Canis Major will be seen. The star Sirius will be the most prominent component of Canis Major. In mythology, Canis Major (along with Canis Minor) were Orion’s hunting dogs. Orion will be visible in the sky as well, however some components could be faint when viewing with the naked eye.

The most interesting planets in the night sky at this time, in my opinion, will be Jupiter. Jupiter has a mass which is 1/1000 of the Sun’s, but still manages to be 2.5 times the mass of every other planet in the solar system combined. Jupiter is a gas giant and is the 5th planet from the sun.

See our article on Tucson Astronomy, and then check out the link at the start of the article for free NASA tools to see stars and planets in the night Sky on your birthday.

Works Cited:

http://www.allthesky.com/constellations/auriga/

http://seds.org/Maps/Stars_en/Fig/cassiopeia.html

http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/constellations/constellations/Ursa_Major.html

http://www.windows2universe.org/the_universe/Constellations/canis_major.html

http://www.nasa.gov/worldbook/jupiter_worldbook.html