Sky & Telescope - January 2023 - 73

THREE KEYS
The three keys surrounding our center sky map will help you get the most out of it.
These symbols
represent different
deep-sky objects.
Galaxy
Double star
Variable star
Open cluster
Diffuse nebula
Globular cluster
Planetary nebula
The brightest
star on
our map is
magnitude -1,
the faintest
magnitude 4.
We'll explore
magnitudes
in a later
Beginner's
Space.
-1
1
2
3
4
Our map is accurate
within about an hour
of these times.
WHEN TO
USE THE MAP
Late Nov
11 p.m.
Early Dec 10 p.m.
Late Dec 9 p.m.
Early Jan 8 p.m.
Late Jan 7 p.m.
These are standard times.
as Earth
rotates. (For
more on
the ecliptic,
see Beginner's
Space,
Sept. 2022, p. 74,
with a corrected
opening graphic
here: https://is.gd/
errata2022). Notice that
the Moon shows up three
times, at different phases in
its near monthlong cycle and with
different labels - Dec 29, Jan 2, and Jan
6. The labels indicate where you'll find
the Moon on those dates. You can also
spot Mars just left of center and Jupiter
to the right. The planets are continually
on the move, but on our center map
they're always shown where they're
located at mid-month. Lastly, see the
blue line labeled Equator. Known as the
celestial equator, that imaginary line
corresponds to Earth's equator, as if it
were projected out into the heavens.
How to Use the Map
Ready to try the map outdoors? Take the
map outside within an hour of the time
listed below right of our center map
(also in box above). Bring along a redlight
flashlight to read the map by; dim
red light won't spoil your night vision.
Once you're outside with a clear view
of the sky, determine first which direction
you're facing. If you're unsure, just
remember where the Sun sets - that's
roughly west. Now, look at the yellow
direction labels around the map's
periphery. While holding the map
upright in front of you, spin it so the
label for the direction you're facing is at
the bottom of the map, like " Facing SE "
is in the map at left. That edge is the
horizon in front of you, and the stars
and constellations above the label will
match the stars and constellations in
that part of the sky you're facing. (For
now, ignore the parts of the map that
correspond to other directions.)
The farther in from the map's edge
Galaxy
Double star
Variable star
Open cluster
Diffuse nebula
Globular cluster
Planetary nebula
toward its center a star or other object is
plotted, the higher it will be in your sky.
Halfway from the edge to the center of
the map means about halfway from the
horizon to straight up over your head.
The map's center marks the zenith, or
the point in the sky directly above you.
Next, try finding your way on the
map. Note that in the version of the
center map reproduced at left, we've
turned the map slightly counterclockwise,
so that " Facing SE " is at the
bottom. Nearly halfway from that
label to the center of the map you'll
find the constellation Orion - with
bright-orange Betelgeuse in one shoulder,
bluish-white Rigel marking the
Hunter's upraised foot, and the familiar,
three-star Orion's Belt in between.
Do the same outside with the map,
facing southeast, and you'll see Orion
approximately where the map indicates
it should be.
Congratulations! You've just successfully
mapped your way to a constellation.
If you keep at it, finding celestial
objects using our map - or any good
sky map or atlas - will soon become
second nature to you.
Let's try one more thing. Turn the
center map around so " Facing North " is
at the bottom. About halfway between
that label and the zenith lies Polaris, the
North Star. See the blue lines radiating
from right next to it? Those help remind
us that Polaris serves as the celestial
north pole. It remains throughout the
night in virtually the same position
in the sky from your location, with all
other stars, constellations, and deepsky
objects rotating around it. As you
progress in backyard astronomy, you'll
quickly realize just how important a role
Polaris plays in our hobby, from getting
our bearings in the night sky to polaraligning
a telescope. ¢
Check out our interactive star map:
skyandtelescope.org/interactive-skychart
sk
yand tele scope .o r g * JANUARY 2023 73
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1 2 3 4
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S
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Jupiter
https://www.is.gd/errata2022 https://www.is.gd/errata2022 http://www.skyandtelescope.org/interactive-sky-char http://www.skyandtelescope.org/interactive-sky-char
Sky & Telescope - January 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Sky & Telescope - January 2023
