Do you know? How to find and see the constellations that can be seen in the summer?
In the city, surrounded by tall buildings and bright neon lights, it may be quite difficult to clearly see the constellations.
In contrast, at a campsite with fewer surrounding lights, you can see beautiful stars.
As we enter the peak of summer, what constellations can we see during this season?
What are the points to enjoy the starry sky while camping?
Stargazing is generally said to be best in winter when the air is clear, but for example, the Milky Way can be seen more vividly in summer, so summer nights can also provide a great opportunity to enjoy stargazing. When stargazing, it is better to do so on clear nights when the moon is not out, as the brightness of the moon can make it difficult to observe the stars.
As for the environment, places with little fog or haze and clear air are ideal, and it is said that higher altitudes offer better visibility. The best spots for observation are areas with an open view that are not overgrown with trees.
The starry sky can be beautifully seen with the naked eye in a dark environment with little light. If you want to take a closer look, it might be a good idea to prepare binoculars or a telescope. Additionally, having a star chart can help you accurately locate the constellations. Since the surroundings are often very dark, it is also advisable to bring a flashlight to illuminate your path.
When watching the stars, turn off the flashlight, allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness, and look up at the sky for a while in a light-free area. It is recommended as your eyes will adjust to the darkness and you will be able to see many stars.
What constellations decorate the night sky in summer?
How do you find them?
So, what constellations can we see in the summer? One of the representative constellations of summer is the "Summer Triangle." This constellation is a large triangle formed by three first-magnitude stars: "Vega," "Altair," and "Deneb," and the "Weaving Princess" and "Hikoboshi" that appear during Tanabata correspond to "Vega" and "Altair," respectively. It is considered an easy-to-find constellation as it is located directly overhead from August to September during the summer.
To find the Summer Triangle, first look for the large "Cross" that is located directly above. This large cross is the "Cygnus," and the brightest star within it is "Deneb," one of the stars of the triangle. Deneb, located at the tail part, means "tail of the hen" in Arabic, and it is said that Cygnus represents the form that the god Zeus took to seduce the queen in Greek mythology.
Once you find Deneb in Cygnus, next, try to find the smaller "Cross" located a little to the south. The smaller "Cross" is the "Aquila," and its brightest star is "Altair," known as "Hikoboshi," which is the second star that forms the triangle. The story of Aquila in Greek mythology is famous for depicting the form Zeus took when he carried a beautiful young prince to the heavens.
Finally, if you search west from the Deneb and Altair you found, you will see the constellation Lyra, which is characterized by a parallelogram. The pale blue star at the top right of the parallelogram is Vega, the last star in the Summer Triangle. Vega is also known as "Orihime," and it is said that when Hermes, the son of one of the gods in Greek mythology, died in a river, Zeus picked up the koto that was floating in the river and turned it into a constellation. Thus, since various myths are embedded in constellations, it can be said that it is more interesting to learn about the stories through the constellations.
Additionally, if you look west from Vega in Lyra, you can relatively easily find the constellation Corona Borealis, which has seven stars arranged like a crown. Furthermore, Scorpius is also one of the representative constellations of summer, with the famous red first-magnitude star called Antares shining brightly. Scorpius is a constellation that is low in the southern sky, making it easy to observe in a campsite with few surrounding buildings. Since it appears red to the naked eye, it may be easier to find by using Antares as a landmark.
There are various pleasures of camping, such as barbecues and campfires,
but if you add stargazing to your nighttime activities, you can enjoy an even more extraordinary experience.
In summer, it is especially a time when the Milky Way is easily visible, so when you go camping, be sure to look up at the night sky.
