Do you know? How to find and see the constellations that can be seen in the summer?
In the city, it may be difficult to clearly see constellations surrounded by tall buildings and bright neon lights.
However, at a campsite with less surrounding light, you can see beautiful stars.
As we enter the peak of summer, what constellations can we see during this time of year?
How to enjoy the starry sky even when camping?
Stargazing is said to be best viewed during the winter when the air is clear, but for example, the Milky Way can be seen more vividly and beautifully during the summer, making it possible to fully enjoy stargazing in the summer night sky. When stargazing, it is best to do so on a clear day when the moon is not out, as the moon can be too bright and make it difficult to observe the stars.
As for the environment, it is said that places with less fog and haze and clear air are good, and it is easier to see at higher elevations. It is best to observe in places where the view is not obstructed by dense trees.
The starry sky can be seen beautifully even with the naked eye in a dark environment with little light. If you want to take a closer look, it may be a good idea to prepare binoculars or a telescope. Also, with a star chart, you can accurately locate the constellations. Additionally, since the surroundings are often very dark, it is recommended to bring a flashlight to light your feet.
When looking at the stars, turn off the flashlight and let your eyes adjust to the darkness. Look up at the sky for a while in a place without light. Your eyes will adjust to the darkness and you will be able to see many stars, so it is recommended.
What are the constellations that 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 drawn by three first magnitude stars, "Vega", "Altair", and "Deneb", and the "Weaving Princess" and "Cowherd" that appear on the Tanabata festival correspond to "Vega" and "Altair", respectively. It is considered an easy-to-find constellation as it is located directly above our heads during the summer, from August to September.
To find the Summer Triangle, first look for the large "cross" in the sky. This large cross is the constellation "Cygnus", and the brightest star in it is "Deneb", one of the stars that make up the Summer Triangle. Deneb, which is located at the tail of the swan, means "tail of the hen" in Arabic, and the constellation Cygnus is said to be the form of the god Zeus in Greek mythology, who transformed into a swan to seduce the queen.
Once you have found Deneb in the constellation Cygnus, try looking for a smaller "cross" a little to the south. This smaller "cross" is the constellation "Aquila", and the brightest star is the second star that makes up the Summer Triangle, "Altair", known as the "Cowherd". The story of Aquila in Greek mythology is famous for being the form that Zeus transformed into when he took the prince, who was a beautiful young man, to the heavens.
Finally, if you search to the west from the found stars Deneb and Altair, you will find the distinctive "Lyra" constellation, which is characterized by a parallelogram shape. The blue-white shining star in the upper right of the parallelogram is "Vega" in Lyra, the last star of the big triangle. Vega is also known as "Orihime" and is said to be the constellation created by Zeus when he picked up a harp that was floating down the river after the son of the god Hermes died in the river according to Greek mythology. As such, there are various myths associated with constellations, making it even more interesting to learn about them through stories.
In addition, if you look west from Vega in Lyra, you will also find the constellation "Corona Borealis" where seven stars are lined up like a crown, making it relatively easy to find. Furthermore, "Scorpius" is also one of the representative constellations of summer, with the famous first magnitude star "Antares" shining red. Scorpius is a constellation located low in the southern sky, making it easy to observe in a campsite with few buildings around. It may be easier to find by using Antares as a guide, as it appears red even to the naked eye.
There are various ways to enjoy camping, such as barbecues and bonfires.
But if you add stargazing to your evening activities, you can experience an even more extraordinary time.
In the summer, the Milky Way is particularly visible, so be sure to look up at the night sky when camping.
