The Big Dipper and the Orion

Paula · October 27, 2010, 12:58:48 AM

Can you find The Big Dipper and Orion from the night sky?

This morning when I started my way to work, the sky was clear and full off stars (despite the street lights). I was able to show my daughter the Big Dipper and my old friend Orion the hunter (the moon was big and bright too). Orion was low on western sky, his belt barely over the tree tops. Couldn't find Cassiopeia though. I do love these kind of autumn mornings before the sunrise.

emma · October 27, 2010, 01:59:37 AM

Might be dark enough for me to do that after the clocks go back for winter at the weekend.

Len · October 28, 2010, 08:24:19 AM

We live on the side of a mountain, so yes, we can see them every night that it doesn't rain. Being Wales, this means we see them about once or twice a year! Here's a photo of where we live....our house would be about 300 meters down the left of the shot.

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/434346

Paula · October 28, 2010, 10:49:11 PM

Wow, talk about rural! I love the landscape.

emma · October 29, 2010, 02:15:03 AM

My problem is that even if the skies are clear there is too much light pollution. I'm at the top of the valley, just below the high point of the Pennines, maybe 150 metres above sea level (near enough 500 ft). It really does need to be clear to see the stars, either that, or drive a few miles out into the Pennines.

Eimi · October 29, 2010, 02:30:55 AM

The sun's up by the time I walk out the door, so I don't see them in the morning. When I walk on the river at night I can see them though!

Paula · November 01, 2010, 01:27:16 AM

Because Len asked in a post if we have mountains: the highes peak on Finland:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halti

Modest, isn't it. (and the norwegians claim the highest part of it anyways)

Chelle · November 02, 2010, 10:00:56 PM

heh... i remember some crazy roads in the mountains in Sweden. Crazy ski holidays. Yeah Len, I'd love to live where you live. I love my tennessee Mountains but they're not as rugged. It's a mountain but..it's covered with forest. pft. I remember the summer I went to the Rockies. That was neato. I would so live in Jackson Hole, Wyoming if I could.

Me...constellations...as an exercise, I made myself learn them so I could navigate that way if I had to. I much prefer my Moboards to get around but if you don't have a compass and whatnot, it's doable sorta..at least.