Star Maps The Star Maps have been created for your viewing pleasure. To suit Singapore Skies, which are brighter, the limiting magnitude has been increased (stars with larger magnitude numbers are dimmer than those of smaller numbers - a magnitude 3.5 star (the approximate limit of a star in Singapore) is fainter than another of magnitude -1.5) How to use: Choose either the Northern or Southern Sky star map, print it out (right-click and select), face the desired direction at night and you are done! The constellations at the top of the star maps are those that are above you, at the Zenith and along the ecliptic, the path the sun travels each day from East to West. The Milky Way is denoted by the blue band passing across the sky, while the bright stars are labeled next to the star image. On a good night, use a pair of 7X50 binoculars to scan the approximate area marked by purple ovals or circles on the star maps with labels beside them (eg. M45, M42). This denotes an interesting stellar object, a star cluster or nebula (star cloud) that you can check out. if you are lucky, you may get to see a fuzzy spot or a sprinkling of stars. What are Signposts to the Stars? However, as time passes, you may not be fully sure of the constellations that you may be seeing. Thus, you may want to make use of these signposts to the stars to confirm what you are seeing. Most astronomers often make use of them to help them locate constellations more easily.
What's up tonight | Sky Map introduction | Northern Sky | Southern Sky
|